Instant Pot Settings - All Buttons Explained

Hello everyone! Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed by the buttons on your Instant Pot? Or maybe you've been using it for a while but haven't quite figured out all the features?

This guide is here to help everyone, whether you're a beginner or an experienced user who's yet to explore the smart programs.

We're going to clear up any confusion by walking through the most common Instant Pot settings and buttons, explaining how they work, the best ways to use them, and when you might want to switch to manual settings. Let's make your Instant Pot cooking even easier and more fun! Get here 10 delicious PCOS instant pot recipes.

You may have wondered if all those buttons on the Instant Pot are really necessary. For some, they're a helpful roadmap, while others might feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options.

Additionally, it's common to find that many Instant Pot recipes primarily use manual settings instead of pre-set functions.

To help you navigate this, we've put together a comprehensive guide to Instant Pot buttons. This detailed exploration is likely one of the most thorough available online.

To make your journey easier, we've included quick links so you can jump straight to the information about the specific button you're curious about.

HOW DO INSTANT POT SETTINGS WORK?

Every button on your Instant Pot is part of its SMART PROGRAM system. These settings, or buttons, typically adjust the pot to either HIGH or LOW pressure for a preset time that's ideal for the type of food being cooked.

Take the SOUP button, for example; it automatically sets your cooker to 30 minutes at HIGH pressure, which is a general setting suitable for any food needing that specific cooking duration and pressure.

By pressing a SMART setting button multiple times, you can cycle through options like Normal, Less, or More. This feature offers added flexibility in adjusting time, temperature, and pressure settings.

For instance, the RICE button can be altered to Less or More, allowing you to tailor the texture of your rice based on your preference or the rice variety.

Not all buttons on the Instant Pot engage its pressure cooking feature. Take, for instance, the Slow Cook and Sauté settings.

These functions utilize the heating element located under the inner pot and are pre-programmed for specific heat levels and durations.

In simple terms, you can effectively use your Instant Pot for a wide range of recipes by focusing on just a handful of essential buttons.

The Pressure Cook (or Manual on some older models), Pressure Level, and the [-] and [+] buttons give you the flexibility to set your own time and pressure levels, deviating from the pre-set options for other buttons.

These controls are sufficient for any recipe that involves pressure cooking.

For methods that don’t require pressure, like sautéing, slow cooking, or making yogurt, the Instant Pot offers specific buttons to achieve the desired cooking settings.

INSTANT POT MANUAL SETTING (PRESSURE COOK BUTTON)

The name of the manual setting on an Instant Pot varies by model, labeled either as Pressure Cook or Manual. This versatile setting is one you'll probably use frequently.

It allows you to customize temperature, pressure levels, and cooking times directly through the control panel, giving you greater control over your cooking process.

here's the process broken down into numbered steps:

Turn on Stand-By Mode: Start by turning on your Instant Pot.

Select Pressure Cook Button: Choose the Pressure Cook option (or Manual on older models). The default setting is Normal mode, which is 35 minutes at High pressure.

Adjust Mode: If you press the Pressure Cook button again, you can switch between Normal, Less, and More modes. Less mode sets 20 minutes, and More sets 45 minutes.

Change Cooking Time: Use the +/- keys to modify the cooking time in your chosen mode.

Set Pressure Level: Press the Pressure Level button to switch between High and Low pressure. High is usually used for most recipes.

Complete Cooking: After cooking, you can use either Natural Release or Quick Release methods to depressurize, or a combination of both.

See our step-by-step post for how to use the Instant Pot with manual settings here.

INSTANT POT SOUP SETTING (SOUP/BROTH BUTTON)

The standard setting for making soup in the Instant Pot automatically sets the appliance to cook at HIGH pressure for 30 minutes.

This program gently simmers the soup, ensuring a clear broth by avoiding vigorous boiling. Here's a guide on how to utilize the Soup/Broth setting on your Instant Pot.

Normal Mode:

Set for 30 minutes at High pressure.

Ideal for soups containing meat.

Less Mode:

Set for 20 minutes at High pressure.

Best suited for soups without meat.

More Mode:

Set for 4 hours at High pressure.

Recommended for soups needing longer cook times like rich bone broths.

After cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally.

Customize Time:

Use the − / + buttons to adjust the cooking time as needed.

Time adjustments can be made during the pressure cooking process.

INSTANT POT SOUP COOKING TIPS

It's often observed that most vegetables, potatoes included, don't require as much as 20 minutes under High pressure, as they tend to overcook and become too mushy.

Therefore, a cooking time of 5 to 10 minutes at High pressure is generally adequate for most vegetable soups.

For soups combining beef and vegetables, consider a two-stage cooking process: initially cook the beef with onions, carrots, and celery using the Soup/Less mode.

After releasing the pressure, add the remaining vegetables, reseal the pot, and use the Pressure Cook/Manual or Soup/Less setting, adjusting the cooking time to about 5 minutes.

When cooking soups, which usually contain a significant amount of liquid, natural pressure release is advisable post-cooking.

Leave the Instant Pot alone to allow this process. The contents continue to cook, albeit at a reduced rate, as the pressure diminishes.

Optionally, you can let the pressure release naturally for a brief period, say 5-10 minutes, and then switch to the quick-release method to expedite the process.

Click here to get more information about instant pot soup settings.

INSTANT POT MEAT/STEW SETTING 

The Meat/Stew setting on the Instant Pot is ideal for preparing larger or tougher meat cuts using high pressure.

This function works perfectly for cooking chunks of meat in a modest amount of broth, or for making meat-based stews.

Here’s a quick guide on utilizing the Meat/Stew function on your Instant Pot.

Start the Instant Pot: Turn on your Instant Pot, which will display 'OFF' to indicate it's in Stand-By mode.

Add Ingredients: Place the meat, seasonings, and liquids inside the pot.

Secure the Lid: Ensure the lid is securely locked in place.

Select Meat/Stew Setting: Press the Meat/Stew button. By default, it's set to cook at High pressure for 35 minutes, ideal for most meat dishes.

Adjust Cooking Mode: Pressing the Meat/Stew button again lets you toggle between Less, Normal, and More modes, altering the cooking time.

Less Mode: 20 minutes at High pressure, suitable for softer meat textures.

Normal Mode: 35 minutes at High pressure, perfect for achieving a very tender texture in larger or tougher meat cuts.

More Mode: 45 minutes at High pressure, designed for meats that require a fall-off-the-bone texture.

For additional customization, the − / + buttons on your Instant Pot can be used to fine-tune the cooking time.

You have the flexibility to make these adjustments at any point while the pressure cooking is in progress.

INSTANT POT MEAT COOKING TIPS

Let the meat sit for 5-30 minutes after cooking, depending on its size. This resting period allows it to soak back in the juices, making it more tender and flavorful.

This is effectively achieved by allowing natural pressure release in the Instant Pot whenever possible.

Considering sautéing first? Browning the meat or sautéing ingredients like onions, garlic, carrots, and celery can enhance the flavor.

To do this, use the Sauté function to sear the meat on both sides in some oil for 1-2 minutes without the lid.

Afterward, add the remaining ingredients and liquid, close the lid, and switch to the Meat/Stew setting.

INSTANT POT BEAN/CHILI SETTING 

The Instant Pot's Bean/Chili function is ideal for preparing dishes with larger dried legumes, like beans and chickpeas, or for making chili and other stews that incorporate dry beans.

This setting offers three pressure modes - Less, Normal, and More - to achieve varying levels of bean tenderness.

It's important to use the Natural Release (NR) method to depressurize after cooking beans. Here's a quick guide on effectively using the Bean/Chili feature on your Instant Pot.

Power On: Activate your Instant Pot, which will display 'OFF' to show it's in Stand-By mode.

Add Ingredients: Place dry beans, liquid, and salt inside the pot.

Lock the Lid: Ensure the lid is securely fastened.

Select Bean/Chili Setting: Press the Bean/Chili button. The default is set to cook at High pressure for 30 minutes.

Choose Your Mode:

Less Mode: 25 minutes at High pressure, ideal for firmer beans like black beans, lima beans, or dry peas.

Normal Mode: 30 minutes at High pressure, for a softer texture, suitable for red kidney beans, cannellini beans, or pinto beans.

More Mode: 40 minutes at High Pressure (extend to 45 minutes for harder legumes), perfect for very soft textures like chickpeas and soybeans.

COOKING TIPS

To cook dry beans effectively in the Instant Pot, follow these steps:

Submerge Beans: Ensure the dry beans are completely covered in water. Remember that dried beans expand in volume and weight after soaking or cooking.

Avoid Overfilling: To prevent overflow due to expansion, fill the inner pot no more than halfway.

Optional Soaking: Soak the beans in four times their volume of water for 4-6 hours to speed up the cooking process, though this step is not mandatory.

Adjust Cooking Time for Soaked Beans: If you've soaked your beans, you can usually cut the High-pressure cooking time in half compared to the programmed settings.

Cooking Lentils: For green and brown lentils, a cooking time of 10 minutes at High pressure is sufficient. Use the Less mode and manually adjust the time, or opt for the Manual setting.

INSTANT POT POULTRY SETTING

The Poultry setting on the Instant Pot is perfectly tailored for cooking chicken. The specific mode you select should be based on the chicken's cut and size, as chicken breasts require less time and can be overcooked more easily than thighs.

This function is ideal for cooking chicken alone or in combination with other ingredients, like chicken with potatoes or chicken with rice dishes.

It's important to note that the Poultry setting is available on the 6-quart and 8-quart models of the Instant Pot, but not on the mini version. Here's a brief guide on using the Poultry setting.

Here's a step-by-step guide to using the Poultry setting on the Instant Pot:

Start the Instant Pot: Turn it on to display 'OFF', indicating Stand-By mode.

Add Ingredients: Place the chicken, seasoning, and liquids into the pot.

Secure the Lid: Make sure the lid is locked in place.

Press Poultry Button: The default setting cooks at HIGH pressure for 15 minutes, suitable for larger chicken pieces.

Adjust Mode if Needed: Pressing the Poultry button again lets you switch between Less, Normal, and More modes to change cooking times.

Less Mode: 5 minutes at High pressure, ideal for thinly sliced chicken breasts or diced chicken.

Normal Mode: 15 minutes at High pressure, perfect for whole chicken breasts, thighs, and drumsticks. For chicken breasts, consider reducing the time to 10 minutes and using a 5-minute natural release to prevent overcooking.

COOKING TIPS

Give the poultry a resting time of 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow it to soak back in the juices, resulting in tender and juicy meat.

This often means letting the Instant Pot naturally release pressure.

Considering sautéing beforehand? For enhanced flavor, you might want to brown the meat or sauté ingredients like onions, garlic, carrots, and celery first.

Activate the Sauté function, brown the meat for 1-2 minutes on each side, then add the remaining ingredients and liquid. Finally, secure the lid and set your Instant Pot to the Poultry mode.

INSTANT POT RICE SETTING

The Rice button on the Instant Pot is specifically designed for preparing medium and long-grain white rice.

It operates under low pressure, and though a 10-minute natural release is typically suggested for optimal results, a 2-3 minute natural release followed by a quick release often works well.

Here’s a quick guide on using the Rice setting on your Instant Pot.

Power On: Activate the Instant Pot. It will show 'OFF', indicating it's in Stand-By mode.

Add Ingredients: Put rice, water or stock, and any seasonings into the pot.

Lock the Lid: Ensure the lid is securely fastened.

Press the Rice Button: The default setting cooks at Low pressure for 12 minutes, ideal for larger rice kernels.

Adjust Mode: Press the Rice button again to switch between Less, Normal, and More modes, altering the cooking time.

Less Mode: 8 minutes for thinner rice varieties like Basmati and Jasmine.

Normal Mode: 12 minutes for medium to long-grain white rice and al dente Arborio rice.

More Mode: 15 minutes for a softer texture, suitable for softer risotto.

RICE COOKING TIPS

Rice Yield: 1 cup of dry white rice typically yields about 3 cups of cooked rice.

Adjusting Cook Time: Cooking time varies from 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the amount of rice. For instance, while 1-2 cups of dry Basmati rice might need only 8 minutes, 3 cups might require 10 minutes.

Rinsing Rice: Except for Arborio rice, rinse white rice 4-5 times to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffier and more separated grains after cooking.

Water to Rice Ratio: Use a 1:1.25 ratio for white rice (1 cup rice to 1.25 cups liquid) and a 1:2 ratio for Arborio rice (1 cup rice to 2 cups liquid), adjusting for preferred consistency.

Brown and Wild Rice: These types require longer cooking times and are better cooked using the Multigrain or Manual settings.

INSTANT POT MULTIGRAIN SETTING

The Multigrain setting on the Instant Pot is particularly effective for cooking hardier, whole grains such as brown rice, wild rice, farro, millet, and steel-cut oats, as well as for preparing dry beans and various grain-legume mixes.

This function can be a bit perplexing, as there’s often a discrepancy between the manual cooking recommendations for certain grains and the pre-set times of this function.

Hence, it may not always be clear when to opt for this setting. Here’s a guide on how to utilize the Multigrain setting on your Instant Pot.

To use the Multigrain setting on the Instant Pot:

Activate Instant Pot: Turn it on, displaying 'OFF' to indicate it's in Stand-By mode.

Add Ingredients: Place grains, liquid, and any seasonings into the pot.

Secure Lid: Lock the lid securely.

Press Multigrain Button: The default setting cooks at High Pressure for 40 minutes. Press the button again to change modes.

Less Mode: 20 minutes at High pressure, ideal for firmer whole grains like brown rice or dry beans. Use this for a firmer bite or dishes like congee.

Normal Mode: 40 minutes at High pressure, best for softer textured grains like brown rice or for cooking barley, spelt, and other similar grains.

More Mode:

Start with a 45-minute warm water soak, followed by 60 minutes of High-pressure cooking.

Make sure dry beans are fully submerged in water, especially when cooking a mix of grains and beans.

INSTANT POT PORRIDGE SETTING

The Porridge setting on the Instant Pot prepares various types of porridge. You can make oatmeal with old-fashioned or steel-cut oats, rice porridge, congee, and other grain-based dishes that expand in liquid.

We recommend using the natural release method for high-starch foods that expand. Alternatively, combine a 5-10 minute natural release with a quick release.

Here's how to use the Porridge setting on your Instant Pot effectively.

Power On: Turn on the Instant Pot. It will display 'OFF', indicating it's in Stand-By mode.

Add Ingredients: Put grains, liquid, and any desired spices or fats into the pot.

Secure Lid: Make sure the lid is locked in place.

Press Porridge Button: The default setting cooks at High pressure for 20 minutes. Press the button again to change modes.

Less Mode: 5 minutes at High pressure, great for rolled oats or firmer rice porridge.

Normal Mode: 20 minutes at High pressure, ideal for steel-cut oats or softer rice porridge, and for making congee.

More Mode: 30 minutes at High pressure, best for porridge or congee with beans or tougher grains.

WATER TO RICE & OATS RATIOS FOR PORRIDGE AND OATMEAL DISHES

Rolled Oats (Old-Fashioned Oats):

Mix 1 cup oats with 2-3 cups water (depending on desired consistency).

Use Porridge/Less mode.

Allow for natural pressure release.

Steel-Cut Oats:

Combine 1 cup oats with 3-3.5 cups water.

Set to Porridge/Normal mode.

Use natural release after cooking.

Arborio Rice:

Use 1 cup rice with 2 cups water.

Select Porridge/Less mode.

Allow for natural pressure release.

Congee/Rice Porridge:

Mix 1 cup rice with 4-6 cups water (adjust for desired thickness).

Use Porridge/Normal mode.

Finish with natural release.

Rice Pudding:

Take 1 cup short-grain or medium-grain rice and 3 cups liquid (water + milk).

Cook in Porridge/Less mode.

After cooking, you can add an extra cup of milk or cream along with some butter.

INSTANT POT STEAM SETTING

The Steam function on the Instant Pot is ideal for steaming vegetables, fish, seafood, tofu, and other foods suited for this method.

It operates under Low pressure to ensure food doesn’t overcook and allows the pot to reach pressure more quickly.

Remember to use the trivet or steam rack to keep the food above the cooking liquid. For best results, employ Quick Release (QR) after steaming to prevent overcooking.

Here's a guide on how to navigate the Steam setting on your Instant Pot.

Start the Instant Pot: Turn it on, showing 'OFF' for Stand-By mode.

Prepare for Steaming: Add a cup of water to the pot and place the trivet inside.

Add Food: Position your food (vegetables, fish, or thinly sliced chicken) on the trivet. Alternatively, use a steam basket or a suitable pan with holes for smaller or cut-up vegetables.

Secure the Lid: Lock the lid in place.

Press Steam Button: The default Low pressure setting is for 10 minutes. Press the button again to adjust the mode.

Less Mode: Set for 3 minutes, perfect for broccoli, carrots, peas, bok choy, asparagus, and various fruits. Ideal for steaming shrimp. Avoid using for root vegetables.

Normal Mode: 10 minutes for items like fresh fish, which require a bit more time to cook thoroughly.

INSTANT POT SLOW COOK SETTING

The Slow Cook function on the Instant Pot is a non-pressure option that works similarly to a traditional slow cooker or Crockpot.

This setting heats the pot without pressurizing it. The modes - Less, Normal, and More - correspond to the Low, Medium, and High settings on a slow cooker, though you'll need to adjust the time manually.

This setting is great for preparing meals in advance, whether you're out for the day or cooking overnight.

It's especially useful for recipes that benefit from slow cooking rather than quick-pressure cooking.

Here's how to use the Slow Cook setting on your Instant Pot.

Add food and liquid ingredients to the inner pot. You might choose to Sauté some foods first if specified in a particular slow cooker recipe. If you do, make sure to press Cancel to stop the Sauté function before you proceed with Slow Cooking. 

Once all the food and liquids are in the pot, place and close the lid or use a glass lid with a venting hole. If using Instant Pot’s regular lid, press the quick release button down until it clicks and locks into the Vent position. This is important for slow cooking! On Duo Classic models, turn the steam release handle to the Venting position. 

Press the Slow Cook setting. You can press the Slow Cook button again to cycle through the Less, Normal, and More temperature options. Less is the same as Low (180-190F) on a slow cooker, Normal is Medium (190-200F) and More is High (200-210F) temperatures. 

Use the − / + buttons to adjust the cooking time as needed for your specific slow

After 10 seconds, the cooking timer will appear and will start counting down. You can choose to leave the Keep Warm setting selected (default) or press it again to turn it off. If left one, it will keep the food warm when cooking is done.

INSTANT POT SAUTE SETTING

The Sauté function on the Instant Pot serves as an alternative to using a frying pan or grill.

It's crucial for recipes requiring browned onions or garlic, as sautéing them before adding liquid enhances the flavor significantly.

Browning meat is another key use for this feature. Additionally, sautéing ingredients before pressure cooking can help the pot reach pressure more quickly, thus reducing overall cooking time.

To use the Sauté function on your Instant Pot follow these steps:

Start the Instant Pot: Place the inner pot inside the cooker base. Leave the lid off.

Select Sauté: Press the Sauté button. The display will show ON as it heats. Wait until it indicates Hot before adding ingredients. If you add them earlier, the Hot message might not appear, but that's okay.

Cooking Timer: A 30-minute timer starts, adjustable with the -/+ buttons.

Adjust Temperature: The default Sauté setting is Normal mode. Press Sauté to switch between Less and More for different temperatures. Use Normal for general cooking, Less for simmering, and More for stir-frying or browning meat.

Cancel Sauté: Press Cancel to stop. Deglazing the pot afterwards prevents scorching during pressure cooking.

Add any other ingredients and liquids. Stir if needed or leave layered and continue with the manual or smart program settings to pressure cook the food. 

USING SAUTE FUNCTION AFTER COOKING

The Sauté function is versatile, allowing you to finish dishes after pressure cooking.

Once you've released the pressure and opened the lid, activate Sauté again and adjust the temperature with Less or More options. It's great for:

Reducing or thickening sauces or broths by simmering.

Adding delicate ingredients like baby spinach, fresh tomatoes, fruits, cheese, milk, or cream that don't require much cooking.

Enhancing sauces with butter, cream, or flour for thickness.

Preparing dishes that don’t need pressure cooking, such as scrambled eggs or zucchini noodles.

INSTANT POT YOGURT SETTING

The Yogurt function on the Instant Pot is a specialized non-pressure Smart Program designed for fermenting dairy and non-dairy products.

The Less, Normal, and More modes on this setting cater to varying fermentation durations or to boil (pasteurize) the milk.

Here's an overview of the fundamental steps and settings for crafting yogurt with the Yogurt button.

PASTEURIZING/HEATING MILK

To pasteurize or heat milk using the Yogurt setting on the Instant Pot:

Add Milk: Pour milk into the inner pot. Use at least 4 cups for a 6-quart model, 2 cups for a 3-quart, and 6 cups for an 8-quart pot.

Secure the Lid: Close the lid and ensure the quick-release button is set to Vent position. For Duo Classic models, turn the steam release handle to Venting.

Select Yogurt Setting: Choose the Yogurt function. The default is Normal mode.

Switch to More Option: Press Yogurt again to change to More, which displays 'boiL'.

Start Heating: After 10 seconds, the pot starts heating. This mode is for pasteurizing milk or just heating it before adding a starter culture.

Completion: Once done, the display will show 'End'.

ADDING STARTER CULTURE

To pasteurize or heat milk using the Yogurt setting on the Instant Pot:

Add Milk: Pour milk into the inner pot. Use at least 4 cups for a 6-quart model, 2 cups for a 3-quart, and 6 cups for an 8-quart pot.

Secure the Lid: Close the lid and ensure the quick-release button is set to Vent position. For Duo Classic models, turn the steam release handle to Venting.

Select Yogurt Setting: Choose the Yogurt function. The default is Normal mode.

Switch to More Option: Press Yogurt again to change to More, which displays 'boiL'.

Start Heating: After 10 seconds, the pot starts heating. This mode is for pasteurizing milk or just heating it before adding a starter culture.

Completion: Once done, the display will show 'End'.

FERMENTING YOGURT

For fermenting yogurt in the Instant Pot:

Prepare for Fermentation: After mixing warm milk with the culture, put it back in the pot. Secure the lid, ensuring the quick release button is set to Vent or the steam release handle to Venting.

Set Yogurt Function: Press Yogurt to select the Normal mode. The display shows 08:00 hours. Adjust fermentation time with the − / + buttons for up to 99 hours and 30 minutes. Longer times yield tangier yogurt.

Begin Fermentation: The cooker heats and the timer counts up from 00:00. It beeps and displays 'End' when done.

Chill Yogurt: Transfer yogurt to containers and refrigerate for 6-8 hours or up to 10-14 days.

Use Less Mode for Certain Recipes: For lower temperature fermentation (like Jiu Niang), set to Less mode (default 24 hours), adjusting time as needed.

HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT YOGURT CUPS

Using yogurt cups simplifies portioning your yogurt. After mixing the starter culture with warm milk, pour the milk into the cups and seal them.

Clean the inner pot and put the steam rack/trivet inside. Place the sealed yogurt cups on the rack and add water to the inner pot, submerging the cups halfway.

Follow the steps in the "Fermenting Yogurt" section above for the fermentation process.

KEEP WARM SETTING

The "Keep Warm" feature maintains a low temperature in the pot, ensuring the food stays hot for serving.

This function activates by itself following the completion of cooking in all Smart Programs (except for Sauté and Yogurt) and in Manual settings.

It starts a timer at 00:00 and continues for up to 10 hours, after which it shuts off automatically.

If you prefer not to keep your food warm post-cooking, simply press the Keep Warm button to toggle it ON or OFF.

This can be done following the selection of a smart program or manual setting, or upon completion of the cooking cycle.

Additionally, the temperature for the Keep Warm feature is customizable. When the appliance is in Stand-By mode, as indicated by an 'OFF' display, cycling through the temperature settings is possible by pressing the Keep Warm button.

The options include Normal (145°F), Less (135°F), and More (167°F). Your chosen temperature setting will be stored for future use.

For setting the duration of the warming period, use the '−' and '+' buttons. These allow you to program a warming timer for any duration up to 99 hours and 50 minutes.

DELAY START SETTING

The Delay Start feature on the Instant Pot enables you to schedule the start of your cooking process. This function can be programmed for as short as 10 minutes ahead or as long as 24 hours in advance.

First, choose a Smart Program and set your preferred cooking parameters. Then, activate Delay Start.

Remember, once you've activated Delay Start, you can't revert to the cooking settings. If you need to change the settings of the Smart Program, you must cancel the delay by pressing Cancel and then re-enter your desired settings.

To set the delay duration, wait for the timer display to blink and then use the '−' and '+' buttons.

For instance, setting it to 02:00 means the cooking will commence 2 hours later. To adjust the minutes, press Delay Start again and modify the time using the same buttons.

The Delay Start function will automatically engage after 10 seconds of inactivity, and the countdown will commence.

When the set delay time elapses, the chosen Smart Program starts automatically, and the display will show 'On'. Note that Delay Start is not an option for the Sauté and Yogurt Smart Programs.

CANCEL/STAND-BY SETTING BUTTON

When the cooker is connected to power but not actively being used, its display will show 'OFF', signaling that it's in Standby mode.

To halt a Smart Program or Manual cooking in progress, simply press the Cancel button. This action will bring the cooker back to its Standby mode.

INSTANT POT ULTRA/DUO PLUS/ OTHER SMART EXTRAS

Cake Function The Cake function utilizes high pressure to bake exceptionally moist and dense cakes.

Choose the Less mode for a lighter and moister outcome, the Normal mode for standard density, and the More mode for very dense cakes, like a New York Style cheesecake.

A trivet/steam rack and a cake pan, preferably covered with foil, are essential for this process. After baking, employ a Natural Release method.

Egg Program The Egg program is tailored for extra-large eggs, so timing adjustments might be necessary for smaller sizes.

Select the Less mode for soft-cooked eggs, Normal for medium, and More for hard-cooked eggs.

Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath post-cooking to halt further cooking. Once done, use the quick-release method

Sterilize Program This setting is specifically created for the sterilization of items like baby bottles, jars, and utensils.

Opt for the Less mode, which offers steam sterilization at 181°F without pressure, for pasteurizing dairy and sterilizing heat-resistant plastics and tempered glass.

For more intensive sterilization, such as for baby bottles, jars, utensils, and water-bath canning of acidic fruits and vegetables, use the Normal mode (low pressure hot water bath canning at 230°F) or the More mode (high pressure hot water bath canning at 239°F).

Each iteration of the Instant Pot Settings introduces more features, yet thankfully, the core 9-10 settings remain consistent across models.

We trust this guide has helped demystify the Smart program buttons for you.

As highlighted initially, the Instant Pot's versatility lies in its dual approach: you can either rely on its array of preset programs or gain more flexibility by employing the Manual/Pressure Cook settings.

Familiarizing yourself with these functions and experimenting with various foods will enhance your understanding of which settings are optimal for different culinary needs.

Should you have additional queries about the SMART PROGRAM settings or if you've discovered innovative ways to utilize them, feel free to share your insights in the comments section.