How to Use an Instant Pot: The Basics

Instant Pots, or electric pressure cookers, have been all the rage for a while now. However, I still have friends and family members who are just now getting their own or who I am still trying to convert to the Instant Pot lifestyle. As a result, I have been getting lots of questions about how to use the different functions, what recipes work well, and really just how to make this machine work the magic. Sooo, I thought I would put all of the basic information that I’ve learned here in one post for everyone to go back to when needed.

Also, if you are a subscriber to my blog, get ready to read about the Instant Pot and why I love it because I’m going to be doing a mini-series all on my family’s favorite Instant Pot recipes! This series will include recipes that feature different functions as well easy step by step guides so that newbies as well as seasoned veterans can use this tool to its full potential.

Now, I do want to state here and now that I am not an expert, and you should not ignore your manual. In fact, there are times when I will say to look at your manual for the answers because each model of the Instant Pot is slightly different. While this tool is easy and simple to use, you do need to follow basic instructions from the manufacturer because it can be dangerous if not used properly, and I wouldn’t want any of you getting hurt. Now, let’s get started so you know how to use this crazy amazing tool!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. If you do make a purchase, thank you! You rock! If you have a question, see my full disclosure here.

Where to start:

-Take everything out of the packaging. Make sure to strip off any plastic coverings!

-Wash the metal inner pot and any extra utensils or tools with soap and water before use.

-Practice securing the lid properly. This may sound silly, but this is crucial to ensuring your pressure cooker will work properly. Set the lid in place over the unlocked position (open), and then turn to the locked position (close). Make sure the lid is evenly set all the way around. The lid will include a valve piece that you need to make sure is set to “Sealing” when you are pressure cooking so that pressure can build inside the metal insert.

-If your lid has a hard time closing, make sure the float valve is down and out of the way. You may need to push it down if it is blocking the lid from locking.

-Try out the pressure cooking function using the instructions in your manual (each model can be a little different, so be sure to check out the “Get Started” page).

Buttons and Screen:

-When plugged in, the electronic screen will tell you certain messages, like “Off” and “On” and a few other messages. You may not get all of them or you may get more depending on your model, but some important ones are:

• Off – Pressure cooker is off, but still plugged in.
• On – Instant pot is preheating and/or building pressure.
• Hot – This is very obvious, but it comes on when your pot is ready for you to Sauté food in.
• Food burn/Burn – This means that there is food stuck to the bottom or that there is not enough liquid in the pot for pressure cooking, not always that something is burnt. You will always want to scrape the bottom so that no food particles are attached to it before pressure cooking, especially if you seared meat prior to pressure cooking. Otherwise, you will get this error message.
• Lid – Lid is not on or is not on correctly.
• Timer – If you use delayed start or are cooking in the pot, the timer counts down to say how much time left. If you are on keep warm, the timer will count up to let you know how long the food has been warmed.
• End – The cooking or keep warm has completed. This means the Instant Pot has turned off.

-Each button around the screen will give you different functions or options. The number you have will vary on your model, but the Instant Pot website has a really great chart for knowing what to do with each one. Simply look under the “Cooking Program Options” part of the page. I will explain how to use a few of the functions/buttons below:

• + and -: These buttons are how you adjust the time up and down.
• Adjust: This button allows you to toggle between less, normal, and more settings that are right below the timer.
• Delay Start: This button is how you set a timer for how long the Instant Pot should wait until starting the function you have already put in.
• Manual: This is the function I use most often when pressure cooking because it is very easy to use and works well for many types of cooking. You should be able to adjust the pressure using the “Adjust” button for less, normal, more, but I don’t think I have ever changed mine from high or “more” pressure since that is what most recipes you come across require.
• Keep Warm/Cancel: This is how you can start the keep warm function or cancel/turn off a function. Keep warm will automatically start a timer counting up, and cancel will result in the “Off” message on the screen.
• Sauté: I love this function for roasts or other meals when I need to sear meat! This button gets the metal pot very hot so that you can simmer, sear, or brown without dirtying more dishes. To get each level, you can use the “Adjust” button to go between less, normal, and more. However, do NOT put the lid on the Instant Pot when using this function.
• Slow cook: One of my favorite parts about the Instant Pot is that it is a pressure cooker and a slow cooker in one! The slow cooker function can be set at less, normal, or more as well, and the timer can be set by the half hour.

Releasing Pressure:

–Quick Release: When you release the pressure very soon after the food is done using the valve on top of the lid by moving it from “Sealing” to “Venting”, it is called a quick release.

–Natural Release: If you let the pressure release naturally by simply leaving the valve on the lid alone and waiting for the pressure to come down on its own, it is a natural release.

Cleaning & Care:

–Lid: Some models have parts that can be dishwasher safe while others are hand wash only. I suggest using a washcloth or soft scrubbing pad when necessary to remove and clean any part of the lid. The biggest issue is having food particles get stuck in the valve and shield, which is why you want to check it each time you use it. Once clean, allow it to dry fully before reusing with base!

–Metal Insert: The inner metal pot is dishwasher safe. When using only the dishwasher to clean it, you can have discoloration or remnants get stuck. I often use a scouring pad or brush to scrub the sides and bottom by hand, especially when I’ve used the Sauté function during cooking. You can easily soak the pot if needed in hot water and soap, but I have found that scrubbing while it is still warm can really help avoid any hard scrubbing. Once clean, make sure the pot is completely dry before replacing in the base piece.

–Instant Pot Base & Cord: I think it goes without saying that you can’t put these pieces in the dishwasher, or really even get them wet. You could use a slightly damp cloth or paper towel to wipe them down when needed, but I would not use a towel that has much water that could get into the electronics. If you do have to wipe it out, make sure that everything is completely dry before you place the metal insert back in.

Tip for Cleaning:

-The top edge of the base can get really gross if you are not careful to watch it. Be sure to wipe it out often to keep from getting grease or splatter build up around the edge, especially if you sauté or quick release pressure often.

-Be sure to clean the top of the lid as well as all of the little pieces fairly often. Depending on your model, you will want to check how to take these things apart, but they are critical for safety and function of your Instant Pot.

How to Use the Instant Pot:

Alright, so you’ve got a basic understanding of what this tool is and how it works, I want to give you an example of the process you will go through to actually use it. I’ll use the example of a roast, and you can see the recipe here that corresponds to it.

1. Plug in the Instant Pot on the counter. Push the Sauté button and set for 30 minutes (I always set the Sauté function for longer than I should need to use it. That way it doesn’t turn off when I am in the middle of cooking.)
2. Pour oil into the bottom of the pot and wait for it to preheat while prepping the roast.
3. Once the control panel says “Hot”, I sear the roast on all sides. When done, I hit the cancel button.
4. While the pot cools, I add the liquid needed for the roast and scrape the bottom so there are food particles stuck.
5. Once cooled for a couple minutes, I secure the lid and set the valve to “Sealing”. I then push the Manual function button and use the + and/or – buttons to set the time required for the roast.
6. After 10 seconds, I can hear it beep, and I know that the Instant Pot will start to build pressure and cook my roast!
7. Once the roast is cooked, the Instant Pot will beep again letting me know that the pressure cooking is complete and it has gone to the Keep Warm function automatically. I can then either use the quick release method or the natural release method before opening the pressure cooker and serving up my dinner.
8. After taking out the roast, I will turn the Instant Pot off by hitting the Cancel button. Then simply let cool, clean, dry, and put away!

That’s it! I feel like that was a really long winded post, but I wanted to make sure all of the basics were really clear to newbies. If you are new to using the Instant Pot, I hope this information arms you with knowledge and makes you feel confident to try out some recipes! If any of you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out, and I will do my best to answer.

Also, if you enjoyed today’s content, please like and subscribe to my blog! I’ll be having several more Instant Pot recipes coming out in the next couple of weeks. Be sure to check back in to see what’s new! You can find more daily updates on my Instagram and Facebook pages as well. Hope to see you there!

Have fun cooking!

-Chelsey