Instant Pot Water Test
Updated Dec 31, 2024
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New Instant Pot owner? It is best to complete a water test before you begin cooking. Follow these EASY step-by-step instructions with photos to ensure success using your Instant Pot to make delicious Instant Pot recipes!
As a new owner of an Instant Pot, you may also find my Guide to Using an Instant Pot and explanation of Instant Pot Settings helpful as well.
Is a Water Test Necessary?
Yes, absolutely! Even as an experienced cook, you will GREATLY benefit from completing a simple water test before trying to make anything in your Instant Pot.
This simple test will help you get comfortable using your Instant Pot, ensure it is working properly--and not waste any food in the meantime.
How to do the Initial Instant Pot Water Test
- Place the inner pot into the base of the Instant Pot and be sure the cord is securely attached to the unit and plugged into a working outlet.
- Pour 3 cups of water into the inner pot.
- Check to ensure the seal is tightly secured on the lid and then place the lid on the Instant Pot. Ensure the steam release valve is pointed towards sealed or locked into place.
- Set the cooking time by hitting the manual or pressure cook button. Ensure HIGH pressure is indicated on the screen (this is the default). If not, hit the pressure button until HIGH is lit up. Then use the plus or minus until the screen reads "3." If your screen flashes the time, you need to press start. For most models, the Instant Pot will beep and turn itself on.
- As the Instant Pot comes to pressure the screen will read ON and a small amount of steam may escape. If there is a lot of steam, ensure your pressure release knob is pointed towards sealed.
- Once pressure has been reached the screen will display the cooking time and begin to cook backwards.
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, most models will beep to signal completion and default to "keep warm" function. The screen will count upwards now to signal how much time has released since the cooking time has elapsed.
- To do a Natural Pressure Release, leave the Instant Pot untouched until the float valve drops on its own, for a Quick Release, carefully turn the valve to "Venting" using a wooden spoon and stand back to avoid steam burns.
- Hit cancel to turn off the Instant Pot.
What if the Test Fails?
Before you assume your pressure cooker is broken if the water test does not go as planned, it may be an issue you can resolve yourself.
- Make sure the inner seal is on correctly on the lid of the instant pot.
- Make sure the steam release valve is set pointed to the seal symbol.
If those were not your issues, read over my troubleshooting guide and if need be, contact Instant Pot Customer Service who will be able to direct you accordingly.
I truly hope you LOVE your Instant Pot and am always willing to help if you have questions! -Kristen
Kristen , is a great help.
I'm new to IP . my model 6qt duo and I think it might be a newer model.
has no manual option, so I wonder how to play with the add time and pressure option...it had law, medium or more option for the pressure.
it didn't come with a book manual .
tnx for helping to figure this out!!!
Does it have a pressure cook button? If not, let me know the model. As for the pressure options, more would be high.
I tried making yogurt in my instant pot duo. I poured two quarts of water in the stainless steel container and turned the unit to yogurt on boil. Once the temperature was 105 I turned the unit off. I came back in 10 minutes and turned on the yogurt feature. I have two thermometers. After an hour the temperature was 121 and 125 without the top on secure and the valve open. I can't make yogurt at this temperature. Is there a way to adjust the yogurt temperature setting? Is this a defective unit? Don't get me wrong. I love my instant pot but I was hoping to make yogurt.
thanks
Milton
Hi Milton! I love, love how scientific you were with your experiment. And I am completely perplexed at how the temperature was not held closer to 115 degrees. You should always incubate yogurt on normal level, not low, I have 3 IP models and now I will be testing myself--stay tuned.
How long does it take for the count-down timer to start? If I know how long I need to wait, I get a better idea as whether my instant pot has a problem or not.
Hi Emma! The time it takes for your instant pot to come to pressure will depend on the amount of liquid and contents in your instant pot. 1 cup of water or liquid should take no more than 10 minutes to come to pressure. A soup with 8 cups may take up to 20 minutes.
So I keep seeing the general range of 5-20 minutes for coming to pressure, but my recipes consistently take over 20 minutes, and 30 for soup. The seal and everything seem to be fine. Is there anything else I might be missing??
Hi Molly! Some models take a bit longer to come to pressure and soups can take notorious longer. If you are filling your inner pot more than halfway full, plan on 20+ minutes. If less than halfway, it should not take longer than 20 minutes.
New user starting the pressure cooking adventure
Welcome to the world of Instant Pot cooking David. Please reach out with any questions.
Thank you so much for taking the time to post a video on the water test! It was so helpful and nicely explained. I'm brand new to Instant Pot ... just opened the box today. You explained it better than the manual!
Ia so glad your found this helpful 😍
Looking for wheat, dairy, and egg free recipes.
Hi Laurie! I understand the need for wheat, egg, and dairy free recipes--we lived that way for 4 years when my son was intolerant to all 3.
Here are all my Instant Pot Recipes and more than half of the recipes fit your needs: https://amindfullmom.com/real-food-3/instant-pot/