Your brand-new Instant Pot, still in its box, looks impressive—maybe even a little intimidating. Don’t worry: it’s easy to use and will make cooking faster and more convenient. Ready to unbox your Instant Pot Duo Plus? This beginner’s guide will walk you through the essentials. Join me in the kitchen!
When I first bought a pressure cooker (the Crock-Pot Express), I left it in the box for days. Like new shoes, I saved it for a “special occasion.” Looking back, I don’t know why I waited. Once you start using your Instant Pot, you’ll wonder why you delayed. There are so many great pressure cooker recipes to try. So go ahead—take it out of the box and let this Instant Pot Beginner Guide introduce you to pressure cooking.
Table of Contents
What Is In The Instant Pot Duo Plus Box?
My Instant Pot Duo Plus arrived in two layers of packaging: a protective outer box and the official Instant Pot box. Contents can vary by region, but typically you’ll find:
- Instant Pot Duo Plus cooker base
- Stainless steel inner pot
- Pressure cooker lid
- Power cord
- Trivet (steaming rack)
- Additional colored sealing ring
Some packages also include a rice measuring cup, a rice spatula, or a soup ladle. Check your box so you know what extras you received.
The Inner Pot
The Instant Pot includes a removable stainless-steel inner pot. Before first use, remove the inner pot and wash it with warm soapy water, rinse, and dry. Clean the lid and sealing ring as well.
Warning: Never immerse the outer cooker base in water—the exterior contains the heating element and electronics and must be kept dry.
The Crock-Pot Express often includes a nonstick inner pot by default. If you prefer nonstick, you can buy a nonstick inner pot for the Instant Pot separately, which is handy to have as a second pot.
Warning
Do not submerge the Instant Pot base. Only the inner pot and removable accessories should be washed. The base contains electrical components that must stay dry.
How To Use The Instant Pot Lid
How To Open And Close The Instant Pot Lid
The lid and housing have clear markings to guide you:
- On the housing, a lock and unlock symbol on the black ring show lid position.
- On the lid, close, triangle, and open markings indicate the rotation direction.
- To close: align the unlock triangle on the housing with the inverted triangle on the lid, place the lid on, then turn left to lock.
- To open: turn the lid right until the triangles align and lift the lid off.
The Duo Plus model offers multiple presets and buttons for common cooking tasks, making it easy to choose the correct program.
Pressure Cook
Use the Pressure Cook setting when you need fast, high-heat cooking. Make sure the lid is closed and the sealing ring is correctly installed—otherwise pressure can’t build.
On the Duo Plus, you typically don’t need to manually set the steam release valve; some earlier models require switching the valve to a sealed position. Select a preset or choose Pressure Cook, then set or adjust the cooking time. After a few seconds the unit enters a preheat cycle; the display will show “On” and a preheating symbol. When pressure is reached, the set cooking time appears and the countdown begins.
You may hear sputtering or hissing noises during preheat and while the cooker builds pressure—this is normal. When the timer finishes, the Instant Pot will beep and automatically switch to Keep Warm. Press Cancel to stop cooking completely.
Slow Cook
The Slow Cook function works like a traditional slow cooker. Select the Slow Cook option and close the lid. You do not need to lock the steam release valve for slow cooking—the valve can remain loose and should be removable for cleaning.
Sauté
The Sauté function allows you to brown and sauté ingredients directly in the inner pot. When sautéing, leave the lid off—treat the inner pot like a skillet. The Duo Plus includes a built-in lid fin on both sides to hold the lid upright while you cook, which keeps the counter clean and the lid within reach.
How To Use The Trivet In The Instant Pot Duo Plus
The trivet (steamer rack) is useful when you need to keep food above the water—use it for steaming vegetables, cooking eggs, or baking a cake in a springform pan. The Instant Pot’s trivet usually has long handles for easy lifting of pots and pans. If you have a Crock-Pot model, its trivet may not include long handles, so use a sling or tongs when removing hot items.
Condensation Collector Cup on the Instant Pot
Pressure cooking creates condensation that collects in the lid. Excess moisture can drip onto the rim, so Instant Pot includes a condensation collector cup. It’s attached with tape for shipping—remove the tape and slide the collector into its slot at the back of the cooker to catch drips.
Start Using Your Instant Pot
To begin, plug in the power cord and switch your Instant Pot on. You’re now ready to explore the various cooking modes and try your first recipes. This Instant Pot Beginner Guide covers the essentials so you can start confidently.
If you make a recipe, tag @fastfoodbistro on social media to share your results and see more recipes and tips from the community.