Setting the Instant Pot Ultra for Sous Vide Cooking

This is a quick and dirty explanation of how to set the custom temperature control for the Instant Pot Ultra to do sous vide cooking.

[@jbianca999]

I almost bought a new instapot for the sous vide cooking setting, but then I saw your video and it saved me from having to make a new purchase. Thanks!

[@KreelanWarrior]

Coolness! As long as you have one of the models that you can set the specific temperature, you should be good. Just make sure to test it by setting it at a temp (say 130F) and using a thermometer to verify it. Then you can adjust up/down when cooking to get the desired temperature.

[@andreawilson2760]

Trying this now! Didn't know I'd bought a sous vide pot when I ordered the Ultra! LOL I have a circulating sous vide on order from Macy's, but in the meantime I'm cooking striploin steak today!

[@MrSartou]

Is the instant pot worth it?

[@jstev67]

It shouldn't make a difference if you wait until the water comes up temp because it will not overcook or start the timer until it gets hot enough. I use the delay if I want to start later in the day and need to go out. Thanks for the video I didn't even think about doing this until I saw a similar video.

[@Monilynn17]

Thank you so much for posting this! It was sooo helpful to us!!

[@jeanniehilton347]

Thank you so much for the IP-Ultra sous vide video! Very helpful. I also did not know that you could use a Ziploc freezer bag. I am new to this method of cooking (both IP-Ultra and sous vide). I assume the "Ultra" setting is the same as the manual setting on the Duo model? The included instruction booklet was missing so many details. Perhaps the company needs to hire a team to do this!

[@KreelanWarrior]

Jeannie - You can only do sous vide with the Ultra or the new Max, because they allow you to control the temperature with a fairly good degree of accuracy (the Max much more than the Ultra): you can set specific temps in Ultra mode, but you can’t with the Duo or Lux. Also, you can get a copy of the manual for your model here: instantpot.com/english-manuals/. 😎

[@bleufee]

@@KreelanWarrior Actually the Smart wifi instant pot can do it too.

[@bleufee]

@@KreelanWarrior and I tested the temperature, it was just right. quite surprise but I don't really use the sous vide from instant pot as I have to sous vide device already.

[@mikescrazykitchen5669]

bleufee Yes, you’re right! Sorry, I’d overlooked that. 😊

[@mikescrazykitchen5669]

bleufee I use it for sous vide mainly to avoid buying another kitchen gadget, although I’d love to have a sous vide circulator!

[@cxh1225]

I just bought the ultra. My experience is that it does provide reliable temperatures. After setting it as you instructed it "came to temp" about 5 minutes later and started counting down. After ruining a steak last night I thought I would go ahead and check the temp tonight and found that it "came to temperature" at 100° (confirmed by a thermometer) on a setting of 132°. Clearly that is an unacceptable variance. It took 90 minutes to get to 130°. Not dogging your video but I don't think the instant pot is the sous vide dream we would hope for. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated if I missed something.

[@DarkPlagueStudios]

Did you have the lid on? Common mistake is removing the lid for using that function.

[@cxh1225]

The first night yes I believe I had the lid off but the second night I kept the lid on thinking that would bring it up to temp and maintain it more effectively. Now I've got a perfectly functional 6 qt Duo sitting in the corner staring me down wondering why I'm not using it :) and a hankering to buy a sous vide stick... Yikes, talk about first world problems...

[@cxh1225]

In retrospect I don't believe I filled it with hot water to start with which would've probably been quite a boost... might have to try that again with a much less expensive cut of barnyard animal

[@KreelanWarrior]

Connie - Sorry for not getting back to you sooner! While I don’t know if it’s stated in the instructions, I would ALWAYS use the hottest water you can out of the tap to fill the liner. I believe most hot water heaters are set around 120F, so that gets you within 10-20 degrees of various doneness levels. We prefer medium rare, so the temp is typically set around 130 or so, and it comes to temp within maybe 10 minutes or so. I also don’t do sous vide with the cover on - I did a temp check a couple times, and it seemed like it got a lot hotter with the cover on, and was a lot closer to the set temp with it off. That may just be me, but something to consider. Also, keep in mind that the Ultra isn’t the ultimate sous vide machine, because it doesn’t keep the temp exact and doesn’t circulate the water. But it’s worked well for me and saves me from having to buy another kitchen gadget (not that I wouldn’t LOVE to get one, lol). 😎

[@Spookyfeet]

Perfect! Thank you!

[@houtim_wong]

thanks really helpful!!!

[@realfortin]

I’d be curious for someone to test accuracy of the temperatures

[@MisDestiny]

I tested my pot's temperature yesterday. It was 4 degrees hotter than the setting. So now I know I need to set my pot's temp setting 4 degrees lower than what I actually want.

[@eideny2207]

Thanks for the video. Do you recommend this device as a sous vide machine? If it works I'd rather buy this over a dedicated sous vide device

[@KreelanWarrior]

Eiden Y Well, it sort of depends, I guess. I wanted a second pot and also wanted to try sous vide, so it made sense for me to get the Ultra to kill two birds with one stone. We're also in an apartment now, so kitchen space is at a bit more of a premium. Sous vide "sticks" have better temp control and circulate the water, and you can also scale how much you can cook by using different size containers. So, if you already have an IP and aren't interested in a second one (what's wrong with you,? LOL), a sous vide stick might make more sense. If you want an IP (or a second/third one) and want to try sous vide, then I'd go the Ultra route. It certainly works for me! :-)

[@Badhans2007]

You're my HERO

[@ravenblackhawke]

THANKS

[@KreelanWarrior]

You're welcome - enjoy! :-)

[@obudaifourty9]

Excellent video Michael. I have NO idea who was the idiot giving a thumbs down, and why? Thanks for the tip. Gave you a huge thumbs up bro :)

[@KreelanWarrior]

Obudai Stricy LOL! Who knows? Glad it helped... :-)

[@whopua]

I didn't see any comment or question about this but usually something is in the pot to weigh the product down to keep it submerged. Did you do this and with what?

[@KreelanWarrior]

whopua There are lots of different ways to do this; the important thing is to try and not pin what you’re cooking to the bottom - you want water all around the meat (or whatever). I typically use clothes pins to pin the top of the bag to the edge of the liner, and am usually able to adjust the bag so it’s submerged without being on the bottom. But you can also clothespin (and use the wooden ones, not plastic!) a spoon to the bottom of the bag to hold it down, and some folks put a spoon or other weight in the bag itself at the bottom, but I prefer having it outside.

[@whopua]

@@KreelanWarrior what about using that rack that keeps food off of the bottom of the insert? Also thanks a lot for your reply!

[@KreelanWarrior]

whopua Ah! You know, I never thought of that, lol! But that should certainly work. 😎

[@whopua]

@@KreelanWarrior OK well I'm buying a test steak soon and going for it! Thanks for the info!

[@hatbeardx]

@@whopua how'd that go?

[@devonamaillard8003]

Do you put the lid on when cooking sous vide, or leave it off?

[@KreelanWarrior]

Devona Maillard You either leave it off or you can put on the glass one. Either way is fine, but you don't need the locking lid. :)

[@devonamaillard8003]

Thanks!

[@Mennolly22]

I'm new to IP, just got the Ultra 80 yesterday. What do you put the steak in? I have a vacuum sealer, would that work?

[@KreelanWarrior]

Vicki Pagano It would work, but you don’t necessarily have to do that. It’s just as effective to put the steak (or whatever you’re cooking) into a ziplock freezer bag and seal it. 😎

[@ANourishedLife]

Do you have any idea how to set the altitude settings for the instant pot ultra 60? I see what looks like possible settings at the opening of your video, but my new IP doesn't actually allow me to get into those settings, as stated like in the manual. Would love any help. I've been researching this for hours, which is how I finally came across your video.

[@KreelanWarrior]

A Nourished Life I've got it, lol! Plug in the pot, then push in the dial and hold it (roughly five seconds or so). A menu will come up that will let you turn on/off the sound, set the temp measurement (C/F), and set the altitude. Turn the dial until you get to the "Alt" option, then press the knob and set it to whatever you need. :-)

[@KreelanWarrior]

A Nourished Life Oh, and then - just after you've set the altitude (which goes up to about 10,000), hit the Start button to lock it in.

[@ANourishedLife]

Michael Hicks Thanks so much Michael. It seems to me that something must be wrong with my new instant pot because it does not actually allow me to do that. It's gonna have to get exchanged. Altitude adjustments are a must for me. I really appreciate your reply!!

[@KreelanWarrior]

A Nourished Life Hmm, are you sure it wont work? Try unplugging the pot, then plugging it back in. Then - before you touch anything else - push and hold the selector knob for - let's say - at least 10 seconds...

[@ANourishedLife]

Michael Hicks That was it!!! That was it!!! Thank you so much.

[@cocoathundr]

Thanks!! Did you use the instant pot sous vide circulator?? Or was this done without?

[@KreelanWarrior]

cocoathundr No, I don't have the circulator (although I might go for one at some point - can't have enough toys!), because the Ultra will maintain a constant "low" temp (+/- 5F) suitable for sous vide cooking. I just fill it up with hot water, set it to whatever target temp I want, then put in the bagged food to be cooked once it's come up to temperature (quickly using hot water), then cook it for the necessary amount of time. :-)

[@cocoathundr]

Michael Hicks thanks!!! I'm sold now!! 😁

[@KreelanWarrior]

cocoathundr w00t! Welcome to the Dark Side! 😁

[@VonFisch1]

Does this come with a glass lid then? If not, can you put the lid on or will that be an issue with the sous vide?

[@KreelanWarrior]

No, it doesn’t come with the lid - that’s a separate accessory. But, to be honest, you don’t really need the lid to do sous vide - it works just fine without it! 😎

[@-_Sebastian_-]

Can you switch between °F and °C?

[@KreelanWarrior]

Orden87 Yes! Where it showed the temperature, you’d just push in the knob, rotate it until C was selected, then push it again. Done! 😎

[@ancamg]

You have to press the knob for 5 seconds (in stand up mode) and it starts blinking. By turning the knob, you chose between meters or feet for altitude, F or C for temperature.