Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I got an Instant Pot for Christmas!

I watched one video and learned a ton more than I did reading the manual :giggle

What is your favorite trick or thing to do in your Instant Pot?


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Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I LOVE my instant pot and use it ALL the time.

My best advice is to actually do the water test first. Not that it itself is important, but more that the process of doing that really helped me to feel comfortable with how the pot actually functions so I had a better grip on what to expect, what is normal, and what isn't. I think I would have stressed out had there been real food that cost real money in there the first time. :lol

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

What's the water test?


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Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

It's in the manual. You basically put water in the pot and do a test run. :yes

If you google, a lot of blogs and youtube videos come up explaining it too.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I say if you are going to do the water test you may as well make hard boiled eggs.

I've been making chicken "fried" rice in it lately which is easy and convenient. We make rice a lot. I also make stew and one great thing is that I can brown 4 pounds of Hamburger at once without standing at the stove with a spatula and no draining the grease!

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I didn't do the water test, I just made rice as a test. The more you use it, the easier it gets but the first few times can be a little baffling.


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Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I didn't do the water test either :shifty

I love making hard boiled eggs in there. They peel so much easier than doing it the normal way! :yes

I cook crock pot soups a lot in there and get the same results in much less time. My favorite is butternut squash soup.

I have made refried beans in there a few times as well - they turn out so well!

I do a lot of chicken in there, too.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

Yea, I realize I'm in the minority of people who actually do the test. :lol I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist with my cooking devices. As in, I also actually read the manual. :lol

THIS is why I did the test. I was baffled a few times during the water test. Just surprised at some things like how long it took to get up to pressure, etc. I was glad that my baffle happened when there was no food in there to worry about messing up. But again, for me, that comes back down to my food perfectionism. :bag

All that to say, once I get comfortable with an appliance, I follow no rules ever. :lol All recipes and cooking rules become guidelines to me. I wing pretty much everything I put in the IP now and it all comes out amazing! :heart

Whatever you do, you'll get a hang of it quickly! Like everyone else said, the first few times can be a bit of a learning curve but you will very quickly become a pro!

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I did the water test!! :highfive :giggle

For hard boiled eggs, I add 1 cup water, the little rack, and about 18 eggs. Manual for 6 minutes, quick release, then an ice bath. Perfect!

Pot roast is pretty awesome in the IP. 1 Tbsp oil. Saute "adjust more." Wait until the display reads "Hot." Put the roast in to sear it, 5-10 minutes per side. Then add 1 c broth, 1 Tbsp tamari, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, and whatever other seasonings you like. Manual pressure for 45 mintues for a 3 lb roast.

Jasmine rice: Rinse the rice well. Put in equal amount water and rice. Manual pressure for 8 minutes. Quick release. (If you don't rinse the rice you'll need more water.)

For quinoa, rinse it well, and cook for only ONE MINUTE.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I received one for Christmas too and it scares me :lol My fear is that it will explode and the noises freak me out. I've used it three times so far. The meat is so tender!!

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

Is there a difference between an instant pot and a pressure cooker, or is it the same? I have a pressure cooker my mom bought for me that I never use because it scares me too, but my mom used to make the best roasts in one.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

same thing

instant pot is a brand of electric pressure cooker

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

Instant pot is a brand of electric pressure cooker, however, it has 6 additional (or 5 additional if you buy the 6in1) features in it. The pressure cooker part is just 1 of the features, although the main selling point of it. :yes

Also from what I understand the Instant Pot implemented additional safety measures that previous pressure cookers did not. But I truly don't know any details about what those are or if they really are more safe than other brands or if it's a sales gimmick. :shrug3

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

It's a programmable pressure cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, and slow cooker.

I may buy a second one, eventually. I use mine for rice as often as I use it for a pressure cooker.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

Mine is still sitting in the box!

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

Unbox that beautiful thing! You'll fall in love! We'll talk you through it. :yes :heart

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

:bump

I did HB eggs earlier this week, and I'm trying "baked" potatoes now.


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Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I will continually and forever sing the praises of the IP. :yes I use it multiple times a week.

Are you looking for some recipes? Tips? Other?

The other night I made a delicious creamy chicken recipe that I served over mashed potatoes. Kids loved and it wanted leftovers in their school lunches the next day. But the mashed potatoes were gone. In the morning, before school, I steamed a few potatoes in 13 minutes in the IP, mashed them, and they were ready to pack in their lunches. :rockon

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I'm looking for mostly tips, ideas and hacks and shortcuts I haven't thought of, and some recipes.


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Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

Coconut lemon curry chicken -- Sooooo easy!
1 can coconut milk
1/4 c lemon juice
1 tsp turmeric
1 Tbsp curry powder
1/2 tsp salt

Mix sauce. Add 4 chicken breasts. (Mine were frozen.)

Poultry button. (Add 10 minutes for frozen)

Release when you need to. NPR or QR, doesn't matter.

Shred & serve over rice.

This is very mild. I might kick it up a bit next time. More curry, less lemon, more salt.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I've had my IP for two months & the seal is already so stretched that it will not stay in place. I had two dishes book dry.
I am not very impressed. I contacted IP, but haven't heard back, yet.
In the meantime, I ordered a few extra seals from Amazon.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

Oh wow! That would be super frustrating! I've had mine for months and use it a lot and have had no issues. :think I hope that IP CS backs up their product for you. Lmk what they say when you hear from them (if you do).

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

There's conflicting recommendations as to whether you should put the Instant pot seal ring in the dishwasher or not. one book says yes and one book says no. Even customer service is giving conflicting messages there.


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Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I always hand wash all components of the IP. I figure better safe than sorry. I have put the stainless steel interior pot in the dishwasher a time or two but even that I usually just handwash super quick.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I put my seal in the dishwasher if I cook something highly seasoned/fragrant. I've had mine over a year and use it 2-3x a week, no issues.

I'm really sorry you're having issues, Sundance. They definitely should send you a new seal.

Have you posted this on their social media?

---------- Post added at 11:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:23 AM ----------

This looks great! I have panang curry paste that is amazing. I'm going to try it this way.

So, what do you do when your IP has the entree and you need rice? I hate cooking rice on the stove.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I cook my rice on the stove. :shrug I have heavy bottom stainless pots that make it easy.

Do you have the tools to do pot in pot? Then you could do the rice and main dish together.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I still have my old rice cooker and just use that. I love rice in the IP but you're right, usually when I'm making rice, I'm making something in the IP. Plus I find the rice cooker to be just as convenient as the IP.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I think I need a second IP.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I definitely think this regularly. However it's in direct opposite to my minimalist wannabe aspirations. :bag So that's what holds me back.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I got a second one for Christmas. It's great.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

Yeah, money is holding me back. I got rid of my rice cooker years ago. My crock pot has been in a closet ever since I got my IP. So, if I get a second IP I could donate the crock pot. :think

:highfive

I'm going to try and hold out until Christmas. They usually go on sale for cyber week.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I used 2 crockpots and my IP yesterday :shifty

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

So pressure cooker, rice cooker, and slow cooker :think

We have 2 pressure cookers and a slow cooker but.... I want another pressure cooker because I have small and huge -- I keep wondering if IP is best way to go. The huge pressure cookies is too huge to be on my stovetop all the time :think so often I could use a second not enormous pressure cooker

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

:yes If you're in the market for another pressure cooker, I'd definitely go IP.

I LOVE that i can use it for all the functions and I do regularly. :yes

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

Good idea!
I filed complaint & ordered new rings last Wednesday. The rings arrived yesterday (which is crazy, because this is Canada & things don't ship fast), and I haven't heard from IP, yet.
So I posted the above, basically, on their wall, saying I hoped they'd resolve it quickly. They didn't answer yesterday & when I looked through their wall, there were lots of complaints, sitting there unanswered.

There's definitely something else wrong with my IP, too. The lid is hard to put on (it's like there's pressure as soon as I put the lid on & the valve pops up. I have to wiggle and shake it down & I think that knocks the ring off track). Then when it's on, the pressure valve won't come up & pressure won't build, but it starts counting, anyways & if I'm not right there, it boils dry :(

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

:( I have heard of a few people having big issues like this. I hope they resolve yours. Definitely keep us up to date.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I submitted pics of my IP & a video of it doing what it shouldn't, on my ticket.
They replied that it looked like a pressure sensor was malfunctioning & that they would send me a new base.
My IP package arrived yesterday & it was a complete new kit!!

I am quite impressed with their customer service (though it was slow at first & I did have to push a bit too have my ticket sent to their technical department)! :heart

The new pot must be an updated version, because it has a "cake" and "egg" buttons (though the model number is still the same)

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

Awesome! So glad to hear such a good review!

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I am wanting to love my IP, but so far, I am just "meh" about it.
The boiled eggs came out well, but it wasn't any quicker than my regular method.
I couldn't fit my roast in, so I had to use my crock pot.

I hoped it would be a life saver on busy nights we have activities, but so far, I haven't figured out how to really utilize it.

Re: Instant Pot for Newbies
 

I am an IP lover, and fwiw, I still do hard boiled eggs on the stove. :shrug3

I do use it for many things tho. For example, tonight I wanted to make mashed potatoes, and peeled and steamed the potatoes in 15 minutes in the IP instead of much longer on stove top...

I also love cooking bone broth and dried beans in the IP. HUGE time saver. :heart