10 Helpful Tips For New Instant Pot Users

10 Helpful Tips For New Instant Pot Users to learn how to use their Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker. Including safety tips, releasing pressure, liquid usage, recipe adaptations.

Did you just purchase your very first Instant Pot Pressure Cooker? Congrats & welcome to the Instant Pot Tribe!!

Check out Our Handpicked Instant Pot Accessories

We are very excited for you & for all the delicious food you’re going to make! You’re gonna love it. But wait, after taking the Instant Pot out of the box, you might be a little intimidated and overwhelmed…

How do I use it? Which button to press?

What can I cook with it?

Quick release & Natural release – what are they?

I’m scared to use it, what cautions should I take?

We heard you! 🙂

Here are 10 Helpful Tips to Get You Started.

1. Use the Manual Button
2. Quick Release (QR) vs. Natural Release (NR)

3.1 Aim for One Cup of Liquid
3.2 Thick Liquid Generates Less Steam
4. How to Brown Meat & Deglaze
5. Never Force Open the Instant Pot
6. Safest Way to Open the Lid
7. How to Double the Recipes
8. Pot-in-Pot (PIP): What & How?
9. Adjust the Cooking Time At High Altitude
10. Always Check the Sealing Ring
Bonus: Must-Have Instant Pot Accessories
Bonus: Easy Recipes to Get You Started

1. Use the Manual (Pressure Cook) Button

Instant Pot Water Test Manual Button

If you can use only 1 button on the Instant Pot, it’ll be the Manual Button.

Most of the recipes online are developed using the Manual Button, because it gives us control to cook precisely and accurately.

If a recipe states “Cook at High Pressure for 10 minutes”: press the Manual button and change the cooking time to 10 minutes by pressing “-” button or “+” button.

*Note: The new Instant Pot DUO Plus 9-in-1 Model has renamed the “Manual” Button to “Pressure Cook” Button.

Read more: Which Instant Pot Buttons to Use?


2. Quick Release (QR) vs. Natural Release (NR)

2 most common ways to release pressure in Instant Pot: Quick Release & Natural Release.

a) Quick Release: quickly releases the inner pressure. Great for quickly stopping the cooking process to prevent overcooking the food. Ideal for quick-cooking vegetables & delicate seafood.

b) Natural Release: allows the pressure to be released gradually. Great for foamy food, food with large liquid volume or high starch content (e.g Soup, Porridge, Congee).

Watch the Demo Video on How to Release Pressure:

Read More: Natural Release vs. Quick Release


3.1. Aim for One Cup of Liquid

As a new user, it is best to aim for one cup of total liquid when pressure cooking meat. Too much liquid will dilute the flavor and add the “going up to pressure” time and pressure release time.

*Instant Pot recommends using at least 1 1/2 cup of liquid, but it is totally safe with 1 cup of liquid.

Please follow recipes for food such as beans or grains that absorb lots of water.

3.2. Thick Liquid Generates Less Steam

Thin the Liquid: If the pressure cooking liquid is too thick, Instant Pot may not be able to reach the desired pressure to start the pressure cooking cycle. Consider thinning out the liquid by adding chicken stock or water.

Add Thickeners After Pressure Cooking Cycle: Unless a trusted recipe indicates otherwise, always add thickeners such as flour, cornstarch, potato starch, arrowroot after the pressure cooking cycle.


4. How to Brown Meat & Deglaze

Pressure Cooker Pot Roast Recipe - Browning the chuck roast will greatly enhance the flavor of the end product.

Brown Meat: when possible, always brown meat using Saute Function (Press Saute Button) or Saute More Function (Press Saute Button and Adjust Button Once). Maillard reaction adds lots of flavor to the dish.

Deglaze: pour cold liquid into a hot pot, then scrub the brown bits off the bottom. These brown bits are very flavorful.


5. Never Force Open the Instant Pot

Pressure Cooker Release Method

Always make sure pressure has been fully released before attempting to open the Instant Pot.
Once all the pressure has released from the pot, the floating valve will drop.

Always turn venting knob to venting position to ensure all the pressure has been released.


6. Safest Way to Open the Lid

The safest way to open the lid is to slowly tilt it away from you. The lid acts as a guide to direct the steam away from you. Accidents do happen in kitchen. In extremely rare situation (user error), the lid also acts as a shield to protect you.Instant Pot Lid


7. How to Double the Recipes

For most dishes, you do not need to increase the cooking time when doubling a recipe.

Please keep this Important Safeguard in mind when doubling a recipe:

Do Not Overfill – Overfilling may clog the Pressure Release Valve and develop excess pressure.

  • All Pressure Cooking Programs: Do not fill the unit over 2/3 full.
  • For Food that Expands During Cooking (i.e. grains, beans, and dried vegetables): Do not fill the unit over 1/2 full.

From page 3 of the Instant Pot DUO60 manual.


8. Pot-in-Pot (PIP): What & How?

Pot-in-Pot = 2 in 1 (2 dishes in 1 pot)

The Pot-in-Pot method allows you to cook 2 or more dishes separately in Instant Pot at the same time.

Example: You can cook chicken thighs at the bottom of the pot, and a bowl of rice on top with a steamer rack lifting it up (separating it from the chicken).

This takes One Pot Meal to a whole new level 🙂

See Pot-in-Pot in Action with This Recipe Video:

Full Recipe: Pressure Cooker Teriyaki Chicken and Rice


9. Adjust the Cooking Time At High Altitude

Our pressure cooker recipes are developed and tested at close to sea level.

So, if you live in a high altitude city (over 3000 ft above sea level), remember to adjust your cooking times according to this Pressure Cooker High Altitude Cooking Time Adjustment Chart:

Pressure Cooker Altitude Cooking Time Adjustments

Read More: High Altitude Cooking Time Adjustments


10. Always Check the Sealing Ring

Instant Pot Sealing RingThe silicone sealing ring deforms over time. Develop the habit to check every time if the sealing ring is properly seated before pressure cooking.

Instant Pot recommends replacing the Silicone Sealing Ring every 18 – 24 months or when you notice deformations.

Read More: Instant Pot Safety Tips


BONUS: Must-Have Instant Pot Accessories

Here are 3 “Must-Have” Instant Pot Accessories We Use Daily:

1. Extra Silicone Sealing Rings

2. Steamer Racks

  •  – this is the most commonly used accessory for cooking in Instant Pot. A must for using the Pot-In-Pot method!
  • Stainless Steel Steamer Basket – Another steamer basket we use frequently (i.e. ribs!)

3. Containers – any oven-safe containers will be safe to use in the Instant Pot (i.e. Stainless Steel, Silicone, Corelle bowls)

Want More? Check out the most raved accessories among other Instant Pot users: Instant Pot Accessories


BONUS: Easy Recipes to Get You Started

There are more things you can make with your new kitchen toy – Instant Pot – than you’ve imagined!

Here are some popular easy starter recipes among Instant Pot users:

Want More? We handpicked 33+ Easy Recipes for you: Easy Instant Pot Recipes

33+ Easy Recipes for New Instant Pot Users

Still Have Questions? Check out our Instant Pot FAQ or give us a shout in the comments below 🙂

Step-by-Step How to use Instant Pot Video

Have fun cooking with your Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker!

10 Helpful Tips For New Instant Pot Users to learn how to use their Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker. Including safety tips, releasing pressure, liquid usage, recipe adaptations.
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