{"id":405,"date":"2022-10-13T10:34:12","date_gmt":"2022-10-13T10:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kitchendodo.com\/?p=405"},"modified":"2022-10-15T17:16:21","modified_gmt":"2022-10-15T17:16:21","slug":"how-to-tell-if-your-instant-pot-is-sealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kitchendodo.com\/how-to-tell-if-your-instant-pot-is-sealed\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Tell if Your Instant Pot is Sealed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Instant pots are the overachievers of the kitchen appliance world. However, to allow their magic to take place, you must ensure that your instant cooker is sealed. While we believe that the motto for instant pots should be “Seal for a meal,” <\/strong>we also realize that sealing an instant pot is not an easy task.<\/p>\n

Call this article an instant fix for your instant pot because, in this article, we will let you in on all the information you need to know about sealing your instant cooker (and a little more because we are nice that way).<\/p>\n

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How to know if your instant pot is sealed?\"instant-pot\" <\/strong><\/h2>\n

It is vital to correctly seal your instant pot for it to reach the right cooking temperature. Moreover, if your instant pot is not completely sealed, it can damage the functioning of the pot or your kitchen and even harm you.<\/p>\n

The good news is that instant pots and pressure cookers work on similar lines. However, if you are new to both, we have listed some boxes for you to check before you turn on your all-purpose cooking appliance.<\/p>\n

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Check the sealing ring<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The sealing ring is usually a ring made from silicon that is placed on the inside of the instant pot lid. It is perhaps the core element in the entire cooking process because it plays the most important role – it prevents the steam inside the instant pot from escaping the pot.<\/p>\n

Sounds familiar? It works the same way as a pressure cooker gasket. However, if you are new to the concept of sealing rings, these are the three things you need to keep in mind –<\/p>\n

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  • Ensure the sealing ring is completely inside its designated spot inside the lid (it will look like a cavity).<\/li>\n
  • The ring and cavity should be clean.<\/li>\n
  • Since sealing rings can get damaged (cracks, cuts, etc.), make sure your sealing ring is not broken. However, if it is broken, don’t worry; you can replace it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Author’s note – <\/strong>Do not use force with the sealing ring while pulling it out as it may get stretched or stop functioning. Also, keep an extra sealing ring handy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Attach the instant pot lid<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    \"instant-pot-lid\"<\/p>\n

    While the lids vary across instant pot models, the end goal stays the same when it comes to closing the lid. The protruding plastic sides of the lid need to align with the handles of the instant pot. However, aligning it to the handles alone will not close the lid; you need to align the lid with the inside of the instant pot and then turn the lid.<\/p>\n

    In many instant pots (including the ones we get in India), there is an arrow (facing downwards) on the lid and two options on the brim – lock\/close and open. If your instant pot has this, you must align the arrow with the lock\/close option to attach the instant pot lid.<\/p>\n

    If your instant pot is turned on, you might either hear a click or a chime once the lid is attached correctly.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Check the two valves<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Before you get confused, two elements work side-by-side –<\/p>\n

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    • Float valve <\/strong>(traps the heat inside the instant pot) – can be up (do not open because pot is pressurized) or down (safe to open; no sealed heat).<\/li>\n
    • Steam release valve<\/strong> (releases steam) – the steam release valve comes with two options – sealing and venting. While sealing helps keep the pressure inside, venting releases that pressure or steam.\"Steam-release-valve\"<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The original position for the float valve needs to be down, and the original position for the steam release valve needs to be ‘sealed’ for the food to cook. Before your food starts cooking, the instant pot will take some time to reach the pressure required for cooking (depending on the size and model of the pot, what you are cooking, etc.)<\/p>\n

      Once your appliance is turned on and the food starts cooking, steam will release by itself. So, the steam release valve will go from sealing to venting. You might hear a hissing sound, but to know for sure if your instant pot is sealed, look at the float valve (which should be up).<\/p>\n

      Author’s note:<\/strong> If you want to release the pressure from the steam release valve manually, use a wooden spoon instead of your bare hand to turn the steam release valve from sealing to venting while avoiding getting burnt.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Monitor the appliance <\/strong><\/h3>\n

      This step is critical to ensure nothing goes wrong. Once the instant pot is sealed and your food starts cooking, monitor the appliance by checking the following –<\/p>\n

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      • The float valve is up.<\/li>\n
      • The time displayed for cooking is reducing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Author’s note – if you notice steam being released periodically but not constantly, it means there is excess liquid in the pot that is making its way out slowly.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        5 Things you can do to ensure that your instant pot is sealed <\/strong><\/h2>\n

        If your float valve does not go up even after the countdown begins, it means your instant pot is not sealed, and you have a problem with your hands. However, to make troubleshooting easy for you, we have listed the causes behind this.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        1. The basics <\/strong><\/h3>\n

        Sometimes, the problem can be as simple as the instant pot’s power cord being loose. Another cause can be the absence of a float valve or your steam release valve handle missing.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        2. Wrong valve position <\/strong><\/h3>\n

        Check the position of your steam release valve handle. There are two positions – downward or venting and upward or sealing. The handle should be in the sealing position for sealing to work, which means it should be facing upwards.<\/p>\n

        While it is normal for steam release valve handles to be loose, ensure that it is properly seated (if you can move it easily between the two positions, you are good to go).<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        3. Sealing ring <\/strong><\/h3>\n

        There can be multiple problems with the sealing ring –<\/p>\n

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        • The sealing ring is absent.<\/li>\n
        • It is not properly fitted inside the lid cavity. An easy way to find out is by rotating the sealing ring; if you cannot rotate it inside the rack, it is not properly seated.<\/li>\n
        • The sealing ring is damaged or has expanded too much.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

           <\/p>\n

          4. Debris <\/strong><\/h3>\n

          Chances are, one or more elements of your instant pot are not clean. If you find any of these items dirty, clean up and restart the cooking process. Elements where you can find debris include –<\/p>\n