Home - Taste of Home What Can I Cook in My Instant Pot, Air Fryer, Waffle Iron ...?: Get Geared up, Great Cooking Starts Here

WHAT CAN I COOK IN MY

The Instant Pot is a busy cooks best friend. Its perfect for those days when you have to stop on the way home to pick up ingredients for a fast meal. And because pressure-cooker recipes cook hands-free, theyre a terrific choice when youre working around the house, too.

Using a multipurpose cooker requires some reading and practice, so be patient. It will definitely be worth it in the end. Keep these hints in mind when using your cooker.

Read the instruction manual that came with your electric pressure cooker before you make anything. Not all brands and models are the same, so get to know your pot!

For food safety and efficiency, the total amount of food and liquid should never exceed the maximum level (also known as the max line or the fill line) indicated in the pot.

Make sure the steam-release valve is closed before you start cooking. Even the pros at the Taste of Home Test Kitchen have forgotten to close the valve and returned to see the pot venting instead of building pressure.

The steam-release valve should feel loose to the touch. The steam-release handle works by simply applying pressure on the steam-release pipe. Because the contact between the handle and the pipe is not fully sealed, the valve may release a little bit of steam while the food cooks.

The power cord on some models is removable, which makes the appliance easier to store. If you plug it in and the light doesnt go on, check the cord. Is it attached securely? When the cooker isnt in use, consider storing the cord in the inner pot.

After each use, remove and clean the sealing ring, steam-release valve and anti-block shield. See the facing page for more cleaning tips.

If your pot starts to smell like food even after cleaning it, put the sealing ring through the dishwasher. If that doesnt work, try steam-cleaning: Pour 2 cups water and 1 Tbsp. lemon zest into the inner pot. Place the lid on and run the steam program for 2 minutes. Carefully remove the sealing ring and let it air dry.

HERES HOW TO ADAPT YOUR OWN RECIPES:

PASTA. Cook for half the time called for on the package for boiling to al dente.

RICE. To substitute brown rice for white, increase liquid by cup and cook time by 5 minutes.

GRAVY. Increase the amount of cornstarch or flour a bit, since liquid wont evaporate in the cooker as it does with traditional cooking methods.

A. Appliance

B. Inner pot

C. Lid

D. Sealing ring

E. Anti-block shield

F. Condensation cup

G. Steam rack

STEAM-RELEASE VALVE AND FLOAT VALVE: Its important to wipe food particles off these valves. You dont want anything blocking them, because that would hinder the steam from releasing when you are cooking future meals.

ANTI-BLOCK SHIELD: This is something that many cooks forget. Remove the shield from the lid. After hand-washing it, wipe it with a soft cloth and dry completely. Make sure to secure it in place on the lid before using the appliance.

SEALING RING: The sealing ring can absorb food odors, so youll want to clean it after every use. Wash by hand or in the dishwasher. Ensure its completely dry before placing in the lid.

EXTERIOR: Wipe the exterior of your Instant Pot with a damp cloth as needed. Its important not to submerge the cooker in water since it contains the heating element. When you need to clean the inside of the cooker (not to be confused with the inner pot), use a damp cloth.

LID: After carefully removing the sealing ring and the anti-block shield, wash the lid on the top rack of your dishwasher. It is not necessary to clean the lid after every use, but its not a bad idea to simply give it a good wipe with a clean towel between washes.