5 Things Not To Do With Your Instant Pot

If you’re semi-new to the world of electric pressure cooking, these 5 things not to do with your Instant Pot will come in handy as you start using this awesome counter-top appliance.
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1. Don’t store your Instant Pot with the lid on top. As you may know by now, the sealing ring of your Instant Pot can get pretty smelly. If you store your pot with the lid on top securely in place the sealing ring won’t get to air out. I always store my Instant Pot with the lid on top but upside down. That way the sealing ring will get to air out and it becomes less smelly. Some other ways to get that sealing ring to not stink are to air it out in the sunshine, put it in a ziplock bag with baking soda or clean it with white vinegar or lemon. I have two sealing rings (amzn.to/2CdB5SC).* One for savory dishes and one for sweet dishes or for making yogurt.
2. Don’t add dairy until the food is done pressure cooking. Just like slow cooking you can’t add dairy to the Instant Pot until the food is done cooking. If you do it will curdle. Sour cream, cream cheese, milk and even coconut milk or evaporated milk will all curdle and separate. For example in my Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta I stir in milk, cream cheese and parmesan cheese after the pasta and chicken has pressure cooked.
3. Don’t act like you know what you’re doing and don’t give up. Although I’m a good stovetop cook, who likes to “wing it” when cooking, I find that pressure cooking is a whole different thing. Entirely. I met constant failures and frustrations, until I realized I needed to pretend like I knew nothing about cooking, and go into it with that mindset, so I could learn afresh. I followed recipes, from trusted resources, because winging it didn’t work until I knew this new method of cooking. Once I came into it with that mindset, it all became a LOT easier. Once you get a handle on the “rules” of pressure cooking you can experiment a bit. But until then, follow recipes and don’t give up if you have a recipe fail every now and then!
4. Don’t get frustrated by how long it takes. Just because a recipe has a pressure cook time of 2 minutes doesn’t mean that the food will actually be done in 2 minutes. There is a good 10 minutes of heating up the pot and letting the pressure build and then the recipe might also call for a “natural pressure release” which will take another 10 minutes or so. Don’t get irritated by this! Use your time wisely by doing all the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen in the meantime. I like to prepare a salad or fresh veggies during this time as well. I have gotten a lot of laundry folded and put away in the time the pressure is releasing. Make it a game to see how much you can get done while your Instant Pot is cooking your food! Remember it’s all hands-off cooking time which is such a blessing when you have a busy family that needs your attention on something other than stirring the risotto.
5. Don’t quick release meats. If you’re making a pot roast or pulled pork don’t use a quick release (QR)! A quick pressure release is when you open the valve and allow the steam to release quickly. If you’re using an Instant Pot, you turn the valve from sealing to venting to release the pressure. This quick release dries out the meat and it won’t be as tender.
When possible use a natural pressure release (NPR) when cooking meats. A natural pressure release is when the cooking time is over and you leave the valve closed and allow the pressure to decrease without doing anything. Your Instant Pot will automatically switch to the Keep Warm setting. As soon as it switches to Keep Warm the pressure will begin to drop. The time it will take to release all the pressure depends on the ingredients and the amount of liquid in the pressure cooker. Unfortunately, there is no beep or signal when the pressure is released. The float valve will simply drop down and you’ll be able to open the lid. Sometimes you can hear the float valve drop if you’re close by. Even doing a partial natural pressure release (let the pot sit for 10 minutes and then move the valve to venting) will be better than moving the valve to venting right away. You don’t have to wait for all the pressure to release to get the benefit of a natural pressure release.
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[@margueritewalkerii7304]

Good ideas; re: curdlIng dairy even if added at the end. There is something called 'tempering' in cooking. If you are adding dairy or eggs to a dish, put that item in a bowl, and add a teaspoon at a time of the hot liquid you've already made...keep stirring while you're doing this. You are bringing the temperature of the dairy/egg up. In just a few additions, your dairy/egg will be room temp or greater, and you can pour it in the larger pot (all the while stirring) without curdling or separating (or the eggs cooking separately rather than blending)

[@eunicefung5072]

Marguerite Walker II night

[@brendakearns2709]

Thank you for the tips. Especially the one on roasts! I used my instapot just the other night for the first time. I did the quick release. And well...once i was able to transfer my roast to the serving plate, a piece, (a large piece) of the roast fell off my forks and onto the floor, and BOUNCED! My sister was with me and we laughed so hard we cried!! 🤣 So thank you again for that tip. ☺️

[@kh23797]

Love you, Karen, you get the essential stuff across so clearly and concisely. The Instant Pot is wonderful but, to really keep smells out of the kitchen, I use it in the shed! The self-contained, set-it-and-leave Instant Pot is perfect for 'isolated cooking'. And I always use a kettle to boil my water as I'm loading the pot. Hot water really speeds up the pot's pre-heat.

[@garyallsebrook3493]

Having a permanent feeding tube, I rely heavily on my Breville pressure cooker (and VitaMix), and cook with it weekly. I make a lot of stews. Easy to blend, one pot meals. Thanks for the tips! I've gotten pretty good at it but theres always more to learn. I'm happy to say Ive never had a bad meal, but I do rely on cookbooks specifically for pressure cooking, and I've learned to adapt standard recipes through that.

[@DunhamRobertJ]

Thank you. That is the best explanation I have heard on using the pressure cooker. Again thank you.

[@BobbiesCreationsandMore]

Thank you for the great don't tips. Just got my Instant Pot and your tips and what not to do are a great learning guide for me. THANK YOU!!!!

[@laurielyon1892]

I NEVER thought about storing that way with the lid upside down. I will definitely change it when I get home. I didn't know about not venting with the meat either. Thank you so much for the tips

[@mendagy]

First thing I did? Walk into the kitchen, Rachel up to the cabinet & flip that lid over!! 😄 Thanks for all the great tips!!

[@mattjace6871]

Me too!

[@CeridwenLynne]

Same here.

[@grannyrsh5553]

Thanks for making this video. I’m new to instant pot although I’ve had one for a couple years I never really started trying to use it until recently. Your blog and videos are all very helpful. I’ve always loved using my crockpot and now with these tips I feel like I have a much better understanding of what I had do with my instant pot and what I shouldn’t do. Thanks again!

[@ladyw605]

Great video...I wholeheartedly agree with #3...my first couple of tries with my new Instant pots I got for Christmas were total DISASTERS...but now I really enjoy using them... your videos REALLY helped me overcome my problems very quickly...THANK YOU...👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💟

[@antieverything8476]

4th tip on the timing was so apt. I was making instant pot pasta for the first time and was wondering why on earth at 2mins nothing was happening! LOL. finally the pressure cooker started its job and after 2 mins cook and 5 mins wait and then quick release, I had the most remarkable ala dente pasta! No more wasting gas and water and boiling pasta for me :)

[@ClarenceC101762]

I just got my very first Instant Pot yesterday and will be cooking a beef roast today, so your tips will come in really handy for me! Thank you for your help! 😊👍

[@joshjacks2837]

The cookbook that came with my Mini is my go-to almost every time. That last piece of advice was something I'll definitely remember. Great video!

[@fredericagullo208]

Thank you Second time user. Actually did help. Now subscribed.

[@ronnor58]

Been pressure cooking for many years, very good advice, nice job. Keep em coming, I am never too old to learn, in fact, the older I get the more I need reminding... Lol. Have an awesome day!

[@thekat268]

Another thing not to do is bring up the lid facing you. Steam in the face. Unlock the lid and pick up facing away from you.

[@krowmother6970]

Thank you!

[@laur-unstagenameactuallyca1587]

@Ayad Meskin lol 😂😂😂 less dangerous ways to do that, hahaha. "burn exfoliation, the new skincare trend"

[@dhh488]

I hope you didn't find out the hard way.

[@thekat268]

@@dhh488 as a matter of fact, I did! It only took once to remember. I didnt get hurt just very surprised at my stupidity.

[@MrGardenman101]

Thanks for the tips, I was getting a little frustrated with the "Actual Time" it took (well more my wife was) but we did not realize that we were able to do other things while we waited. And that quick release with meats make sense now, I had cooked a roast and was not overwhelmed by the quality. Now I know why, thanks.

[@brendalazellestephenson2319]

I would add NOT cooking pasta in an instant pot. I thought I was following a good recipe but when I slowly quick released the pressure, starchy fluid came pouring out. A huge clean up job followed as I was thinking never again will I cook pasta. Thanks for this video I will subscribe.

[@dougc78]

Thanks for the tips Karen. I’m an InstantPot newbie trying to help out my wife and tips like these are life savers.

[@travis7904]

Very informative! Thank you for taking the time to explains these 5 tips. God bless.

[@KAREN_FALLS]

I been using different pressure cookers for 30 yrs my tip for those sealing rings to prolong there life after you clean and dry them put a few drops of olive oil on the ring it will make its life double.

[@lienbijs1205]

Nowadays the rings are made from silicone, not from rubber anymore, rubber can indeed dry out, silicone doesn't. You can buy pressure pot rings for only one euro on ali express.

[@tarnishedknight730]

@@lienbijs1205 Silicone??? OMG! Run! First they collect and bury nuclear waste, now they are making pressure cooker gaskets out of silicone! Run while you still can.

[@lienbijs1205]

@@tarnishedknight730 It is only in the lid and not in contact with food at all plus it is food grade silicone. I prefer silicone over rubber because it is much more durable.

[@tarnishedknight730]

@@lienbijs1205 I have to admit that silicone is getting better, but the gasket in my most used cooker is over 20 years old, and shows only minor wear and tear. When silicone holds up that long, I will quit making fun of it. Actually, I won't make as much fun of it. I'll still make fun of it, just not as much as I do now.

[@lienbijs1205]

@@tarnishedknight730 I have also a normal pressure cooker and the ring is made from rubber. After 12 years it is not sealing properly anymore. I am very happy with my croq pot look a like multi pressure cooker but I find the saute function a kind of useless setting since the surface is so small. A normal fry pan is much more convenient.

[@semco72057]

Those tips are useful to me and especially the one on cooking meats like roasts. I have had my 3 qt cooker for over a year and just took it out to begin cooking with it. I also have some accessories and have had them for over 6 months and just pulled them out and cleaned them up also. Thanks for sharing this valuable information with us all.

[@bill1772]

Excellent video, I learned about Pork and or Beef roast - ADD 10 minutes, then slow release

[@jeffloewi5632]

Thank you. Good advice and straight to the point. The natural pressure release for meat makes enormous sense. Now I have to look up how to swap out the sealing ring.

[@michellewohlgemuth8847]

These tips are great even if you use a different type of pressure cooker. Reminder for other pressure cookers, time are slightly different. Thank you

[@jamesk1619]

Do not leave homemade stock on saute. The following happened to me last year.. I made bone stock in the instapot one day, filtered out the contents and put the stock back into the pot and skimmed off a lot of the oil. Later in the day, I reheated the stock with the lid off on saute. It didn't boil and instead I saw some steam like it was simmering. I went to take the pot out so I could pour the stock into containers and it exploded out all over the kitchen. Fortunately for me, the explosion was directed up and away from my face but I did get a good 2nd degree burn on my right hand. I did a little research and it sounds like the stock was superheated and the surface tension of the oil on top prevented the steam from escaping. And when I moved the stock, I broke that surface tension which caused the steam to escape violently. I still use the instapot for many things but I've learned my lesson on heating homemade stock.

[@spacewolfcub]

Thank you. That is valuable info!

[@lisagrace6471]

wow scary. thx for sharing

[@hummingbirdmoth]

Use lavender (lavandula angustifolia) essential oil on minor burns. If appied immediately after it will reduce the effect. Edens Garden has reasonably priced essential oils.

[@bustedkeaton]

@@hummingbirdmoth Second degree burns are not what I would call "minor." If lavender oil could "reduce the effect" (???) of burns, we'd all have been pouring that shit on ourselves for centuries. Also, everybody reading this: don't put undiluted essential oils on your body.

[@hummingbirdmoth]

@@bustedkeaton Merry Christmas! Lavender essential oil can be applied neat, other essential oils should not be. Pay attention to what I said...minor burns. Second degree burn is not a minor burn.

[@arch3lau5]

Great tips for a new instant pot owner. Thanks for the insight and your time to make us the video!

[@stormwulf117]

As someone who bought an Instant Pot for the purpose of making Pot Roasts, Rule #5 is VERY helpful. Thanks!

[@kathleenenns6890]

Thanks for the tips! We bought our very first Instant Pot yesterday, looked up KZbin recipes and found Six Sisters, who referred us to your channel. We’re looking forward to doing great meals the right way both slow and fast cooking!

[@sylviabrightwell4785]

Thank you so much for your great tips! I did have a roast turn out very tough and wondering why but I did not let it slow release : /you cleared up the questions I had about slow release and quick-release which is very important! Thank you so much again ... Your presentation is great!

[@lrothenhauser]

Thank you for the tips! I just got one and this was very helpful.

[@nancysheinberg8824]

thank you. I'm new to cooking in an instapot and these were helpful hints.

[@julissimo1]

Thank you very much! I just got my Instant Pot this past Saturday and have made two successful meals so far. I appreciate your tips and this channel.

[@Nana_Wright]

Thank you for that last tip about the pressure release when cooking a roast. I didn't know that and my roast didn't do well. :(

[@isd9120]

You did a great job Karen. Thank you for this information.

[@EarlyBirdCraft]

Omg!!!!! I got my insta pot yesterday and the first thing I made was beef roast. It was so damn tough because the recipe guy said I should quick release it. I was about to return the damn thing. Thank you!!!!

[@rssmith289]

I have been watching your videos the last few days. Your videos are well made. Your persona is so warm. You have given me so many ideas.

[@conniedoan6917]

Getting an Instant Pot for Christmas. Thanks! So much for the tips. 👍😁

[@IowaKim]

Using the instant pot for the newbies should try an easy recipe that if it fails it doesn't ruin your dinner. There's a little bit of a learning curve but once you get it you're going to love it.

[@mikescookingstudio3136]

I don't have an Instant Pot, but I do have a pressure cooker. Never thought of storing mine with the lid inverted, that was a great tip pretty lady , thank you!

[@caseythompson474]

Mike's Cooking Studio I had a Wolfgang puck electric pressure cooker that just had a dial for time. It could sauté but not much else. I upgraded to the duo nova 8 quart a couple months ago. Game changer! When you store your lid upside down it helps if you cover it with a light towel that air can circulate but dust doesn’t get into the lid.

[@AxelSituation]

THANK YOU!!! This may be the most honest video out there on Instant Pot.

[@DoinThupidThings]

Other people are lying on their videos about instant pot??

[@khristinealvarado5960]

Thank you for tip #5. I have followed a recipe for Pot Roast and it told me to quick release. Every time time, it got dried. Now I know why. Again thank you!

[@ellatoler9706]

Thank you so much for these tips!

[@oscarb4559]

Very good presentation, good sound, and video. You get a Gold Star. Good useful information was provided, by a well-spoken presenter.

[@Mr40tt]

Thank You! Very well presented. I am new at this, but I lucked out and had some immediate success. Now I am trying to learn all about it, and I value the tips you have just spoke about!

[@readingqueen62]

Thanks. These tips are going to be helpful since I am new to pressure cooking.

[@lindascull6327]

Love all your recipes they have become family favorites! Thank you so much!

[@tomhockin2109]

Thank you for your time and help.

[@gerberdaisy2388]

I just got my new pot today and these tips were amazing, thank you!!

[@hopenoneya8161]

You are going to love it Robyn. If you are looking for some other channels concerning the IP, check out Pressure Luck Cooking. Jeff is a fun guy to watch, and has many wonderful recipes. kzbin.info/door/WP5zYusIJqJCK27A0NlAKg

[@ericd.4460]

This was good info, I'm about to get my first one. It's the Duo Evo Plus, and I am very excited. Subscribed.

[@catherinehoffman6553]

Thanks for the tips! Maybe I'll take mine out of the box and start using it...

[@carriestaker3856]

We only REALLY learn by failure, ours or someone else's! Following tips by experienced users is someone else's! Not only do you want to read carefully directions, but ALSO THE REVIEWS! if in reviews every other person is decreasing the amount of salt or sugar, etc....it can prepare you to take time to compare similar recipe's ingredients. If you're prepared to reduce/increase certain ingredients you will not consider the first attempt a failure, rather you can see it is getting fairly close to your desired outcome!

[@doriskenner5411]

These are great tips! Thank you so much! I am a beginner with the instant pot. And l have made 3 recipes with no problems. Except when l made spaghetti my pasta stuck together a little bit. I really enjoy using it. Thank you for sharing your video!

[@thekat268]

To keep the pasta from sticking put some oil in the water.

[@lynnraasakka]

The 5th one explains why my beef roast didn't turn out as tender as I had hoped. Thank you so much for this!

[@monesmom2010]

Ahh that makes sense about storing the top that way. I didn’t even think about that. I just got mine on Tuesday and so I’m still learning.

[@crayfish9945]

I'm going to Learn you, How to become a Pressure cooker !

[@gloriapeel6887]

Thank you for the great info!

[@bestinvestorcraig]

Great tips Karen, you are making me into a Cook...🤗

[@janeplanas5486]

Just got my InstantPot in the mail last night. Glad I watched your video Don'ts. Lots of great tips that will save me a lot of frustration! Thanks!

[@pamb3013]

Great tips. I just turned my lid upside down. And if I make roast that is a great tip.

[@sharonfeliciano4894]

Thanks so much for these tips! Invaluable! :)

[@laurenabarlow9839]

Loved your 5 comments as I haven't used my instant pot as of yet. Thanks again. You were great.

[@Inkdraft]

Great video Thumbs up! I am using my birthday gift InstantPot for the first time right now. So glad I watched this video. I have chicken wings in there right now. So now I know enough to let the pressure valve release on it's own. I haven't been in a rush for food to cook since I gave away my microwave (nasty things them). Thanks so much! I subbed.

[@zandersgigi8361]

Thanks for the very practical info. It's so useful

[@nat4581]

I just got my first Instant Pot. Thank you for all the info. Will start tomorrow.

[@uxobi3862]

Thanks for the helpful tips! #3 especially!!!

[@godgivennutrition2263]

I have a great electric kettle that brings water to a boil in a minute. I always use it when I need to add water to an IP recipe, it saves time of the IP having to come to pressure because your liquid is already heated!

[@gen81465]

My solution is to leave the lid off initially, add the liquid, and hit the saute button. That gives you up to 30 minutes and if you forget it, it shuts off automatically after that time. Once the liquid is hot (usually no more than 3-4 minutes), I can add the rest and voila!

[@stefaniestaniak4329]

Great tips. Thank you.

[@Chasarbo]

Thanks for the tips, they were very helpful!

[@bobbiehickling4109]

Thank you so very much!!! these tips are huge.

[@lomarenr1598]

Thank you for these tips. I’m fairly new to Instant Pot and have subscribed to your channel in the hopes of becoming more proficient I’m looking forward to learning from you.

[@DeeVioletSkye]

Awesome tips! Thank you!

[@kraftygayle9718]

Thank you. Very informative.

[@MusicalJeanAz]

Good to know some helpful hints. I have had an electric pressure cooker before the Instant Pot brand became popular. I also use on stove type pressure cookers too.

[@charlescain2759]

Glad I found this. Thank you.

[@3611136111]

Thanks!! couple things there that i did not know.

[@SunBunz]

I loved my Instapots, but the first one I got for Christmas was broken, and the replacement also broke shortly after. (I was unlucky, they were poorly assembled) the lady from Amazon was kind enough to send me a Corsair instead, after refunding my money! (She recommended it) So far no problems! They're practically the exact same thing, though. Great tips! Thanks!

[@janetoneill2132]

Thankyou so much I have to say these are the best tips I have come across! I’ve just started using my instant pot and these tips have made me feel more confident Thankyou again

[@yukistraton5304]

great tips. Thank you so much.....

[@corinnekinzinger5494]

I have a pressure cooker, not an instant pot, but I soak the sealing ring in vinegar for 30 seconds to a minute to kill any bacteria that's left from the soap and let it dry completely.

[@contactjoy4140]

Corinne Kinzinger EXCELLENT tip. Vinegar is superb for cleaning and disinfecting everything! It also makes dishes and glasses shine!

[@carmenmartinez2882]

Corinne Kinzinger bacteria won’t ever survive the high temperature of a pressure cooker.😉

[@jcwoods2311]

30 seconds in vinegar kills nothing. Vinegar is a good cleaner for some things, but isn't a disinfectant. Leaving the ph low makes the surface less likely to grow new bacteria, but then again so would a high ph with a baking soda soak. If you aren't confident that the high temp of the instant pot will kill the bacteria then boil the seal for a minute or two on the stove or soak it in a solution of 1 gallon of water and 1 tablespoon of bleach for 2 minutes.

[@krowmother6970]

Thank you!

[@rhiahlMT]

@@jcwoods2311 30 seconds won't kill everything but, vinegar does kill SOME things. We use it to process colonoscopy scopes but, we also have the machines and tools to make it effective. You are right though, 11 lbs of pressure (average for one of these pots) for over 20 minutes will pretty much destroy anything. IF it picks up bacteria, it would likely be from something on the counters after it's been processed.

[@kimho5548]

Thanks for the tips!

[@dove7271]

TYFS!!!! Loved the tips & so appreciated. God blessings. Happy May/Spring♥

[@manny-perez]

Very helpful tips Karen.

[@veronim77]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@joyfulparadise]

Thank u for the tips! Esp the roast.

[@lori1035]

Very informative!! Thank you!

[@shakengrain1942]

The recipe book that came with my Instant Pot said to quick release pressure on the roast, then add veggies and pressure cook again. The roast was indeed tough.

[@TexCynRVLife]

Thank you! Good tips 👍

[@joelbell9082]

I just started using the instant pot and I'm very happy with the progress I'm making I was a little intimidated at first the manual button is the best button you could probably use on the instant pot but the biggest thing that she never mentioned which is the most important thing of anything that has to do with the instant pot and I'm really surprised she never mentioned it you can never ever start cooking anything unless there's a liquid in there otherwise you could damage the instant pot and that's 100 rule that I plan on making sure I never make a mistake about

[@Jerry-rf8bn]

Some very good advice here. Thank you very much.

[@BIGBADWOOD]

Great product works very well !

[@lisastayman6392]

My first project in my IP was a cheesecake. BEST cheesecake I've ever made!! I have cooked with a pressure cooker since I started cooking (30+ yrs.). My mother used one all her life. However I LOVE my IP as it is sooooo quiet. Thanks for the tips.

[@chrisl129]

Like the #5 on the roast 👍🏻

[@aoryward]

Great advice all around! Thanks for making this video! We’re cooking pot roast for the first time and my boyfriend keeps turning the venting knob. Your video has put a stop to that. LOL

[@VladimirGorev]

Thank you for the tip about meat roasts!

[@1tinac]

Very helpful thanks.

[@bry9133]

Thank you, very helpful, I did quick release on my first time using. (beef stew) wont do that next time.

[@marshahouseholder3213]

Thanks so much for the great tips.

[@geographicoddity9444]

Thank you so much for the tips! I’m an anxious newby, but I’m raring to go!

[@laraoneal7284]

Thank you so much for this.

[@angiecuellar3918]

Thank you for your help I appreciated 🙋

[@joefalcone1]

Great Job... Keep up your Excellent Work.