How to Use an Instant Pot: A Beginner’s Guide

STOP being scared of your Instant Pot! This beginner’s guide on How to Use an Instant Pot will help you feel comfortable and confident when using this magical kitchen appliance. It makes cooking fast, easy, and convenient.

What is an Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot is a modern-day pressure cooker that speeds up the cooking process! Basically, it’s magic for busy moms! The boiling point rises in the instant pot and traps the steam inside. The hot steam and pressure is what cooks the food. It’s a multi-use appliance that will make your life so much easier. My goal with this guide is to walk you through how it works and to help you feel comfortable using an Instant Pot.

If you’ve ever wondered what an Instant Pot can do, my answer for you is, “What can’t it do?” Yes, an instant pot acts like a pressure cooker, but it does so much more. Use it for sauteing, as a steamer, a rice cooker, a slow cooker, or as a yogurt maker! The possibilities are endless. There are so many Instant Pots on the market, but this guide is going to focus on the classic 6-quart Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Parts

Before we get into all its wonderful functions, let’s talk about its parts. The many parts of an Instant Pot can be overwhelming, but once you know what they all do, you won’t be as intimidated.

1. Base Unit: The base of your instant pot is where the heating element and control panel live. The base of the instant pot can get hot while it’s in use, don’t handle it without hand protection.
2. Inner Pot: The inner pot is where you place the food. Once in use, the inner pot is extremely hot, so be sure to use hand protection!
3. Lid: The lid contains the pressure valve and gauge. The pressure valve is what controls whether the pressure inside the pot can escape or stays sealed. The pressure gauge pops up when the pressure builds. The gauge drops back down when the pressure is released.
4. Trivet: Trivets will come with the purchase of your instant pot! They are great for steaming and creating a barrier between certain foods and the bottom of the hot pot. I use the trivet for cooking potatoes and hard-boiling eggs!
5. How to Place the Trivet in the Pot: Trivets have handles to help lift items in and out of the pot. Hold the handles as you place it in the pot. The handles should rest against the inside walls of the pot.
6. Silicone Ring: Helps create suction to seal the lid. Simply room it and hand wash it, but be sure it is in place before you use the Instant Pot!

Seal Mode vs. Vent Mode

There are so many different Instant Pot models on the market, but they all have some kind of seal and vent mode. Read your owner’s manual to know how to use your seal and vent mode correctly.

• Seal Mode: The sealed mode indicates that your instant pot will pressurize and cook. Always be sure it is in the sealed position while cooking. The pressure valve will pop up when the pot is pressurizing. Do not open the instant pot when it is in this mode.
• Vent Mode: The vent mode indicates that your instant pot will depressurize and will be safe to open. When the pressure valve is down, the lid will easily open and sing a pretty song to you!

Easy Instant Pot Recipes

Here are a few of my easy go-to recipes to cook in the Instant Pot! There are so many ways to utilize an instant pot. Save the hassle of cooking rice, hard-boiling eggs, or making baked potatoes because it can all be done in the instant pot! I also use it often to cook frozen chicken or to quickly cook soups and stews.

Classic Dinners Made in the Instant Pot!

Now that you know how to use an Instant Pot, here are a few of my favorite Instant Pot recipes to get you started! Your family will love them all!