How to Use an Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker

Wondering how to use your Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, Crockpot Express, Power Pressure Cooker XL, or other brand of electric pressure cooker? Let me help you get it out of the box and into your meal plans with this Getting Started Guide! I have all the details you need to get you cooking and loving your machine!

Happy Holidays and Welcome to Pressure Cooking Today!

Here at Pressure Cooking Today, we post easy and delicious recipes and training guides for the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or any other brand of electric pressure cooker!

If you’re just getting started with your electric pressure cooker or Instant Pot—whether it’s new or or even if you’ve had it for a while—you may have lots of questions and you’re not alone! In fact, How To Use Insta Pot is an often-used Google search.

Here are some quick answers to some of the most common:

• Which pressure cooker / Instant Pot button do I use?
• How do I do a quick pressure release?
• What pans and steamer baskets do I recommend for use in the Instant Pot / pressure cooker?

Keep reading for a breakdown of the different pressure cooker parts and the nitty-gritty of making your first meal in the pressure cooker!

Getting Started Guide: How to Use a Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot

Electric pressure cookers like the Instant Pot Duo Nova or the Ninja Foodi make cooking faster and easier than ever before, so I know you’re going to love it!

As with any new tool, there are a few things you’ll need to know before you get cooking!

For your convenience, I’ve created a five-part getting started guide that will walk you through getting your pressure cooker out of the box and into your daily routine!

1. Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Parts Reference Guide

To begin, I break down the basic parts of electric pressure cookers, with specific details for the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, Crockpot Express, Power Pressure Cooker XL.

2. Choosing a Pressure Release Method

Quick pressure release or natural pressure release? It’s one of the most common questions I get. Let me explain the difference and when to use each method!

3. Water Test Run for the Instant Pot / Electric Pressure Cooker

The water test is a no-worry way to familiarize yourself with your machine. You’ll learn hands-on how your pressure cooker comes to pressure and get used to the steps of pressure cooking.

4. Make Your First Meal in Your Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker

You’re ready to get cooking in your new electric pressure cooker! For this post, I break down one of my 30-minute meals into detailed steps, including what buttons to push for the major brands of electric pressure cookers.

5. Easy Recipes to Make in Your New Instant Pot / Electric Pressure Cooker

I’ve compiled a list of easy-to-make pressure cooker recipes for you to start off with and build your confidence using your Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, Crockpot Express, or other brand of electric pressure cooker.

Before you know it, you’ll be making fabulous pressure cooker meals and wondering how you ever cooked without it!

Other Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot How To Guides

• How to Get a Pan Out of the Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot
• How to Know Which Instant Pot Button You Should Use?
• How to Use the Pot-in-Pot Method in Your Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot
• How to Convert a Recipe to a Pressure Cooker Recipe
• How to Pressure Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts
• How to Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot / Electric Pressure Cooker
• How to Make Perfect Pressure Cooker Cheesecake
• How to Make Rice in the Instant Pot / Electric Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot / Electric Pressure Cooker In-Depth User Guide and Reviews

If you already have a pressure cooker, you can read more details about your specific machine in the links below!

(If you’re still researching, definitely read my guide to the Best Instant Pot to Buy for a full comparison of the different Instant Pot models and features.)

Instant Pot

• Instant Pot Pro
• Instant Pot Pro Plus
• Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus
• Instant Pot Duo Nova
• Instant Pot Duo Crisp
• Instant Pot Duo Smart
• Instant Pot Duo Plus
• Instant Pot Duo Gourmet
• Instant Pot Duo
• Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-quart
• Instant Pot Duo 8-quart
• Instant Pot Duo 6-quart
• Instant Pot Ultra
• Instant Pot Max
• Instant Pot Lux

Ninja

• Ninja Foodi and Ninja Foodi Deluxe
• Ninja Foodi Smart XL – coming soon!

Mealthy

• Mealthy MultiPot
• Mealthy CrispLid Air-Fryer Accessory

Power Pressure Cooker

• Power Pressure Cooker XL
• Power Quick Pot

Pampered Chef

Crock-Pot

Breville

Fagor/Zavor

• Zavor LUX LCD
• Fagor Lux
• Fagor Premium Electric Pressure Cooker

Nutripot

Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker Safety Features

Don’t be intimidated by the word “pressure” because new electric pressure cookers are super safe and easy to use! The earliest pressure cookers were created around a simple concept: Food cooks hotter and faster inside a pressure-sealed pot.

(The science behind the pressure cooking magic involves raising the boiling point of water under pressure, which means food in a pressure cooker can cook about 40 degrees hotter than than you could cook on a stove top.)

Today’s electric pressure cookers have built on this science and have added in a slew of built-in safety features to prevent mishaps, including automatic pressure control, heating and pressure sensors, lid detection, and heating plates that distribute heat evenly. These features work together to ensure you get faster cook times and consistent results.

FOR MORE FROM PRESSURE COOKING TODAY

🥘 Browse our collection of the best pressure cooker / Instant Pot recipes.

💬 Follow Pressure Cooking Today on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

👥 Join our Electric Pressure Cooker Facebook Group. Our positive community of pressure cooking fans use all brands of electric pressure cookers, so it’s a great resource if you have questions about your particular brand.

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171 comments on “How to Use an Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker”

I use to have a power pressure Cooker xl but i think is not working anymore. It started to do the light for pressure but never goes further No pressure and not hot. Probably it did not work the part that have down to hear. I am looking for another o e bit i couldn’t found the same yet. I had that one for years

I believe Tristar replaced it with the Power Quick Pot https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/how-to-use-the-power-quick-pot-pressure-cooker/ but I think you’ll get better service and more availability of parts if you buy an Instant Pot https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/category/review/

I bought a MAS 7 in 1 pressure cooker at a yard sale Model number MAS66-REd have no ideal how to use it can’t find anything about it on the internet any help on using it would be appreciated.
Thank you
Nelson

Hi Nelson – looks like from a picture I found https://offerup.com/item/detail/327688103/ that it is similar to the Power Pressure Cooker XL. This post should help you get started https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/how-to-use-the-power-pressure-cooker-xl/

Have an E 5 putting on lid of electric presser cooker, does it count down till it get heated or is the lid on wrong.

Hi Carol – typically on electric pressure cookers, you’ll enter the time and press start if there is a start button, then the pressure cooker will show On or have moving lights until it reaches pressure. Then when it reaches pressure, it will show the cook time and start counting down.

I found a wonderful recipe for sous vide egg bites using a pressure cooker, but the instructions say to set it to steam. My Cuisinart does not have a steam setting, so I wanted to see if there is a comparable setting I can use for this? Mine has low, high, browning, saute, simmer, and keep warm.

Hi Megan – I have a similar recipe on my site https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/egg-muffins-in-the-pressure-cooker/ and I use high pressure. Typically you can use high pressure in most pressure cooker recipes without making any changes. Enjoy!

If steam is coming out around the edges of the lid, it’s usually because the gasket is not seated properly, your gasket is too loose or the gasket is broken. Try removing the gasket and putting it back on. If it still seems loose/stretch out, you can put it in the freezer for a little while, which can help it shrink back into shape. If it’s cracked or damaged, you’ll need to order a replacement gasket – available on Amazon or directly from Instant Pot.

Hi Jeannette – I would contact the manufacturer https://bellahousewares.com/products-bella/6qt-pressure-cooker-touch-pad/ Click on support in the upper right corner for their phone number and email.

Hi Kathy – which pressure cooker are you using? Which function are you using? Some functions have longer pre-set times, so you should select one with the time closest to the cook time. You can also cook it for 30 minutes 3 times. Don’t’ release the pressure, just start it again.

I recently purchased the Instant Pot Mini, but all the recipes I see are for the 6 qt. How do I adjust the cook time for smaller quantities?

Hi Debbie – generally your cook time will be the same in the Mini as the 6 quart. The main concern will be not overfilling the Mini. As long as you don’t fill it more than 2/3’s full or half full with things that foam like pasta, rice, and oats, you can use the entire recipe with the same cook time. For things that make a lot, like soup and pasta, you’ll want to divide the recipe in half. Just make sure you use at least 1/2 cup of liquid when cooking things that release liquid as they cook, such as chicken, beef and pork, and 1 cup of liquid when cooking everything else.

It depends on how big your pressure cooker is and what you’re cooking. Typically at least 1 cup for a 6 quart pressure cooker and 2 cups for an 8 quart pressure cooker. You may be able to use less if you’re cooking ingredients that release liquid as they cook.

I don’t know how to see if it’s sealed or closed, I have the insta pot ultra with the dial. I have made. Few things & loveit but my failures out way my successes.

Hi Debbie – the float valve in the hole in the lid rises up and seals shut. When the valve drops you can open it. Here’s more information and pictures of the float valve https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/pressure-cooker-parts-reference-guide/ and https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/instant-pot-ultra-60-review-giveaway/ When beginning it’s best to set with recipes from a reliable site, I recommend these to get started https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/easy-recipes-for-the-pressure-cooker/ Stick with it and before you know it, you’ll just have successes.

Actually, since the cook time is short foods keep more nutrients https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/why-use-a-pressure-cooker/

Thanks SO MUCH FOR THE ASSIST. Newbie..just got 6qt faberware 7 in 1 multi-cooker. Confusing instructions….but ur site hot me thru….can’t wait to go to section 4…making first meal…going to be pork ribs…wish me luck

Thank u SO MUCH!! Helped me do much as a newbie. OMG The instruction booklet is confusing Than u for easy and patient instruction…bookmarking u…..moving forward to first meal using my faberware 7 in 1 multi-cooker….

Hi,
I have just bought the 5L Pressure King Pro and am having issues with the ‘before you begin’ action.
The manual says to put in 3.5L of water and use the Stew button, which is a 30 minute cook.
I’ve had the cooker on now for 45 minutes and the countdown hasnt started, yet a constant spew of steam has been coming out of the valve head. The valve is definately closed, yet the timer still hasnt started it’s countdown.
Is this normal?
Jimmy (UK)

Hi Jimmy – strange that it tells you to use that much water. I would cancel the cycle, dump out all but a cup or two of the water and try again. Depending on the amount of water and the temperature of the water you use, it can take 15 or 20 minutes to come to pressure, but 45 minutes doesn’t sound right. Make sure the steam release valve is seated properly and that the float valve is in place.

I don’t understand the timer for the instantpot. There are three sets of numbers separated by colons, what do they mean. I don’t know how to program the minues. Can you tell me which of the set of numbers are minutes.

Hi Bernie – On most, it’s very much like a digital clock. The number in front of the colon are hours and the numbers behind the colon are minutes. Which model do you have?

I recently bought the 6 qt Instant Pot and have been reading through Laurel Randolph’s Instant Pot cookbook. Most of the recipes serve 6 people. I cook mostly for my just husband and I. Do I need to adjust the cooking time?

Hi Sasha – your cook time will generally be the same, as long as you’re using the same thickness of meat. However, you’ll need to use enough liquid to come to pressure, so you may need to make the sauce part of the recipe as written.

I’m confused on setting the timer for cooking brown rice it says 24 minutes. Is that 24 minutes after it pressures up? Or total minutes?

Hi Jessie – the time it takes to come to pressure is not included in the cook time. Think of it like cooking pasta. The time it takes for the water to come to boil before your cook the pasta isn’t included in the cook time on the pasta box. Also, it takes time for the pressure to release after pressure cooking, and that time isn’t included in cook times either. You’ll get the hang of it in no time I’m sure.

I have a Crockpot Express Multi Cooker & have successfully cooked a pork roast in it but when I tried to cook oatmeal in it the steam began escaping from around the edges of the lid.
I followed all the steps insuring that the cooker was completely & correctly sealed and had the correct amount of liquid both in the pot and in the oats. I had even replaced the
Seal with a new one as I read in several posts that using separates seals for savory and non savory foods would be a good idea.
No matter what I tried the same thing would happen. Any ideas?
Thank you for your time

My guess is it’s how you have your lid assembled. Here’s a FB group that’s just for the Crockpot Express https://www.facebook.com/groups/210945049469852/ run by Nicole Burkholder who blogs at Simple and Seasonal specializes in the Crockpot Express https://simpleandseasonal.com/ They’d be able to help you I’m sure. Good luck!

I have tried a few recipes and gone by them to the letter. Everything seems to come out like soup. Is there a way to make stews and chili thicker? I have a Nuwave Insta-pot.

Hi Joe – you’ll want to thicken stews and chili at the end after pressure cooking. There’s a variety of ways to thicken meals, which I have examples of in my pressure cooker cookbook, https://amzn.to/2A13hbK. Most things like stew you can thicken with a cornstarch or flour slurry, my cookbook chili recipe thickens it with finely crushed tortilla chips, or you just use the saute function simmer to evaporate excess liquid.

Is it possible to thicken with Instant mashed potato? I sometimes do this, especially in dishes with a high vegetable content?

I just purchased an 6 qt. acare mifanstech 7 in 1 electric pressure cooker… I thought it was an insta pot. I started buying insta pot accessories can I use them in my pressure cooker. For example will the insta pot pot fit it and will the replacement rings for insta pot work in it?

hi i love my pot widow lives alone love to cook and minnipot just great however my steam valve fell off and porrage and rice burns how do i set temp?

Hi Dina – if you have the Instant Pot Mini, you just need to push the steam valve back into place and turn it to the sealed position when cooking. Once you get it sealed properly, practice with just water in the pot, then your rice and porridge should not burn if you’re using enough water. You’ll get the hang of it soon I’m sure.

Hi my electric pro king pressure cooker has just started working strange. It will brown but when it ends it won’t allow me to put it on another setting for example meat function. Please help ?

Hi Yvonne – sound like maybe the pressure cooker thinks it’s overheated? Does it pressure cook once it’s cooled down?

I just bought the 7 in 1 V3. I’m unable to add more time. When I push pressure cook it only allows it to go to 4 minutes. I use the -/+ buttons, but it doesn’t go past 4 minutes. Any suggestions?? I did put a ticket in with tech support.

Hi Kelly – are you pressing the timer button as well – so it’s actually 4 hours delayed start time and not 4 minutes?

If it goes to 4 minutes, or reads 4:00, and then counts down, then that means you pressed the Timer button, which actually is the Delay Timer, for when you want it to start cooking 4 hours from now perhaps. Instead, once you plug it in, press the cooking program button, (perhaps Poultry if you are cooking chicken) and then immediately press the plus or minus sign. (At least that is what happens on my Duo60, but it’s a couple of years old now). Good luck!

I live at a high altitude, 7,000 ft. Do I need to adjust cooking times? I have tried the hard boiled eggs recipe, 7mins 1/2 cup water and have found my eggs aren’t quiet hard oiled, with the yolks under cooked. Any idea what I’m doing wrong?

Hi Cathy – yes, you do need to adjust cooking times at your altitude. The general rule is to add 5 percent more cook time at 3,000 feet (0.9 km) above sea level, 10 percent for 4,000 feet (1.2 km) above sea level, and so on, increasing by 5 percent every additional 1,000 feet (0.3 km). So at 7,000 feet you’ll want to add 25% more cook time to recipes. The sweet spot for eggs is a little different for everyone because of factors such as egg size, how cold your eggs are, how warm the water you use is, and of course altitude. If you eggs are almost perfect at 7 minutes, use a longer natural release time. If they are very undercooked, add an extra minute to the cook time. Once you figure out your sweet spot, you should be able to do perfect eggs every time.

I have an instant pot and absolutely love it. Found a brand new never out of the box power cooker xl 6 quart so I bought it for my daughter. Can my instant pot recipes be used in the power cooker?

Hi Tammie – yes, your Instant Pot recipes can be used in the Power Cooker. It is similar to this https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/how-to-use-the-power-pressure-cooker-xl/

I read a recipe that said to heat the cooker up before putting in the food. How do I do that? I have a gowise 8qt. I just made bow tie pasta in sauce and it got a little toasty, but still good. If I could put the sauce in after the unit heats up it would be perfect. Is that possible?

Hi Jessica – some people use the saute function to warm the cooking liquid before add the food so the pressure cooker comes to pressure faster. I don’t recommend it because the timing of recipes includes the time it takes to come to pressure. I would just reduce the cook time instead of preheating the pot.

I took the inside off to clean it and now it won’t deal. Steam comes out from everywhere and I have it all together with the rubber gasket. I only used it once.

Hi DeAnna – did you lose the little rubber gasket that seals the float valve? It’s not the large gasket that seals the lid. Which pressure cooker do you have?

I have a instapot lux
I can’t get the lid off there is no food inside whoever put the lid on the last we used but the lid wrong how can we get the lid off

Hi Tina – is the float valve stuck in the up position? It’s the metal piece next to the steam release valve. Use the end of a chopstick or something similar and see if you can push it down.

On the Instant Pot, is there 3 levels of heat for slow cooking and three levels of heat for pressure cooking? If so, what is the purpose of these levels? Is it to shorten or lengthen the cooking time? And again, if i am right, are the levels of heat higher for pressure cooking than slow cooking?

Each Instant Pot is a little different. There’s a post with more info https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/instant-pot-duo-and-smartcooker/ You’d use low pressure for cooking delicate things like vegetables. I rarely use anything but high pressure though.

Here’s a link to my Amazon store https://www.amazon.com/shop/pressurecookingtoday with links to trivets. Have fun!

I havea crockpot express. It builds up pressure and then it gives an error code. E6. What is this and how do I fix it.

Hi Vicky – the manual says: The Multi-Cooker will stop the cooking cycle. Unplug Multi-Cooker and allow to cool. Once it is cooled down, remove the Lid and check the Cooking Pot. Add liquid as necessary. Ensure a minimum of 8oz of liquid is used inside the removable Cooking Pot. If using a pressure cooking function, ensure that the Steam Release Valve is in the “Seal” (closed) position. So essentially it’s shutting down to avoid burning whatever you’re cooking because there’s not enough liquid in the pot. What is it you’re cooking?

Hi there. A friend gave me an instant pot, but she could not find the original instruction book. Do you know where I might find one?? Thank you.

How lucky! Here’s a post with more info and links to the manuals https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/instant-pot-duo-and-smartcooker/ Have fun 🙂

Hey, in my book that came with my Cosori pressure cooker it doesnt say a lot about the small plastic thin water holder? And the ither 1 cup water holder. Im confussed on where the go or if the go inside the cooker. It looks as if they could easily melt if they were inside the cooker. Guidance please.
Thank You! Joyce Sherrill

Hi Joyce – the thin water holder is a condensation cup that fits on the outside of the pressure cooker. There’s a little hole in the black rim around the edge of the pressure cooker and the cup fits underneath the hole to catch liquid that drains from the hole – generally there’s not much. The 1 cup plastic cup is for measuring rice – since the multi-cooker is also a rice cooker and a rice measuring cup is often included with a ricer cooker. It’s probably not a US 8 ounce cup and I never use it. Neither are to be used for cooking in the pressure cooker. Have fun!

Hi Barbara, I have the crockpot express. I followed a tutorial on cooking frozen ground beef, and it turned out hard and over cooked on the outside and not cooked on the inside. It has a separate steam setting and meat setting. I used the steam setting for wings once, and they turned out great, but they were not frozen. I used the meat setting for the ground beef, which didn’t turn out great. They are both high pressure. Any ideas why the beef didn’t cook right? Should I be just using the steam setting? It allows you to pick the time on each setting. Thank you.

Hi Korrie – here’s my post on the Crock-pot Express https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/how-to-use-the-crock-pot-express-pressure-cooker/ Both steam and meat use high pressure so either will work well. In my cookbook I have a ground beef taco recipe. I cook the frozen ground beef (frozen in a flat square) in spices and 1 cup of water for 5 minutes, then I finish it on the Saute setting until the water is evaporated and the beef is browned. Give that method a try 🙂

There are lots of good recipes on youtube that are made using a pressure cooker other than the instant pot. Are pressure cookers pretty much the same no matter what the brand or will I have to make adjustments to the cooking time? Is it just easier to stick with recipes specifying the instant pot?

Hi Rose – you should be able to use any recipe that is created for the electric pressure cooker. They’re pretty much the same.

I bought my daughter in law the faberware 6qrt and we can’t even figure out how to do the water test with the instructions. I have the instant pot brand but they are completely different, is there a video on the faberware of how to use?

Dia, I bought a NESCO Brand of electric pressure cooker from Kohls last month. I tried 3 times to do the darn water test and it WOULD NOT count down. It would heat up for about 10 minutes and then be done? So, I said to my hubby that I am going to put in the frozen chicken thighs and the other ingredients and set it to cook! If it didn’t work, it was going back! Guess what? It worked. It was the Best Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken ever!! From FROZEN to ready to eat in under an hour! SKIP the darn water pressure test LOL

I haven’t tried the Faberware. Here’s a video that should help https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w8w-P1DpHM

Hi Barbara- I received a Faberware 7 in 1 Electric Pressure Cooker. I was wondering if you have had any experience with this cooker as there is very little info on the web about it, and virtually no reviews. My first meal – roasted chicken – was a disaster. The chicken was boiled. Per the directions from Faberware, I used 1 can of chicken broth, seared the chicken, and then pushed the “chicken” button. Should the rack have been used to elevate the chicken from the broth? Thanks for any help!

Hello. I just received an Elite Bistro Electric Pressure Cooker (8 QT) a few days ago, and quite frankly, it’s still sitting in the box. It was ordered from hsn item # 577608. I’m a bit afraid to try it. I use my crockpot all the time, and also my oven and stove top. I do quite a bit of canning also using a water bath canner (huge pot that takes up 1/4 of my stove top). I guess I am intimidated by the thing, and not quite sure where to begin. I am contemplating sending it back without even trying it. I bought it for canning things like beets and low acid foods, that cannot be done in a water bath canner. Is this usual to be weary of a new-fangled device, instead of one I have been using for years? It was a bit of an investment, and I do have your book on my wish list on Amazon.com, but have not ordered it since, I haven’t even attempted to try the darn thing out. Any idea on where to begin, or how to get up the nerve to try it? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Hi Lisa – many are frightened to give it a try, but once you’ve brought it to pressure with just water in the pot, you’ll see there’s nothing to be frightened by. The USDA has not approved electric pressure cookers for pressure canning. https://www.hippressurecooking.com/consumer-alert-no-pressure-canning-in-un-tested-multi-cookers/

Hi Deb – If you want to pressure cook your frozen beef roast until its thawed enough to cube for the soup and then follow the soup recipe, that would work.

Is it possible to use the plastic microwave bunt pan in my instant pot? Thank you for all the wonderful recipes.

It isn’t like silicone. It is hard microwave plastic, so it does get hot in order to bake a bunt cake in microwave. It gets hot whenever I have baked/microwaved with it.

I received a berghoff electric cooker for Xmas I don’t see any recipes for that particular one any suggestions

Hi Bonnie – I couldn’t find a manual online for it, but it looks like you have to use one of the pre-set buttons similar to the Power Pressure Cooker XL https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/how-to-use-the-power-pressure-cooker-xl/.

I have a Hohm electric pressure cooker that I just received and can’t wait to start using. I’d like to be able to sauté in the same pot but there isn’t a sauté button. Can I still do this and how? I can’t seem to find a good manual on how to use it. Thank you!

Hi Jerrie – I’m not familiar with the Hohm electric pressure cooker however, if it doesn’t have a saute button, you can use one of the pressure cooker buttons and saute without the lid on similarly to the XL https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/how-to-use-the-power-pressure-cooker-xl/

I have the Power Pressure Cooker XL and when I used the button to cook chicken breast, the timer never showed me the numbers on timer. Is this common? I timed it with a timer to see if it would shut off and it did not. The chicken did cook but the timer did not work or I did not use it correctly. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Hi Wanda – here’s my post on using the XL https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/how-to-use-the-power-pressure-cooker-xl/ First you need to push one of the pressure cook buttons, such Beans for a short cook time for chicken breasts.

I bought a Megachef 8 qt pressure cooker in November. I was scared to try it though I have used a Presto rocker type Canner. Anyway, I tried it with my pot roast recipe and it was wonderful. There are minimal instructions with it. I can’t find any tutorial online or any YouTube videos. Do you know of any? I would like more instruction before I get adventurous.
Thank you,
Karen

Hi Karen – I couldn’t find a manual online and haven’t used the Megachef, but the control panels looks similar to the Instant Pot, so this post should be helpful https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/instant-pot-duo-and-smartcooker/ as well as https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/getting-started-with-your-new-electric-pressure-cooker-or-instant-pot/ Have fun!

HI I just want know what is the difference between Instant Pot to The Pressure Cooker XL ?
I want ge one for me and my kids but I’m so confused
Thanks
Maria

Hi Maria – The Pressure Cooker Xl is a lower priced model with a non-stick inner pot. Here’s more info about the XL https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/how-to-use-the-power-pressure-cooker-xl/. The Instant Pot has a stainless steel inner pot, a manual button which makes it more versatile, and has more functions https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/instant-pot-ip-duo-review/ https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/instant-pot-duo-and-smartcooker/ I prefer the Instant Pot or the Fagor if you want a non-stick pot and price isn’t an issue. https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/fagor-america-lux-multi-cooker-review-and-giveaway/

I am interested in purchasing a pressure cooker. My primary reason would be to can fish and venison in glass pint jars. Can such be done with electronic pressure cookers. I have not seen such addressed in marketing material l have researched.

Hi Barb – the second printing should be complete on December 8, 2017. So go ahead and order and you’ll be the first to receive it when it’s back in stock. Thanks!!

I’m looking to get an electric pressure cooker for my nephew because he is really starting to get into cooking. Can you use the instant pot cookbooks for the crockpot express pressure cooker? I noticed there are many brand specific books for that particular piece. Thank you!

Hi Kacie – some Instant Pot cookbooks would work with the Crockpot Express is the cookbook lists the cook time and not just specifies using the meat button and doesn’t specify what the time is. My cookbook http://amzn.to/2zlS828 will work with either pressure cooker.

Hello,
I have ordered your book….I have cooked about 5 recipes so far all on manual hi pressure with great success. I have a yedi and when I press a preset, there is no way to adjust up or down. Am I missing something? It just starts heating up and does not display the time and I haven’t been able to find the times for the presets on this brand. Could you direct me? Thank you!

Hello Mary I have just purchased a 6l pro King pressure cooker and I am looking for a good recipe book for it, but all the ones I have seen are for Instant Pot recipes is there a difference as some of the functions seem different many thanks from David.

Hi David – my new cookbook, The Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook, has recipes that will work with any brand of electric pressure cooker. All the recipes on Pressure Cooking Today will also work in any brand. The psi on the Pressure King pro is closer to low pressure on the Instant Pot and other brands. However, I would not increase the cook time in recipes until you’ve tried them with the cook time in the recipe. Just select a button (pressure cooker function) and adjust the time to the time in the recipe. All the pre-sets are just suggested times for cooking that item and it doesn’t really matter which button you use. Here’s my getting started guide https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/getting-started-with-your-new-electric-pressure-cooker-or-instant-pot/ and some easy recipes https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/easy-recipes-for-the-pressure-cooker/ Have fun!

I have a power electric cooker XL and still learning to use it but tonight when making a meatloaf with potatoes/carrots the place where the time for counting down read E3 can you tell me how to erase it and what caused it I had to use the oven to get the meatloaf done the potatoes and carrots were done but the liquid cooked out and the potatoes stuck to the bottom. What did I do wrong. I have went from front to back in the book and can not find anything about E3 Please help

Hi Mary – The E3 error code means that your unit has overheated. This is common and happens when the pressure cooker does not have enough liquid. Sounds like you didn’t have a good seal?

Hi, I was wondering if you could tell me what it means when a recipe calls for setting your instant pot on pressure cooker setting. Also, I have come across put your instant pot on high. My pot doesnt have either of these settings.

Hi Vicky – I assume they want you to select one of the pre-set buttons. The buttons are explained in detail on this post https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/instant-pot-duo-and-smartcooker/. The Instant Pot LUX only cooks on high pressure, so you don’t need to do anything to cook on high. Have Fun!

Hi there! I just got an instant pot and was super excited about it. I’ve made 3 recipes (not yours) and I have had less than stellar results. I figured there would be a learning curve…but I’m beginning to think it’s ME! Help!

Hi Vickie – don’t get discouraged. I’m happy to help. What recipes have you tried, and what didn’t you like about them? Check out my easy recipes https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/easy-recipes-for-the-pressure-cooker/

Oh Barbara…thank you! I first tried a chuck roast (simple right?). I followed the recipe time but it wasn’t enough. I put it in longer and it cooked but wasn’t “fall apart” tender like when I put it in my crock pot. Second, I did chicken & noodles. did chicken first then added noodles…had to add time on the noodles…AND it stuck to the bottom! Last night I did meatloaf & mashed ptotatoes. http://hip2save.com/2017/06/15/how-to-make-meatloaf-and-mashed-potatoes-in-under-1-hour-using-your-instant-pot/ After the approriate cooking time, the potatoes were half cooked and the meatloaf was stiil completely RAW! I took the meatloaf out & finished it in the oven and put the potatoes in again. I am frustrated!

Thanks for the additional information. It sounds to me like your Instant Pot is not functioning properly. If your potatoes were only half cooked at 25 minutes, there is definitely a problem. I would contact the Instant Pot Company and have them troubleshoot the problem with you.

If you could do a “how to” on the T-Fal 25 in One I’d be forever grateful. I’ve got issues with this thing. I ordered it back in June and to be honest it sat in it’s box until last week. Admittedly I was afraid of it. I bought this particular cooker because it had high reviews by others and it has never had a recall (the fear factor strikes again). I took it out of the box and the manual is simply awful. I cooked basmati rice with it and it came out perfectly even though I had no idea what i was doing. The recipe asked me to cook it at high pressure for four minutes yet when I press the pressure cook button and put the thing on high it only lets me set a timer for 5 minutes. I nixed the timer and thought I’d just use the timer on my stove set to 4 minutes but then got to wondering if that 4 minutes includes the time it takes to ramp up to full pressure and so I actually ended up leaving it in there for about 10. Long story longer, I then proceeded to cook a little pork roast in it with another recipe i found that had good reviews. It said to set the timer for 60 minutes but yet again I was hobbled by the timer only allowing for 40 minutes. I decided to use the stove timer once again. As the cooker was coming up to pressure (i’m just guessing at that), a little bit of steam came out of a little tiny hole in the lid, not the valve, just a little hole that is supposed to be there but is not indicated on the parts list. Then after about 10 minutes steam stopped coming out of there and then it started coming out of the valve. A lot more than i would have expected and it just kept coming out the whole time. After the 60 minute cook time the roast was rare and the liquid I had put in there, 2 cups, was reduced by roughly half. Is this normal. I opened the lid cleaned everything and tried again but the results were the same. That brings me here to this water test, if i go home and do this, what should i expect to see at the end of it? I’m really sorry I bought this particular cooker but it’s too late to return it now.

Hi Mandi – that is frustrating! It sounds like your pressure cooker never reached pressure and was basically steam cooking the roast and not pressure cooking. Measure the water at the end and see how much you’ve lost. Typically with an electric pressure cooker there will only be a 2 – 5% loss of water every 10 minutes. If you’re losing more than that, which you obviously did when cooking the pot roast, then your pressure cooker is not functioning properly.

What part of the roast that actually was cooked had the texture of steamed meat so I think you’re right. Leave it to me to buy faulty equipment and then wait until it’s too late to return it to figure out it’s faulty. 🙂 I’m going to do the water test tonight and that will let me know for sure I guess. Hopefully it has a good warranty. Thanks a lot for your help. It is much appreciated.

I just got a Power Pressure Cooker XL. I am so confused. Can I cook recipes that are cooked in the instant pot in my cooker? I am trying to cook Swiss steak with stewed tomatoes and mushrooms that is from an instant pot recipe. Can I do that?

Hi Debbie – yes, you can cook any recipe that is created for the Instant Pot in your Power Pressure Cooker XL.

I just bought a Geek Chef 11-in-1 electric pressure cooker and the instructional booklet is not very helpful. The rice setting is 10 minutes but everything I see online for other brands says to cook rice for 3-5 minutes! Are all pressure cookers generally the same for times? Like I know the interwebs are full of recipes for the InstantPot – can I use those recipes and times on my pressure cooker? Or do I need to return this one and just get the IP brand instead?

Hi Kaitlyn – I’m not familiar with the Geek Chef pressure cooker, but 10 minutes does seem like a long time unless it cooks at low pressure? You should be able to use all of my recipes and Instant Pot recipes in your electric pressure cooker, and just use the time specified in the recipe.

Okay, thank you! I don’t see any way of differentiating between low pressure and high pressure on this machine. There are pre-set buttons, but they don’t specify low/high pressure anywhere – not even in the instructions.

Sounds like it’s similar to the Power Pressure XL https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/how-to-use-the-power-pressure-cooker-xl/ Perhaps that post would help. If you prefer more control, you might like the Instant Pot better.

Just bought the power xl. Very disappointed ! We have tried to use but we can’t get the top to go on properly. We have watched the video 5 times but our pot just won’t lock. Any suggestions.

Hi Linda – sometimes the inner liner that has the gasket on it is installed upside down. Make sure you can see the knob as shown in the picture of the lid.

Hi, I’m a first user. My husband gave it to me for Mother’s day. For health reasons I had to make a radical eating habits and I became a vegan.

Hi Graciela – what a great Mother’s Day gift. The pressure cooker is great for whole grains and dried beans.

my son has just bought a Tower 5litre electric pressure cooker, i have always used one on the hob, we are puzzled as to what setting and for how long you would cook just basic potatoes, the instructions that have come with it are next to useless!, thanks

Read this a few weeks ago after buying my Belinni (instant type pot in Australia). Thank you so much. Just gobbled down a second helping of Putenesca that I made for the first time today in my pressure cooker. Soooo fab. (Used recipe from taste.com)
Next: cheese cake….but which one? Decisions decisions…
Can’t thank you enough ?

Hello! I received my Instant Pot for Christmas and am still trying to figure it out before getting too frustrated. My confusion is: When I lock the lid it automatically start as pressure build. Once that is done how do I change the setting for the type of cooking I’m doing? I’ve been turning it off then setting but I’m sure there’s a better way.

Hi Chris – yes, you’ll need to press the cancel button first before selecting a new setting. The Instant Pot will not automatically start to build pressure when the lid is put in the locked position unless you’ve selecting a pressure cooking function – sometimes the float valve will rise if you’ve been sauteing or pressure cooking previously and there is steam in the pot but unless you’ve selected a pressure cooking function, it will not come to pressure. I hope that clarifies things for you. Have fun!

Oh good, at least I was doing that right. However, is there a trick to changing the time on the automatic timer setting?

I’m sure you’re doing lots right 🙂 The timer – is for delayed cooking. You need to select a cooking function first, make any adjustments, then press the timer button and adjust with the “+” and “-” buttons.

A question … I have an Instant Pot and one of the recipes which involves steaming calls for the use of “the Glasswork.” I searched for what “Glasswork” is and it seems to be the common glass storage containers usable in microwaves and ovens. Is this correct?

I’ve never heard the term glasswork before either. Maybe it’s a British word? But any dish that is oven safe is safe to use in the Instant Pot. Have fun!

Hi Barbara. I bought a JHS8 pressure cooker for my daughter. We can’t find a manual and the digital panel is still a mystery. Could you please help with a link or step by step instructions. We cooked a whole chicken but had to repeat the cooking time again.
Thabk you so much.
Birgit

Hi Birgit – I haven’t used a JHS8, but it looks like it would operate very similarly to the Power Pressure Cooker XL https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/how-to-use-the-power-pressure-cooker-xl/

My husband and I retire the end of March 2017 and will be doing some travel with our 5th wheel. I would like to purchase an Instant Pot but which model. I have used a stove top pressure cooker for years and love it. Any help on selecting the right one?

I just got a savoureux pro line for Christmas, haven’t found to much info on it or recipes..Want to make some southern pinto beans and cornbread..Any links or ideas

My husband bought me a Farberware 7-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker. It’s an exclusive at Walmart, and there is hardly any info out there on it. The instructions are not very good, and there are only a handful of recipes in the recipe book. They aren’t even basic recipes. I keep seeing all these recipes telling me which buttons to press, but I don’t know how that translates to mine. Sigh! I really want to make this work. Are you familiar with that pressure cooker?

Hi Debra – here’s a video someone did that does a pretty good job of showing how to use the Farberware. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMcd3HUPGfU It similar to the Power Pressure, so I think this post will help as well https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/how-to-use-the-power-pressure-cooker-xl/. Have fun!

Ok, thank you. I’m hoping more comes available. The funny thing is that you would think you could learn something from the recipes they provide, which I did learn a bit. However, they have this one recipe for cinnamon roll bread pudding, and they put it on the chicken setting. LOL How on earth would you know that for another recipe? smh

Since all of the pressure cooker buttons generally cook the same way and are just preset times, they used the chicken button because the time was the closet to the cook time for the bread pudding. You could write down what the preset times are and then use the button with the time you want to use for your recipe.

I just bought a Cuisinart CPC-600 and I have never used one. I cooked a recipe tonight for basically chunky chili with chuck roast and it was so delicious. I am intimidated by it, but I’m hoping with your wonderful site that I will be humming along in no time. Thanks for putting all this handy information together in one place for us newbies! Happy New Year!

Hi Sondra – if your pressure cooker has a slow cooker button, just select the button. You can cook with the pressure cooker lid on with the valve open or closed depending on if you want a little evaporation or not. You could also use a lid from your pots and pans if you have one that fits. Have fun!

Since I’m so used to my Cuisinart pressure cooker and haven’t taken my Instant Pot out of the box to really study up on it, I’m pinning this because I know I’ll be referring to it a lot. Thanks so much Barbara–and Happy New Year! 🙂

Used my pressure cooker to cook my Christmas ham. Loved it. It took less than an hour, and very little mess , plus everyone loved it

So pleased to have found you. I have an electric pressure cooker but have only used it once so far to cook a steak and kidney pud. Not very successful but the steak and kidney was good just the suet crust lid was too dry. Am collecting recipes as the two books I have bought are aimed at stove top rather than electric, so found those books somewhat confusing. My first pressure cooker in the seventies I did use a few times but it was a little intimidating because of the hissing and noise. The electric one I feel safer with.

Hi Sandra – I’m glad you found me too. The new electric pressure cookers are super safe, quiet and so easy. Have fun!

I am so happy I found your site. I just received an InstantPot 7 in 1 for Christmas and I can’t wait to prepare a meal in it. Your site is packed full of tips and tricks. After reading through some of your articles, the appliance doesn’t seem so intimidating. Thank you.

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