• Bright Ideas
  • Education
  • Travels
  • Simple Nutrition
  • Yummy Eats
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dish
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Snack
    • Side Dish
    • Drinks
    • Breads
    • Soup
    • Appetizer

Betsy Ramirez

food. fun. family

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Let’s Work Together
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Video for RDNs
  • SHOP

Yummy Eats

10 Things Instant Pot Beginners Need To Know

Who got an Instant Pot for Christmas? I did! I have to say I was a bit intimidated at first. The first time I used it, I made my kids leave the room in case it exploded. Yes, I know that seems silly! However, the “pressure” part of the pot is like stepping into an unknown world if you have never pressure cooked a day in your life. Coincidentally, my brother and sister got an Instant Pot for Christmas and I wanted to put together a few dos and don’ts for all of us that I didn’t realize were important.

Instant Pot for Beginners

1.Clean the lid and pot before you use it. 

That may be a no brainer for you but some don’t do it.

2. Read the user manual. 

Pressure cookers can be very dangerous so skipping the user manual is really non-negotiable. You will learn where the buttons are and what they do. You will learn about the valve and components of your pot.

3. Do the water test. 

The water test on page 14 of your Instant Pot manual will help you become familiar with the buttons as well as the valves.

4. Understand the difference between Natural Release and Quick Release.

This was like a foreign language for me at first.

Natural Release (NPR) has to do with the metal pin by your valve. After your food is done cooking, you leave your Instant Pot alone for 10-40 minutes, depending on the amount of food in the pot. The metal pin will drop down when it’s done releasing, and you can open your pot.

Quick Release (QPR) is a manual release. You will turn the valve from sealing to venting yourself. DO NOT put your hand over the valve. You will burn yourself. Make sure you do this from the side to prevent burns.

If you food starts splattering with Quick Release, turn the handle back to sealing position. Allow the pot to natural release.

Instant Pot

5. DO NOT force the lid open.

Please don’t open it prematurely! It’s so dangerous! Wait until the pot has completely depressurized and the pin has dropped before opening the lid.

6. Clean the anti block shield after 5 uses or when cooking food that splatters. 

See the video below to see where it is located.

7. Your Instant Pot can slow cook and saute. 

You even have a delayed start button as well that also helps.

8. You can use the handles of the Instant Pot to hold the lid! 

9. Always check your sealing ring in your lid. 

Ensure your ring is in place and that it is cleaned properly. Your ring should not have to be replaced for 2-3 years per the company.

10. It will take longer than the cooking time in your recipe. 

Your pot has to heat up so it can add a few minutes before it starts to pressurize.

Instant Pot

Do you have any Instant Pot tips for beginners? Tell me in the comments!

Happy Instant Potting!

 

 

Author: Betsy Ramirez

Betsy is a registered dietitian/nutritionist, homeschool mom, & fairy tale junkie, who loves getting crafty. Being on my bike and lifting weights are my therapy. Thinking outside the box is my jam!

Twitter Facebook

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related


2 Comments

« The 5 New Year’s Resolutions That Will Set Me Free
Mom’s Meatloaf, A Family Favorite »

Comments

  1. Attique says

    July 8, 2018 at 2:55 am

    Great tips, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Betsy Ramirez says

      November 10, 2018 at 7:56 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I am so tickled you are here!

I'm Betsy! I'm a registered dietitian, homeschool mom, Air Force wife, & world traveler. I love my family, food, crafts, exercise, nutrition, and now homeschool! Thank you for joining me at my kitchen table.

https://youtu.be/9ElbpFveF9Y

Keep Up With The Latest & Greatest!

Food Video Planner
Follow on Instagram
my healthy aperture gallery

Must Reads

4 Quick and Healthy Snacks for Kids

Snacking is always happening in our house! My kids are always running to the cabinet and asking what there is to eat. Now that they are old enough, it has gotten easier but the lack of ideas makes it easy to go for poor choices. My niece contacted me a few weeks ago to help […]

Lunchbox Lessons for Healthy Kids

Who needs some Lunchbox Lessons? Mom and Dad, do you feel like you are running a restaurant? Are your kids constantly demanding to eat? School may not be in session but that doesn’t mean kids can’t learn some ways to make their own healthy lunches. It doesn’t to be this hard. I am going to […]

Categories

  • Bright Ideas
  • Education
  • Simple Nutrition
  • Travels
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Yummy Eats

Most Popular Recipes

4 Quick and Healthy Snacks for Kids

April 30, 2020 By Betsy Ramirez Leave a Comment

bowl of watermelon salsa with chips and lime

Easy Watermelon Mango Salsa

June 21, 2019 By Betsy Ramirez Leave a Comment

Simple Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Simple Roasted Sweet Potatoes

March 6, 2019 By Betsy Ramirez Leave a Comment

Give the gift of chocolate with more than 20 chocolate dessert recipes from Registered Dietitians!

20+ Dietitian Approved Chocolate Desserts for Valentine’s Day

February 13, 2019 By Betsy Ramirez Leave a Comment

Diary Free Chocolate Avocado Pudding is the perfect dessert for chocolate lovers!

Avocado Chocolate Pudding ( Dairy Free )

February 3, 2019 By Betsy Ramirez Leave a Comment

Keep Up with Betsy’s Best!

CONNECT WITH ME

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...