Mealthy CrispLid User Guide | Convert your Instant Pot into an Air Fryer!

This Mealthy CrispLid user guide will tell you how to use the Mealthy CrispLid right out of the box.  The Crisp Lid is an accessory that allows you to convert your Instant Pot into an air fryer.  Saves counter space, no need to turn on the oven, and less cleanup!  

But I was so intrigued by the product description that I changed my mind and decided to try it out.  And let me tell you, after having used it I am seriously impressed!

One of the few complaints I’ve had about the Instant Pot is its inability to brown or crisp up food.  Well, problem solved!  This product will change the way you cook with the Instant Pot.

I’ll give you some details about the product and some pros and cons that will help you decide if it’s something you want to buy.  I have a feeling you’ll want to get one yourself!

This Mealthy CrispLid User Guide is not meant to be an exhaustive user guide.  To get more detailed information, please read the manual that accompanied your Crisp Lid, or visit the official Mealthy website where you can also find the official Mealthy CrispLid User Guide that gives you comprehensive and up-to-date information.

What is the Mealthy CrispLid?

• The Mealthy CrispLid is made by Mealthy, a competitor to Instant Pot.
• The Mealthy CrispLid is an air-fryer accessory for the Mealthy Multi-pot that can be used with various brands of electric pressure cookers.  It’s available as an accessory for 6-quart and 8-quart electric pressure cookers and multicookers.
• It’s great for browning or crisping up food that’s been pressure cooked. e.g. chicken wings, potatoes, lasagna, cakes.
• It’s also great for broiling foods that have not been pressure cooked.  It will work with any air fryer recipe.
• It can be used to brown food placed in the enclosed air fryer basket (e.g. french fries), food that’s in a separate stainless steel dish using the pot-in-pot cooking method (e.g. lasagna) or food that’s been cooked directly in the inner pot (e.g. pasta topped with cheese).

Mealthy CrispLid works with the Instant Pot 6-quart and 8-quart

• The Mealthy CrispLid can be used with all models of the Instant Pot (e.g. Instant Pot Duo, Duo Plus, Ultra, Lux).
• The glass lid has a notch that allows it to be used with both the Instant Pot 6-quart and 8-quart sizes.
• In fact,  you can use it with any brand of electric pressure cooker that has a stainless steel inner pot (also called insert or liner).

Mealthy CrispLid saves space

• Compared to a stand-alone air fryer, the Mealthy CrispLid doesn’t take up precious space on your countertop.
• To store, place the Instant Pot lid upside down on the base unit. Store the Crisp Lid on the upside down Instant Pot lid.
• All of this fits on the kitchen counter, even under the upper cabinets.

See-through glass lid

• The see-through glass lid allows you to see the food being cooked.
• This is a huge advantage over other air fryers, where you can’t track cooking progress.

Simple and easy-to-use control panel

• There aren’t a ton of buttons and presets.
• You can set temperature and time, and stop and start cooking.
• The maximum temperature setting is 500 degrees.  Most air fryers have a maximum temperature of 400 degrees.

Save energy and avoid using the oven

• In the summertime, I don’t use my oven.  It doesn’t make sense to cool my house down and then proceed to heat it up by turning on the oven.  I avoid making many recipes in the summer because of this.
• And sometimes I really don’t feel like turning on the grill because it’s so hot outside!
• It’s a great option for those who live in an apartment and don’t have access to a grill.
• The Mealthy CrispLid gives me many more recipe choices because it’s an alternative to using the oven or grill.

Less cleanup

• Rather than using the oven or stovetop to brown food that has been pressure cooked, you can crisp up food right in the Instant Pot.
• This means there are fewer dishes and pans to wash!

Safety Features

• The Crisp Lid only works when the handle is in the DOWN position.  The handle being down doesn’t turn the unit on; it just turns on the display.  You have to press the ‘Start’ button to begin cooking.
• The cord length is short to prevent tripping on it or accidentally entangling with it.
• At temperatures of 450 and above, the maximum cook time is 20 minutes. After that, you have to wait for 10 minutes before turning the unit on again.
• Silicone mat/trivet is included in order to rest the unit on while it’s still hot.

Accessories Included

The Mealthy CrispLid comes with everything you’ll need to get started, including:

1. Mealthy CrispLid unit
2. Recipe booklet
3. Mealthy CrispLid User guide
4. Tall metal trivet
5. Silicone mat/trivet
6. Mesh air fryer basket
7. Silicone tongs

Easy to clean

• The CrispLid should be cooled completely before cleaning.  Splatters can be wiped down with a slightly damp, clean cloth.
• The mesh air fryer basket,  metal trivet, silicone mat/trivet, and silicone tongs are easy to clean and can be washed with soap and water or placed in a dishwasher.
• If the stainless steel portion of the CrispLid becomes discolored, wipe the stainless parts with a clean cloth dipped in vinegar.  Dry with a clean, dry cloth.

Mealthy CrispLid User Guide | How to use the Mealthy CrispLid

Parts

• Power cord – it is purposely short, in order to prevent tripping and accidents.
• Handle – has an auto-shutoff feature when in the UP position.
• Vents  – allow airflow and cooling down of the unit.
• Control panel – used to set temperature and time, and to start and stop cooking.  It has a memory that remembers the last cooking temperature and time.
• Glass Lid – allows you to see cooking progress.
• Fan – cools down the unit and allows airflow.
• Heating element – gets very hot and cooks food from above, as a broiler would.

Buttons

• Temperature button (thermometer icon): Press once to set the temperature.
• Time button (clock icon): Press once to set the time.
• Minus (-) button: Press to reduce the temperature or time, press and hold to rapidly reduce.
• Plus (+) button: Press to increase the temperature or time, press and hold to rapidly increase.
• Stop (square icon): Press to stop cooking. Press and hold to turn sound on (display shows ‘SON’) and off  (display shows ‘SOFF’).
• Start (triangle/arrow icon): Press to start cooking.  Press and hold to reset all settings to default.

Mealthy CrispLid Step-by-Step Instructions

There are four different ways that I use the Crisp Lid with my Instant Pot.  Below you’ll find the step-by-step instructions for each of these:

• Brown food not previously pressure cooked, using the air fryer basket. e.g. cubed potatoes
• Crisp up pressure-cooked food, using the air fryer basket. e.g. chicken wings
• Brown the top of the food that’s been pressure-cooked using the pot-in-pot technique. e.g. lasagna
• Brown the top of the food that’s been cooked in the inner pot e.g. melt cheese on cooked pasta

How to use the CrispLid for food not previously pressure-cooked

• Make sure your Instant Pot is unplugged and on a stable surface.   * This is very important! *
• Place the stainless steel inner pot/liner in the Instant Pot base unit.
• Place the CrispsLid metal trivet in the inner pot.
• Spray or wipe the CrispLid air fryer basket with some cooking oil (optional).
• Place food in the CrispLid air fryer basket.
• Spray the tops of the food with cooking spray or brush the tops with vegetable oil (optional).
• Place the CrispLid mesh air fryer basket on the CrispLid metal trivet.

• Plug the Mealthy CrispLid into a power outlet.
• Place the CrispLid unit on top of the inner pot, making sure it’s properly seated.
• Push the handle down until it clicks into place.  This turns the CrispLid display on, but does not start the cooking.

• Press the Temperature button (thermometor icon)
• Press ‘+’ or ‘-‘  to set the desired temperature.

• Press the Time button (clock icon)
• Press ‘+’ or ‘-‘  to set the desired cook time.

• Press the Start button (arrow/triangle icon).
• Cooking will begin.

• The heating element will turn on and glow.
• The heating element may turn off occasionally in order to maintain the proper temperature.
• Cooking will stop once the time has counted down to 00:00.

• Place the Crisp Lid silicone mat on the countertop.
• Once the desired time has elapsed, lift up the handle of the Crisp Lid.
• Transfer the Crisp Lid onto the silicone mat. This is very important.  The unit will be very hot and must be placed on the silicone mat.

• Flip the food over using the silicone tongs. Be careful; the inner pot and air fryer basket will be very hot!
• Place the CrispLid back on top of the Instant Pot inner pot.
• Place the handle in the DOWN position.
• Resume cooking.  Press the Start button to cook at the previously set temperature and time, or change the temperature and time if desired, and press Start.
• When cooking is complete, lift up the handle.  At any point during the cooking process, you can stop cooking by lifting up the handle.
• Unplug the CrispLid and place it on the silicone mat. This is very important.  The unit will be very hot and must be placed on the silicone mat.

• Use tongs to lift the basket out of the inner pot. (See below for details)
• Rest basket on a heat-proof surface or transfer contents to a serving dish.
• The Instant Pot inner pot will be hot.  Allow it to cool down before handling.

How to use the CrispLid with the air fryer basket after pressure cooking

To crisp food in the air fryer basket after it’s been pressure cooked (e.g. chicken wings):

• After pressure has been released, press ‘Cancel’ and unplug the Instant Pot.
• Open the Instant Pot lid.
• Transfer food to (oiled) CrispLid air fryer basket and spray or brush the tops of food with oil, if desired.
• Empty liquid from the inner pot.
• Rinse and dry the inner pot.
• Return inner pot to Instant Pot base unit.
• Cook as described in the instructions above.

How to use the CrispLid with pot-in-pot cooking

For recipes that use the pot-in-pot cooking method (e.g. lasagna, shepherd’s pie, taco pie, etc.):

• After pressure has been released, press ‘Cancel’ and unplug the Instant Pot.
• Open the Instant Pot lid.
• Remove the trivet and pot-in-pot container and set aside.
• Empty the liquid from the inner pot.
• Rinse and dry the inner pot.
• Return inner pot to Instant Pot base unit.
• Place the trivet (or use the CrispLid trivet to get up closer to the heating element) in the inner pot and place the pot-in-pot container on top of the trivet.
• Place the CrispLid on the inner pot and cook as described in the section above.

How to use the CrispLid with recipes that are cooked directly in the inner pot

For recipes that are cooked directly in the inner pot and require broiling (e.g. melting cheese on pasta or adding crisp topping on vegetables):

• After pressure has been released, press ‘Cancel’ and unplug the Instant Pot.
• Open the Instant Pot lid.
• Place the CrispLid on the inner pot and cook as detailed in the section above.

How to remove CrispLid air fryer basket from inner pot

• To remove the hot air fryer basket from the inner pot, place the tongs so that one side grips the basket through the handle on the outside and the other side grips the basket on the inside, as shown above.
• It sounds hokey, but it works!

Tips

• Spray or brush the CrispLid basket with oil before cooking.
• Spray food with cooking spray or brush some oil on your food for easier browning.
• Flip the food halfway through cooking and brush with oil if needed.
• Always use the silicone mat to rest the CrispLid on when it’s still hot.
• Pause cooking by lifting the handle and resume cooking by lowering the handle and pressing Start.  If the pause is for a short time, the CrispLid will remember the cooking time and continue the countdown.  If the pause is too long, the time will be reset.
• When cooking at high temperatures e.g. 450 degrees and higher, the Instant Pot base unit can become hot.  Make sure you cool it before handling.

Safety Precautions

Please visit the official Mealthy website where you can also find the official Mealthy CrispLid User Guide that gives you a comprehensive and up-to-date list of safety precautions.  The following is NOT an exhaustive list.

• Always unplug the Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker when the Mealthy CrispLid is in use.
• Always place hot CrispLid on the provided silicone mat/trivet until it has completely cooled down.
• Don’t use an extension cord with the CrispLid.  This is a safety precaution to prevent tripping.
• Always make sure the inner pot is in place.
• When cooking at 450 degrees, the maximum cooking time is 20 minutes.  Wait 10 minutes before cooking at 450 or above again.
• Make sure food is not sitting above the rim of the inner pot.
• The inner pot will be very hot when cooking with the CrispLid.  Be careful when handling.
• Unplug CrispLid when not in use.

Recipes for the Mealthy CrispLid

There are many recipes on my blog that require browning, grilling or sauteing after pressure cooking.  These are prime candidates for using the Mealthy CrispLid!

• Chicken Shawarma
• Carnitas
• Chicken Wings
• Jamaican Jerk Chicken
• Gochujang Chicken

You can use the Mealthy CrispLid with any air fryer recipe or other recipes that require broiling or browning of food. You can use it for recipes that you might make in a toaster oven!

Accessories that can be used with the Mealthy CrispLid

• Hatrigo cake push pans
• Instant-read thermometer
• Parchment rounds
• Oil sprayer
• Mandoline slicer

So, should you buy the Mealthy CrispLid?

Reasons to buy the Mealthy CrispLid | Pros

1. Can be used with a variety of electric pressure cookers including the Instant Pot, Crock Pot Express, and Mealthy Multipot.
2. Can be used with 6-quart and 8-quart electric pressure cookers.
3. Simple operation; there are no complicated presets or buttons.  You just set the temperature and time.
4. The see-through glass lid allows you to see your food being cooked and track the progress.
5. No need to turn on the oven or stove to crisp up food.  This is important especially during the summer.
6. Fewer dishes to wash; Less mess.  Everything is cooked in the Instant Pot.
7. Space-saving; takes up much less space than an air fryer.
8. There’s no need to preheat.  Most air fryers require a pre-heat cycle.
9. Memory function remembers the last temperature and time settings.
10. Easy to clean; just wipe down with a damp cloth.
11. Maximum temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Most air fryers have a maximum temperature of 400 degrees.
12. Affordable; it retails for about $50. A reasonable quality air fryer will cost at least 50% more than the CrispLid.  It’s a great value for the money.
13. The Mealthy company appears to be very customer-focused and is very responsive to user concerns and issues.

Reasons why the Mealthy CrispLid may not be right for you | Cons

1. Smaller size than most air fryers, therefore less capacity.  If you have a large family or you’re short on time, you may want to buy a separate large-capacity air fryer.
2. Food must be turned over in order to evenly cook both sides.  Dedicated air fryers have a basket that can be pulled out and the basket can be shaken to stir up the food.
3. Gets very hot and you have to be very careful when handling it.  Free-standing air-fryers have a base that keeps the hot parts away from immediate reach.  If you have young kids, you need to be careful that they don’t touch the (very hot) CrispLid.  I did find that it cools down pretty quickly.
4. Cannot be used with a nonstick, aluminum or ceramic inner pot.  If you have an electric pressure cooker with an insert made out of any of these materials, you cannot use the Mealthy CrispLid. The aluminum that is used in ceramic and nonstick inner pots will transfer heat too quickly and that may damage the pressure cooker.
5. If you already own an air fryer, you might not need to purchase the Mealthy CrispLid.  Except that it takes up so much less space than an air fryer!

How to purchase Mealthy CrispLid

[Disclosure: If you purchase using the following links, I will earn a commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you!]

• Purchase the Mealthy CrispLid through amazon.
• Purchase the Mealthy CrispLid through Mealthy.com.

Troubleshooting Mealthy CrispLid Problems

1. The screen is dark and the unit won’t start. 
   Make sure the unit is plugged in and the handle clicks and is locked firmly into the DOWN position.
2. The light goes off and back on again every so often when I turn on the CrispLid. 
   This is normal. The unit is cycling on and off for even heating.
3. When I pause the crisping process to turn over my food, the time resets. 
   The time will reset if you pause the cooking for too long.
4. The stainless steel portion of the CrispLid is discolored.
   This is normal. When stainless steel is exposed to high heat, it can get a blue-ish or rainbow discoloration.
5. The screen flashes and beeps and the unit won’t start.
   The handle may not be locked into place. If it is firmly in the DOWN position, you may have a faulty sensor. Please contact Mealthy customer support.
6. I cannot set the cooking time for more than 20 minutes.
   For safety reasons, if you’re cooking at 450 degrees or more, the Mealthy CrispLid cannot be set for more than 20 minutes.  For all other temperatures, the maximum cooking time is 60 minutes.
7. I am getting an error code E001.
   Your Mealthy CrispLid may have a faulty sensor.  Please contact Mealthy customer support.
8. I am getting an error code E002.
   Your Mealthy CrispLid may have a faulty sensor or may have short-circuited.  Please contact Mealthy customer support.

If you have any tips to share, feel free to leave a comment and I will do my best to incorporate your comment into this Mealthy CrispLid User Guide in a future edit.

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These are some great recipes to try the Mealthy CrispLid with: