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If old tales of exploding pots have kept you from jumping on the pressure cooker bandwagon, it’s time to reconsider. These days, the best pressure cookers are not only versatile and easy to use, but they’re brimming with safety features — and they’re capable of making great meals faster and easier than ever.
This app-enabled version of the popular Instant Pot may cost a bit more than the brand’s other models, but it gave us the best results, has the simplest, easiest-to-use interface and even allows you to release steam via app.
The most popular Instant Pot doesn’t have the convenience features of its Pro siblings, but it impressed us with its simplicity, ease of maintenance and — most importantly — good results at a low price.
It cooks rice — and slow cooks. It can make yogurt — and cook sous vide. With 10 preset functions and app control, the Instant Pot Pro Plus promises to be the holy grail of small kitchen appliances, and delivers on a lot of its promise. First and foremost, though, it’s a great electric pressure cooker, with a simple interface, solid build and useful pressure-release functions that let us easily get great results on all of our test recipes.
Even better, the Pro Plus made getting these results easy. Its touch control panel is so intuitive that we were up and running with just a glance at the user manual (and honestly would have been just fine without it). Unlike most other models tested, the digital panel features super-helpful status messages that ensure you always know what’s happening inside the pot: from preheating to cooking to keeping your food warm. You can select from 10 program modes (pressure cook, slow cook, rice, steamer, canning, yogurt, saute, sous vide, a self-stirring feature called NutriBoost and keep warm) or customize your own, with the option to choose from low, high or maximum pressure as well as preset low, high or custom temperatures. A dial allows you to adjust the time or temperature quickly and a delay start option lets you start cooking at a designated time and doubles as a kitchen timer. The touch screen also gets bonuses for being easier to clean than a button-heavy control panel.
The Pro Plus is built using three-ply stainless steel with silicone handles (making it easy to move the cooker to the stovetop or sink or to pour its contents into a bowl or container), and the 6-quart inner pot can be on the stovetop or in the oven for added convenience. An anti-spin feature keeps the pot from rattling around during the cooking process. It comes with a stainless steel steaming rack and extra sealing ring and the cooking pot, rack and lid are all dishwasher-safe. It’s also nice and compact at 13.2-inches long by 13-inches wide by 12.7-inches high and weighs about 20 pounds, so it doesn’t take up too much cabinet or counter space and isn’t a huge chore to lug around.
The Pro Plus only comes in 6-quart size, where some other Instant Pot models are also available in 3- and 8-quart options, which may be a detractor for those feeding large groups or households. It also is not compatible with the brand’s air fryer lids that some may find useful. The one-year limited warranty could be more generous and at $169.95, it’s certainly pricier than the already very capable Instant Pot Duo (see review below). But we think the Pro Plus’s app controls, simple interface, progress status bars and excellent cooking results give it the edge over the other Instant Pot models and make it the best choice overall among the electric pressure cookers we tested.
Instant Pot’s best-selling model comes with seven built-in functions (pressure cook, slow cook, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, saute pan and food warmer), and also features 13 customizable programs. The digital and push-button display is large and easy to read and we appreciated that the lid can be detached for easier cleanup. The stainless steel inner pot can be tossed in the dishwasher and it’s simple to switch between low and high pressure, while a keep warm option and included steam rack offer added convenience.
While it doesn’t offer remote steam release like the Instant Pot Pro Plus, an auto steam release button allows you to depressurize hands-free by setting quick, pulse or natural release for your recipe in advance. The lid is hinged, removable and (hooray!) dishwasher-safe and the silicone seal was easy to remove and put back in place. It comes with a ceramic-coated inner pot, stainless steamer basket and rack and a hard-bound recipe book.
If you prefer a simple, straightforward stovetop pressure cooker, the Kuhn Rikon Duromatic looks lovely on the stovetop and does an impressive job cooking food. We tested the 8.5-quart option (Kuhn Rikon offers the Duromatic in a wide range of sizes) and found the two-handle design easy to grab, the pressure indicator simple to read and, while the company doesn’t recommend cleaning the heavy stainless steel pot in the dishwasher, it was no big deal to hand wash it (and we know folks who have tossed their own Kuhn Rikons in the dishwasher for years with no damage).
Using the Duromatic is a snap: Add your ingredients, lock the conical lid into place, heat the pot on high and watch the spring-loaded pressure gauge rise in the center of the lid. When you see one red line, it’s at low pressure; two red lines delineate high pressure, letting you know it’s time to turn the heat down for an evenly pressurized cook. Yes, you’ll need to keep an eye on it and adjust your burner heat accordingly, but if you get distracted, steam is automatically released to keep the pot from overpressurizing (we had to do minimal adjusting during our tests). When your cook time is done, depending on the recipe you can let the pressure come down naturally, or quick-release by moving the pot to the sink and running cool water over the rim of the lid, or press the gauge down to release pressure, with steam releasing evenly.
The T-fal Clipso is a breeze to use. In our tests, the Clipso pressurized very quickly. As with all stovetop models, you bring up the heat to your desired setting, and once steam begins to release through the valve, it’s time to reduce the heat and set your timer. We quickly found the sweet spot and noted that the pot held its pressure nicely throughout the cooking time, with little need for turning the heat up or down.
The model comes with a steam basket and tripod and is dishwasher safe when you remove the gasket and pressure valve. It comes with a 10-year warranty against defects or premature deterioration and, for other parts, a one-year warranty is included. And we appreciate the side handles on the pot that allow for easy maneuvering. But what sets the T-fal apart from other models is its unique lid. Designed for one-hand use, the lid clamps down on the pot with jaws that lock into place with the press of a button. Once you’re done cooking and the pressure is released (you can release it by twisting the steam release valve from the cooking icon to the steam icon), the lid opens by pressing the top of a large knob. As a safety feature, the lid will not open until all pressure is released.
By trapping steam inside a tightly sealed pot, pressure cookers raise the pressure under which your food cooks (typically to around twice atmospheric pressure), thus raising the boiling point of water and significantly speeding up cooking times.
While folk wisdom holds that pressure cookers are dangerous, accidents are in reality rare (and many of those that have been documented have been the result of poor maintenance or misuse). All the pressure cookers we tested come with multiple safety features and lids that lock into place, and are designed so that all pressure must be released before the lid can be removed (with some release techniques, steam is released rather loudly and aggressively and definitely startled us a few times). Some models spit out a bit of moisture as steam condenses, but many of the electric versions include condensation collectors that catch any water before it drips onto your counter.
For extra versatility, many of the models come with trivets and steamer baskets, and some of the electric models even offer air fry lids, and ship with extra sealing rings for use in different types of recipes. Some featured nonstick inner pots, which can be great for easy cleanup, but stainless pots will likely be more durable over time. The electric versions were all intuitive to use, even given the multiple functions they offered, although some did require a few extra referrals to the user manual. All allow you to manually adjust the cooking time, but our favorites were models that included cooking progress bars and auto steam release. Sometimes we worried whether those without progress indicators had actually started pressurizing.
So, electric or stovetop? Both netted similar cooking results, so it really does come down to personal preference: Do you like your cooking to be hands-on or hands-off? If you want a lot of options (Slow cook! Air fry! Sous vide!) and want to simply add your ingredients and let the machine do the heavy lifting, an electric version is for you. They generally take up more counter space, but if you use your cooker several times a week, you won’t mind and may even save space if it allows you to get rid of your rice cooker, air fryer and crock pot.
Stovetop models have an edge on their electric counterparts in that they can be depressurized quickly by running them under cold water, allowing for recipes and cooking techniques that require more precise timing, or adding ingredients midway through cooking, or just for those who find steam release scary. Another bonus: All the stovetop models we tested were stainless steel, meaning they’re compatible with all range types, including induction. You can also use the pots to cook using other techniques like any other pot, which can be a nice space saver.
Our testing pool included 15 pressure cookers in all — nine electric and six stovetop — ranging in price from less than $50 to $330, and in 6- and 8-quart capacities. And while all the models performed well in our recipe tests, which included making unsoaked pinto beans, pea and mushroom risotto and a hearty beef stew, details including construction, interface, ease, cook time and versatility resulted in varied scores. All models were easy to clean, as most pots, inserts and parts are dishwasher safe, although many lids need to be hand-washed fairly rigorously to keep odors from hanging on. And while we didn’t record any particularly bad recipe results, some required more cooking time and some definitely netted better results.
Since many of the electric models are billed as multicookers, we did take versatility into account, noting how many settings, functions and features were available, but looked at these models as pressure cookers first and foremost. We did pay careful attention to ease of setup and use, noted what accessories were included and their usefulness in actual cooking, and looked at the overall quality of the user interface elements of each cooker. By and large, even the electric versions were relatively intuitive to use, but we made sure to note when we had to turn to the instruction manual (and when we needed technical translation!); for stovetop cookers we checked to make sure pressure settings were easy to read, steam valves simple to manipulate, and seals and other moving parts easy to manage.
Beef stew:Using the same recipe and duration for each step, and cooking on high pressure, we recorded how well the stew cooked in each model, paying special note to the tenderness of the meat, potatoes, carrots and turnips, as well as the consistency of the broth.
In the course of our assessment, we paid careful attention to overall design and build quality, examining materials used, noting any unique features such as handle, inner pot and lid design, pressure release valves and gauges and safety enhancements. We checked to see how much storage and counter space the various models took up, and whether they were heavy or light and easy or difficult to handle. And while most of the inner pots and parts of the pressure cookers tested were deemed dishwasher-safe by the manufacturers, we noticed that lids were largely hand-wash only, so we checked to make sure how much elbow grease it took to remove food, and whether our efforts left behind any staining or remaining food odor.
If you love the Instant Pot Duo and also love using an air fryer, this may be just the electric pressure cooker option for you. We found it performed identically to the Duo when it came to pressure-cooking our three recipes, and the interface is also essentially the same as the Duo, though it has four more cooking functions than that model (all 11 include roast, slow cooker, pressure cooker, air fry, saute, sous vide, bake, broil, steam, warm and dehydrate).
There was a lot we liked about Cuisinart’s pressure cooker: It has a unique squarish shape, 12 pre-programmed settings, a large and easy-to-read LCD display, both dial and push-button controls and it comes with a handy trivet and stand. The nonstick cooking pot made cleaning a snap and we liked the way the lid locked into place with little effort by simply turning a knob. Cook times were a little longer than for the other machines we tested, but results were good so long as we compensated: we had to cook the beans five minutes longer than the recipe called for, but they turned out nicely with the added time. The risotto had a nice texture after we sauteed it for a few extra minutes to finish the rice and the stew was nice and tender. A big plus for this machine is the steam release button and preheat indicator that allow you to see your cooking progress. We didn’t like that the lid is attached at the back (most of its competitors are attached on the side or lift off completely), because it makes opening the machine a little scary, as any remaining steam is pointed right at your face. The controls were also a bit less intuitive than our winning models.
It takes practically no time to get the Farberware pressure cooker working once you take it from the box: Just a quick wash and a scan of the instruction manual and you’re off. It comes with nine presets (rice, meat, chicken, fish, vegetables, beans/lentils, browning/searing, soups/stews and slow cooking), a straightforward LED display, and includes a cooling stand and plastic measuring cup and spoon. User reviews give it high marks, but we found the risotto to be gummy, the beans to be inconsistent and the stew a bit overly cooked (the veggies were on the mushy side, for example). “I wouldn’t complain if I was served this at a school cafeteria, but would be mad if I got it at a restaurant,” one taster remarked. The machine is stainless steel, though it felt less sturdy than its competitors. We think it’s worth it to spend a little more money to get an Instant Pot Duo.
The Zavor LUX is a high-quality pressure cooker: It is simple to set up, with an intuitive digital LED display, including a super-handy preheating indicator, a lock icon, and screen that changes colors so you know when cooking has started; the LUX also has a custom setting that lets you program your favorite recipes. There are 10 cooking functions (pressure cook high and low, slow cook high and low, steam, saute, sous vide, simmer, yogurt, grains, eggs, dessert, keep warm and time delay) and it comes with a steamer basket and trivet. We liked that the pressure valve includes a clean option that pops the piece out for easy maintenance.
Unfortunately, the LUX didn’t perform as well as our winners. The risotto was a bit overcooked and the beans and stew both took extra time to finish. It also doesn’t include an automatic steam release feature and seemed to rattle more than others while in use. Steam released aggressively and the lid felt hotter than other models. It’s a solid machine, but the Instant Pot Pro Plus gave better results and can be found at a lower price.
With a whopping 14 programmable cooking functions (pressure cook, steam and crisp, steam and bake, air fry, broil, bake/roast, dehydrate, sear/saute, steam, sous vide, slow cook, yogurt, keep warm and proof), Ninja’s take on the pressure cooker offers a whole lot of versatility. It comes not only with an 8-quart ceramic-coated pot, but also a 5-quart cook and crisp basket for air frying, a reversible rack to double your cooking capacity and more. We thought the “SmartLid Slider” was clever and easy to use: just slide a toggle to Pressure Cooker, Steam Fryer or Air Fryer to unlock different cooking modes and functions on the large, intuitive digital display.
For those looking for a step up from the original Instant Pot Duo, the Pro offers a few more bells and whistles that allow for more precision cooking. Rather than seven functions, the Pro features 10 (pressure cook, slow cook, rice/grain, saute, steam, yogurt, warm, sous vide, sterilizer and canning). It adds twice as many one-touch programs, bringing the number to 28, and the pressure release valve on the lid has a plastic steam diffuser cap that really did result in a quieter release. It has a more advanced interface than the Duo, the display has a cooking progress status bar, and the inner pot has silicone inner pot handles; the steaming rack also has an extra sealing ring. The recipes all turned out well, although not quite as well as our winners. It’s a great pressure cooker, but we prefer the added convenience of the Pro Plus for about $20 more.
With a strong and sturdy stainless steel pot and a lid that easily locks into place, we were big fans of the Vitaquick. For one, its large blue pressure indicator is easy to see, with two white ring markings: one ring means it’s at low (or gentle) pressure, two means it’s at high pressure. Other great features: a removable handle that makes cleaning a snap (remove the gasket in the lid and it’s all dishwasher-safe), clear measuring markings on the inside of the pot that mean you don’t need to dirty extra dishes, and a handy helper handle to carry it without fear of dropping the thing. The materials are high quality and we appreciated the added safety feature of a lid with a button that turns green and clicks when it’s locked into place. We also really liked the steam release function in the handle that requires just the push of a button to begin rapid release, and that it comes with a lifetime warranty. So what kept it from winning? The Kuhn Rikon did just a bit better job on the risotto and costs a little less. But the Vitaquick was a very close runner-up.
Like the Vitaquick, the Fissler Vitavit is a wonderful stovetop pressure cooker. With a polished stainless steel finish and removable handle, it also includes a locking indicator that makes positioning the lid into place easier than other models we tested. But our favorite feature is the traffic light-like indicator that delineates between the three pressure indicators: yellow (building pressure), green (correct pressure) and red (too much pressure) so you can adjust your burner accordingly. There is also a no-pressure steam setting and the cooker has settings for gentle and fast cooking. As for the build, the long looped handle and helper handle make it comfy to grab and we appreciated the contrast in the inner pot’s measurement guide (most models are etched and hard to read). We also like that the steam release function can be used from the handle or directly from the control valve. The recipe results were similar to Kuhn Rikon and Vitaquick so, while we really liked this model, the lower price and solid build of the Kuhn Rikon tipped the scales in its favor.
The pressure gauge can be difficult to read, and the pot rattled more than others and also required more babysitting to keep the temperature right. And the handle isn’t comfortable compared to the other models we tested (plus the Presto ships disassembled, so you’ll need to grab a screwdriver to attach the handle). But we appreciated that it’s made of stainless steel when other inexpensive pots are often aluminum—which is a must for those with an induction cooktop or who like to make tomato-based or other acidic dishes. Overall, it’s a pressure cooker that will get the job done. And it has a whopping 12-year limited warranty, where most other affordable models top out at one year. Still, for an additional $20, we preferred the T-fal Clipso.
The stainless steel stovetop version of the Zavor Duo comes to pressure in just a couple of minutes. It features a lid that’s easy to lock into place: align the lid and pot handles and switch the yellow lock tab down, and it will stay firmly sealed until all pressure is released. A pressure regulator knob allows you to choose low or high pressure, as well as steam release and clean. And the pressure indicator was easy enough to read at the top of the lid handle. It’s dishwasher safe and comes with a steamer basket and trivet, and we liked the addition of a helper handle plus its generous 10-year warranty. It did well on our recipe tests as well. The risotto, beans and stew all required longer cook times than other models, but reached their desired consistencies eventually. So, while we liked the Zavor Duo quite a bit, the T-fal Clipso performs similarly and costs $30 less, thus getting our budget nod. But if you prefer a longer handle on your stovetop pressure cooker, we think you’ll have great success with this model.
Firstly, it is normal for the pressure cooker to release steam out of the safety valve on the lid. However, it is not normal for it to leak steam from anywhere else, such as the edges of the lid.
An electric pressure cooker will take around 5-15 minutes to get up to pressure before cooking the food. Factors affecting the pressurization time include how full the pot is and how cold the ingredients are.
Once the pot reaches the required pressure, the float valve will come up, the pressure cooker will beep once, and the cooking time will begin to count down.
At this time, you may notice hissing sounds and some steam coming out of the steam release valve or float valve hole on the lid while the pressure builds – this is entirely normal.
Some Instant Pot models automatically set the pressure valve to “Sealing” when they close, while some need to be set manually. If you forget to set the pressure valve to “Sealing,” you will continue to see steam coming from the pressure valve and possibly from under the edges of the lid as well.
If there is still steam coming out after the pot has come to pressure, or if the pot just won’t come to pressure at all and you’re sure the pressure valve is set to “Sealing,” then this is not normal. It may mean that your seal is either missing or has not been seated correctly around the rim of the lid.
The first thing to do is make sure that the silicone seal inside the edge of the pot is there. It is easy to forget to put it back after washing it. However, putting on a lid without replacing the seal is something that most pressure cooker owners do at some point, so don’t feel foolish!
The second thing to do is check that the sealing ring is evenly seated under the wire around the edge of the lid. An unevenly installed seal can create a partial seal that allows steam to leak out from the edges of the lid. This can happen even when the pot is pressurized and is not supposed to happen.
If you didn’t catch this problem early on, you might have lost a lot of the liquid in your pot as the steam escaped. If you’re cooking something with a lot of liquid, such as soup, this probably won’t be a problem, but if you’re cooking a low-liquid meal, you will need to replace that liquid before you resume cooking.
As pressure builds up inside the pressure cooker, the safety valves will start operating, and they will release the unnecessary steam that has formed inside the unit as it heats the liquid inside. You will see the steam come out as that happens, and a hissing sound will accompany this.
However, you shouldn’t think that the pressure cooker steam coming out of the safety valve signifies that your food is ready. It simply shows that the cooking process reached a point where too much steam was inside the pot. The food will only be ready once the set time has elapsed.
Usually, a pressure cooker releases steam out of its safety valve when the contents reach around 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Normally, the cooking temperature stays under 212 degrees, but we see some pressure releasing via the safety valve when it goes past that.
All you have to do is to double-check the valves and seal as we detailed above and ensure that they are working correctly before you start cooking. This way, the pressure cooker will use those safety valves automatically and release pressure as needed.
Got an Instant Pot and feeling overwhelmed? Not sure where to start? Sharing a simple guide that shares step by step help for how to use your Instant Pot.
Got an Instant Pot and feeling overwhelmed? Not sure where to start? Sharing a simple guide that shares step by step help for how to use your Instant Pot. We also teach you how to use each instant pot function and share common instant pot cooking times!
Don’t let all the buttons intimidate you or lack of helpful information in the instruction booklet intimidate you! You can use your Instant Pot without fear if you read my helpful tips below! We can have you cooking dinner tonight and you will quickly be on your way to becoming an Instant Pot pro in no time!
It took me a while after I bought my Instant Pot to actually use it because I felt intimidated by it. I was also admittedly a little bit nervous about using the Pressure Cooking setting because of the memories I had of my Mother’s Pressure Cooker whistling away in all of its foreboding scariness!
But after much research and finally gathering the courage to use it, I tried the Instant Pot, and it has quickly become one of my favorite cooking appliances. I use it all of the time now and no longer pull out my Slow Cooker or my Rice Cooker because it is just too easy and convenient to use! And I LOVE having only ONE kitchen appliance on my counter-top!
The Instant Pot has a lot of functionality for one appliance, and at a decent price point. (I got mine here). Most of all, I love the convenience and speed of it. I can set it and walk away and not have to think about what’s for dinner in the mad rush of the after school chaos OR I can forget about dinner until 4:30 pm and have something on the table in minutes (which lately has been more my style). It also saves you time by cooking foods quickly that usually have a longer cooking time like beans.
The Instant Pot comes with some tools some of which I use and some that I don’t. The electrical cord is pretty obvious a needed part so be sure to pull that out and plug it into the pot. Some come with a measuring cup that you may or may not want to use. I personally don’t use mine as I prefer my own measuring cups. I also don’t really use the utensils that come with it either.
Now here’s a handy accessory! The steam rack. Use this to hold vegetables, pans (for when you make things like meatloaf or cheesecake), or anything that you don’t want sitting in the cooking liquid.If your model doesn’t come with a steam rack, you may consider getting one. They’re really handy. You might also want to pick up a steaming basket. Small vegetables and other foods tend to fall through the steam rack. To solve this problem, you can put the steam rack in the Instant Pot and put the steamer basket on top of it. Works great for steaming your veggies quickly!
This little cup hooks on to the side of the Instant Pot. It’s supposed to keep condensation from hitting your counter during cooking and cooling. Don’t toss this…you will want to use this. Slide it onto the side of the pot and it should click into place. You can remove this and clean with warm, soapy water as necessary.
1. Sealing:When cooking food under pressure, close the lid and line up valve with the “wavy” lines. This position seals the pot. It allows pressure to build as the food inside heats and produces steam. The valve won’t lock into place when set to sealing. For safety reasons, it will always wiggle a little.
To set the valve to the sealing position, turn it clockwise as far as it will go. (This is for DUO machines. LUX machines have a different sealing position.)
-Quick release.You will use the quick release for items that have a quick cook time and that you want to stop cooking immediately. To do a quick release, you will have to push the valve yourself. The quick release method is engaged when you turn the valve on top of the pot from the “sealing” setting to the “venting” setting. This turn can be a little nerve wracking the first time, but if done right isn’t scary after your first attempt…I promise!
To release the pressure, I like to use a long handled object like a wooden spoon and keep my arm and objects away from the vent. Push the valve to the venting position and the steam should release quickly from the pot. You can safely open the pot when the pressure valve has dropped to the lowest position and the venting has stopped.
-Natural release.If you do NOT do a quick release by pushing the valve to the venting position, the Instant Pot will naturally begin to release the steam on it’s own immediately after the programmed cooking time is over. This allows the pressure to naturally dissipate on its own. It will start counting to let you know how many minutes it has been releasing the pressure. Usually this takes about 10-20 minutes depending on what and how long you have been cooking something.
*It is always a good idea to just push the valve to vent just to be sure all the pressure is released before opening the Instant Pot. DO NOT EVER force the lid open as this is very dangerous!
Depending on whether you have a version one DUO or a version two, the shield will either look like a small oval cage covering both the float and pressure release valve or a small round piece just covering the pressure release valve (pictured below).
The anti-block shield prevents small foods and foam generated during cooking from clogging the pressure release valve and causing an unsafe amount of pressure to build. It’s an important piece. Don’t run your Instant Pot without it in place.
The cover can be removed for cleaning with warm soapy water. Make sure the cover is in place before using. This prevents food from getting in the valve which can cause problems and create safety issues later.
The white silicone ring is an integral part of the Instant Pot. Without it, pressure can’t build. During heating, the sealing ring expands to create a seal that allows pressure to safely build inside the machine. If the sealing ring isn’t inserted correctly or is worn or out of shape, steam can leak from the lid and the Instant Pot won’t seal.
When using the Instant Pot for pressure cooking, NEVER fill the pot more than 1/2 full. If a pressure cooker contains too much liquid, the hot liquid can spray out of the pressure release valve, causing severe burns. As long as you respect the maximum fill on a pressure cooker, you’ll be fine.
*The Max Fill Lines on the Instant Pot Cooking Insert are very confusing and you should NEVER fill it to the maximum levels when pressure cooking. Food will expand when it is under that intense pressure/heat and this is where you can run into safety problems.
Each button designates a type of cooking. The buttons have preset cook times to make things easier for you and to take the guess work out of the cooking times for different items. The setting on the buttons also help you to know if the pot will be locked to capture steam in a pressure cooking setting, or if you will be using the Instant Pot like a regular cooking pot or a slow cooker which cooks without pressure.
Cooks on low pressure and is the only fully automatic program. It’s for cooking white rices and will adjust the cooking time depending on the amount of water and rice in the cooking pot.
High pressure 10 minute cook time. Adjusted to more – 15 minute cook time; adjusted to less – 3 minute cook time. Use this function with a rack or steamer basket because it heats at full power continuously while it’s coming to pressure and you don’t want food in direct contact with the bottom of the pressure cooking pot. Once it reaches pressure, the steam button regulates pressure by cycling on and off similar to the other pressure buttons.
Use the Sauté button to sauté in the pressure cooking pot with the lid off. You can also press Sauté and the Adjust button once (more) for browning. Press Sauté and the Adjust button twice (less) to simmer.
This question depends on a lot of different factors. Is the item frozen? How many ounces is the meat or poultry? So the guidelines are just best guess suggestions. As you cook with your Instant Pot you can make adjustments based on your personal preferences. I have created a FREE Printable Instant Pot Cooking Times Cheat Sheet for your convenience.
At around 10 seconds, the Instant Pot pressure cooker will be in a pre-heating cycle. Within minutes, the steam will come out of the valve until the float valve pops up and seals the cooker. When this valve is up it will be flush with the lid.
You can either release the pressure immediately by doing a quick release (as we mentioned above) or let the Instant Pot complete a natural release on it’s own. Give it about 10 minutes and then push the vent valve before opening the lid to ensure there is no more pressure in the pot.
Phew! That was a lot of information! But you should now be ready to cook your first recipe. Be sure to come back here where I will be sharing my first of many Instant Pot Recipes for you to try (listed below)! I will update this as I add them to our recipe box!
Want to get all this information and more in an easy printable Instant Pot Guide? It also includes a printable Instant Pot Cooking Times Guide. Perfect for easy reference when working with your Instant Pot.
Replacement parts are MODEL SPECIFIC, this item is ESPECIALLY compatible with Instant Pot Duo 5 and 6 Quart.What you get: 2 x sealing ring, 1 x steam release valve, 1 x float valve, 3 x float valve gasket.Keep Pressure Cooking Safe: Replace old or damaged parts to keep your device in perfect condition, these replacement parts are designed to build and maintain pressure, without them the device will not work properly.Sweet and Savory Sealing Rings: Comes with two different colors sealing ring to prevent the odors of certain foods from transferring among your favorite foods. The blue ring is for sweet/diary food and red for savory food.Come with 2 more float valve sealer gasket, easy to replace it after discolored or broken
Over the last decade the Instant Pot has elbowed its way onto many a kitchen counter. The multifunctional appliance earns its place with slow cooker, pressure cooker, and saute capabilities (just to name a few). So you can either set-it-and-forget-it before leaving for work or pressure cook a whole chicken in a fraction of the time it takes in the oven.
That’s all great, but when the Instant Pot’s many buttons and menacing-looking steam valve are staring you in the face, the appliance ($99.95, Amazon) can be intimidating. I promise it’s easy to use once you get started.
They’re not quite as user-friendly as a simple Crock-Pot, but it’s worth learning how to use the multicooker just for the time you’ll save in the kitchen. There are a few basic steps for most easy Instant Pot recipes, but you’ll get the hang of it. Here’s what you need to know about using an Instant Pot.
The Instant Pot is a pressure cooker that works by using steam to build pressure. As the pressure builds forcefully inside the pot, it produces temperatures high enough to quickly heat and cook the food inside.
Instant Pots have other built-in cooking programs, too. It can act as a, yogurt maker, rice maker, steamer, orsautepan — making it one of the most versatile smallon the market.
For starters, wash the pot and inside the lid with soap and water before using for the first time (and of course, between uses). When it’s plugged in and ready to go, here’s how to get going:
The Instant Pot comes with a few accessories, most of which you won’t use a lot. Your go-to accessory is the plastic condensation catcher. Snap it onto the back of the Instant Pot to collect condensation from the steam; otherwise, you’ll end up with water all over the counter.
Place the lid on top of the pot and push down as you turn it clockwise (in the direction of the arrows printed on the lid). This will seal the lid to the pot so that the Instant Pot can pressure cook the food inside. Turn the valve (the little knob on top of the lid) to the sealing position.
Once you’re ready to cook, set the time and pressure controls according to your recipe instructions. Select “pressure cook” and use the + and – buttons on the control panel to set the time. Almost every Instant Pot recipe involves the pressure cook option, but note that other modes may differ. The “saute” mode should always be used with the lid off, and if you’re using the “slow cook” setting, make sure the valve is set to venting rather than sealing.
When your food is cooked, move the pressure release valve from the “sealing” position to the “venting” position. When you do this, all the hot steam from inside the pot will come out of the valve, so be careful not to burn yourself. It’s easiest to do this while wearing an oven mitt or by using a long-handled spatula to turn the knob so your arm is never directly over the steam. When all the steam has been released, you can open the lid.
When you hit “pressure cook,” your Instant Pot will default to the amount of time last used. Simply use the + and – buttons to adjust the time according to the recipe you’re making.
The Instant Pot takes a few minutes to reach the proper pressure to cook. If you set it at 10 minutes, it won’t actually be done in 10 minutes. Allow 3 – 4 extra minutes per recipe for the appliance to heat. The machine is smart enough to know how long you set it for, so even with the added minutes, after exactly 10 minutes of cook time, it’ll turn off and your food is done.
To start the Instant Pot Duo, plug it in and add the food you want to cook. Then use the control panel to set the pressure (high or low), and set it to the appropriate time. The confusing thing about the Instant Pot Duo is that it doesn’t actually have a start button — as soon as you set a time, it’ll start heating.
Since your Instant Pot works by using steam to create pressure, you’ll need to add at least one cup of liquid to your Instant Pot for any meal you cook.
Inside your inner pot, you’ll see it says “PC MAX,” with a 2/3 line and a 1/2 line. It’s important to never fill your inner pot past than the 2/3 max line.
The steam valve sits on top of your Instant Pot lid and has two settings:sealingandventing.The steam release handle allows you to move from one setting to the other.
Make sure the steam release handle is in thesealingposition before using any of the pressure cooking programs. This will prevent steam from escaping the Instant Pot and allow pressure to build inside.
To vent the steam valve,you’ll need to have the steam release handle in theventingposition — either by pushing it back yourself (also known as a manual or “quick release”) or on its own via a “natural release.”
Natural Release:Your Instant Pot releases pressure on its own until the float valve (next to the steam valve on top of your lid) drops down. A natural release takes a bit longer, but it’s best for recipes with meats, soups, broths, beans, starchy foods, and foods with lots of liquid.
Quick Release:You manually release pressure from your Instant Pot by pushing the steam release handle back to the venting position until the float valve drops down. A quick release is much faster and is best for recipes with vegetables, fish, and fragile or fast-cooking foods.
The sealing ringis an Instant Pot accessory and safeguard that keeps your lid locked tight during pressure cooking. It helps your machine withstand the high forces of pressure needed to cook the food inside.
That’s why it’s always good to have a spare sealing ring to use for different types of Instant Pot recipes. I recommend using one sealing ring for sweets and another sealing ring for savory dishes.
If you’d rather NOT use the Keep Warm setting on your Instant Pot, you can switch it off on the control panel and avoid the risk of overcooked food altogether.
Depending on the recipe and the amount of food you’re cooking, it can take up to 40 minutes for your Instant Pot to fully build pressure. But remember, releasing that pressure from your Instant Pot takes time, too.
Before starting your Instant Pot recipe, don’t forget to factor in the time it takes to build and release pressure. A 15-minute recipe can quickly turn into a 35-minute recipe when you account for the whole process.
Instant Pots are best known for their pressure cooking abilities, but that doesn’t mean its other programs (like slow cooking andsauteeing) aren’t as good.
Thesauteprogram works the same as a stovetop pot or pan, but it’s definitely a game-changer. You can stir-fry veggies, thicken sauces, and brown meats without adding another pot to your pile of dishes.
In 1918, Spain granted a patent for the pressure cooker to José Alix Martínez from Zaragoza. Martínez named it the olla exprés, literally "express cooking pot", under patent number 71143 in the Boletín Oficial de la Propiedad Industrial.360 recipes for cooking with a pressure cooker.
Today, most pressure cookers are variations on the first-generation cookers, with the addition of new safety features such as a mechanism that prevents the cooker from being opened until it is entirely depressurized.
These include an electric heat source that is automatically regulated to maintain the operating temperature and pressure. They also include a spring-loaded valve (as described above) and are typically non venting during cooking.
Some pressure cookers are multifunctional (multicookers): pressure cooker, saute/browning, slow cooker, rice cooker, egg cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sous vide, canner, and stockpot warmer that can also be used to keep cooked food warm.Ninja Foodi pressure cooker, which was the first pressure cooker that could also air fry, several other pressure cooker manufacturers, including Instant Pot, have come out with their own pressure cookers that can air fry, which are now known as pressure air fryers. Pressure air fryers have two separate lids, one for pressure cooking, and one for air frying.
In a sealed pressure cooker the volume and amount of steam is fixed, so the temperature can be controlled either directly or by setting the pressure (such as with a pressure release valve).
Having crossed the Peuquenes [Piuquenes], we descended into a mountainous country, intermediate between the two main ranges, and then took up our quarters for the night. We were now in the republic of Mendoza. The elevation was probably not under 11,000 feet (3,400 m) [...]. At the place where we slept water necessarily boiled, from the diminished pressure of the atmosphere, at a lower temperature than it does in a less lofty country; the case being the converse of that of a Papin"s digester. Hence the potatoes, after remaining for some hours in the boiling water, were nearly as hard as ever. The pot was left on the fire all night, and next morning it was boiled again, but yet the potatoes were not cooked.
Pressure cookers employ one or more regulators to control the pressure/temperature. All types have a calibrated pressure relief valve, as well as one or more emergency valves.
With the simplest types, once the desired pressure is reached, the valve opens, and steam escapes cooling the vessel and limiting the temperature. More advanced stovetop models have pressure indicators that permit the user to adjust the heat to prevent the steam from escaping. Third generation types automatically measure the state of the vessel and control the power so as to not release steam in operation.
Pressure cookers are available in different capacities for cooking larger or smaller amounts, with 6 litres" capacity being common. The maximum capacity of food is less than the advertised capacity because pressure cookers can only be filled up to 2/3 full, depending on ingredients and liquid (see Safety features section).
Because of the forces that pressure cookers must withstand, they are usually heavier than conventional pots of similar size. The increased weight of conventional pressure cookers makes them unsuitable for applications in which saving weight is a priority, such as camping. Nonetheless, small, lightweight pressure cookers are available for mountain climbers
A gasket or sealing ring, made from either rubber or silicone, forms a gas-tight seal that does not allow air or steam to escape between the lid and pan. Normally, the only way steam can escape is through a regulator on the lid while the cooker is pressurized. If the regulator becomes blocked, a safety valve provides a backup escape route for steam.
The twist-on design has slots on the lid engaging with flanges on the body, similar to a lid on a glass jar, that works by placing the lid on the pot and twisting it about 30° to lock it in place. A common modern design, it has easily implemented locking features that prevent the removal of the lid while under pressure.
The internally fitted lid design employs an oval lid that is placed inside and presses outward; the user inserts the lid at an angle, then turns the lid to align it with the pot opening on top because the lid is larger than the opening. A spring arrangement holds the lid in place until the pressure forms and holds the lid tightly against the body, preventing removal until the pressure is released.
Early pressure cookers equipped with only a primary safety valve risked explosion from food blocking the release valve. On modern pressure cookers, food residues blocking the steam vent or the liquid boiling dry will trigger additional safety devices. Modern pressure cookers sold from reputable manufacturers have sufficient safety features to prevent the pressure cooker itself from exploding. When excess pressure is released by a safety mechanism, debris of food being cooked may also be ejected with the steam, which is loud and forceful. This can be avoided if the pressure cooker is regularly cleaned and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer"s instructions and never overfilled with food and/or liquid.
Modern pressure cookers typically have two or three redundant safety valves and additional safety features, such as an interlock lid that prevents the user from opening the lid when the internal pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure, preventing accidents from a sudden release of hot liquid, steam and food. If safety mechanisms are not correctly in place, the cooker will not pressurize the contents. Pressure cookers should be operated only after reading the instruction manual, to ensure correct usage. Pressure cooker failure is dangerous: a large quantity of scalding steam and water will be forcefully ejected and if the lid separates it may be propelled with considerable force. Some cookers with an internally fitted lid may be particularly dangerous upon failure as the lid fits tighter with increasing pressure, preventing the lid from deforming and venting around the edges. Due to these dangers pressure cookers are generally over-engineered in a safety regard and some countries even have regulations to prevent the sale of non-compliant cookers.
For first generation pressure cookers with a weighted valve or "jiggler", the primary safety valve or regulator is usually a weighted stopper, commonly called "the rocker" or "vent weight". This weighted stopper is lifted by the steam pressure, allowing excess pressure to be released. There is a backup pressure release mechanism that releases pressure quickly if the primary pressure release mechanism fails (e.g., food jams the steam discharge path). One such method is a hole in the lid that is blocked by a low melting point alloy plug and another is a rubber grommet with a metal insert at the center. At a sufficiently high pressure, the grommet will distort and the insert will blow out of its mounting hole to release pressure. If the pressure continues to increase, the grommet itself will blow out to release pressure. These safety devices usually require replacement when activated by excess pressure. Newer pressure cookers may have a self-resettable spring device, fixed onto the lid, that releases excess pressure.
On second generation pressure cookers, a common safety feature is the gasket, which expands to release excess pressure downward between the lid and the pot. This release of excess pressure is forceful and sufficient to extinguish the flame of a gas stove.
The recommended maximum fill levels of food/liquid avoids blockage of the steam valve or developing excess pressure: two-thirds full with solid food, half full for liquids and foods that foam and froth (e.g., rice, pasta; adding a tablespoon of cooking oil minimizes foaming),pulses (e.g., lentils).
With pot in pot pressure cooking, some or all of the food is placed in an elevated pot on a trivet above water or another food item which generates the steam. This permits the cooking of multiple foods separately, and allows the use of minimal water mixed with the food in the pot which permits thick sauces which would otherwise scorch onto the bottom of the pan to be cooked.
With first generation designs, the pressure regulator weight begins levitating above its nozzle, allowing excess steam to escape. In second generation pressure cookers, either a relief valve subsequently opens, releasing steam to prevent the pressure from rising any further or a rod rises with markers to indicate the pressure level, without constantly venting steam. At this stage, the heat source is reduced to the lowest possible heat that still maintains pressure, as extra heat wastes energy and increases liquid loss. In third generation pressure cookers, the device will detect the vessel has reached the required cooking temperature/pressure and will maintain it for the programmed time, generally without further loss of steam.
The flavor of some foods, such as meat and onions, can be improved by gently cooking with a little pre-heated cooking oil, butter or other fat in the open pressure cooker over medium heat for stove-top models (unless the manufacturer advises against this) before pressure cooking, while avoiding overheating the empty pressure cooker not heating the empty cooker with the lid and gasket in place to avoid damage. Electric pressure cookers usually have a "saute" or "brown" option for frying ingredients. The pressure cooker needs to cool briefly before adding liquid; otherwise some of the liquid will evaporate instantly, possibly leaving insufficient liquid for the entire pressure cooking time; if deglazing the pan, more liquid may need to be added.
This method is sometimes called a quick release, not to be confused with the cold water release (mentioned below). It involves the quick release of vapor by gradually lifting (or removing) the valve, pushing a button, or turning a dial. It is most suitable to interrupt cooking to add food that cooks faster than what is already in the cooker. For example, since meat takes longer to cook than vegetables, it is necessary to add vegetables to stew later so that it will cook only for the last few minutes. Unlike the cold water release method, this release method does not cool down the pressure cooker. Releasing the steam with care avoids the risk of being scalded by the rapid release of hot steam. This release method is not suitable for foods that foam and froth while cooking; the hot contents might spray outwards due to the pressure released from the steam vent. Pressure cookers should be operated with caution when releasing vapour through the valve, especially while cooking foamy foods and liquids (lentils, beans, grains, milk, gravy, etc.)
The cold water release method involves using slow running cold tap water, over the edge of the pressure cooker lid, being careful to avoid the steam vent or any other valves or outlets, and never immersing the pressure cooker under water, otherwise steam can be ejected from under the lid, which could cause scalding injury to the user; also the pressure cooker lid can be permanently damaged by an internal vacuum if water gets sucked into the pressure cooker, since the incoming water blocks the inrush of air.
When pressure cooking at 1 bar/15 psi (gauge), approximate cooking times are one minute for shredded cabbage, seven minutes for boiled potatoes (if cut small, not diced) and three minutes for fresh green beans. If the pressure is released naturally after timing
Not only is this steam energy transmitted quickly to food, it is also transmitted rapidly to any micro-organisms that are present, easily killing even the deadliest types that are able to survive at the boiling point. Because of this enhanced germ killing ability, a pressure cooker can be used as an effective sanitizer for jam pots, glass baby bottles, or for water while camping.
Some foods are not recommended for pressure cooking. Foods such as noodles, pasta, cranberries, cereals and oatmeal can expand too much, froth and sputter, potentially blocking the steam vent and creating an unsafe condition.
This Instant Pot model offers more cooking control than our top pick does, and it has upgraded features such as a huge LCD screen, as well as a redesigned inner cooking pot with stay-cool handles for lifting the insert out or keeping the pot from spinning while you stir.
In 2021, Instant Pot released the Instant Pot Pro 6-Quart, which has some great features that make it a meaningful upgrade over the Duo, namely handles on the inner cooking pot, a large LCD, customizable and savable cooking presets, more temperature levels for sautéing, a sous vide function, and a diffuser cap that makes the steam release just a bit gentler (you’ll still get a jet of steam spurting out from the top, but it won’t be as loud, strong, or long). The Pro also comes with an extra silicone sealing ring for the lid and works with Instant Pot’s QuickCool Tray (sold separately) if you want to depressurize foods faster before serving. Of Instant Pot’s costlier models, the Pro and its features are most worth the jump in price, especially if you plan to use your multi-cooker frequently. Instant Pot’s midlevel offering, the Duo Plus, usually costs about $20 less than the Pro at this writing, but the Duo Plus’s features are less impressive.
Despite the Pro’s extra features, its basic cooking functions—pressure, slow, steam, yogurt, rice and grain—are essentially the same as on other Instant Pot models. We do like that the Pro has five custom sauté temperature settings (compared with the Duo’s three) in addition to the low, high, and medium presets. It also has a sous vide setting that, for all intents and purposes, does the job. The Pro has a bake function, as well, but we were unable to fit three different 8-inch cake pans into the Pro, so we weren’t able to successfully bake a cake in our tests (Instant Pot sells a proprietary baking pan, but we didn’t test it). We tried with some smaller cake rounds and ended up with uncooked goo even after an hour. You can make a cheesecake in all Instant Pot models, and you can use steam to bake in models without the air-fryer lid. (A representative from Instant Pot told us that on its Instant Brands Connect app, the company offers baking recipes—such as for brownies, cornbread, and coconut cake—that are tailored to the Pro. We didn’t try these recipes in our tests, but if you’re especially interested in using your Instant Pot to bake on top of all the other uses, we might suggest considering one of the air-fryer models (or lids), which we discuss more below.
Instant Pot has also made some design upgrades that improve the usability of the Pro over that of the Duo and Duo Plus. One improvement that stands out is that the handles on the inner cooking pot stay cool, which lets you easily remove the pot even when it’s hot. These handles also act as anchors that lock the pot into place so that it doesn’t whirl around when you stir—a common gripe we had while testing other Instant Pot models (the Duo Plus has an anti-spin design in which rubbery stoppers on the inner pot help prevent the insert from moving, but it isn’t as effective).
Another unusual feature on the Pro’s inner cooking pot: It has a flat bottom, which makes it functional on most stove tops, including induction and electric, and it can tolerate the oven up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. We can see this feature being useful if you wanted to sear meat on a stove with more control than you get in the Instant Pot, or if you wanted to finish a dish in the oven (browning cheese or bread in a ribollita, for example). The pot in other Instant Pot models has a slightly convex bottom and thus doesn’t work on a stove. Overall, the Pro’s inner pot represents a nice level-up from the Duo’s inner pot, which has no handles and is not recommended for use on or in any cooking appliance other than the Instant Pot.
Of the Instant Pots we’ve tested, the Pro has the most intuitive interface, with a large, bright LCD. It has buttons for you to select your cooking program (such as pressure, sauté, or steam) and a dial that toggles between presets within each program, as well as the option to set your own time and temperature. The screen has white lettering with a blue background and is readable from a distance, with large icons and a progress bar so you always know where the Pro is in the cooking process. In contrast, the Duo’s pared-down red and black screen indicates only that it’s heating up with an “On” message before counting down once it has reached temperature or pressure. The Duo also doesn’t have a start button—it starts automatically—which can feel counterintuitive if you’re just getting into pressure cooking. You can also turn off beeping noises on the Pro, whereas you cannot disable sounds on the Duo or Duo Plus.
The Pro’s lid has a steam-release valve that promises to make the release quieter than on other Instant Pots, but in our tests, we didn’t notice a significant difference in noise levels. If you’ve used pressure cookers in the past, you know that using the quick-release method produces a loud and forceful geyser of steam. The valve cover on the Pro diffuses the force of the steam, though it doesn’t minimize the noise (sorry). In 2021, Instant Pot added an automatic sealing feature and a quick steam-release switch to all of its models, including the Pro: You won’t be left wondering whether the pot is sealed, and you won’t have to dodge the jet of steam after twisting the valve (which you used to have to do with the older models). Unlike the Duo, the Pro has two reminders you can set for steam release at five and 10 minutes. The Pro also has a clearly marked venting system that includes a red pressure indicator, a vent/seal switch that automatically seals when you close the lid, and a steam-valve diffuser.
Besides more preset cooking programs (such as those for various grains or for baking cake), the Pro has one basic cooking function that the Duo doesn’t: sous vide. This function allows you to cook vacuum-sealed foods in a water bath set between 77 and 203 degrees Fahrenheit. We previously tested the sous vide setting on the Duo Evo Plus, and we didn’t retest the setting on the Pro because we weren’t impressed with the results. Sous vide cooking is all about accurate temperature control and water circulation—two things the Instant Pot sous vide setting doesn’t really do—and the sous vide setting on the Duo Evo Plus consistently ran 5 degrees below our target temperature. But it still cooked our modest vacuum-sealed filet of salmon in 45 minutes. We think it could be useful for folks who want to cook or hold food at a specific temperature for an extended period of time, such as while keeping soup warm on a buffet table. That said, if you want to do sous vide cooking, consider getting a dedicated immersion circulator.
In 2021, Instant Pot has advertised that the Pro preheats 20% faster than the brand’s other pots. We timed how long the updated versions of the Duo, Duo Plus, and Pro took to pressurize while cooking a pot of beans, and we didn’t find a significant difference. The Pro preheated in 14 minutes 24 seconds, while the Duo took 14 minutes 48 seconds and the Duo Plus took 16 minutes 8 seconds. All pressure cookers take time to pressurize, but you can