The short answer is yes, the Instant Pot Duo does have a manual setting that allows you to control cooking times and pressures. This manual setting gives you more flexibility and control when using your Instant Pot Duo.
What is the Instant Pot Duo?
The Instant Pot Duo is a popular electric multi-cooker that can be used for functions like pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, steaming, and more. It is a 7-in-1 programmable cooker with 14 smart programs. Some key features of the Instant Pot Duo include:
- 1000 watts of power
- Capacity of 6 quarts
- High and low pressure settings
- Adjustable temperature settings
- Delay start timer
Preset Smart Programs
The Instant Pot Duo comes with 14 preset smart programs that automate the cooking process for you. These programs include:
| Program | Function |
|---|---|
| Soup/Broth | Makes simmered soups and broths |
| Meat/Stew | Cooks tender meats and stews |
| Bean/Chili | Cooks beans and chili |
| Poultry | Cooks poultry dishes |
| Sauté | Browns and sautés ingredients |
| Steam | Steams vegetables and fish |
| Rice | Cooks rice |
| Multigrain | Cooks multigrain and porridge |
| Porridge | Makes porridge |
| Slow Cook | Slow cooks meats and stews |
| Keep Warm | Keeps food warm after cooking |
| Yogurt | Makes homemade yogurt |
| Manual/Pressure Cook | Pressure cooks with full manual control |
| Sterilize | Sterilizes items like baby bottles |
These preset programs make it easy to cook a wide variety of dishes by simply selecting the appropriate program and letting the Instant Pot Duo do the work. However, the manual setting gives you more control.
Using the Instant Pot Duo’s Manual Setting
The manual or pressure cook setting on the Instant Pot Duo allows you to customize cooking times and pressure levels. Here are some key things to know about using the manual setting:
Adjust Pressure Level
You can choose either the high or low pressure setting. High pressure is around 10-11 psi and low pressure is around 5-7 psi. High pressure cooks food faster.
Set Cook Time
You can set the cook time from 0 to 120 minutes. It will count down the cooking time and beep when done.
Adjust Pressure Release
You can choose quick release to rapidly release pressure or natural release to allow pressure to come down gradually on its own.
Delay Start
You can delay the start of cooking up to 24 hours in advance.
Adjust Temperature
If sautéing before pressure cooking, you can adjust temperature from Less to Normal to More.
Benefits of the Manual Setting
Using the manual setting on the Instant Pot Duo has several advantages:
- You can adjust cook times depending on the recipe instead of relying on presets.
- It gives you more control over pressure levels.
- You can customize pressure release methods.
- It allows more flexibility with one-pot meals by sautéing first.
- Delay start helps plan meals in advance.
One-Pot Meals
The manual setting is great for one-pot meals. You can sauté aromatics and ingredients right in the pot, then switch to pressure cooking. The manual setting allows you to adjust times and release methods as needed.
Follow Any Recipe
Following recipe cook times is easier with the manual setting. You don’t have to rely on preset programs. Just enter the cook time called for in the recipe.
More Precise Control
You can fine-tune cook times and temperatures as needed. This allows more control when cooking foods like rice, eggs, seafood, cheesecake, and more.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Manual Setting
Follow these steps when using the Instant Pot Duo’s manual setting:
- Add ingredients to pot and secure lid.
- Select the Manual or Pressure Cook function.
- Adjust cook time and pressure level as desired.
- Select pressure release method (quick or natural).
- If pre-browning ingredients, use Sauté function first.
- Press Start when ready and pot will begin cooking.
- When cook time is complete, pot will switch to Keep Warm.
- Release pressure using quick or natural release.
- Open lid and serve food.
It’s that simple! The manual setting gives you complete control over your Instant Pot Duo.
Tips for Using Manual Setting
Here are some handy tips for getting the most out of the manual setting on your Instant Pot Duo:
- Refer to cooking time tables to determine correct cook times for ingredients.
- Adjust cooking liquid as needed – some recipes need more or less than others.
- Let pressure fully release before opening lid – this prevents spraying.
- Start with lower cook times and adjust up if needed.
- Use natural release for large cuts of meat to allow juices to reabsorb.
- Quick release is great for veggies to prevent overcooking.
- Delay start is perfect for planning ahead.
- Pre-sautéing meats develops flavor.
- You can open the lid safely at any point during Keep Warm.
Common Manual Setting Pressure Cooking Times
Cook times can vary a bit based on quantity and size, but here are some estimated pressure cooking times for common foods using the Instant Pot Duo’s manual setting:
| Food | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Chicken breasts (boneless) | 5-8 minutes |
| Beef roast | 25-40 minutes |
| Pork shoulder | 30-40 minutes |
| Chickpeas (dry) | 20-25 minutes |
| White rice | 3-5 minutes |
| Steel cut oats | 10-12 minutes |
| Broccoli | 1-2 minutes |
| Green beans | 1 minute |
| Carrots | 2-3 minutes |
| Potatoes | 8-12 minutes |
Recipes for Manual Setting
The manual setting is great for trying new pressure cooker recipes or adapting your favorite recipes. Here are some recipes to try out in manual mode:
Perfect Pressure Cooker Rice
Cook white rice to perfection in just minutes. Sauté onion and garlic, add rice and water, pressure cook 5 minutes, then quick release.
BBQ Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone ribs in under an hour. Cook ribs in broth with spices and sauce, cook for 45 minutes, then natural release.
Chicken Vegetable Soup
Loaded chicken soup ready in 30 minutes. Sauté aromatics, add chicken, broth, veggies, and pasta, cook 8 minutes, quick release.
Black Beans from Scratch
Perfectly cooked beans without soaking. Add dried beans and seasonings, cover with water, cook 25 minutes, natural release.
Cheesecake
Smooth, creamy cheesecake in under an hour. Mix ingredients and pour into pan, cover with foil, cook 25 minutes, natural release for 1 hour.
Troubleshooting Common Manual Setting Issues
Here are some common issues that may come up when using the manual setting and how to troubleshoot them:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Burn or scorch warning | Add more liquid, lower heat if pre-sautéing, stop cooking immediately |
| Undercooked food | Increase cook time, ensure valve is sealed, check pressure level |
| Overcooked food | Decrease cook time, check amount of liquid |
| Not coming to pressure | Ensure valve is sealed, check for clogs, add liquid if needed |
| Won’t open when cook time done | Manually quick release any remaining pressure |
| Food burns on bottom | Avoid cooking foods with high sugar/acid for long times |
Conclusion
The Instant Pot Duo’s manual setting provides the flexibility to cook almost any recipe exactly how you want. You can customize cook times, pressure levels, and pressure release to get the best results. While the smart programs make cooking easy, the manual setting gives advanced users complete control over the pressure cooking process from start to finish.