If you notice a “food burn” or “burn” message on your electric pressure cooker, don’t panic. This simply means the contents may be getting overheated and sticking to the bottom of the pot. There are several possible reasons why you may see this message and things you can try to prevent it from happening again.
What Causes the “Food Burn” Message
There are a few common culprits for the “food burn” warning on a pressure cooker:
- Insufficient liquid – Pressure cookers need adequate liquid to create steam and pressure. If the liquid evaporates fully, food can scorch on the bottom.
- Incorrect cooker settings – If the temperature or cooking time is set too high, food can overcook and burn.
- Thick or starchy ingredients – Thick sauces, grains, beans, etc. are more prone to sticking and burning.
- Not enough fat – Fat helps prevent ingredients from sticking to the pot. Insufficient fat can lead to burning.
- Pot too full – Overfilling the pot inhibits proper circulation and steaming.
- Damaged cooker – If the pot, gasket, or sensors are compromised, the cooker may overheat and burn contents.
Tips to Prevent Food Burning
With some simple adjustments to your pressure cooking process, you can typically avoid the dreaded “food burn” message:
Use Enough Liquid
Pressure cookers require liquid in order to pressurize and cook food properly. As a general rule, you should use at least 1 cup of water or other broth/stock for every 15-20 minutes of pressure cooking time. For thick dishes like beans, grains, or stews, use even more liquid. Add extra as needed if the pot seems dry when cooking.
Adjust Cooker Settings
Make sure to follow recipe guidelines for temperature, pressure, and cook times. If adjusting a recipe, reduce cook times and temperatures to prevent overcooking. Get to know your cooker’s features and settings to find the right balances for different foods.
Thicken Sauces Afterwards
When pressure cooking saucy dishes, keep the sauce on the thinner side during cooking to avoid scorching. After releasing pressure, the sauce can be simmered uncovered to reduce and thicken to the desired consistency.
Use a Heat Diffuser
A heat diffuser placed between the cooker pot and heating element can help prevent burning. Diffusers evenly distribute heat and prevent hot spots that can lead to scorching.
Add Fat to the Pot
A small amount of oil, butter, or other fat can help prevent food from sticking to the pot interior. Just a teaspoon or two is often sufficient.
Don’t Overfill the Pot
Never fill your pressure cooker pot more than 2/3 full for meats, grains, or beans. For foods that foam and expand, like rice or dried vegetables, do not fill more than halfway. Overfilling prevents proper circulation and steam release.
Use a Quick Release after Cooking
Use the quick pressure release method after cooking finishes to immediately drop pot pressure. This stops the cooking process and helps prevent further scorching on the bottom.
Check Pot, Gasket, and Sensors
Make sure your pressure cooker components are in good working order. Replace any damaged or worn parts. Check that the gasket properly seals the lid and all sensors/valves open and close appropriately.
What to Do if You Get a “Food Burn” Message
If you notice the dreaded “food burn” alert while pressure cooking, don’t fret. Follow these steps:
- Use quick release to fully drop the pressure.
- Carefully open the lid, tilting it away to avoid steam burns.
- Assess the damage. You may see browned or blackened food stuck to the bottom of the pot.
- Try scraping the pot bottom gently with a wooden spoon to loosen any stuck-on food.
- Depending on severity, the burn deposits may need soaking in water for easier cleanup.
- Finish cooking the food if needed by simmering on the stove or baking in the oven.
- Let the pot soak if scorch stains remain after cooking finishes.
- Use a non-abrasive sponge or soft scrubber to remove stubborn residue.
- Avoid using very abrasive cleaners or scouring pads to prevent damaging the pot surface.
While annoying, minor food burning in a pressure cooker is normal from time to time. With some trial and error, you’ll learn the right liquid amounts, cook times, and release methods to perfect pressure cooking all your favorite recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pressure Cooker Food Burn
Why does my Instant Pot say “BURN”?
The “BURN” message on Instant Pot pressure cookers means ingredients are scorching or stuck to the bottom of the inner pot, usually from insufficient liquid or cooking too long. It triggers the automatic keep warm setting to avoid further burning.
Do all pressure cookers have a burn notice?
Most electric pressure cookers are programmed to display some kind of burn or food scorch alert. However, some simpler stovetop pressure cookers may not have this function.
Can you still eat food after pressure cooker burn message?
In most cases, food is still safe to eat after a burn notice, though the bottom layer may be overcooked. Make sure to check that the inner pot is not severely damaged before continuing to cook or serve the food.
What happens if you ignore the burn message on Instant Pot?
Ignoring the burn notice risks further scorching and potential damage to your cooker. The bottom of the pot may also become harder to clean. It’s best to immediately depressurize and address any burning.
Why is my Instant Pot burning food all of a sudden?
If an Instant Pot that previously cooked food fine starts burning dishes, the likely culprits are failing components like a worn gasket, damaged sensor, or heating element control issue. These would need replacement.
Can you use a pressure cooker liner to prevent burning?
Yes, using an inner pot liner or steaming rack can help minimize burning by keeping food elevated off the direct heat of the inner pot surface during cooking.
Conclusion
The “food burn” message on an electric pressure cooker is typically nothing to worry about. In most cases, it can be prevented by adding enough liquid, keeping cook times modest, and getting to know your particular model’s quirks. Be sure to properly clean any small scorch stains after cooking, and replace any damaged seals, valves, or sensors over time. With some trial and error, you’ll be pressure cooking without burning in no time.