Instant Pot Troubles: Recipes Taking Longer and Slow Cooking Issues - What Am I Doing Wrong?

[ekzamenov]

Umm, what setting do you have it on? Low, med or high. Because I've never had that problem.

 

[maidnamerica]

Always cook dried beans first to destroy toxins.

 

[katherinep]

Always surprised at these comments as I use the slow cooker function all the time and it just works, I don’t ever use it on low though

 

[snowe]

@katherinep exactly

 

[cynthiakirkland]

@katherinep same

 

[4everfaithful]

I’ve never had a problem using the slow cooker setting. Although I never use it in the low setting

 

[dabranb2]

When you use slow cooker set the setting to high

 

[ken82]

Don’t cook beans on slow cooker settings

 

[victo09grac]

It may be that you are at a higher altitude? Or making a larger amount of food than the recipe calls for? Or that you haven’t used at least 1 cup of water or broth to create enough steam for the duration you need? Have you done a water test again to see if the heating element and your seal are working properly? If it is none of these things or the water test takes a long time, contact IP customer service.

 

[edy009]

Probably the recipes. Use a credible source: Pressure Luck Cooking

 

[zrm2011]

I don-t use the slow cooker function on the instant pot! I love all the recipes I make!

 

[terebinth44]

@zrm2011 exactly! I am making a pot roast this week for company, and I am sticking with my crockpot…tried and true for certain favorite recipes.

 

[chucklemethis]

I make yummy stuffed peppers in my air fryer

 

[mandymoo]

I agree with a comment below. Nine minutes isn't long enough to cook stuffed peppers.

 

[thivhulawi]

Depending on the generation of IP, that slow cooker button is for decorative purposes only. I actually re-invested in a good crock pot again. I love the IP type things for a lot but it is most definitely not a crock pot.

 

[adman123]

The slow cooker setting on the IP only heats the bottom of the pot so use on high as recommended and don’t use it for a large amount of food.

 

[domdom32]

I use my IP slow cooker function often. The trick is in the prep.
Whether it's a roast, a pot of chili, or chicken and dumplings the trick is to use the pot to prep the ingredients before switching to the slow cook function. I love this because it means I don't have to dirty a separate pan to sear the roast, brown the hamburger, or bake the chicken like I do when using my crockpot. In fact, chicken pressure cooked is much easier to shred.
For example, when I make chili, I use the Sauté function to brown the meat. I drain the grease from the meat in a colander. Meanwhile, I Sauté the onions, garlic, etc and deglaze the pot. Then I add all my other ingredients and set it on Slow Cook on high. Be sure you stir occasionally. Works like a charm.
I've read tons of complaints on this page about the Slow Cook function not heating food well or taking forever compared to a crockpot. I decided to test it one day using my method. I checked the temperature with a digital kitchen thermometer periodically. At 4 hours, my chili was 202⁰F. Plenty hot.

 

[tb6564]

If you are looking to use the pressure cook setting, try pressure luck cooking. 
Pressure Luck Cooking

 

[cheer5]

I’ve never used the slow cooker setting

 

[lilysmith2]

What you are doing wrong is using slow cook in the IP