An Instant Pot is an excellent cooking device, offering a simple way to pull together a dish with minimal work. It can be super helpful for seniors but it can be tricky to understand if it’s your first time using the tool.
Although it can seem intimidating, the Instant Pot is very straightforward with infinite uses. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most helpful tips for using the Instant Pot, whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro.
1. Watch Out for the Steam
One of the first things to remember with the Instant Pot is to watch out for the steam. Whether the device is building up pressure to cook or releasing it at the end of the cooking process, the steam can build up to temperatures up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, which will easily burn any skin that gets in the way.
It’s also vital to place the Instant Pot where the steam isn’t under any cabinets that could be damaged by the hot steam. Ensure nothing, from your skin to cupboards, isn’t under the vent valve.
2. Get Help Lifting If Necessary
The Instant Pot is much heavier than many cooking devices, especially if you don’t store it on the counter or need to take it to a secondary location. According to one study, adults who don’t move often will experience significant muscle loss in their later years. Rather than trying to carry the Instant Pot, get someone to assist with movement.
Never try to move the Instant Pot when it’s under pressure. It could explode and seriously injure you and anyone else around.
3. Read the Recipe Carefully
Cooking in the Instant Pot often requires more precision than cooking on a stove, especially considering the cooking time. Ensure you read the recipe carefully to know what liquid goes in the container, how long to cook the product, and what type of pressure release the meal needs for a proper cooking experience.
4. Ensure There’s Liquid in the Pot
Since the Instant Pot needs to build up pressure to cook, placing liquid inside the container is a requirement. Before starting the cooking process, ensure there is at least one cup of liquid in the pot. It can be anything and is typically included in the recipe.
Common types of liquid to place in the container include water, broth, soup, milk, and more. If you don’t have liquid inside your Instant Pot before cooking, it could burn the products and ruin the recipe. If you see a BURN warning on the Instant Pot, turn it off as soon as possible.
5. Know Your Acronyms
Many recipes use Instant Pot lingo instead of fully spelling out the words. If you search for recipes online, it’s helpful to know some of the shorter terms for the pot.
Common acronyms include the following:
- IP: Instant Pot
- PC: Pressure Cooker
- EPC: Electric Pressure Cooker
- LP: Low Pressure
- HP: High Pressure
- NR: Natural Release
- NPR: Natural Pressure Release
6. Plan for Extended Time
The Instant Pot will indeed shorten the time needed to cook certain dishes. However, it’s also true that the stated cook time will not be how long it takes the meal to cook from the time you close the lid to the time it’s done. You must allow time for the pressure to build in the machine.
It can take anywhere from 10-30 minutes for the pressure to grow inside the Instant Pot. If you’re cooking on a deadline, ensure you provide yourself with more than enough time to get it done.
7. Know Which Components Are Dishwasher Safe
It might seem tempting to throw every component of the Instant Pot in the dishwasher, but not all pieces are dishwasher safe. If you throw certain parts in the dishwasher, they will break and be unwashable. Every part can be washed in the dishwasher except for the cooker base.
If you aren’t sure about a component, ensure you ask for help. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
8. Use a Stick to Release Pressure
According to one study, loss of mobility is a serious issue in older adults. Thus, it can be tricky to press the pressure release valve safely with your hand. To play it safe, ensure you use a stick, a long wooden spoon, or something similar to release the pressure if necessary.
With the steam released in the Instant Pot, it’s always ideal to keep your distance. Practice releasing the pressure before it’s turned on to ensure you’ve mastered the process first.
9. Don’t Open When the Float Valve is Up
There is a float valve on top of the Instant Pot to reveal when there’s high pressure inside, which is when the product isn’t safe to use. If the float valve is up, there is extreme pressure inside the Instant Pot. No matter what you do, refrain from opening the pot.
The float valve is instrumental for your safety. If you don’t know whether it’s up or down, ask for assistance.
10. Open With Care
Burns are dangerous and, if serious enough and left untreated, can become infected in time. To avoid burns with the Instant Pot, always open with care. Put on a glove to open the lid and do not put your face over the top.
Many forget how hot the steam is inside the Instant Pot, even after it’s done cooking. Keep your distance and protect your arm when opening.
11. Buy a Specialty Cookbook
Our final tip for cooking with an Instant Pot is to invest in a specialty cookbook. The Instant Pot has been around long enough that there are specialty cookbooks dedicated to using the tool in the kitchen. Since there are very specific cooking methods for the Instant Pot, a specialty cookbook is a tremendous help.
Once you master the specialty cookbook, it’s possible to begin creating your magnificent recipes with your Instant Pot. Like anything, it will take time and practice to master the art of the Instant Pot.
Ready to up your cooking game with the instant pot? Check out our Instant Pot Recipes for Seniors to get started. Not quite ready? An air fryer can be a good stepping stone before investing in an instant pot. In that case, check out our air fryer recipes for seniors.
Related: 10 Best Air Fryers for Seniors
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