So, You Just Got an Instant Pot
AKA a fancy modern electric pressure cooker
I picked up the 8 Qt Instant Pot DUO80 7-in-1 on the most recent Amazon Prime Day, and what a fun week it’s been exploring my new kitchen gadget! With days in the 90s+ here, it’s been great to not heat up the oven or go sweat it out over the grill. I also have two children under two, so there are several tricks appealing to me as a mother.
This article covers a few starter topics, such as The Water Test, some lingo you should know, two starter recipes, and a few basic accessories.
Tip #1: The top steam release venting switch is supposed to be loose — your unit is not broken! For more tips, read my follow-up article.
This guide assumes you have: unboxed your unit, washed the parts, installed the condensation collector, at least glanced at the manual, and found a home for the pot on your counter near an outlet.
Before you continue: Please read the safety guides in your manual and review the diagram of your pot.
Step One: Learn the Lingo
- QR — quick release, meaning move the steam release switch to “Venting” as soon as the cooking countdown completes
- NR — natural release, meaning leave the steam release at “Sealing” and allow pressure to release slowly on its own
- PIP — pot in pot, referring to placing additional, oven-safe cookware inside the inner pot to cook your food items
- Trivet — the metal slotted round item that came with your pot, used to keep items above the water when using the short legs, or flip the handles down to elevate a pot above other meat to cook multiple items at once (ie. raise a rice pot above meat)
- Inner pot — the name for the stainless steel cooking pot
- Steam release — the name for the switch to change from “Sealing” to “Venting”
- Float valve — the name for the pressure indicator, located next to the steam release. When this is up, the unit is under pressure and the lid should not be removed.
Safety tip: Leave yourself a sticky note to remind yourself to replace the inner pot after washing, and to set the vent to “Sealing” before you start your cooking program!
Step Two: The Water Test
Whether this is your first Instant Pot, or a new one, you should always start with the water test. This familiarizes you with the unit, and also ensures that it is working properly before you try your first food item.
To complete the water test:
- Measure 3 cups of water and pour in to the inner pot
- Set the steam release to “Sealing” (up position)
- Select “Steam” and adjust time to 2 minutes
- Wait while your pot completes the cycle
- When the countdown completes, perform a “Quick Release” (QR) be switching the top vent to “Venting” position (down). Be sure to move the unit out from under any cabinets, and do not place your hand or other objects above the steam release. You may wish to nudge the steam release switch with a utensil when performing a QR.
- You may remove the lid when the float valve (on my model it is red topped) located next to the steam release vent drops and is flush with the lid
- You may then select the “Keep Warm/Cancel” button to turn off your pot
ProTip: Measure out 3 cups of water in a separate measuring cup instead of filling to the 3 cup mark in your pot or you will be waiting a very long time for all that water to boil!
Should it be steaming?
Steam will likely trickle out while the unit comes to pressure, but should cease once the countdown begins. If not, check your sealing ring, replace lid and firmly move the vent switch to “Sealing” and retest. If you have steam continue to come out during the countdown of your second test, you may want to contact support.
Step Three: Cook Hard-Boiled Eggs
Cooking hard-boiled eggs is recommended because you will use several functions and become even more familiar with how your Instant Pot works.
- Pour 1 cup of water into the inner pot
- Place the trivet inside with short legs down, allowing the handles to rest along the sides of the pot
- Place a few whole eggs on the trivet (I did 3)
- Select “Manual” and adjust time to 5 minutes
- Lock the lid and set vent to “Sealing” (this is always done at the start of every recipe)
- When cooking completes, allow to sit for 5 minutes NR, then QR any remaining pressure
- Once float valve drops, you may remove the lid
- Promptly place whole eggs into an ice bath for 5 minutes
- The shells should easily remove, and you should have perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs!
Let’s Get Cookin’!
An oft recommended first “real” recipe is salsa chicken. Here is the version I used:
Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Recipe
- Place 3–5 med/large chicken breasts in the bottom of the inner pot
- Season chicken with whatever you like — just salt and pepper, or also chili powder or any other favorites
- Pour 1 cup of salsa over the top of the chicken
- Lock lid and set steam release to “Sealing”
- Select “Manual” and set to 7 minutes
- Perform a QR when complete
- Check chicken temp with an instant read thermometer to check it has reached at least 165 (if it’s within a few degrees, replace the IP lid for a few minutes and residual heat should bring it up to temp)
- Move chicken to a large bowl or stand mixer and use a hand or stand mixer to easily shred the breasts
- You can then move the chicken back to the pot to keep warm for serving
- Great in tacos or over lettuce, with cheese and any other taco toppings you enjoy!
Do I need Instant Pot accessories?
Check out recipes and make a few to decide what you might need before you fill your kitchen with lots of extra gadgetry.
That said, here are a few I’ve purchased and used so far:
- Extra sealing rings — sealing rings hold the smell, especially of savory dishes, so you may wish to have one for savory and one for sweet
- Silicone steamer — excellent for veggies or more delicate meats or fish that would fall through the slots in the trivet. The link is to one that also includes handy mini mitts, but you can get those separately as well.
- Push pan — I think I made it this far without mentioning you can make cheesecake in your Instant Pot! This pan can also be used for things like banana bread, or other savory recipes, like lasagna.
- Parchment rounds — handy for use in the push pan
- Fish turner — a common name for this handily shaped utensil. The shape, durability, heat-resistance, and non-scratch material are useful for stirring and scraping down pot contents. It’s also excellent for helping separating cheesecakes from the push pan bottom as it’s thin, wide, and sturdy.
Stay tuned for more!
I plan to continue writing tips, tricks, and recipes, so give this article a “❤” and be sure to follow and share with your friends! Thanks!
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