Depending on your Instant Pot model there are a variety of pre-programmed buttons for easy use. Here is a listing of the programs and recommended settings.
Program |
Model |
Setting |
Cooking Option |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bean/ Chili | All Series | Less | Firmer texture | Choose setting based on bean texture desired, or adjust cook time manually.
When cooking beans or legumes, always use NR to release pressure. |
| Normal | Soft texture | |||
| More | Very soft texture | |||
| Cake | Duo Plus | Less | Lighter moist cake | Adjust cook time as directed in recipe. |
| Normal | Denser moist cake | |||
| More | Cheesecakes | |||
| Egg | All Series | Less | Soft -boiled eggs | Pre-set times are intended for extra large eggs. Adjust cooking time to account for different sized eggs.
Plunge eggs into ice bath to prevent overcooking. |
| Normal | Medium -boiled eggs | |||
| More | Hard-boiled eggs | |||
| Meat/ Stew | All Series | Less | Soft meat texture | Choose setting based on meat texture desired, or adjust cook time manually.
Allow meat to “rest” for 5-30 minutes, depending on size. It will reabsorb cooking juices for tender, succulent meat. |
| Normal | Very soft meat texture | |||
| More | Fall-off-the-bone meat texture | |||
| Multigrain | All series (6 & 8 quart) | Less | Brown rice, wild rice, black beans, chickpeas, etc. | Select “Less” or “Normal” based on type of grain and desired texture.
Ensure dry beans are completely submerged in water. |
| Normal | Brown rice, wild rice, mung beans, etc. | |||
| More | Tough grains or a mixture of grains and beans | Begins with 45 minutes of warm water soaking time prior to 60 minutes of pressure cooking.
Ensure dry beans are completely submerged in water. |
||
| Porridge | All Series | Less | Oatmeal steel cut or rolled | Adjust time as directed in recipe.
Always use NR to release pressure when cooking foods that expand. |
| Normal | White rice porridge/congee | |||
| More | Rice porridge/congee with a mixture of various grains | |||
| Poultry | Duo (6 & 8 quart) | Less | Soft texture | Choose setting based on meat texture desired, or adjust cook time manually.
Allow poultry to “rest” for 5-10 minutes, depending on size. It will reabsorb cooking juices for tender, succulent meat. |
| Normal | Very soft texture | |||
| More | Fall-off-the-bone texture | |||
| Pressure Cook or Manual | All Series | Manual programming | Press Pressure Level to toggle between High and Low pressure.
Use + / – keys to adjust cook time. Adjust according to recipe or preferred cooking habits |
|
| NA | ||||
| Rice | All Series | Less | Tender but firm to bite | For cooking medium and long-grain white rice. Use 10-Minute Natural Release after cooking for perfect results. |
| Normal | Normal texture white rice | |||
| More | Softer texture white rice | |||
| Sauté | All Series | Less | Simmering, thickening, and reducing liquids | The display switching from “Hot” to “On” indicates cooker is maintaining temperature.
If recipe ingredients are added before “Hot” message appears, it may not appear at all. As a safety precaution, maximum time is 30 minutes and cannot be adjusted. |
| Normal | Pan searing or sautéing | |||
| More | Stir-frying or browning meat | |||
| Slow Cook | All Series | Less | Corresponds to LOW on most temperature controlled slow cookers | Follow recipe directions for slow cooking.
For best results, use the Instant Pot tempered glass lid. If using the stainless steel lid, ensure steam release handle is set to “Venting” position. |
| Normal | Corresponds to MED on some temperature controlled slow cookers | |||
| More | Corresponds to HIGH on most temperature controlled slow cookers | |||
| Soup/ Broth | All Series | Less | Soup without meat | Liquid remains clear due to lack of boiling motion.
Due to high liquid content of most soups, always use NR to release pressure. |
| Normal | Soup with meat | |||
| More | Rich bone broth | |||
| Steam | All Series | Less | Vegetables | Use steam rack provided to elevate food from cooking liquid.
Use QR to prevent food from overcooking. |
| Normal | Fish and seafood | |||
| More | Meat | |||
| Sterilize | Duo Plus | Less | No pressure steam sterilization | Suitable for tempered glass and heat-resistant plastics. |
| Normal | Sterilization of baby bottles, jars, utensils and water-bath canning of acidic fruits and vegetables. | Low pressure hot water bath canning. | ||
| More | Sterilization of baby bottles, jars, utensils and water-bath canning of acidic fruits and vegetables. | High pressure hot water bath canning. | ||
| Yogurt | Duo, Duo Plus | Less | For Jiu Niang, a sweet fermented glutinous rice dessert | Default fermentation time is 24:00 hours.Adjust time based on recipe.
Default fermentation time is “08:00” hours Adjust as desired up to “99:30” hours. |
| Normal | Fermenting milk after culture has been added | ‘yogt’ will be displayed on the screen when completed. | ||
| More | Pasteurizing milk | ‘boil’ will be displayed on-screen while Smart Program is running
‘yogt’ will be displayed on the screen when completed |
Program |
Setting |
Cooking Option |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bean/ Chili | Less | Firmer texture | Choose setting based on bean texture desired, or adjust cook time manually.
When cooking beans or legumes, always use NR to release pressure. |
| Normal | Soft texture | ||
| More | Very soft texture | ||
| Cake | Less | Lighter moist cake | Adjust cook time as directed in recipe. |
| Normal | Denser moist cake | ||
| More | Cheesecakes | ||
| Egg | Less | Soft -boiled eggs | Pre-set times are intended for extra large eggs. Adjust cooking time to account for different sized eggs.
Plunge eggs into ice bath to prevent overcooking. |
| Normal | Medium -boiled eggs | ||
| More | Hard-boiled eggs | ||
| Meat/ Stew | Less | Soft meat texture | Choose setting based on meat texture desired, or adjust cook time manually.
Allow meat to “rest” for 5-30 minutes, depending on size. It will reabsorb cooking juices for tender, succulent meat. |
| Normal | Very soft meat texture | ||
| More | Fall-off-the-bone meat texture | ||
| Multigrain | Less | Brown rice, wild rice, black beans, chickpeas, etc. | Select “Less” or “Normal” based on type of grain and desired texture.
Ensure dry beans are completely submerged in water. |
| Normal | Brown rice, wild rice, mung beans, etc. | ||
| More | Tough grains or a mixture of grains and beans | Begins with 45 minutes of warm water soaking time prior to 60 minutes of pressure cooking.
Ensure dry beans are completely submerged in water. |
|
| Porridge | Less | Oatmeal steel cut or rolled | Adjust time as directed in recipe.
Always use NR to release pressure when cooking foods that expand. |
| Normal | White rice porridge/congee | ||
| More | Rice porridge/congee with a mixture of various grains | ||
| Poultry | Less | Soft texture | Choose setting based on meat texture desired, or adjust cook time manually.
Allow poultry to “rest” for 5-10 minutes, depending on size. It will reabsorb cooking juices for tender, succulent meat. |
| Normal | Very soft texture | ||
| More | Fall-off-the-bone texture | ||
| Pressure Cook or Manual | Manual programming | Press Pressure Level to toggle between High and Low pressure.
Use + / – keys to adjust cook time. Adjust according to recipe or preferred cooking habits |
|
| NA | |||
| Rice | Less | Tender but firm to bite | For cooking medium and long-grain white rice. Use 10-Minute Natural Release after cooking for perfect results. |
| Normal | Normal texture white rice | ||
| More | Softer texture white rice | ||
| Sauté | Less | Simmering, thickening, and reducing liquids | The display switching from “Hot” to “On” indicates cooker is maintaining temperature.
If recipe ingredients are added before “Hot” message appears, it may not appear at all. As a safety precaution, maximum time is 30 minutes and cannot be adjusted. |
| Normal | Pan searing or sautéing | ||
| More | Stir-frying or browning meat | ||
| Slow Cook | Less | Corresponds to LOW on most temperature controlled slow cookers | Follow recipe directions for slow cooking.
For best results, use the Instant Pot tempered glass lid. If using the stainless steel lid, ensure steam release handle is set to “Venting” position. |
| Normal | Corresponds to MED on some temperature controlled slow cookers | ||
| More | Corresponds to HIGH on most temperature controlled slow cookers | ||
| Soup/ Broth | Less | Soup without meat | Liquid remains clear due to lack of boiling motion.
Due to high liquid content of most soups, always use NR to release pressure. |
| Normal | Soup with meat | ||
| More | Rich bone broth | ||
| Steam | Less | Vegetables | Use steam rack provided to elevate food from cooking liquid.
Use QR to prevent food from overcooking. |
| Normal | Fish and seafood | ||
| More | Meat | ||
| Sterilize | Less | No pressure steam sterilization | Suitable for tempered glass and heat-resistant plastics. |
| Normal | Sterilization of baby bottles, jars, utensils and water-bath canning of acidic fruits and vegetables. | Low pressure hot water bath canning. | |
| More | Sterilization of baby bottles, jars, utensils and water-bath canning of acidic fruits and vegetables. | High pressure hot water bath canning. | |
| Yogurt | Less | For Jiu Niang, a sweet fermented glutinous rice dessert | Default fermentation time is 24:00 hours.Adjust time based on recipe.
Default fermentation time is “08:00” hours Adjust as desired up to “99:30” hours. |
| Normal | Fermenting milk after culture has been added | ‘yogt’ will be displayed on the screen when completed. | |
| More | Pasteurizing milk | ‘boil’ will be displayed on-screen while Smart Program is running
‘yogt’ will be displayed on the screen when completed |