How to Use an Electric Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot

Pressure cookers can feel a little bit overwhelming when you first start using them. Learn how to use an electric pressure cooker, like the Instant Pot, like a pro. It's easier than you think!

Table of Contents

• 🤯 Can It Explode?
• ✓ What an Electric Pressure Cooker Does
• 📋 Pressure Cooker Parts Glossary
• 💡 Safety Tip
• 🤝 Get to Know Your Pressure Cooker's Controls
• 📖 Essential Pressure Cooker Cookbooks
• 👩‍🍳 Pressure Cooker Recipes for Beginners
• 🧽 How to Clean Your Instant Pot's Inner Pot

Did you recently purchase a new electric pressure cooker? Or maybe you got an Instant Pot but have been hesitant to use it, because it seems too complicated. I'm here to walk you through your new cooker's parts and functions, so you can start making Instant Pot recipes like a champ!

I've been making recipes with my Instant Pot electric pressure cooker for over 15 years. And today, I'm sharing what I've learned to help you get started on your own pressure cooking journey!

Before we get to the basics, though, let's talk about the number one worry I hear from people who ask me how to use an electric pressure cooker: an exploding pot.

🤯 Can It Explode?

We have all heard stories of older pressure cookers exploding. The first time I used my own Instant Pot 15+ years ago, I literally pressed the start button, and then RAN out of the room to hide.

I want to put your mind at ease. I've been pressure cooking for a decade, and I've never had a single explosion. The one time I even heard about a pot exploding, it turns out that it was because the user tried to wrench the pot open without waiting for the lid to unlock automatically.

Your pressure cooker has all kinds of controls in place to keep the pressure in check. It won't come to pressure unless the lid is locked, and the lid won't automatically unlock until the pressure has reached a safe level. Let the lock guide you, and your pressure cooker is totally safe.

✓ What an Electric Pressure Cooker Does

Let's talk about what your electric pressure cooker can and can't do.

A pressure cooker uses high pressure to cook foods more quickly. It's best for foods that you'd steam, simmer, or boil, like soups, stews, beans, grains, etc.

Most electric pressure cookers on the market, like the Instant Pot, do more than just pressure cooking, such as:

• sautéing
• slow cooking (like a crock pot)
• making yogurt
• keeping your food warm once it's done cooking

A pressure cooker that performs other functions like this is often called a "multi-pot".

Most multi-pots also have preset buttons for things like beans and soups, which I don't recommend using. These presets can feel like a shortcut, but think about beans, for example.

The cooking time for lentils is going to be very different than for something larger, like pinto beans. If you press "beans", you are using an average cooking time. Not ideal.

I've had a lot of people ask me the difference between a pressure cooker and an air fryer. Think of your pressure cooking as a tool for "wet" cooking, like steaming and boiling. The air fryer is for "dry" cooking, like roasting or sautéing.

Read more about how an air fryer works!

📋 Pressure Cooker Parts Glossary

The thing I found most overwhelming when I first got my pressure cooker was actually understanding the lingo that recipes used. What the heck were these valves and releases everyone kept talking about?

Honestly, there are only a few parts you need to know about for day-to-day use. Let's discuss!

Pressure Valves

On the top of your pot, there are two pressure valves: the Pressure Indicator Valve and the Pressure Release Valve.

The Pressure Indicator Valve is a small, usually silver, cylinder that you can use to see whether your pot is still at pressure. When you're looking at the lid from above, you'll see a little circle.

If the cylinder is up high, your pot is at pressure. When it drops down, the pressure is low enough that you can open the lid.

The Pressure Release Valve is what you use to manually release the pressure in your pot.

If the valve is pointing toward the word "Airtight" or "Sealing", then the pot will retain most of the steam, which allows it to come to pressure. To release the pressure, toggle it to "Exhaust" or "Venting".

Quick Release vs. Natural Release

If a recipe says something like, "Cook at high pressure for 5 minutes, then do a quick release," that means you cook with the Pressure Release Valve in the "Sealing" position, then toggle it to "Venting" as soon as the cooking time is up. That will release the pressure more quickly. Quick release!

Sometimes, a recipe will say to do a natural release for a certain amount of time, usually 10 minutes. In that case, wait for your pot to beep to indicate that the cooking cycle is done. Then, set a 10 minute timer. When that timer beeps, toggle the Pressure Release Valve to "Exhaust" to release the remaining pressure.

For that first 10 minutes, your pot's pressure was coming down, just more slowly/naturally. Natural release!

The Lid

Any pressure cooking recipe will say something along the lines of "lock the lid." This is so easy to do.

To lock the lid, just fit the lid on top of the pot, so it sits flat. Then, turn it until it naturally stops. Viola! Your lid is locked and loaded!

The Condensation Cup

The Condensation Cup is the little, clear cup hanging on the back of your electric pressure cooker. Excess moisture from the cooking process collects here.

Make sure you empty this occasionally, because that water can get GROSS if you let it sit. The cup clicks right off. Just empty it out, wash in a little warm, soapy water, and pop it back into place.

The Sealing Ring

Inside of the lid, there is a large, rubbery ring that pops out easily for cleaning. This is the Sealing Ring, and it is dishwasher safe.

You don't have to clean the Sealing Ring every time you use your pot, but if your pot is a little smelly, cleaning the sealing ring can help.

When you pop it back in, you know that the sealing ring is in place properly if you can easily rotate it back and forth. It's important to get it seated correctly, because if it's not in properly, your food won't cook properly.

If your sealing ring gets damaged, you can buy a replacement pretty cheaply. Make sure that you choose one that lists your pot, so you'll be sure it fits correctly.

🤝 Get to Know Your Pressure Cooker's Controls

Let's break down the pressure cooker's main functions, so you can see what each one does.

💨 Pressure Cook

When you lock the lid and close the sealing vent on your pressure cooker, you are creating an airtight situation inside of your pot. As your food cooks, pressure builds up inside of the pot, which is how it cooks food so quickly.

This is a great function to use for cooking beans, grains, soups, stews, etc. I definitely recommend following a good recipe or investing in a cookbook when you first start using your Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker, so you can get a feel for the cooking times etc.

🧅 Sauté

If your pot has a "Sauté" button, please jump for joy! You can use this button to sauté food right in the pot.

For example, maybe you are making a chili recipe that calls for sautéing the onions and peppers before you add the liquid. Instead of frying your veggies on the stove, then transferring to the pot, you can just hit that saute button and do it right in the same pot you are using for the rest of the dish.

One less pan to wash = kitchen happy dance!

🐢 Slow Cook

Does your multi-pot have a "Slow Cook" button? If so, it can replace your current slow cooker. Hello, space-saving!

🥛 Yogurt

Y'all, when I got my first multi-pot, I was SURE that I'd never, ever in a million years use it to make yogurt. Then, one day, I did. Now, my kid and I both prefer my homemade soy yogurt over store-bought brands.

🔥 Keep Warm

Most electric pressure cookers default to "Keep Warm," which is great for something like a stew that's virtually impossible to overcook. The function is on when the light is on over the button.

If you're making something, like sushi rice, though, you may want to press the button to turn off that function. Just in case you get pulled away, you don't want that rice to burn and stick!

📖 Essential Pressure Cooker Cookbooks

I'm going to keep this part short and sweet. There are two pressure cooker cookbooks that I turn to again and again.

1. Vegan Under Pressure - Jill Nussinow is a pressure cooker superstar, and her book is one of the few that I actually keep in my kitchen, rather than on the regular bookshelf. Her cooking charts and recipes are spot on.
2. The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook for Your Instant Pot - Kathy Hester is also a pressure cooking pro, and her recipes will work in any electric pressure cooker.

👩‍🍳 Pressure Cooker Recipes for Beginners

Most people associate electric pressure cookers with making beans, and they do make beans like a champ. But you can use your pot for so much more!

A great beginner recipe is one that is easy to follow and gets you acquainted with your pot's main functions (sauté, pressure, and yogurt). These are some Instant Pot/pressure cooker recipes that beginners will love:

🧽 How to Clean Your Instant Pot's Inner Pot

You should clean the Instant Pot (or any electric pressure cooker's) inner pot every time you use it. This is so easy to do, and you have two options!

1. Wash it by hand with a sponge and warm, soapy water. if your inner pot is nonstick, do not use any abrasives on it. But if it's stainless steel, go to town!
2. Throw it into the dishwasher. Definitely check your pressure cooker's manual to confirm, but most inner pots are dishwasher safe for the top or bottom rack.