The instant pot is a super handy tool to have in the kitchen. It makes pressure cooking quick and easy! However, I keep seeing mistakes people are making with their instant pots that are a disaster!! That’s what brought me to this list of things NOT to do with your instant pot! Avoid these instant pot fails!
If you haven’t gotten started with your instant pot, you can find instructions here on how to get over your fear of your pressure cooker. This is a great start for a total beginner!
Related Posts: 5 Reasons You NEED an Instant Pot
7 Things NOT to Do With Your Instant Pot
1) Don’t Forget to Place Your Liner Inside the Pot
Do NOT forget to put your liner in your instant pot prior to using it!
I see it time and time again! People are ruining their pots by dumping their food in there without the liner.
I’ve seen tons of ideas to help you avoid this. Some of these tips include placing a wooden spoon over your pot until the liner is in it, but the most creative I’ve seen in placing a large rubber band around the pot until the liner is placed. I actually store my instant pot with the liner inside it so that it won’t be forgotten.
2) Do Not Place Your Instant Pot on a Stove
Do NOT place your instant pot on your stovetop where a burner could get turned on underneath it! This is another thing I’m seeing where people are ruining their pots by melting the bottom of it. I’m sure that you think it could never happen to you but the sheer number of this particular instant pot fail proves that it could happen to anyone.
3) Do Not Overfill the Instant Pot
Do not overfill your instant pot! There is a max line inside the instant pot liner, but it really isn’t meant for the pressure-cooking function. Certain foods will often expand when cooking and your pot requires some space for the pressure cooking to work.
4) Don’t Quick Release Foamy Food or a Full Pot
Do not use the quick release for foamy food or if it is over half full. Otherwise, you will have quite a mess sprayed across your kitchen and ceiling. (Just full disclosure, I’ve made this mistake!)
5) Do Not Forget to Place the Sealing Ring Back in the Lid
Don’t forget to put your sealing ring in prior to using your pressure cooker. If you have taken out your ring to clean it, don’t forget to put it back into the lid. If you forget the ring, the instant pot cannot come to pressure. You will know if you have forgotten it because the steam will start coming out of the edges of the lid rather than the float valve. (Again, a mistake I’ve made – and more than once!)
6) Don’t Forget to Add the Right Amount of Liquid
Don’t forget to add the proper amount of liquid to your pressure cooker! Liquid makes steam which is what will pressurize your pot! If you don’t add the right amount of liquid, it will never come to pressure. Always add a minimum of 1 cup of liquid (sauces or cream of soups will count as a liquid).
7) Don’t Forget to Change the Valve to Sealing
Don’t forget to turn the valve to sealing! If you leave the valve in the venting position, the instant pot cannot come to pressure.
I hope these tips of what NOT to do with your instant pot come in handy! As you can see, I’ve made a few of these instant pot fails! I’m hoping that you can avoid these mistakes with your own pot!
Once you are feeling confident with your instant pot, and you are ready to venture out – be sure to check out all the cool accessories you can get!
Other Instant Pot Posts:
Instant Pot Fear! Get Over Being Scared!
Five Reasons You Need an Instant Pot
7 Things NOT to Do With Your Instant Pot
Must-Have Instant Pot Accessories
Gift Guide for the Instant Pot Fanatic
How to Saute with Your Instant Pot
Make an Aluminum Foil Sling for Your Instant Pot
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What is the liner you speak of?! I’ve never heard of an Instant Pot liner. I just use the pot itself and it comes out clean through the dishwasher.
By liner, I mean the interior pot. I refer to my whole unit as the “pot” and the interior pot as the liner. You are correct it is dishwasher safe! You can even buy a non-stick liner as well — check out my post on instant pot accessories!
Hi Dalorean… The “liners” being referred here are the liners which are made for Crock Pots and slow cookers and Pressure Cookers (Instant Pots).
They are made to withstand the temperatures that are reached when cooking in these devices.
You place the liners in your pot, put in your ingredients, and start cooking.
When everything is done you remove your food, then remove your liner – you don’t have to worry about washing or scrubbing your pot. Maybe just give it a quick rinse, but no scrubbing at all!
As a matter of fact, i just bought a box the other day and am using one right now in my Instant Pot, making Tapioca.
Without that liner, I’d have to worry about the possibility of it overcooking and I’d be scrape bits of the Tapioca from the pot!
You can go to http://www.amazon.com and search for “Crock-Pot Slow Cooker Liners” – or go to http://www.crock-pot.com.
That’ll give you all the info you need along with the best prices should you decide to buy them.
Happy cooking!
Vinnie
I don’t actually mean these kind of liners. Most instant pot fanatics use the word liner to indicate the inner pot! You don’t have to worry about the sticking and scraping up bits if you buy the non-stick liner (or interior pot) for your instant pot! Check out my post on instant pot accessories!