15 Things you Need to Know About your Instant Pot

Did you recently buy an Instant Pot?  Everyone has been raving about the Instant Pot this last year – and chances are, you jumped on the Instant Pot train just like I did.

The Instant Pot has been a total life changer in our house – and as with most appliances, I dove right in without reading the manual. Now, whenever I see a recipe, I think “Hmm, I wonder if I can cook this in my Instant Pot?” and whenever I see a bowl or plate, I say “oh gosh I wonder if that will fit in my Instant Pot?”

I try to cook almost everything in my Instant Pot. My crock pots are now a thing of the past and are nicely tucked away in the garage.

So why did we Buy an Instant Pot?

We jumped on the Instant Pot train because it seemed like it was a great way to make healthier food, fast… and we were right – it was.  No more crock pot meals, freezer meals, etc. – the Instant Pot could literally do it “all” for us in a fraction of the time. From making yogurt to hard boiled eggs and soup, even cheesecake.

The best part about the Instant Pot is the stainless steel inner pot (no more Teflon pans!), and it keeps the kitchen cool, unlike turning on the oven. And the pot cooks the same items as a crock pot in a fraction of the time. It switches to warm when it’s done (in case you aren’t there to turn it off).

And the set it and forget it is priceless… no more “whoops! I forgot about the food on the stove!” – especially when you have a habit of multitasking when making food.

Here are some things you MUST know about the Instant Pot ~

#1 – You NEED Liquid

Yes, you need liquid. In the haste of making food in this new appliance, don’t forget to add at least 1/2 C.  – 1 C. liquid for the pot to come to pressure.  In order to make your food quickly, the pot has to come to pressure. And the length of time that the pot takes to come to pressure depends on what you are making and how much liquid you are using in the pot. 

For example, if you are making steamed green beans, then the pot may only need 1/2 C. water. But if you are making lentils, then you will need to use 3-4 times the liquid as lentils. 

#2 – The Lid Rests in the Handles

This may seem SO common sense, but I had no idea that the Instant Pot did this for a LONG time. When you remove the lid, flip it upright and then place the lid in either the left or right IP handle. Voila. No more wet countertop from laying the lid down.

#3 – Wash the Silicone Ring Often or Buy Another

You might not want to wash it every time you use the pot but you will need to wash it often. The odor will accumulate over time and get a little stinky if you don’t.  You can buy a second ring and swap out when you are making smelly foods like seafood – or you can have that second ring as a swap out regularly. To wash the ring, let it sit in a mixture of baking soda and dish soap – then hang outside to dry in the sun.

#4 – You CAN Make Pasta in your Instant Pot

I was always told this was a no-no when I got mine but we make it ALL the time. Different pasta cooks differently, so using spaghetti (a thinner pasta) will be different than a more substantial pasta. We haven’t done spaghetti but penne pasta works great as does bowtie, macaroni & more. There is NO boiling water required, and no straining and rinsing. 

How to Make Pasta in the Instant Pot

To make pasta, just put in the inner pot – and fill with water JUST above the pasta. Don’t put too much extra water – you just want the water to barely touch the top of the leveled pasta. Put the lid on, close the valve and set for 4 minutes on manual (high). Let it sit for 3-4 minutes after it beeps then release the pressure.

#5 – Learn the Terms – Natural Pressure Release and Quick Release

That’s one thing that will make your life so much easier when you start reading recipes. 

Natural Pressure Release allows the pot to naturally release pressure on it’s own after the food is done.  It’s a form of release that is often used with pasta, soup (including lentils), beans, and meats – or a pot that is filled up to the max line. If a recipe calls for 5 minutes NPR, you will want to wait until the pot says L0:05, then you can release the pressure after that by opening the vent.  

Quick Release allows you to manually release the pressure on your meal by turning the vent valve at the top to open. You can use this for veggies, or for non-starchy foods, as long as your pot isn’t filled up to the top.   Always use tongs or a fork/spoon to avoid turning that valve with your hands when you release (the hot pressure will hurt if you let it touch you!)  And if you see food sputter out, then turn it slowly and open just a little at a time. OR diffuse the steam by placing a light kitchen towel on top as you open it.

#6 – A Steamer Basket is Essential

Think you might make veggies or meat loaf? Or, perhaps fish or potatoes? Maybe hard boiled eggs? The steamer basket is a must if you are. You can use silicone or stainless steel and it’ll sit right on the trivet – you can pour the water in before you place the steamer basket and trivet in there and it’ll cook up your veggies without them being in the water directly.

We have THIS steamer basket and we love it because we can unscrew the center (and screw back in later) if you are making meatloaf, but a Silicone one also works great.

#7 – Wash the {Inside of the} Lid Regularly

And no, we don’t mean submerge it in the sink – because that isn’t a good idea ;)  But keep the lid clean after you cook. Wipe it down with a damp rag, and if you have lots of food particles in there, then gently rinse it out with the faucet, being careful to keep the water in the stainless steel portion of the lid.  

And if you remove the seal to wash the lid, make sure you put it back in… or next time you cook a meal you will wonder why the pot isn’t getting to pressure quickly.

#8 – Buy a Second Stainless Steel Pot

You will thank yourself later!  Of all of the extras for the Instant Pot, having a second silicone ring is important, but so is having a second pot. If you are making dinner that involves several things it’s nice to be able to have two pots, instead of having to clean out the pot to make the next item.

#9 – Recipes Never Usually Account for the “Pressure”

Which means that when you are reading recipes that say “Soup in 10 minutes or less!” … that never accounts for the time it takes the pot to get to pressure. And although it doesn’t always take the pot that long to get to pressure (depends on what you are making and how much liquid is in there), you want to allow yourself extra time.

I have found that when I use the Saute feature BEFORE I make the actual meal, the pot comes to pressure faster – perhaps because it has been warmed up first. 

#10 – Don’t Underestimate the Saute Function

I LOVE the Saute function – but never underestimate how quickly that function can heat up :)  When you switch to Saute, make sure you stick around and avoid getting distracted. I have made one too many cream soups where the milk has scalded in the bottom of the pot because I thought I could run and put a load of clothes in fast. Don’t make that mistake! 

#11 – Burned Inner Pot?

Did you make the mistake we mentioned in #10? If you did, and you are dealing with a burned bottom in your Inner Pot… don’t worry.   Use a little Lemon Essential Oil (4-5 drops) and water + baking soda to scrub the bottom of the pot. That lemon essential oil works great to get out even the hardest burn stains.

#12 – You CANNOT Can in this Instant Pot

This question always comes up – and as amazing as the Instant Pot is (especially the 7-in-1), it does NOT pressure can. You will need to buy a pressure canner to handle that job, because your Instant Pot is not designed for that.

#13 – Be Careful!

This goes for ANY appliance – but with the Instant Pot, we wanted to tell you two things in specific to watch out for. It’s common, when you take out the pot, that you forget the Instant Pot might not have the Inner Pot “inside” — perhaps you washed it and are letting it dry.

OR perhaps it’s in the dishwasher… and your family may not realize, and they DUMP the food in the pot to make something for themselves. Dumping things in the IP is great, but only if the “inner’ pot is in there!  If you make that mistake, dump out the food and carefully wipe it out – try not to do that again.

Second, we know the Instant Pot will eventually need a permanent space on your counter… please refrain from making the burner on the stove that permanent place. It’s far too easy to forget that is on the stove, and crank on the burner to make something and melt the plastic on the Instant Pot. Save yourself the trouble and if you do want to store it on the stove, cover the burner (electric stove), or remove the knob (gas stove) – or better yet, keep the IP on the regular countertop. You’ll thank yourself later.

#14 – Make a Dish Inside of your Instant Pot

If you have read my blog for a while, you will have noticed that we made Cheesecake in our Instant Pot. And Sweet Potato Casserole. You can also make cake, and cornbread, in fact – anything that is baked in a dish can be baked in the Instant Pot.

In each case, you’ll place the trivet in the IP, add 1/2 – 1 C. water, and then set the dish or Springform pan ON the trivet before locking the lid and closing the valve.  The steam in the pot will cook the food in a fraction of the time – when you remove the lid, you might see a little moisture ON the cheesecake or cake – which is normal (it will go away). Lift out the trivet with the dish and enjoy your meal – after all, you never in a million years realized that this amazing appliance could make cheesecake SO effortless.

#15 – Close the Vent

If you put the food in, lid on and push buttons, don’t forget to close the vent too… if you don’t, you’ll hear hissing (after a few minutes) – if you do, don’t panic. Run back into the kitchen and close the vent quickly – your food is not destroyed. An open vent won’t allow the food to cook properly, so always try to ensure the vent is closed when you make each meal.

Get Out & Cook 

Getting past those items, get busy & go make food – it’s a fun appliance to have, and you might even grow as addicted to it as we are.

Checkout our recent Instant Pot Recipes HERE and again HERE..

You can also see 10 Reasons why we invested in an Instant Pot, and find the BEST Instant Pot Accessories to have for Instant Pot Owners!