If you’re looking for Instant Pot directions, this easy-to-use beginner’s guide tells you everything you need to know to get started. This Instant Pot manual has step-by-step instructions and photos detailing how to use an Instant Pot. Find out about parts, assembly, safety features, pressure release, and the water test. [Video included.]
If you have an Instant Pot Duo, you’re in the right place. If you have another model, you can still use this user guide to get a general overview but you might want to check out the manual for your particular model.
Table of Contents
- Introduction with Video
- What is an Instant Pot?
- How does Pressure Cooking Work?
- Is the Instant Pot Safe to Use?
- Safety Precautions
- First Thing You Need to Do: Open the Box!
- Parts
- Lid
- Sealing Ring
- Float Valve
- Anti-Block Shield
- Assembly
- Condensation Collector
- Open and Close the Lid
- Release Pressure
- Commonly Used Functions
- Initial Test Run/Water Test with Video
- Recipes to Try
Introduction with Video
If you just bought an Instant Pot and want to learn how to use it or if you already own one but are too intimidated by it, you’ve come to the right place.
This is the Instant Pot owner’s manual that you wish had been shipped with your Instant Pot! This manual covers the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 7-in-1 Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker, also known as the Duo. The 7 functions are Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Saute/Browning, Yogurt Maker, Steamer & Warmer.
Although written for the Duo model, this manual can be followed for models including the Duo SV, Lux, Nova, and Smart Wifi because they have similar controls.
When I got my first Instant Pot (the Duo model) years ago, I have to admit that it was a bit scary! So many buttons and so many features. The owner’s manual that came with the Instant Pot was confusing and unclear. That’s what prompted me to write this Instant Pot guide.
I also own an Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus, Duo Nova, Ultra 6 quart and 8 quart, and a Smart Wifi.
In this easy-to-understand Instant Pot owner’s manual, I give you a quick introduction to the parts and directions on how to use the Instant Pot for the first time.
Here are some Instant Pot articles that may be helpful to you:
– 16 Reasons the Instant Pot is not Sealing
– 17 Instant Pot Tips and FAQs
– 17 Common Instant Pot Problems
– Instant Pot ULTRA Beginner’s Manual and Quick Start Guide
– Instant Pot DUO EVO PLUS Beginner’s Manual and Quick Start Guide
– Instant Pot DUO EVO PLUS Advanced User Guide
What is an Instant Pot?
Sometimes incorrectly referred to as Instapot, the Instant Pot has become so popular in recent years that Instant Pot is being used by some as a generic name for pressure cookers of any brand.
In reality, Instant Pot is the brand name of a multicooker that serves as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, sauté/searing pan, steamer, and warming pot all in one convenient appliance.
The Instant Pot Company (Instant Brands) started out with one product – the Instant Pot multicooker – and now makes a wide range of kitchen appliances including air fryers, blenders, and toaster ovens.
Although the Instant Pot pressure multicooker has many different functions, the most commonly used is the Pressure Cook function. Pressure cooking allows you to cook foods at a fraction of the time it would take in a pan or in an oven.
Although I’ve used a stovetop pressure cooker for decades, I much prefer the Instant Pot for three main reasons:
- There’s no need to babysit it
- It’s not loud like my old pressure cooker
- It is versatile
How Does Pressure Cooking Work?
Pressure cookers create a closed environment where steam builds up in a tightly sealed pot. This, in turn, causes the internal temperature to rise and pressure to increase.
Under high pressure, the fiber in the food is tenderized and flavors develop in a very short time. Nutrient-rich steam condenses in the pot instead of evaporating and nutritional value is retained because of the speed of cooking.
Is the Instant Pot Safe to Use?
According to the Instant Pot company, most pressure cooker disasters in the past could be attributed to user error. Instant Pot pressure multicookers are carefully designed to eliminate and avoid most of these potential problems.
There are lots of safety features that help reduce common errors. Safety features include pressure sensor technology, lid close detection, lid lock technology, overheat protection, and automatic temperature and pressure controls.
Bottom line: the Instant Pot is very safe to use!
Safety Precautions
Although there are many built-in safety features as explained above, as a user you need to follow common-sense precautions:
- Don’t touch the hot surfaces, particularly the stainless steel parts. Use the handles to move the Instant Pot and use gloves to remove the inner pot.
- Don’t place the Instant Pot on or close to an electric or gas burner.
- Don’t move the Instant Pot when it’s under pressure.
- Don’t fill over 2/3 full.
- When cooking foods that expand e.g. rice, beans, and pasta don’t fill over 1/2 full.
- Ensure sealing ring, anti-block shield, float valve, and steam release pipe are clean and not clogged.
- Don’t open the lid until the float valve is down i.e. the Instant Pot is depressurized.
- Keep hands and face away from the steam release mechanism.
- Don’t obstruct the steam release handle when pressure is being released.
- When quick-releasing frothy foods such as applesauce, oatmeal, pasta, etc. take extra care. It’s best to release pressure is short bursts for these types of foods.
- Don’t use a different Instant Pot model’s lid on your model.
- Don’t use the lid when using the Saute program. It’s okay to use a tempered glass lid with a venting hole, sold separately.
If you want more technical and detailed information about the Instant Pot, you can also visit the Instant Pot website. In this post, I’ll just be going over the basics of how to use the Instant Pot: assembling the Instant Pot and doing the water test. I’ll get you going and make you comfortable enough to explore its features!
PURCHASE THE INSTANT POT DUO ON AMAZON!
First Thing You Need to Do: Open the Box!
I regularly hear from people who purchased or got the Instant Pot as a gift, and leave it unopened because they’re too scared. And that’s understandable, but there’s nothing to worry about. The Instant Pot has many layers of safety features!
Besides, if you don’t get it out of the box and try it out, in the event you have a defective unit you might miss the warranty period and be stuck with a bulky paperweight!
I’m going you get going to the point where you’ll be pressure cooking in no time. And the first thing you’ll pressure cook is water, when you do the water test!
Take everything out of the box and discard the packaging. Open the lid by turning it counter-clockwise.
Instant Pot Parts and Accessories
The Instant Pot comes with the following main parts and accessories:
- Base unit/Outer Pot – stainless steel exterior that houses the heating element, control panel, and detachable power cord.
- Lid – closes the Instant Pot and seals it under pressure. The lid can be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher or by hand with soap and water.
- Inner pot – removable stainless steel pot that is also stove-friendly, so you can use it on your stovetop as you would a regular pot. It can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand.
- Condensation Collector – catches drips from condensation on the lid; attaches onto the back of the base unit. Can be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher or by hand.
- Power cord – the 3-prong detachable power cord is plugged into the back of the Instant Pot Duo. (Note: some models have attached power cords.)
- Accessories – spoons, measuring cup, and trivet. The trivet is useful for elevating food above the liquid and for Pot in Pot cooking. (Note: some models don’t come with the spoons and measuring cup.) The trivet can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand.
Instant Pot Lid
Instant Pot Lid Exterior Parts
- Lid Handle – used to put on and take off the lid
- Lid Fin – placed in the lid fin slot of the base unit to prop the lid open (Note: Instant Pot Lux model does not have a lid fin slot)
- Steam Release Handle – handle that fits over the steam release pipe (valve) and allows pressure to be released. The handle needs to be in the Sealing position when using the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker function.
- Float Valve – seals in the steam, allowing the Instant Pot to be pressurized.
Steam Release Parts
The steam release consists of:
- Steam release handle – regulates the internal temperature. It is supposed to be wobbly but must be pushed in all the way. Turn it from Sealing to Venting to release pressure.
- Steam release pipe – steam travels from the inner pot through the pipe during steam release.
Instant Pot Lid Interior Parts
The inside of the Instant Pot lid consists of the following parts:
- Silicone Cap for Float Valve – covers the float valve and keeps it in place
- Lid Locking Pin – safety mechanism that prevents the lid from opening under pressure
- Anti-Block Shield – prevents food from coming out of the inner pot through the steam release pipe
- Sealing Ring Rack – holds the sealing ring in place
- Sealing Ring – silicone sealing ring allows the Instant Pot to seal
Sealing Ring
The silicone sealing ring should be washed after each use. I wash it in the top rack of the dishwasher. You can also wash it with soap and water.
How to Remove the Sealing Ring
- Pull gently on the silicone ring until it detaches from the sealing ring rack.
- Continue to pull the silicone sealing ring out until it is completely separated.
How to Replace the Sealing Ring
- Place the silicone sealing ring on the sealing ring rack.
- Working your way all around, push the sealing ring until it’s firmly seated in the sealing ring rack.
- Make sure no part of the sealing ring is sticking out. If you don’t put it back in properly, the Instant Pot won’t seal, your food won’t cook and you’ll probably get the Food Burn / Burn Message.
- The first few times, you may find it difficult to remove the sealing ring but after a few uses, it should stretch out a bit.
Float Valve
The float valve needs to be cleaned periodically, especially after cooking frothy or starchy foods. I use a bottle brush to clean the float valve.
How to Remove the Float Valve
- While holding the float valve in place on the outside of the lid, remove the float valve’s silicone cap.
- The float valve will be freed.
- Be careful not to misplace the silicone cap.
How to Replace the Float Valve
- Thread the float valve through the float valve hole.
- While holding it in place on the exterior of the lid, replace the silicone cover by pushing it onto the float valve on the interior of the lid.
Float Valve Position
- My Instant Pot Duo float valve is below the lid level when not under pressure and at the lid level when under pressure.
- There are some models such as the Ultra, where the float valve is at the lid level when not under pressure and above lid level when under pressure. Some Instant Pot Duos also have this kind of float valve.
- When the float valve is in the Up position (under pressure), the lid cannot be opened. Don’t try to force the lid open when the float valve is up. Once the float valve drops, the pressure will have released and it’s safe to open the Instant Pot lid.
Anti-Block Shield
The anti-block shield should be cleaned periodically, especially after cooking frothy or starchy foods. Pay particular attention to the holes.
How to Remove and Replace the Anti-block Shield
- The anti-block shield can be hard to remove with your bare hands.
- Use a silicone trivet or a dish towel to push the anti-block shield in an upwards motion.
- Try it from the front or from behind (as shown above in the first image)
- To replace the anti-block shield, push it in until it clicks into place.
Instant Pot Assembly
- Make sure the base unit is empty and clean
- Place the inner pot in the Instant Pot base unit
Condensation Collector
The condensation collector catches any moisture that builds up on the rim. This usually comes from moisture dripping from inside the lid into the rim of the Instant Pot base, when the lid is propped open.
In my experience, the condensation collector rarely fills up but I have found that when I cook pasta, in particular, liquid tends to collect and it can get messy! Get into the habit of checking for liquid in the condensation collector after every use.
To attach the condensation collector:
- Line up the condensation collector with the notches on the back of the Instant Pot base unit.
- Slide in the condensation collector until it’s pushed in all the way.
Open and Close the Lid
How to Close the Lid
- Place the lid onto the Instant Pot base unit with the arrow mark on the lid lined up with the open lock icon that is above the right corner of the control panel.
- You will hear a chime (if the volume is turned on).
- Turn the lid clockwise until you hear another chime.
- The lid will be closed.
How to Open the Lid
- The lid will not open until all pressure has been released.
- Once the float valve is down, turn the lid counter-clockwise until you hear a chime.
- The arrow on the lid will be lined up with the open lock icon on the base unit.
- Lift the lid to remove it.
- If you feel a slight resistance, wiggle the lid back and forth and the suction should release.
How to Prop Open the Lid
Propping open the lid keeps it out of the way and allows you to use the Instant Pot hands-free.
- Locate the two lid fins on the lid.
- Locate the lid fin slots on the base unit.
- Insert either lid fin into either slot to prop the lid open.
Release Pressure
There are a few different ways to release pressure from the Instant Pot:
- Natural Pressure Release/Natural Release
- Quick Release
- 10-minute or 15-minute Natural Pressure Release
- Quick Release in Short Bursts
[Find out more details about these pressure release methods.]
Commonly Used Functions of the Instant Pot
The Instant Pot has many buttons that may appear confusing and complicated. But they really aren’t. Just think of them as presets or shortcuts, such as those on a microwave oven.
How to Turn on the Instant Pot / How to Start the Instant Pot
If your Instant Pot display is blank, make sure it’s plugged in and press any button to turn on the Instant Pot display. If you’re wondering how to start the Instant Pot, this model does not have a Start button.
You’ll program your Instant Pot and wait a few seconds in order for the pressure cooking process to begin. On some other models, in order to begin a smart function (e.g. Pressure Cook, Soup, Saute, Rice), you have to program the function and press Start.
For the purposes of just getting you going, in this guide I’ll show you the most commonly used Instant Pot buttons and functions:
- Saute
- Pressure Cook | Manual
- Pressure Level | Pressure
- Keep Warm
- Cancel
Pro Tip
Note: You may encounter Instant Pot recipes that tell you to press ‘Start’. The Duo, Lux, Nova, Viva, Smart Wifi do not have a ‘Start’ button. Instead, once you program the Instant Pot, it automatically starts after a few seconds. Some other models such as the Ultra, Duo Evo Plus and Max require you to press ‘Start’ after programming the Instant Pot.
Saute
The Saute function allows you to saute food in the Instant Pot before pressure cooking, and to reduce the liquid after pressure cooking. I love this function because I don’t need to get out another pan and that helps keep cleanup to a minimum.
- Press the Saute button.
- The display says On.
- Once the desired saute temperature has been reached, the display says Hot.
- Add your food to the inner pot and saute.
To change the Saute temperature:
- NEWER MODELS: Press the Saute button repeatedly to toggle between Less (lowest temperature), Normal (medium temperature), and More (high temperature).
- OLDER MODELS: Toggle the saute temperature between Less, Normal, and More modes by pressing the Adjust button.
Safety Tip
Don’t use the Instant Pot lid while sauteing. A glass lid with a venting hole (purchased separately) may be used. As a safety precaution, the cooker automatically enters standby mode (display says Off) after 30 minutes if you have not pressed Cancel.
Pressure Cook | Manual
Pressure Cook is the most useful feature of the Instant Pot.
Pro Tip
* Manual and Pressure Cook are the same thing. Manual was replaced with Pressure Cook in newer versions of the Instant Pot Duo and Lux.
- Press the Pressure Cook or Manual button.
- Press the + or – buttons to set the pressure cooking time.
- Once the pressure cooking time has been set (e.g. 5 or 00:05 for 5 minutes), wait a couple of seconds and the display will change to On.
- The float valve will go from the Down position to the Up position.
- This can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on the amount of food you’re cooking and the temperature of the ingredients.
Pressure Level
The Instant Pot Pressure Cook program can use high or low pressure. A majority of the recipes that you encounter will use High pressure. If a recipe doesn’t state whether to use high or low pressure, you can probably assume it’s high pressure.
- Press the Pressure Level or Pressure button to toggle between low and high pressure when using pressure cooking functions.
Keep Warm and Cancel
The Keep Warm function is useful when you want your food to stay warm after being pressure cooked. Having the Keep Warm function on allows you keep track of the amount of time since pressure cooking completed. This is useful when you’re doing a natural release.
- NEWER MODELS:
– Press the Keep Warm button to turn the Keep Warm function on and off.
– Press the Cancel button to end any selected function. The Instant Pot display will say OFF. - OLDER MODELS:
– Press the Keep Warm/Cancel button when the Instant Pot is in standby mode (i.e. display says OFF) to turn on the Keep Warm function.
– Press the Keep Warm/Cancel button to end any selected function while in progress. The Instant Pot display will say OFF. - After selecting the Keep Warm function, press the + and – buttons to change the time you want the Instant Pot to be in Keep Warm mode.
- After pressure cooking is complete, the Keep Warm function starts and the time counts UP by minutes. The display panel shows the elapsed time (such as L0:02 for 2 minutes or L0:15 for 15 minutes.) If Cancel is not pressed, the Instant Pot will turn OFF after 10 hours.
- The Keep Warm function can be used with or without the lid closed. You can also use an optional glass lid for this function. When the Keep Warm function finishes, the cooker beeps and goes into standby mode.
Instant Pot Initial Test Run / Water Test with Video
What is the Water Test?
A water test is done by pressure cooking water for a few minutes. According to the Instant Pot manual you need to use 3 cups of water, but I’ve found that using 2 cups of water is adequate. The advantage of using 2 cups is that it takes less time for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.
Why You Should do the Water Test
The initial test run or water test serves two purposes: it familiarizes you with using your new Instant Pot and it allows you to establish that your Instant Pot is working properly. If you have a defective unit, the water test will identify that and you can get a replacement unit.
You should do a water test before the first use but you can also do it when you’re having problems with the Instant Pot pressurizing. Doing the water test will pinpoint whether there’s something about the recipe that’s causing your sealing issues.
How to do the Initial Test Run / Water Test
- Make sure the sealing ring is properly seated.
- Place the inner pot into the base unit.
- Attach the power cord to the base unit and plug it into an outlet.
- Pour 2 cups of water into the inner pot.
- Close the lid.
- Make sure the steam release handle is in the Sealing position.
- Press the Pressure Cook or Manual button.
- Press the + or – buttons until the time goes to 5 or 00:05 (5 minutes).
- After a couple of seconds, the display will change to On.
- Soon, you’ll hear and see small amounts of steam coming from the top of the lid. This is normal and safe! Just keep your hands and face away from the steam. You might also notice a funny, plastic smell. Don’t worry – it should go away and it shouldn’t happen again after the first use.
- Once pressure has built up, the float valve will come up.
- After the float valve comes up, the display will change from On to 5. This can take a few minutes.
- The display will count down from 5 to 0.
- When pressure cooking is complete, you’ll hear a series of beeps and the display shows L0:00, which means it’s in Keep Warm mode (if the Auto Keep Warm function is turned on.)
- You can either do a quick release or a natural release. To do a natural release, wait for the float valve to fall on its own. This can take 10 to 30 minutes.
- In this case, you’ll do a quick release.
- Press the Cancel button. The display will say Off.
- Move the steam release handle from Sealing to Venting. Steam will gush out of the steam release cover. Keep your hands and face away from the steam.
- Once all the steam has been released, the float valve goes down and the Instant Pot is de-pressurized.
- This can take a few minutes.
- Open the lid and prop the lid open.
What to do if the water test fails
If the water test fails and you’re not able to get the Instant Pot to come to pressure, use the following articles to troubleshoot the issue:
If you can’t solve your problem, open a support ticket with Instant Pot.
First Recipes to Try
Here’s a tip for you: don’t try to improvise or wing it with your first recipe. Select a recipe from a trusted Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker cookbook or blog, and follow the recipe as written.
If you want to make changes or adjustments, you might want to contact the blogger or ask for advice from an experienced Instant Pot user.
All of my recipes are thoroughly tested many times and I have step-by-step photographs and Instant Pot instructions so even a beginner can follow along and make more complex recipes.
I do my very best to respond to comments or emails, so you can contact me if you have any questions about a recipe or your Instant Pot.
Here are some of my favorite easy recipes:
- Instant Pot Chicken Korma
- Instant Pot Thai Red Curry
- Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
- Instant Pot African Peanut Stew
- Instant Pot Vegetarian Moroccan Stew
- Instant Pot Chicken Curry Soup
If you found this article to be helpful, please share it on social media using the social media share buttons at the top and bottom of this post. Thank you so much!
Related Articles
Elizabeth
My son-in-law gets impatient waiting for pressure to come down even when using a quick release. What he has started doing is depressing the float valve along with turning the steam valve to venting. Is this dangerous? It seems like it would be but I can’t find any information one way or the other.
Thank you!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Elizabeth, I agree with you. I wouldn’t push down on the float valve. The float valve really doesn’t need any help going down. Once pressure is released, it should go down automatically.
Ellie
Just got my 3QT Duo Mini out of the box. Thank you for your step to step guide with pictures! Makes it really clear and easy to understand. I kept flipping the pages of the manual that seemed to be incomplete.
Paint the Kitchen Red
You’re welcome, Ellie. I wish you happy adventures with your new Instant Pot 🙂
Kelly
So I have tried the water test twice now the first time all the water was gone when I stopped it, it never counted down. Trying it again and it has taken over 25 min and it still has not started the 2 min. Timer. Feeling frustrated and stupid. What could I be doing wrong its water for goodness sake.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Kelly, first of all, don’t feel stupid – we all went through a learning curve with the Instant Pot. It sounds like your lid is not sealing and that means that probably your pressure release valve is in the venting position or your sealing ring isn’t pushed in all the way. After checking those two things, check to see if the bolt under the anti-block shield on the inside of the lid is finger-tight. Try the water test again (don’t wait 25 minutes – if you have just a cup of water, it should come to pressure in about 5 to 10 minutes), and if you are still having trouble, you might want to either return it or open a support ticket at the IP company. Feel free to email me through my contact page if you have further questions – I’m happy to help.
Sheryl Meyers
on the timer readout, it goes 0.0:0.0. Which are the minutes? I set what I thought was 6 minutes, the timer read 0.6:00. I was cooking spaghetti. About 30 minutes later it still had not shut off and my spaghetti noodles were mush! Going left to right, would the first 2 zeroes be hours? And the last 2 zeroes on the right be minutes? Also, on mine IP, the farthest zero on the right does not change that i’ve seen so far, it stays at zero.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Sheryl, the time is displayed as hours:minutes. You were setting it for 6 hours, which is the maximum cook time. To cook spaghetti at 6 minutes, you would set it for 00:06. Hope that helps. Sorry your spaghetti became mush; I’m sure it will be perfect next time!
Palm
Thank you for this guide. I bought all 3 of my daughters an Instant Pot for Christmas and am putting together a booklet for them, since they are all beginners at cooking, and will include this and a few recipes to get them started. This is very helpful.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thank you for you comment – what a nice mom and what a great gift you’re giving them – not just the IP but a plan!
Jennifer Scheel
Hi, I just got the insta pot smart wifi duo. I have been trying to put it on pressure cook but every time I try to go past 6 minutes it starts over at 0… sm i doing something wrong? The time read out looks like 6:00. And thethen if I press the plus button it starts over.. I’m confused. Thanks!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Jennifer, the time on the display is hours:minutes so I think you’re doing 6 hours rather than 6 minutes. 6 minutes is 00:06. Thanks for the question and let me know if you need further help.
Becca
Hello!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I got the InstaPot because my sister uses it all the time. When I went to get instructions she did it all for me and I was lost!
Question… Does it matter in recipes if you use the quick release or the natural release for the pressurization?
Thanks!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Becca – you should follow the recipe release method. In general, I use quick release for foods that can get overcooked like veggies, fish, etc. I use natural release for meats that are not fully submerged in liquid. I use either for meats that are submerged in liquid like curries, preferring to use natural. There are some foods like rice where I wait for 10 minutes and then do a release of pressure, or if I am in a hurry and it’s a natural release recipe.
Sasha George
I’m confused on setting the timer for cooking brown rice it says 24 minutes. Is that 24 minutes after it pressures up? Or total minutes?
Paint the Kitchen Red
Sasha, recipes usually just mention what you need to program the pressure cooking time to be. You would just select ‘Pressure Cook’ and 24. The Instant Pot will come to pressure and then the display will get set to 24 and count down to 0. It will then go into Keep Warm mode until the pressure releases on its own or you do a quick release. Hope that helps.
Sue Hanks
HELLO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS GUIDE. I JUST PURCHASED MY POT YESTERDAY SO WAS HAPPY TO DISCOVER YOUR WONDERFUL GUIDE. BELIEVE IT OR NOT I COOKED BEEF BURGERS IN MINE LAST NIGHT, MY FIRST THING I COOKED, I WRAPPED THEM IN FOIL THEY WERE DELICIOUS. SADLY MY POT DIDN’T COME WITH THE TRIVET SO I’VE HAD TO ORDER ONE FROM AMAZON.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Awesome Sue! Glad you found a trivet to order – you’ll use it a lot!
Patti
Hi
Thank you for posting the slow cooker times
chart for the instant pot.
I am going to be making a quick vegetarian chili in the pot with different kinds of canned veggies.
I was going to use the more button but wasn’t sure for how long.
Pam
Yikes! This Insta Pot has caused me so much frustration! I did manage to cook a turkey breast and and 4 chicken breasts but in both cases they were dried out. Trying to follow the poorly written directions is a waste of time! Cooking the old fashioned way is much easier with better results. I am going to send this poorly concepted piece of junk back!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Pam, I’m sorry you’ve had a frustrating time with your Instant Pot. Let me just say that I generally don’t cook a lot of white meat in the Instant Pot. It does best with thighs and dark meat, and meats that have marbled fat. I would try out a different recipe with those types of meats before you decide to give up.
Aileen Hutchins
I just ran the water test but the float valve did not go up. What is wrong?
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Aileen – did you figure it out? If the float valve didn’t go up, the Instant Pot probably didn’t seal and that may be because your sealing ring was not put on correctly or the steam release handle was in the venting position.
Sherry Morgan
Have always used pressure cookers and pressure canners no problem. Then hubby surprises me with this contraption and talk about confusing! Glad I looked up IP Manual on google and yours was the first one that didn’t have a PDF after it’s title. You clearly have technical writing experience or else an awesome undeveloped talent – whichever – thank you over and over again for your website concerning this pot. It’s embarrassing to be intimidated by a modern cooking device and it’s a first. You are the golden standard every company should model their manuals after to help clear up all the confusion about how to assemble parts or operate equipment. I like manuals, I look for them and use them as reference a lot. Not having a manual for my iPhone is a prime example of what not having a manual for an intimidating device can do to people who were born before the 1980’s with a computer chip in their brains – no idea how to use the darn thing to it’s fullest potential for years!
You;ve done a good job and a nice service for many people so you must have a good heart too. Take Care.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Oh my goodness – that is so so kind of you! Your comment means so much to me – thank you 💗! Feel free to ask me any questions you might have. You can use my contact page or send an email (email address is on the contact page too). All the best!
Sandy
Someone posted your site in our IP Group. This is wonderful. You should be paid by IP to straighten out all the confusion. We listen to. Everyone to get pointers.But this morning I am reading thst people are putting just BBQ Sauce or some sort of sauce not liquid in the pot and saying it works fine.
That doesn’t seem right, and i have seen damage of old pressure cookers and that is no fun being burned. My answer would be pip when you want thivk sauce and water in the Outer pot. Is that correct? I sm new too but I love this machine and the time it gives me. Love your site.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Sandy, welcome to the IP world! So here’s the thing: it is possible to cook with a prepared sauce if the sauce doesn’t have a lot of thickeners (like corn starch, flour, etc) and that can count as the “liquid”. The quantity of liquid is also important. Another variable is the model of Instant Pot. The newer models appear to be a bit more sensitive and show the ‘burn’ error more often. One more consideration is that some foods (e.g. vegetables) release liquid and that means you can use less liquid . You will figure out what works for you as you use it more. I test my recipes thoroughly and if people have had issues, I try to provide alternate instructions too. So take a look around and even if you don’t make a recipe, it will give you an idea of what works and doesn’t. Thanks for your comment.
sue
my I pot does not have a manual button sooooo how do you start cooking
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Sue, on some DUO models, it’s ‘Manual’ and on other models, it’s ‘Pressure Cook’ – they’re the same thing.
Evelyn
First time using my instant pot. Doing the water test, I only used 2 cups in my mini and it took at least 10 minutes for the float valve to come up. Now, there’s a lot of clicking but the time hasn’t started counting down and it still reads “On”. What’s wrong?
Paint the Kitchen Red
Evelyn – the more liquid you put in, the longer it takes to come to pressure. As long as it says ‘On’,it’s still building pressure. It will change from ‘On’ to the number of minutes you set it for. You just have to be patient. The clicking is also fairly normal. Please see my 17 tips for the Instant Pot.
Camille Poe
Greetings from sunny hot southern California I would like to know if there is a little brush you like to help scrub the pressure cookers lid and top also is it okay to clean the steam holes on lid with pipe cleaners ? so what is the best method to clean the washable parts of the pot Many Thanks in advance Camille
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Camille, I like to use a baby bottle brush set. I know people use pipe cleaners, but I have not.
Anne Walker
I recently bought the 6 qt Instant Pot and have been reading through Laurel Randolph’s Instant Pot cookbook. Most of the recipes serve 6 people. I cook mostly for my just husband and I. Do I need to adjust the cooking time?
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Anne, you can reduce the quantity you’re cooking but keep the same cook time in general. There are some exceptions e.g. if you have a smaller roast or chunk of meat, you might be able to reduce cooking time. When you’re reducing recipes, make sure you don’t go below the minimum quantity of liquid required to have your Instant Pot come to pressure.
Kristin
I have the IP DUO60 v2 and I can’t figure out how to set the timer for anything but times divisible by 10s. I see all these recipes where you set the timer for 6 minutes or so and I can’t figure out how to do it.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Kristin, are you pressing the ‘timer’ button? That’s actually a delay start timer i.e. begin cooking after a certain amount of time. You need to press ‘Manual’ and then adjust the time to 6 minutes using the + or – buttons. You can read this 17 tips post to find out more FAQs.
Andy Borka
Hi,
This guide helped me understand my IP duo 60 a little more than the user’s guide. However, a few simple, but stupid questions linger: Keep in mind that I am visually impaired and can’t read the display. I am going completely on memory.
1. How do you do a global reset of the IP? Pressing warm/cancel and holding it for 3 seconds resulted in a constant beeping sound. Another manual mentioned pressing and holding adjust for a few seconds. This resulted in some unknown cooking cycle starting.
2. Starting the water test cycle resulted in the IP working up to pressure for around 5 minutes. When it arrived at this point, the sealing valve closed. 30 seconds or so later, the IP beeped once. The question is this: (a). When you press steam, what is the default value displayed, and (b). When pressing +/- to change time, what is the incremented value: 30 seconds, 1 minute?
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Andy – thanks for your question. Either one of those methods should work for the different models. It’s possible that you needed to press cancel once and then press and hold it a second time. I am traveling at the moment, and don’t have my Instant Pot, otherwise I would have tested it out for you. For your second question, the sequence of events sounds about right. The beep indicated that the display changed from ‘On’ to x minutes. I believe the default time is 10 minutes, but I’ll double check for you. + and – when adjusting the time, goes by 1 minute. Let me know if you have further questions, I’ll try and help out. I can imagine it would be very frustrating for you especially because there are so many models and information out on the web doesn’t always mention the model or version!