@barnes298 - Welcome to the Instant Pot (IP) World!
Here are some things that helped me when I first got my IP. Do #1 & #2 at the very least! Use the rest of the info as you need it. Think of it as a mini e-book. You can save it on FB or copy and paste it into your device, print it or delete it if it isn’t helpful!
# 1 - READ THE USER MANUAL, at least one time, all the way through, including the warnings! (If there is a code on the box to download a PDF User Manual, be sure to do so. It is usually more comprehensive than the one that came in the box!)
If you have a significant other and/or older children, please include them too...even if they never intend to use the IP, they will know what you are talking about. Who knows, maybe they will be interested! Have the kids help you find things...make it a game!
If, for some reason, you don’t have the manual, you should be able to find the PDF version here. Your pot info is on the tag on the back of the outer pot, next to the cord. -
https://www.instanthome.com/support/instant/resources
# 2 - DO THE INITIAL TEST RUN (WATER TEST) from the User Manual! It may have a different name in your manual but should show all the steps. This will help you understand the process and check to make sure your pot is in working order! -
https://www.simplyhappyfoodie.com/instant-pot-electric.../
# 3 - When you post for help, be sure to provide a link to the recipe you used, mention your Instant Pot’s model, size (quarts) (info on the metal tag on the back of the outer pot) and, if applicable, how many people you cook for. Sometimes, it helps to add a photo of the box, the front display or the trouble area. This info will help us help you!
# 4 - Barbara Schieving’s blog has a great 5-part Getting Started Guide for electric pressure cookers -
https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/getting-started.../
If the recipe tells you to press “Pressure Cook” and you do not have that button, you need to use the “Manual” button. They are the same function!
If your IP did not come with a trivet/roasting rack, just get one on Amazon -
https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot.../dp/B07WRMFXXJ... That is really all you need for many recipes. You can get other accessories as you get into more complicated recipes.
Meat, such as beef, chicken, pork, etc. always needs to have a minimum 10 minute to full Natural Pressure Release (NPR/NR) at the end of cooking time!
Watch a lot of beginners videos on YouTube! Search “Instant Pot Beginner” and/or look for videos by Sandy Clifton - simplyhappyfoodie.com, Six Sisters Stuff - sixsistersstuff.com, Jeffery Eisner - pressureluckcooking.com, Karen Petersen - 365daysofcrockpot.com, Indigo Nili - indigonili.com and YouTube -
https://youtube.com/c/IndigoNili and Ruth McCusker - rootitoot.com. They are my top 6 go-to’s for videos and recipes on their blogs! They have tried and true recipes that many here have used and had good success with. Several now have cookbooks on the authorized IP cookbook list -
https://instantpot.com/list-of-authorized-and.../...
The Instant Home website -
https://www.instanthome.com/ has a lot of information... (1) Use the search spyglass to look for things. (2) It also has recipes from many proven and respected IP cooks. Check your mobile device’s App Store for the “Instant Pot” recipe app.
If you are interested in making yogurt, this site is the BEST! For your model, click on the first link and scroll down until you see your model. Any special directions are under it........ Frieda is my main go-to about yogurt. She developed the Cold-Start Method of making yogurt in the Instant Pot without having to go through the boiling process. This makes it much easier to make great yogurt! The first link will take you to her Cold-Start Method Recipe. I highly recommend watching the whole video first. It’s long but has lots of info you will need. The video shows her adding sweetened condensed milk...this is an option...you do not have to add it. Also, if you have a LUX model, with no yogurt button, scroll down under the main recipe to the section that says “No Yogurt Button” for directions. If you have a CRISP model (not the CRISP model from Walmart), scroll down to the photo of the Duo CRISP for directions to use the Sous Vide function. The other links are to other resources from Frieda including her GREAT FB group.
Here is the link to Frieda’s yogurt FAQ page -
www.friedalovesbread.com/2017/06/cold-start-yogurt-faq.html. Frieda also has a “Yogurt for Newbies” guide page -
https://www.friedalovesbread.com/.../instant-pot-dairy...
She also has a FB group - Instant Pot Yogurt 101 -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/InstantPotYogurt101
When I first got my IP, I bought several cookbooks from online. Didn't know what I needed so ended up with some awful cookbooks. Eventually, they went into the trash. I found 3 others that are good ones and use them periodically. They are all “Authorized by Instant Pot”.
For possible cookbooks, check out your local library. You should be able to see what they have on their online catalog. Our library system has many Instant Pot cookbooks available. Again, some are not worth the paper they're printed on but, some are okay and/or can be tweaked. Look at the Instant Pot books you find to see if they have recipes you will use. If you find any that you like, go to see if the cookbook(s) is/are on Amazon. Read the reviews to see if they are helpful. Also, if you use and like the Kindle or the Kindle app on your device(s), you can save a little money by getting the Kindle version of the cookbook(s) if available.
Be sure to use recipes until you feel comfortable experimenting, even if you are a good cook. If you are at a recipe on a blog, be sure to read the full article, the full recipe and all the comments! Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the recipe in the comments...they are always helpful!
Many people suggest Pinterest or Google as a source for recipes. In my opinion, they are not good search places when you are first starting out with an Instant Pot...hundreds/thousands of bad recipes! Yes, there are also many good to great recipes on there too! But, how do you know what’s good and what’s not? As you gain experience in recognizing good recipes through using tried and true recipes recommend by different IP FB groups and food blogs, you will begin to know if a recipe is good or bad or can be tweaked. So, I recommend you be very careful with suggested recipes from those places.
When you are not sure what a term means, this glossary may be helpful -
https://www.pressurecookrecipes.com/instant-pot-terminology They have great recipes too!
Like learning any new skill, it will take time, study and practice. You will make mistakes but learn from them and carry on! You Can Do It!
wish I brought a slow cooker (which is what I really wanted) but got talked into buying t insta pot instead.