FAQs
From quick weeknight meals to mastering pressure release, we know there can be a learning curve when trying something new. That’s why we’ve gathered the questions our customers ask most often and answered them clearly and simply. Browse the sections below to find the guidance you need and get the very best from your Instant Pot.
General
DO NOT continue to operate the appliance. Contact Customer Support for assistance.
NO – DO NOT leave the appliance unattended while in use
NO – To avoid electrical shock and damaging your appliance, DO NOT immerse power cord, plug, or the appliance in water or other liquid. DO NOT rinse the appliance under a tap.
Instant Pot® models sold for use in the UK are designed for 220–240 V outlets only.
Do not use the appliance in electrical systems outside of the voltage range listed above, even with adapters or converters.
NO – Use a grounded outlet only. DO NOT remove ground. DO NOT use an adapter. DO NOT use an extension cord.
NO – DO NOT operate the appliance after it has been dropped or damaged in any manner.
After every use – Let the appliance cool to room temperature before cleaning or storage. Clean the appliance and all of its accessories after each use.
The skin should be pierced prior to cooking. When cooking meat with skin (e.g. sausage with casing), the skin can swell when heated. DO NOT pierce the skin while it is swollen; this could result in scalding personal injury and/or property damage.
Ensure that the power cord is firmly plugged into a grounded outlet. If your model has a detachable power cord, ensure it is also firmly plugged into the back of the appliance. Try using a different outlet. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury and/or property damage. If you are still experiencing issues please contact customer support.
Wipe the control panel with a damp cloth and dry it completely to remove any residual food debris. If the control panel is still unresponsive, contact our customer support.
NO – NEVER place your appliance on a stovetop, even if the stovetop is not in use. Place it on a stable, level surface, away from combustible material and external heat sources.
NO – DO NOT move your appliance while in use. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury and/or property damage.
If purchased through Instant Pot, please see our contact us form for any queries regarding your order or delivery. If not purchased through Instant Pot, please return to your point of purchase for any queries as the responsibility for their orders and deliveries lies with them.
Where not faulty or damaged on delivery, all non-disposable items are fully guaranteed for a period of 12 months. Please see the relevant product manual for details.
This Warranty extends only to the original purchaser, use of the appliance in the UK and EU and must be purchased by an authorised distributor of Instant Pot Brands. This warranty does not cover appliance use outside of the UK and EU.
Delivery typically takes 3-5 working days, or up to 7 working days if you are based in Northern Ireland. We use DPD for whole product deliveries, who will contact you via text when your order is out for delivery. For any other order inquiries, please reach out to uksupport@instantpot.com.
Pressure Cookers
Our Instant Pots operate in hours and minutes for timing functions, meaning the 00:00 display will read as HH:MM. Thus, a cook time of two minutes would be shown as 00:02, while an hour would be displayed as 01:00.
Scenario 1 Possible Reason: Sealing ring not properly installed Solution: Reposition the sealing ring, ensure it is snug behind sealing ring rack
Scenario 2 Possible Reason: Float valve in the popped-up position Solution: Gently press the float valve downward with a long utensil
Scenario 3 Possible Reason: Contents in the cooker are still hot Solution: Set the steam release handle towards “Venting” position (if applicable), then lower lid onto cooker base slowly, allowing heat to dissipate
We recommend using the steam rack to lift foods out of the cooking liquid. This will ensure even heat distribution. Plus it prevents nutrients from leeching into the cooking liquid and stops burning on the bottom of the inner pot.
Yes, you can. When pressure cooking pasta choose dry noodles with a minimum recommended cooking time of 8 minutes (a shorter time will not pressure cook well), then cut that time in half (8 minutes becomes 4 minutes). Follow your recipe for liquid levels. Submerge pasta if possible, but do not stir.
Instant Pots are categorised by referring to the number of appliances a single Instant Pot can replace.
For example, the Duo 7-in-1 replaces the following appliances: Pressure cooker, slow cooker, sauté pan, steamer, rice cooker, yogurt maker and food warmer.
Some Instant Pots, like the Duo Evo™ Plus are so versatile it’s impossible to say how many products it can replace! The Duo Evo Plus is a pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sous vide, sauté, food warmer, cake maker, and stock pot to name a few—and it can do so much more!
Instant Pots are available in a variety of sizes. 3L, 5.7L or 8L.
3L: Called the “Mini”, this size is perfect when cooking for just 1 or 2 people, or for preparing side dishes or rice.
5.7L: This size is suitable for up to 6 portions and is our most popular size.
8L: Cook for up to 8 people or use it for large batch meal preparation.
Visit our Product Comparison Chart for details on all models.
Pressure cooking has many advantages, among which is saving time and energy, preserving nutrients and eliminating harmful micro-organisms from food are most significant.
The Initial Test Run helps you become familiar with how your Instant Pot works, ensures the cooker is operating at peak performance, and sterilizes the cooking chamber so you can start preparing your delicious dishes right away.
After sautéing and before pressure cooking, always deglaze the bottom of the pot by scraping it with a wooden spoon and a bit of liquid (water, stock, wine) to remove any burnt-on or caramelised bits.
Ingredients that are high in sugar content may trigger the burn warning.
We recommend caution when cooking food such as applesauce, cranberries, pearl barley, oatmeal or other cereals, split peas, noodles, macaroni, rhubarb or spaghetti, as they tend to foam, froth or spatter and can cause clogging. When preparing these foods, do not fill the inner pot higher than the — 1/2 line as indicated on the inner pot and followed a trusted recipe.
Note: Regular cleaning of the lid and its parts (e.g., steam release handle, anti-block shield, steam release pipe and float valve) is important for proper function and to ensure the cooker’s longevity.
Combination Cookers
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer is capable of replacing your traditional pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, and food warmer. It also stands in as an air fryer, roaster, mini-oven, grill and food dehydrator.
The Initial Test Run helps you become familiar with how your Instant Pot works, ensures the cooker is operating at peak performance, and sterilizes the cooking chamber so you can start preparing your delicious dishes right away.
Yes! You can adjust the time, temperature and pressure level even after the Instant Pot has started cooking.
The Duo Crisp begins when you press Start, and displays On to indicate that pre-heating has begun. When the cooker builds up enough pressure the float valve rises, then the cooker beeps and counts down the cooking time.
Air Fryers
Condensation in these windows is completely normal as the two windows are not completely sealed due to safety reasons. This can be more prominent when cooking foods with high water content. To help eliminate the condensation we recommend running a test run or two. If you notice any change in use or cooking please contact customer support.
No, the Vortex Plus 5.7L is slightly wider than the Vortex Clear Cook 5.7L so the basket will not fit. Only use the replacement cooking basket (black or stainless steel) inside the Vortex Plus 5.7L.
Our Vortex models operate in hours and minutes for timing functions, meaning the 00:00 display will read as HH:MM. Thus, a cook time of two minutes would be shown as 00:02, while an hour would be displayed as 01:00. Most Vortex programs can be set up to a maximum of 1 hours (or 01:00).
Air fryers use a powerful fan to circulate hot air around food to quickly brown and give it a distinctive crispy, deep-fried flavour and texture without the deep frying. The Vortex reaches a maximum temperature of 205°C / 400°F.
Yes! Air frying is a healthier choice in food preparation. Instead of submerging food in oil or fat, simply toss your food in a small amount of oil (as little as 2 tablespoons) to create beautiful, crispy golden French fries, chicken wings, fish and courgette sticks, mushroom caps, and much more.
We recommend preheating the Vortex as most food items benefit greatly from the immediate high heat of a preheated cooking chamber — preheating only takes 5 minutes!
Check out the cleaning guidance in your product manual here.
All non-ClearCook drawers are dishwasher safe.
Currently, none of the Vortex ClearCook range drawers are dishwasher safe and should only by washed by hand.
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