How to Use an Electric Pressure Cooker | A Step-by-Step Start

Your first few cooks with an electric pressure cooker can feel intimidating, but the machine handles most of the work once you understand the sequence. That first hiss of steam and the rich smell of a finished stew will sell you on it, but getting there requires respecting a few non-negotiable steps. Whether you have an Instant Pot Duo, Duo Plus, or Pro, the core workflow stays the same, even if the button names shift a little between models.

What To Do Before The Lid Goes On

Getting the setup right is half the battle. The inner pot must sit firmly in the base, and the ingredients need the right amount of liquid to build steam. Without that liquid, the cooker cannot pressurize at all, so it simply won’t start cooking as intended.

Instant Pot’s official manuals lay out a simple fill formula: the pot should be between 1/5 and 4/5 full overall, and about 3/5 full for foods that expand, like rice or beans. Overfilling blocks pressure from building and creates a safety risk, so respect those lines.

• Place the inner pot in the base, then add the required liquid like broth, water, or sauce.
• Add your ingredients, keeping them below the max fill line.
• Check that the sealing ring is seated in the lid and the steam release valve is set to Sealing.

Setting The Program And Starting The Cook

After locking the lid, the controls come into play. Turn the lid to align its arrows with the base, then twist it until it clicks closed. Next, select the Pressure Cook or Manual button, depending on your model.

Use the Time Up and Time Down buttons to set the minutes, and adjust the pressure level if your recipe calls for high or low. Press Start to begin. On many models, Keep Warm activates automatically after cooking finishes, which is handy for serving later but worth turning off if you want the food done right now. The manual’s basic test run calls for 3 cups of water, selecting Pressure Cook for 5 minutes, then releasing the pressure once it finishes.

One thing to expect: the machine needs time to build pressure before the actual cook time starts counting down. Instant Pot’s manuals show this can take 10 to 15 minutes on some models, so go start chopping veggies while it works.

How To Release Pressure Safely

Pressure must be fully released before the lid opens, and this is the step beginners rush. The float valve must drop before the lid will unlock, and forcing it risks burns. Instant Pot’s guidance is clear: wait for the float valve to sink back down, then turn and lift the lid.

There are two ways to release pressure, each with a different use. Natural release lets the cooker cool on its own, perfect for meats and stews that benefit from resting in the residual heat. Quick release uses a long utensil to turn the valve to Venting, spewing steam until the pin drops. Keep your hands and face clear of that vent either way.

The venting position matters just as much as the sealing position before cooking. Setting the valve wrong at either stage prevents the pot from doing its job, so double-check that dial each time.

Easy Pressure Cooker Learning Checklist

Before your first cook, a dry run gets you comfortable with the rhythm. The Instant Pot manual’s water test is the perfect rehearsal: add 3 cups of water, set the lid, select Pressure Cook for 5 minutes, and let the machine run its full cycle including the pressure release.

That single test teaches you the sound of sealing, the hiss of venting, and how the float valve behaves. Once you’ve done it once, real recipes follow the identical pattern. Just remember the three golden rules: always include enough liquid, never overfill past the 4/5 line, and never open the lid until the pressure has fully released.

If you’re still deciding on a cooker, our roundup of the best electric pressure cooker models breaks down which features matter for beginners and frequent cooks alike.