Yours is the first video I’ve watched that mentions having to add an additional 10 minutes to the recipe cooking time to allow for the pressure to build up. That’s one of the first questions I had when I read the operating instructions. Very concise and informative. Thanks for posting this.
Oh my gosh! I am embarrassed to say I had bought my Pressure Cooker from Kohl's with lots of Kohl's cash and got a deal! BUT the embarrassing part is I got it like 4 years ago and haven't used it 🙈 So now I'm binge watching "how to videos" or reviews and yours is so informative, thank you! I'm hoping to use it this weekend 🙏🏻 😂
LOL - I'm with you! I bought one a few years ago, gave it away a few months ago and bought another one.....it's still sitting on the shelf unused. A dear friend who's husband is blind cooks with an Instant Pot. It's like, OK, I need to do this. If he can do this, so can I.
Raquel ~ Oh, I was just going to ask you that - if you’ve used it yet. Thanks for the update! I BOUGHT mine at Kohl’s 3 yrs ago, or a few months more, & I haven’t used it yet. I don’t know how to use it, and I am a afraid of the pressurized steam. I’m glad I found this video. I was looking for something to help me start from the beginning. I’m really glad you’re happy with yours, and are using it now. I hope to use mine soon! Thank you!❤️
Hey Raquel...Do not feel like the lone ranger. I have done the same thing many times. Hey shit happens, I have gotten sick and numerous other things have come up so we all have done it. Hang in there!
FYI here is a way to shave off a few minutes. Set up your pot with water and trivet then hit sauté. This will start heating up the water. Then you can prep what ever food you are going to put in. This way when you put the food in and close the lid the water is already warm enough to make steam therefore that much closer to pressurizing.
So, I'm really late to your videos, but I am new to the _Instant Pot_ and I am now binging on tons of videos, LOL! So, you may already know this by now, but I thought I'd share a discovery that I found out about those *_"Pre-Sets":_* They _ARE_ set at specific factory (or suggested) times, however, you can *_"customize"_* them to your own cooking needs. For example, the *_"Rice"_* pre-set button may be set for _6 minutes,_ BUT you can *_change it_* to, say, _4 minutes._ The real beauty is that the next time you press the *_"Rice"_* button it will automatically remember your previous "4 minute" set time that you used for your rice. All of those Pre-Sets work that same way, allowing you to customize them all to times that make it a little easier, and it wouldn't be necessary to change your *_Manual_* time setting every time you use your Instant Pot. I just thought I'd share my newest discovery if anyone cares to know, lol, it helps me because I always forget the times for some things-- like that rice!. Be well, and thanks for the tips! ~Peace!
THANK YOU SSSOOOO MUCH FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO! My regular pressure cooker top blew off when I was cooking a pot roast. 🌋 I have 15 foot high ceilings and ALL the gravy blew out of the pot an up onto the ceiling and rained down onto me, the floor, cabinets, lights....you get the picture. It was VERY frightening! AND HOT! I have 4 dogs and they came running when I screamed. I THOUGHT they were coming to rescue me . NOPE! 🤨 Then it was a bigger mess trying to get their attention off the "deliciousness" on the floor! My husband and I were slipping around grabbing them up to put into their kennels. It wasn't funny then, but I'm sure we looked ridiculous! I've had my Instant Pot since December 2018 just sitting out on my table trying to get up the guts to use it. I am somewhat relieved and reassured since watching your video! 😃 🍴🐶
My husband got mine for Christmas about 3 years ago and it stayed in the box for about a year and a half. I ran across a video on the pot and was so glad. It showed a man using it and it was SO easy. It's not that I was scared, but thought it was more complicated to operate. I have cooked with the old-timey pressure cookers, but you had to stay close. The electric ones are wonderful. They make everything so tender and perfect!
Nice Job! I would suggest that when you release the pressure with the instant pot located near the bottom of your cabinets, fold a peace of aluminum foil and pinch it in the door under the cabinet to hold it in place, so it will deflect the steam.
You have such a great way of explaining everything step by step ! I asked my hubby for an instant pot for Christmas and I think I finally feel mentally prepared after watching this video lol!!
Same, but I never used it because I found it intimidating. I am embarrassed to admit it has been sitting in my cabinet for years. Lately, I have been watching a lot of meal prep videos and decided it was high time I tried it. I am an accomplished cook, but this thing reminds me of exploding biscuit cans under pressure (I make my husband or one of my sons open it -- LOL).
You covered the important things well, and this and other videos helped me get started with my new Instant Pot Duo Novo I bought last week. I think the Novo model came out in the summer of 2019. For those with the newer model, Duo Novo, the valve system is a little different. It automatically sets the default as pressurized. The main improvement is better valve design. However, a few things would have been nice to know and one is I cooked beans and unlike other things I tried before (vegetables with frozen beans, oatmeal), the beans spattered all over the inside of the lid, and I searched for why that is, and if there is something to prevent that, since all I got was clean water on the lid before. Then I found out (doing a search) the way to avoid the spatter is to allow a full natural pressure release, whereas I let it sit only 15 minutes past the cooking time and there was A LOT of steam left when I did the manual pressure release button. The length of time for the pressure to die down has everything to do with what you are cooking. If you are doing a few bowls of steel cut oats, the pressure will release naturally in 10 minutes maybe, whereas with a lot of beans and 8 cups of water, the pressure may take 30 minutes or more. I waited only 15 minutes after cooking my first batch of kidney beans, and then released the pressure manually and there was a lot of steam released, and when I opened it I found bits of beans spattered all over the inside of the lid, in all the valves, all over the silicone ring. According to what I read, pressing the release button on certain foods, while there is a lot of pressure still, causes this spatter. I understand why a busy mom, or whomever, would do an early release of pressure, if the food is done and they want to get the meal on the table. But with some dishes, you're going to pay for that later in the time it takes to clean the lid. I am not absolutely sure about this, but I think even a greasy roast or something, will not splatter on the inside of the lid, as long as you wait for the full natural release time, that is, for the pressure to die down naturally. Improbably, for years, I was cooking red kidney beans, a staple of my diet, in a microwave which takes 3 hours and 15 minutes (if you soak overnight) and 4 hours and 15 minutes if you do the quick method. With the Instant Pot, my first try at a 1.25 pounds of kidney beans came out fine, without any soaking or pre-cook prep, and I did it for 55 minutes with 15 minutes natural pressure release. I think I can squeeze another cup in the 8 cups of water and still not be over the 2/3 line in the bowl, and the next time I'll try 45 minutes pressure cook time with 35 minute natural pressure release wait. They say that overnight soaking of beans can reduce cook time by half. I'll experiment with that, too. I had a bad experience with a stove-top aluminum pressure cooker years ago, and it deformed in the 2nd week of use,. I have never owned a crock pot, and was wary of the instant pot and thought the price was too high when they first came out in 2010. Now I wish I bought this years ago, if only just for beans. It would have saved me a lot of time, energy, and mess. The microwave did beans well, but it took so much time, attention and energy (power), and it could scorch beans on the top, if the water got low. The Instant Pot is a dream for the energy efficiency, the reduction in time, the lack of steps, not having to monitor it or bring things to a boil and set another level, and even the quality of how well it cooks. I have one warning for first users. Don't hover over the Instant Pot while doing your "water test." You might even want to do the water test out in the garage or something. This thing produces quite the plastic stench on first use only, such that it will stick in your nose if you are near it when it is heating up. This is normal for first use. On the second use, there was hardly any smell and by the the third or fourth use, no smell at all. The revolutionary thing about the Instant Pot, which I didn't grasp until I got one, was the computer chip control of pressure is a big improvement to a regular pressure cooker, a game changer. Is the Instant Pot for people who like to cook? Maybe. It's mostly for people who want cooking to be simple and efficient.
Thank you!! You're very informative and much better than reading a manual and still having questions. One thing I noticed with my new pot, it doesnt have a manual button. A quick google search says that the new pots now have the "pressure cook" button which works as the "manual" button. Just thought you should know if anyone here asks. Thanks and happy cooking.
Thank you for all the info you shared. I am a first time user,very helpful. I am attempting to cook a turkey in my new instapot. Purchased it years ago, and was intimidated by it and gave it to my daughter. She purchased one for herself and gave me mine back. So here it goes.
I learned to use a pressure cooker, stove top model back in 1960; I was 10 yo. My grandmother taught me. She raised me from 12 on and I learned to cook from her. She gave us a pressure cooker as a wedding present, I still have it and use it. I have an electric one that I also use. Pressure cookers and crock pots are my kitchen right hands. Don’t be afraid, follow the instructions and you will have marvelous meals. Thanks for sharing your tips. ❣️❣️❣️
I think I hold the procrastination record for opening the insta-pot. I just opened it from Black Friday of 2018. The first thing I made was Mexican chicken and rice and it came out great. I wish I saw this video before I attempted it, but I figured it out. Thanks for the tips!
same here I waited almost 3 months for me to finally try to cook with it , same with my friends , and once you learn its fabulous I love my insta pot , so does my husband . Now my friends love theirs too .
Same regarding buying and not using. I bought mine in 2020 and read all the recipes in included recipe book (I never have all the ingredients to make any meals) and am petrified of the pressure cooker setting so I haven’t even taken it out of the box
This sounds like just the info I’m needing. My first instapot is still in its box somewhere in my house. I have no idea where. I bought it and was too scared to use it. (Olden days pressure cooker mishaps). So I bought a new one. It’s still in its box after 3 months. I’m determined to use it though. Unfortunately the RU-vidrs I’ve been listening to rush through the recipes with very little information on the machine itself. I’m going to listen to the rest of this now. Wish me luck y’all.
I've gotten a burn warning on my Instant Pot once, and the other three times I used it, my food burned. I followed your instructions last night and my food was great. I can't believe how well it turned out. Thank you so much for this. I was using far too little water, despite it being the amount called for in the recipes, it just wasn't enough. Thanks again!!
I have been using a very old non electric pressure cooker that was my grandmothers who died in 1962, which gives you some idea of how old the cooker is. It has worked great for me all these years and I am 71 years old myself. It has just started leaking a little around where the handle mounts to the lid and has kind of scared me a little, so I bought a new one like yours but have not used it yet. I really enjoyed all your info and tips about using the cooker and subscribed to your channel and hoping to see more from you about the cooker. Sorry to make this so long but just wanted to thank you. Looking forward to some more cooker tricks. Terry Smith............
wish i had found your site 8 years ago. I bought a Russel Hobbs electric pressure cooker 8 years ago and had a total block as to what to do with it 😅. my tedelex stove cooker required a new gasket recently and couldn't get one as on order. so shear determination to make this crock pot work I sat with the manual and convinced myself I can do this. so impressed with this cooker and has become my go to when cooking. loving it. your 5 tips are so helpful, didn't know about the cooking time, good to know. so looking forward to winter which is on our doorstep as in SA. lovely soups and stews coming up yum 😋 Thank you for helpful information.
Thank you for the tips! Just got one for Christmas, no clue what to do with it. Re releasing steam under the cabinets ... you're right, don't ever do that. I had a defective coffee maker that steamed excessively. The steam did significant damage to the cabinet above it. Thank you for speaking to the point without a bunch of side chatter. Good tips!
If you pressure cook or steam cook ANYTHING, even if you have water, if at any point it THICKENS too much you will get a burn food notice. The adjustment is add more liquid even if it’s just a little bit! Thank for tips! BTW I got mine on Amazon Once a year sale too, however I got the dual with the fryer lid & a 8quart size.
I just got mine, and maybe I should not admit this, but I had trouble with the water test! I thought I'd immediately be boiling eggs, but I got confused by some of the terms that I still don't understand. And yeah, I knew it would release steam, but that scared me! And yes, I wondered if I should turn it around so it doesn't damage the cabinets, so I'm glad you shared that. Most of all, I was confused about the pressure release valve, so that tip was really helpful Thank you! This was very helpful and probably should be required viewing for newbies.
i was gifted one for Christmas and its on the counter and I want to use it but not sure what I want to try. This video was INSTANT POT GOLD AND I CANT TELL YOU ENOUGH HOW MUCH THIS MEANS TO ME! Im feeling a little more confident now! My daughter is,a fanatic over this and she wants me getting used to it. Thanks again, you're a sweetheart!
I’ve had mine for two years also. I’m glad you are telling people about how long cooking really takes start to finish. I totally love the Rice, hard cooked eggs and pasta in this pot (like you say always perfect) even though the time is not really shorter
TY!!!💜💙 I just got an instant pot and was ready to use it, cleaned it,read the book & then I got really scared and put it back in the Box just like you said but I've never used a pressure cooker so I'm a little intimidated, or used to an on off button!! Thank you so much for walking me through I really appreciate it I manage try it out now!!
Thank you! Mine has been in the box for a whole year and I have been very intimidated because I don't want to explode into pieces bc of the Pressure cooker. But now I feel more confident about it and will use it today for first time thanks to your friendly video!
@@LifebyVanessa I used it and it was a dream! But I owe it to you! Thank you Thank you Thank you! I am so very grateful! Your videos are truly useful and change the lives of families! Now I can happily cook delicious meals in my instant pot! and even my husband got happy and my toddler and I loved the rice done in the instant pot!!
This has been super helpful! My brand new instapot has been sitting on the countertop for a couple of month bc of intimidation. I’m going to use it today thanks to you! 🤗
Thank you so much for your video 😭😍 was just anxiously googling and searching ALL OVER the internet “how to get instant pot UP to pressure” and you’d be shocked there’s literally NOTHING about it? Your first tip finally made me realize I just have to ADD the “up to pressure time” to the “cook time” 🤦♀️ wish they wrote that in the recipe I’m looking at! It said “Get Up to Pressure: 13 mins” & then “Cook Time: 34 mins” and I was so utterly confused about what to do! THANK YOU! 🥳
Thank you so much for explaining the real time!! My mother in law bought me one, we jumped on Pinterest and were so confused when the first 3 recipes took so much longer. We didn’t understand the coming to pressure time and the release time!! Thank you.
Thank you for making the video , I finally jumped on board the instant pot train. However I was super afraid of it at first. But your video was amazing it answerd all the questions that a beginner may need. Now I can cook in confidence and not fear !
Thank you so much, this is the best video I've seen on Instant Pot's I've had my pot for over a year, I use the slow cooker method, and just this past weekend I used the Instant Pot-Stuffed Pepper Soup, cook for 4 minutes, no where did It say to add heat pressure time. My peppers/chopped & rice were not cooked thoroughly. Now I know why. I may get a smaller pot to go in the camper. Again thank you
I love my IP. On grocery day I put a steamer in there and toss all the "scraps" from cleaning up my veggies. This includes onion, garlic and potato skins (cleaned well beforehand of course). There are so many nutrients in those "scraps" ^_^ Also, if you have a compost bin, cool the cooked scraps and freeze them. Then you can toss it into your compost bin :) Winning. I always keep my IP liquid no matter what I am steaming
Thank you! I’ve only had mine for about a week and I was determined not to be one of those people who leaves it sitting in the box for months or longer so I used it for the first time tonight after watching about 15 videos. Almost all the videos said to make sure it’s on sealing and not venting and believe it or not I totally forgot to check that part but somehow my meal came out perfect! I ended up making pork chops and they were delicious so I’m looking forward to making more stuff - this is great !
Thank you very much I watch so many videos you got right to the point about the pressure knob you were very clear and didn’t blah blah blah all through your explanation
Omg I was laughing so hard when you said you made your husband use your instant pot first I did the same thing I told my husband I’m scared of it lol take one for the team now I use it almost everyday
Very helpful. Just bought a 6qrt Duo Gourmet last week. My hubby grumbled...not abt the $80 at Costco but abt "where I was going to put it". There's one swath of empty kitchen cabinet that could sleep a small child or a German Shepherd. Your info was very encouraging. You have the most lovely hands! I am envious!
Thank you for mentioning that with the manual setting, it is automatically on high pressure. I don't think anyone else has said that. Just what I needed to know.
Like you Lemonademom, I've had this pot for 6 months afraid to use it. Had a cousin that got burned badly. I took mine back to store was to afraid to use it. I Decided to try it again, just for rice, your tips sound excellent will try making rice on Christmas 2019, will get back with you with the results. Thanks so much!!!
Staying inside during Covid 19 and so FINALLY took my pressure cooker out of the box!! I'm actually embarrassed to say how long it has been boxed but I will say that yes, indeed, I was intimidated about using it!!😬 Thanks for the information! Very helpful and I'm so glad I'm not alone!!😄
My Instant Pot is still in the box a long time after buying it. I looked at the manual and it was so confusing. Thanks for taking some of the mystery out of it. Very good, clear video, have subscribed. (I grew up with my mom using an old-style pressure cooker, she loved it, but I was always afraid of it and that thing weighed a ton!)
Thank you so helpful I've been scared to use mine the thought of releasing that pressure kinda freaks me out but now knowing I can just use the natural release I think I will relax now thanks so much!
Don’t forget you should store the lid upside down or put the lid handle into the open pot handle. Also Manual is the same as pressure cook for those who don’t have a manual button . Make sure actual liquid is used as well when using sauce to cook.
Well I think I’ve got everyone beat on how long mine has sat in the box! Would you believe that I purchased mine in 2017!! But today is Christmas and I’ve decided to take the positive approach and put the unused IP under the tree and treat it as my best Christmas present ever! And then immediately put it to use. I am a cheffy sort of person and have every imaginable kitchen tool available but have yet to use my IP. I’m putting it down to that’s what happens when you grow up in your grandma’s house and there’s a major blow-up in the kitchen. Thanks for your info and You Tube videos, I look forward to seeing more of them. I’ll be doing a happy dance to the kitchen now!
Got you beat! Bought my IP on July 12, 2016. 3 years and 5 months. Deal of the day on Amazon. Unpacked it and put it in the pantry. It has led a lonely life there. It was to be a replacement for my stovetop cooker but I use the stovetop cooker without any fear. I am ready to take the leap, put on my big girl pants and put the IP to work! Soon. This week. Maybe next week.....
Tip: as this is WAAY hotter and quicker then a PKP... when doing bean / lentil based meals place the supplied metal trivet in the pot, then add beans / lentils... this reduces the dreaded pot burn massively, as a lot of the lentils / beans are not in contact with the bottom of the pot. Really works!
Thank you for these tips. I also have had my Instant Pot sitting on a shelf in my garage fir 4 months afraid to use it. You gave me the courage to start - today!
Straight forward, common sense tips. I really liked your breakdown on the actual cooking times. So many people make the IP sound even more incredible than it actually is by listing only the cooking time as though pressure build up and release times don't count. I also enjoyed your comment about cooking rice. You are right on. I still usually cook my rice in a pot on the stove top ( I guess that is my InAPot cooker :0 ), but it always comes out right so I don't see any advantage to cooking rice in my Instant Pot. But I know many people love to cook rice in their IP. The IP does have the advantage of not having to tend the rice. . I watched another YT cooking channel by a well known cook who was explaining the virtues of using the IP for rice and how fast it was. I explained that I thought it was no quicker than stove top when including the build up time and release time. She got offended that I would challenge her but you got it right. Good things to know. Good video.
I agree, looking into buying one and hadn't realised about time coming to pressure...for what I'd use it for this means it's not really a good buy for me....we don't use meats,so little time difference.
Thank you so much for all your tips on working with the Instan pot. i’ve had mine for a few years, and I was scared to use it. with all your information, it will be so much easier to understand thank you.
I have found that when cooking multiple batches you must cool the lid between the first and second batch. If you put a hot lid on the second batch it doesn't seem to seal. Love your video and my instapot thank you
Great tips! Thank you so much for sharing. I would have been tempted to not add water to a roast without your advice. I'll have to keep reminding myself this is NOT a crockpot lol. Looking forward to trying new recipes every week
Thank you so much girl! I just got mine as a wedding gift from my brother, but it's the Duo. You were great & highly informative! God bless you & thank you again!
Back in the 1960s I was traumatized by an exploding pressure cooker. My mother was cooking beans on the stovetop. Something happened, an explosion and beans everywhere. I stayed away from pressure cookers. I feared that it would explode and burn myself or others. I'm just learning how to use my Instant Pot. This was very helpful.
Thank you for this great video.! I got duo nova model but i have a question if possible. During cooking cycle, we will hear voice or see small steam release? Or not thank you
Thank you! Very helpful, the first time I made a pot roast it came out perfect! But I released the pressure right away and the steam was more beef broth than steam all over, I was throwing a rag over it but now that I know to let it release itself is probably better!
...YES I THINK THAT YOU MIGHT'VE WENT OLD SCHOOL ON THAT ONE (1) - I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU'RE ALRIGHT... - BUT MAKE SURE YOU READ ALL MANUALS INCLUDED PRIOR TO USING... - TAKE YOUR TIME - EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO REREAD - ALWAY'S DO THIS WHEN YOU FIRST GET YOUR DELIVERY - THIS WAY IF THERE'S SOMETHING MISSING YOU CAN SEND IT BACK... - ALLEGEDLY
@@jenniferwhalen9612 gonna try some pot roast today. I saw one guy he wrapped his potatoes and carrots in foil and put them on top of this meat in there to cook so they wouldn't get all mushy.
Thank you for your clear Instant Pot tip about the use of the "manual" button. I've been using Power Pressure cooker (not Instant Pot) for 5 years, and was always a bit confused about all those other buttons. You cleared that confusion.
