A simple guide on how to use instant pot pressure cooker, where to buy, setting up your instant pot, IP terminologies, tips and more. This is a beginner’s guide to using instant pot.
What is instant pot
Instant pot is a pressure cooker and much more..Yes more because the instant pot is also a slow cooker, rice cooker, it sautees, it steams, this electric pressure cooker is simply a magic pot. The all in one device that makes cooking easier and faster.
The pressure cooker of the instant pot is super quick and works by locking steam inside the pot and thereby the food. It makes delicious food, it’s fast and fun to use.
The instant pot sits pretty on my kitchen worktop and is now one of the most used gadgets in my kitchen. It’s mostly used to make dinners and I absolutely love it! I mean what’s not to love about the instant pot? It’s fast and convenient. It's a game-changer.
Personally i don't buy unneccessary kitchen gadgets. I like to think i'm practical and there are so many tools out there that if one is not careful, you can end up with a kitchen gadget showroom instead of a kitchen! As it is, my kitchen cabinets are already full of some of the most important kitchen gadgets and there's no room for clutter in my kitchen. I can't stand cluttered kitchen or worktops so i do with important gadets only and the instant pot almost gets as much use as my blender if not more.. If you know how much I use my kitchen blender you’ll probably feel sorry for these tools.
So yes, instant pot pressure cooker is important in my kitchen and i am a proud owner of the instant pot duo 6 quart. This size is perfect for my family cooking. There are atleast 2 more sizes of this brand: the 3 litres duo mini and the duo 8 litres.
Why i love instant pot
I am not new to pressure cooking. I was used to the oldschool pressure pot which i had been using for over 10 years. When we moved house 2 years ago, the one i had was one of the things that didn’t make it to the new house. I replaced it with Instapot and I can say why did I not get the instant pot sooner! It’s been amazing.
- One-pot meals – Instant pot is perfect for one pot meals. You can just add ingredients and water to the pot, set the cooking time and go on to do something else until the cooker beeps! It even has keep warm function so food doesn't get cold.
- Fast - You can cook some meals in just 15 minutes. Simple meals like rice and pasta included.
- Reduce smell and mess
- Food tastes better – as the flavors are locked in especially when pressure cooked. You can also make food fresh daily because of how quick you can.
- Multifunction – I like that I can do so much with the IP like slow cook, saute, steam and more.
- Keep warm function- that keeps food warm and nice.
Instant pot acronyms
IP – Instant pot
PC – Pressure Cooker
HP – High Pressure
LP – Low pressure
NR- Natural release
QR or QPR – Quick release or Quick pressure release
NPR – Natural pressure releaee
EPC – Electric pressure cooker
PIP – Pot in pot
Instapot- Instapot
Magic pot – Instapot
Pothead- Instant Pot users
Potters - Instant pot users
What is natural pressure release
Full natural release: It means after the pressure cooking cycle, to leave the lid knob in sealing position and wait till the pressure button drops down on its own. You don't turn the knob into venting.
What does 5 minutes natural pressure release means? you wait for ten minutes after pressure cooking is done before turning the lid knob into venting to release the remaining pressure.
What is 10 minutes natural pressure release? It means to wait for ten minutes after pressure cooking before releasing the remaining pressure.
How to use instant pot
Read the user manual – The instant pot comes with user manual in various languages including English. The user manual explains the parts, what they do and how to set up the cooker. I have summarised below the basic steps of setting the IP up:
Remove and wash the inner pot and wipe dry then place back in the instant pot.
Check the anti-block shield, float valve and release valve. Ensure they are clean and free of dirt.
Do the Water test :
How to do Instant pot Water test
1)Add 4 cups of water in the inner pot of the IP.
2) Cover with the lid and close it. Turn the steam release handle into sealing position and press the steam button. Use the + /- button to set the time to 2 minutes.
3) The pressure pot shows the On sign and the steam program starts when the working pressure is reached (this takes about 10 minutes)
4) When this is done, the IP will beep and switch to keep warm. You can then press cancel.
Now your Instant pot is up and running, it’s time to cook up a storm
Is Instant pot safe
It is safe to use. Unlike the old school stovetop pressure pot, the instant pot locks and stays that way until pressure is released.
Safety tips to note:
Make sure you set lid valve to sealing before pressure cooking
Sealing position is what allows steam to be trapped in the pressure cook
Venting position - This is what depressurizes the instant pot. It allows the release of the steam inside the pot.
What to cook in instant pot
In the instant pot you can cook foods like:
Rice dishes – Instant pot basmati rice, brown rice, jasmine rice
Check out how to cook long grain rice on the stove top, slow cooker and Instant pot
Easy Instant pot chili
Other instant pot recipes
Beans dishes – One of the joys of pressure pot is for cooking beans dishes like curried black eyed peas, pinto, black beans. The instant pot reduces the cooking time more than half.
Chicken
Meat
Bread
Yoghurt
and much more... from weight watchers, to Vegans, paleo, keto diet followers, the instant pot is valuable.
How much and does Instant pot cost
I have the instant pot duo 7 in 1 6 quart. Check it out via the link below along with some other sizes.
6 quart Instant Pot duo 9 in 1
3 quart Instant lux pot 6 in 1
Can I get Instant pot on sale?
Amazon prime day will be a good time if you are looking for sale.
Instant pot accessories
The inner pot is stainless steel and it's dishwasher safe. Each instant pot comes with 1 inner pot. If required you can purchase extra IP inner pots
Instant pot lid
Sealing ring - This is the sealimg ring in the pot lid and it's important for the pressure cooking mode. Ensure it's well placed and sealed. This is also dishwasher safe
Shield
Condensation collector
These are the basic accessories. There are other accessories and add ons you can get for your instant pot.
So that's a brief summary of how to use instant pot - A simple guide. I will update this post from time to time if there are new updates or information but for now this will do and when I start posting those instant pot recipes and using the terms, you'll know what i mean.
So readers, now let’s start the Instant pot recipes!
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