I’ve owned my Instant Pot for just over two years, and I’m still learning new tricks. Every recipe is a fun experiment, and along the way I’ve discovered some important pitfalls to avoid. Here are nine Instant Pot don’ts to help beginners get comfortable and avoid common mistakes.
1. Read the manual. It sounds obvious, but reading the manual will answer many basic questions and help you use your Instant Pot safely and effectively. The introductory pages summarize important functions and safety precautions—take a few minutes to review them before you start cooking.
2. Don’t pressurize without liquid. The Instant Pot needs liquid to create steam and build pressure. Always add at least 1/2 to 1 cup of water, broth, or another cooking liquid unless a recipe specifically states otherwise.
3. Don’t forget to set the valve to “Sealing.” If the steam release valve isn’t in the sealing position, the pot won’t pressurize and your food won’t cook as intended. Double-check the valve before you start the program.
4. Don’t put your hand over the vent during a quick release. A quick release sends hot steam out the vent quickly. Keep hands and face away from the steam. Use an oven mitt or a long-handled utensil if you need to turn the valve, and always be cautious to avoid burns.
5. Don’t overfill your Instant Pot. Overfilling can prevent the pot from reaching pressure, cause very long pressurizing times, or lead to a messy, unsafe release. As a general guideline, stop about two lines below the max fill line—for a 6-quart pot, aim for the 4‑liter mark when cooking foods that expand.
6. Don’t put the stainless steel inner pot on a stovetop or in the oven. The inner steel bowl is made for use inside the Instant Pot. Placing it on a burner or in an oven can warp or damage it.
7. Don’t quick-release foamy or starchy foods. Foods that produce foam—large amounts of rice, starchy potatoes, thick soups, or some grain dishes—can spurt out of the vent during a quick release. Use a natural release for these items, or capture the steam with a folded paper towel held (carefully) over the vent to prevent a kitchen mess. You may need to replace the towel once or twice during depressurization.
8. Don’t forget to set the timer. It’s easy to load the pot, set the lid, and then forget to program the cook time. If you don’t set the cooking time, the pot won’t start the cooking cycle and your meal won’t be ready when you expect—learned that one the hard way!
9. Don’t forget to account for pressurizing time. Many recipes list only the active cook time, the minutes the pot spends at pressure. Pressurizing can take 10–20 minutes (sometimes more), so plan accordingly when timing meals.
Video: I also made a short video that goes over these nine Instant Pot don’ts and shows examples from my kitchen.
Additional tips:
If you’re choosing a pot size, a 3-quart model is good for 1–2 people. For families or larger batches, a 6-quart is the most versatile option, and an 8-quart works well if you routinely cook for many people.
I post a new Instant Pot recipe on YouTube every Monday.
Looking for recipe ideas? I’ve collected some favorite Instant Pot recipes to help you get started.