Instant Pots have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent years, allowing busy home cooks to prepare meals up to 70% faster. When using an Instant Pot, one of the most common questions is how long it takes for the pot to come up to pressure.
What is an Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is a electric, programmable multicooker that utilizes pressure cooking to dramatically reduce cooking times. It combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and warmer all in one appliance.
Instant Pots utilize electronically controlled pressure regulators to reach higher pressures than other stovetop pressure cookers. Most models have pressure settings of high (10-11 psi) and low (5-7 psi), allowing flexibility for different recipes. The tightly sealed lid and precise temperature controls allow Instant Pots to come to pressure quickly and cook foods in a fraction of the normal time.
How Does an Instant Pot Build Pressure?
When using the pressure cooking function, the Instant Pot needs time to build up steam and internal pressure before the actual cooking time begins. Here is the basic process:
- The inner pot is filled with liquid and food per recipe instructions.
- The lid is locked into place and the pressure valve is turned to the sealing position.
- Once a program is selected, the heating element turns on and heats the inner pot.
- Liquid begins to boil, producing steam that has nowhere to escape due to the locked lid.
- As more steam is produced, pressure builds within the inner pot.
- Once the target pressure level is reached, the cooking program begins counting down the set cook time.
This pressurization period from cold pot to pressurized pot is what determines how long it takes an Instant Pot to come to pressure.
What Factors Impact Pressurization Time?
There are several variables that affect how quickly or slowly an Instant Pot builds up enough pressure to start cooking. The main factors include:
Liquid Volume
Having the right amount of liquid is key for pressure cooking. Most Instant Pot recipes call for 1 cup to 1.5 cups of water or other thin liquid. More liquid builds pressure faster, while less liquid is slower. Too little liquid will prevent the pot from sealing and pressurizing at all.
Ingredients
What you are cooking affects pressurization time as well. Foods like beans, rice, or meat take longer than soups or stews with mostly liquid. Oil, pasta, or foam from boiling can interfere with sealing and delay pressurization too.
Frozen Foods
Trying to pressure cook frozen foods will substantially increase the time it takes the pot to come to pressure. The heating element must first thaw and heat the frozen items before boiling and steam generation can begin.
Quantity
The total volume of food inside the Instant Pot impacts how quickly it can come up to pressure. Smaller batches will pressurize faster, while maximum capacity loads take the longest.
Pressure Setting
Most Instant Pot recipes use high pressure, which reaches around 10-11 psi. Choosing low pressure (5-7 psi) will add a few extra minutes to pressurization time.
Altitude
Higher elevations will increase pressurization time due to the lower atmospheric pressure. An extra 5-15 minutes may be needed for locations over 3000 feet above sea level.
Model Generation
Newer Instant Pot models (Duo Plus, Ultra, Max) tend to come to pressure slightly faster than older generations. However, all models follow the same basic pressurization process.
Condition of Sealing Ring
A worn or damaged silicone sealing ring prevents the lid from forming a tight seal, letting steam escape and delaying pressurization. Replacing a faulty sealing ring typically resolves this issue.
Venting Methods
Using the quick release valve to manually vent the pot releases pressure and delays pressurization on the next cooking cycle. Natural pressure release is slower but does not affect successive pressurization speed.
Typical Pressurization Times
Under normal conditions, these are the average times it takes for common Instant Pot models to come to pressure from cold start:
3 quart Instant Pot
- High Pressure – 8-12 minutes
- Low Pressure – 10-15 minutes
6 quart Instant Pot
- High Pressure – 10-15 minutes
- Low Pressure – 12-18 minutes
8 quart Instant Pot
- High Pressure – 12-17 minutes
- Low Pressure – 15-20 minutes
Of course, your actual pressurization time will vary based on the factors discussed above. For a 6 quart Instant Pot under ideal conditions, 10-12 minutes is typical to reach high pressure.
Ways to Speed Up Pressurization
You can reduce Instant Pot pressurization time by trying these tips:
- Use the minimum amount of liquid called for in the recipe
- Choose high pressure over low pressure
- Allow for extra pressurization time for large quantities or frozen ingredients
- Avoid opening the lid unnecessarily after cooking starts
- Replace a worn or damaged sealing ring
- Ensure the silicone sealing ring and float valve are cleaned and in place
- Use natural pressure release instead of quick release if possible
- Preheat the inner pot with the sauté function before pressure cooking
- Reset heated residual pressure by opening and closing the lid before starting a new program
Is Long Pressurization Time a Problem?
In most cases, a pressurization period of 10-15 minutes is perfectly normal and does not indicate any issues with the Instant Pot. As long as the pot seals properly, comes to pressure, and completes the cook time as expected, there is no need to worry.
However, extremely long pressurization times exceeding 20+ minutes could potentially signify:
- Not enough liquid in the inner pot
- Sealing ring needs replacement
- Clogged or obstructed float valve
- Debris interfering with lid sealing
- Heating element or control failure
Consulting the Instant Pot user manual for troubleshooting tips can help identify and resolve any pressurization problems.
Monitoring Pressurization Time
To determine how long your Instant Pot takes to come to pressure for a given recipe, follow these steps:
- Place ingredients in inner pot and secure the lid
- Select pressure cook program and note start time
- Listen for steam release sound indicating sealing process has begun
- Watch for float valve to pop up showing pressurization is complete
- Record time when float valve pops up to calculate total pressurization time
Expect this pressurization period to be 10-15 minutes for a 6 quart Instant Pot with 1 cup liquid cooking on high pressure. Adjust recipe cooking times accordingly if needed.
Preheating the Instant Pot
Using the sauté mode to preheat the inner pot for 5-10 minutes before pressure cooking can help reduce pressurization time. This applies mainly when cooking recipes that do not require browning or sautéing ingredients.
The preheated metal insert transfers heat faster to generate steam. However, the effects on actual cooking time are minimal in most cases. So preheating is not necessary for all recipes.
Accounting for Pressurization Time
When following Instant Pot recipes, make note if the listed cook times include pressurization or not. Many recipes assume you know to factor in the 10-15 minutes needed for the pot to pressurize before counting down the official cook time.
For example, a recipe may list “5 minute cook time” but that may mean 5 minutes under pressure only. You will need to add the pressurization period to determine the total time. So the full cooking process would take 15-20 minutes.
If a recipe does include pressurization as part of the instructions, it may read “20 minutes cook time” implying those 20 minutes start from cold pot to fully cooked, with about 10-15 minutes of that being pressurization.
Using Delay Start for Pressurization
Some newer Instant Pot models have a delay start feature that manages pressurization automatically. Here’s how it works:
- Add food and liquid to pot and secure lid
- Set cook time based on recipe instructions
- Input desired delay start time accounting for estimated pressurization period
- Instant Pot will preheat, pressurize, then start cooking at delay time
For example, you could set 15 minutes pressure cook with a 20 minute delay start. The pot pressurizes during that 20 minutes and starts cooking immediately after, eliminating having to wait for it.
Pressure Cooking from Frozen
Trying to pressure cook frozen foods like meat or stew ingredients will take much longer to come to pressure. The Instant Pot must first thaw and heat up the frozen items before generating steam.
For best results, thaw frozen ingredients in the refrigerator overnight before pressure cooking. Or use the delay start function to account for the extra pressurization time needed from frozen.
According to the Instant Pot manual, the approximate extra time needed for pressurization from frozen is:
- Meats: Add 15-20 minutes
- Stews: Add 15-25 minutes
- Soups: Add 10-15 minutes
Adjust these time estimates as needed based on your experience with your particular model of Instant Pot.
Conclusion
Understanding how long Instant Pots take to pressurize allows you to better plan cooking times for your recipes. Typical pressurization time is 10-15 minutes to reach high pressure, but many factors impact this. Monitoring your pot during the sealing process can help you determine the right time for your needs.
With the pressurization time in mind, you can adjust published recipe cook times or use delay start to make sure food is perfectly cooked and ready right when you need it.