Using your pressure cooker shouldn't be scary! This will help relieve your stress and get it out of your pantry and onto your cupboard! Use this Instant Pot Quick Reference Guide to simplify your cooking experiences.
Instant Pot Quick Reference Guide
Pressure cooking has received a major update lately. It has become a fantastic stress-free way of cooking great meals quickly!
Types of programmable pressure cookers
- Instant Pot - 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer
- Cosori - 6 Qt Premium 8-in-1 Programmable Multi-Cooker (Pressure Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Warmer, Etc.)
- Cuisinart - 6 Quart 1000 Watt Electric Pressure Cooker (Stainless Steel)
At the time of my research, prices range right around $100. Which one is best for your family? Only you can answer that! Look at the different options each brand offers and pick the one that best suits your needs.
I've had the Instant Pot (IP) 6 quart appliance for about two years. It's the perfect size for our small family, easy to use and I've been very pleased with it.
Benefits
- Foods quick quickly and will stay moist.
- No need to heat up the stove or the entire kitchen.
- It's a quick and easy way to cook ingredients that may normally take hours.
- It's easy to clean - what's not to love about that?!!!
One question I've always been asked is... Are pressure cookers dangerous?
Like every other appliance used correctly, they are great! Yes, if you stick your hand over the steam, you would get burned. Just be smart and follow the directions for the appliance your purchase.
I will confess, Initially I was afraid to use it. Pressure cooking = scary, right? I contacted a colleague and she gave me thus super easy recipe to try - that took away the "fear" associated with using it.
I've created some great recipes with the pressure cooker like black beans and Macaroni and Cheese - YUM!
Tips
Pressure Cooking Tip - Do not place your IP or pressure cooker under a cupboard because when it vents, it releases a powerful blast of hot steam that lasts for several minutes. Over time, this blast of hot steam could damage a wooden cupboard.
The recipes turned out great and I was proud that I gave it a try!
But I still did not begin using it and developing recipes until our oven died on Thanksgiving Day - to read more about the day the house nearly caught on fire click here
Questions
• Put the cooking vessel in the pressure cooker
• Add the ingredients and liquid to the pot
• Lock the lid in place
• Place the vent in the sealing position
• Select a button for cooking
• Set the time for cooking
After the machine beeps, it will begin cooking
It takes anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes for the pressure cooker to come to temperature. The time is dependent upon the volume of liquid and ingredients in the pot.
Recipes include cooking time but not necessarily the amount of time it takes to come to pressure. Good news? When cooking is complete it automatically goes into the "keep warm" mode.
What works for me? Making my meal ahead of time so dinner is ready timely!
Pressure can be released two ways:
1. One way is with the quick release valve (recipes may list QR, this will signify quick release) Before releasing, protect your hand with a hot pan holder or using a kitchen utensil to flick the valve to the venting position. Recipes may list QR, this will signify quick release.
2. The second option is called a natural pressure release (referred to as NPR. When the cooking is complete, you simply do nothing and allow the cooker to naturally release the pressure as the ingredients inside the cooker cool.
The outside is easy to clean with a damp sponge. Clean it after every use! Don't forget to unplug it first.
Clean the lid of the instant pot with every use also, remove the rubber ring, rinse and clean. The pressure cooker lid and rubber sealing ring can be put on the top drawer of the dishwasher!
The stainless steel vessel can be put in the dishwasher on the bottom rack.
Clean the lid of the instant pot with every use also, remove the rubber ring, rinse and clean. The pressure cooker lid and rubber sealing ring can be put on the top drawer of the dishwasher, love that!
Do not fill it past the max fill line. The max fill mark clearly displayed on the inside of of the stainless steel tub. Personally, I avoid filling it more than two-thirds full.
Overfilling can clog the vent....mess with the cooking time... make it spew out liquid through the valve.... trust me here, I've done the research! 🤔
Yes! Once it comes to pressure the pressure cooker will begin a count down to zero.
When cooking is complete, an alarm will sound. The machine will automatically goes into a warm so be sure to follow the directions of your recipe - QR (quick release) or NPR (natural pressure release).
Recipes
The list for what you can cook in the Instant pot is endless! Of course, I've made a ton of soups and stews, but you can also cook one pot casseroles, pasta dishes, even ribs - yes ribs!
It’s also perfect for steaming vegetables.
Some of my favorite recipes are:
- Instant Pot Meatloaf - so delicious.
- Fall off the bone tender ribs!
- Ham and Potato Soup - easy to make and so satisfying!
- Looking for ideas - here are 10 quick instant pot meals - yum!
- Corn on the Cob - one of the most popular recipes on the blog.
- Like potatoes? Baked potatoes done in minutes OR Mashed Potatoes and Gravy all made in the Pressure Cooker!
- It's really great for steamed vegetables - click here for 40+ Instant Pot Side Dishes!
- Click here for a complete list of my Pressure Cooker Recipes!
Burn Notice!
What do you do when you get the dreaded Burn Notice?!! I haven't had this happen (yet!) but if it does
- press the cancel/off button on your pressure cooker.
- open the vent and allow the steam to completely release.
- release and open the lid and evaluate the ingredients. If something is stuck to the bottom, scrub to release.
- resume cooking or perhaps order out...
hey it happens to all of us!
Accessories
I'm not much of a gadget girl, but I did purchase replacement parts for it, because the first thing I lost was the valve down the garbage disposal.... Luckily I released my mistake prior to turning it on!
Replacement parts - after I lost the valve down my garbage disposal... this was the first thing I bought for my IP.
Here is the pressure cooker I have - Instant Pot Duo 6 qt. 7 in 1 - I highly recommend it!
Have you found this guide helpful?
Do you have a question I didn't answer? Please tell me! I would love to add an answer to my Instant Pot Quick Reference Guide! Your questions need answers!