The Instant Pot IP Lux is one of the latest models from Instant Pot, featuring new upgrades and improvements over previous versions. One of the key features of the IP Lux is the ability to adjust the pressure cooking settings to achieve different textures and cooking results.
What is the IP Lux Pressure Cooking Setting?
The IP Lux has 10 different pressure cooking settings to choose from. These include:
- Low Pressure
- Medium Pressure
- High Pressure
- Bean/Chili
- Meat/Stew
- Poultry
- Steam
- Rice
- Multigrain
- Porridge
Each of these settings adjusts the pressure, temperature, and cooking time to best fit the type of ingredient or dish you are making. For example, the Bean/Chili setting cooks at high pressure but with a lower temperature and longer time to properly cook beans and tough cuts of meat. The Porridge setting uses very low pressure with intermittent pulses of heat to gently cook grains and cereals.
Why Adjust the Pressure Setting?
Being able to adjust the pressure setting gives you more control over the final texture and doneness of your ingredients. Higher pressure results in faster cooking times, while lower pressure provides gentler cooking at a lower temperature. Adjusting the pressure allows you to:
- Cook vegetables and meat to your desired level of doneness
- Avoid overcooking delicate ingredients like fish and eggs
- Break down tough cuts of meat into tender, fall-apart dishes
- Tailor recipes for your own tastes and preferences
In particular, adjusting the pressure is very helpful when adapting stovetop pressure cooker recipes for the Instant Pot. Stovetop cookers only have one high pressure setting, so you need to tweak the Instant Pot setting to match.
How to Change the Pressure Setting
It’s easy to change the pressure setting on the IP Lux! Just follow these simple steps:
- Press the Pressure Cook button to start programming your cooking time and settings.
- Use the +/- buttons or turning knob to select your desired cooking time.
- Press the Pressure Level button to toggle between Low, Medium, and High pressure options.
- Select your desired pressure level based on the cooking chart in your user manual.
- You can also press Pressure Level multiple times to toggle through all 10 pressure preset options.
The pressure indicator light will change color to show you which pressure setting is selected. Yellow is for low pressure, orange for medium pressure, and red for high pressure cooking.
Pressure Cooking Chart for the IP Lux
Use this handy cooking time chart as a guide when selecting an appropriate pressure setting on your IP Lux:
| Food | Pressure Setting | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetables | Low | 0-1 minutes |
| Fish and seafood | Low | 1-3 minutes |
| Eggs | Low | 2-4 minutes |
| Fruit | Low | 1-2 minutes |
| Chicken breasts | High | 5-8 minutes |
| Beef and pork | High | 15-30 minutes |
| Beans (unsoaked) | High | 25-40 minutes |
| Stews and chilis | High | 8-15 minutes |
Keep in mind cook times vary based on the amount and size of ingredients. Refer to recipes and the Instant Pot cooking charts for specific timings.
Tips for Getting Best Results
Here are some handy tips to get the most out of adjusting pressure on your IP Lux:
- Start on lower pressure for new recipes, then increase if needed.
- Remember cooking time reduces as pressure increases.
- Add 1-2 mins for meats cooked on Low vs. High.
- Use natural pressure release after cooking to prevent spattering.
- Allow sufficient time for pressure to build and release when planning cook times.
- Alter simmer times after pressure cooking if food needs thicker sauce.
- Use High pressure for tough cuts of meat and bone-in poultry.
Conclusion
The ability to select different pressure settings gives you precision control with your Instant Pot IP Lux. Adjusting the pressure impacts temperature, cook times, and the final texture of foods. Lower pressure provides gentler cooking, while higher pressure speeds up cooking times. Use the pressure cooking chart in your user manual and test different pressure levels to find the best setting for each recipe ingredient. With some trial and error, you’ll be able to perfectly tailor dishes to your tastes.