Burn Message On Instant Pot

Ever wonder why your food burns in the Instant Pot? Tired of getting that BURN message? I will explain the five main reasons your food burns, and how to avoid getting that dreaded Burn Message.

Why You Should Trust How I Know Why Your Food Burns In The Instant Pot

• Cookbook Author: I’ve written 5 Instant Pot Cookbooks that have been authorized by Instant Pot.
• Efficient: That’s the only way I know how to do things in the kitchen. Who has time to waste when you’re trying to get food on the table? I’m known for my ruthless efficiency and use the pot in pot cooking method every chance I get.
• Gadget geek! : I’m a self-proclaimed food tech enthusiast and have been known to purchase (and review) just about any kitchen appliance I can get my hands on.

Why Did My Food Burn In The Instant Pot?

There are five different reasons your food burned or you received a burn notification in your Instant Pot. Those reasons are:

1. A Bad Recipe
2. Type of Ingredients
3. A Sticky Fond
4. A Non-Performing Seal
5. Issues With Your Float Valve

1. A Bad Recipe

It’s no secret that cooking with the Instant Pot has become insanely popular. With the increased popularity, a lot of new bloggers and home cooks have started creating recipes to share. Unfortunately, a lot of these bloggers and cooks are inexperienced at using their Instant Pots. This has produced some recipes that haven’t been tested as thoroughly as they should be.

How To Determine A Bad Recipe

There are a few ways to determine if a recipe is a bad recipe before you attempt to make it yourself for the first time. These indicators are:

• A lot of steps . One of the perks of cooking with your Instant Pot is the simplicity of the recipes and the ability to set your pot and let it cook for you.
• Multiple pots and pans being dirtied to make one dish . If you have a sink full of dishes after you’re done making an Instant Pot recipe, did you really even cook it in your Instant Pot? An efficient Instant Pot recipe will ask you to do everything right inside of the liner and will utilize the Pot in Pot cooking method .
• Adding too much water . Most recipes do not require a lot of liquid to create enough steam to bring it to pressure. It is essential to add water for the pot to come to pressure, but a lot of it will come from the ingredients themselves. If you see a recipe that calls for you to saute off the extra water after the cooking time, it’s a pretty good indicator that there was something wrong with that recipe.
• Nonuniform cooking times . If you have any experience at all using a pressure cooker, you probably have an idea of how long it takes to make some of your favorite foods in the Instant Pot. If the cooking times seem drastically off from anything you’ve ever seen mentioned in a trusted recipe it will likely burn.

Check Out One Of My Instant Pot Cookbooks

One guaranteed way to make sure you’re going to get a recipe that turns out perfect every time is to use a recipe that has been thoroughly tested by a reputable blogger.

Don’t forget to check out my otherBest-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!

Indian Instant Pot , Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy , Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot .

2. Types Of Ingredients

If you tried to create some of your own recipes and are wondering “Why Did My Food Burn”, take a look at what type of ingredients you were using. Some ingredients do not perform as well under pressure as others.

Here are a few ingredients you will want to use caution with when you add them to an Instant Pot recipe:

• Tomato Sauce
• Tomato Paste
• Cream of Anything Soups

This does not mean that you can’t use these ingredients. It just means that you need to take a few extra measures when you include them to prevent your food from burning in the Instant Pot.

How To Use These Ingredients Correctly

If you’re using tomato paste, tomato sauce, or a creamy canned soup you will need to ensure you’re adding enough thin liquid (such as broth or water) to allow steam to form . Thick liquids like the ones I recommended using caution with are not able to produce enough steam to raise your float valve.

Another thing to remember when you’re cooking with these thicker sauces is that you need to avoid putting them at the bottom of your Instant Pot . Try to layer as much as possible. Here’s an example of what I mean by this:

If you wanted to make a spaghetti dish in your instant pot, you would:

1. Brown hamburger or vegetables with the sauté function.
2. Break the pasta into smaller pieces and criss cross it in a layer on top of the hamburger or vegetables.
3. Cover the pasta with a layer of tomato sauce.
4. Add additional water to help the Instant Pot come to pressure.
5. DO NOT STIR. The layers keep the thick liquid away from the bottom of the pot so they do not burn.

3. A Sticky Fond

This is the layer that might be created on the bottom of your Instant Pot liner after you brown or saute something. It’s a small layer of caramelization that is created from the natural sugars in your food being exposed to high heat.

You may be asking yourself: why is a sticky fond bad?

Well, because the Instant Pot is smart and comes with several built in safety functions. It is able to determine if the pot is able to come to pressure by the environment on the inside. If there is any debris stuck to the bottom of your Instant Pot before you attempt to pressure cook something, it will give the Burn notification and stop cooking.

What To Do If You Have A Sticky Fond

It’s really a simple fix if you have a sticky fond on the bottom of your Instant Pot liner. Add a small bit of water and rub the bottom of your spoon or spatula against the liner until all of the food particles have dissolved .

Once the food is free from the bottom, you’re good to continue the recipe as written.

4. A Non-Performing Seal

The seal is the part of the Instant Pot lid that keeps the steam from escaping the pot. This allows pressure to build for cooking.

However, there are a few things that might cause your sealing ring from performing correctly :

• It is too loose. Your sealing ring should not be able to spin when it is secured in your Instant Pot lid. If it does, it is likely too loose. If your sealing ring is too loose, it will allow pressure to escape and may cause your Instant Pot to give the Burn notification.
• It is cracked or broken. If there is a crack or a tear in your sealing ring, it will allow pressure to escape.
• Missing seal. We’ve all been there. You take your sealing ring out to clean it, toss it in the dishwasher and forget to put it back in. Without the sealing ring in place pressure will not be able to form inside of your Instant Pot .

Where Should I See Steam Coming From?

It is common for steam to escape from around the floating valve until the Instant Pot fully comes to pressure. It is not normal to have steam escape from the sides of the lid. If that is happening there is an issue with the seal.

5. Issues With Your Float Valve

The float valve is the little button that raises and lowers to indicate whether your Instant Pot is currently under pressure. If it is not raising, the Instant Pot will give the Burn notification. This is a safety measure. This keeps steam from building inside of the pot. Here are a few things that could cause your float valve from raising as it should :

• Not enough water . If there’s not enough water inside of your pot to produce steam, the float valve will not raise. Steam is what forces the button up from the resting position.
• You forgot to turn the pressure valve from Venting to Sealing . Even the most experienced Instant Pot users have been guilty of this. So, if you do not set your pressure valve from venting to sealing, steam will escape and not enough pressure will form inside of the pot to cause the float valve to rise. I enjoy the feature on the Instant Pot Ultra that automatically seals the Instant Pot lid when you close it. It’s good if you can be forgetful like me.
• Debris stuck under the float valve . There is a small mechanism on the inside of the Instant Pot lid that needs to be cleaned. If you are having issues with the float valve operating properly, you may need to clean this mechanism. Food particles can be lodged inside of this while your Instant Pot is under pressure.

More On The Science Of Cooking

• Maillard Reaction
• What Is Sous Vide?
• Pot In Pot Cooking
• Why Did I Get The Instant Pot Burn Message?
• 6 Most Important Buttons On Your Instant Pot

All of the factors I listed above can be a reason for why you got the Burn notification in your Instant Pot. However, the easy explanation for every time it happens is that you didn’t use enough water or thin liquids .

Just remember that:

You need water to create steam. You need steam to create pressure. If your pot is not coming to pressure, your Instant Pot will give the burn message.

Originally Published August 21, 2020

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If you’re in the market for a new kitchen appliance to help making cooking easier, you’re probably on the fence: Air Fryer Vs Instant Pot. Let me give you some pointers to help you decide which one will make the perfect addition to your kitchen.

Why You Should Trust My Advice On Air Fryers Vs. Instant Pots

• Air Fryer Cookbooks: I have two best-selling air fryer cookbooks, Every Day Easy Air Fryer and Air Fryer Revolution , so you can feel confident in knowing that I use air fryers and similar kitchen gadgets on a regular basis, I’m quite familiar with how they work and I know what makes a good air fryer.
• Instant Pot Cookbook Author: I’ve written 5 Instant Pot Cookbooks that have been authorized by Instant Pot.
• Experienced Reviewer : I’ve done various air fryer reviews in the past, so I have a wealth of knowledge about air fryers, roasters, and grills, and what makes one better than another.
• Gadget geek! : I’m a self-proclaimed food tech enthusiast and have been known to purchase (and review ) just about any kitchen appliance I can get my hands on.

If you think you’re alone not knowing which appliance you should choose and what functions they perform, think again. I get asked these questions ALL OF THE TIME . Here are some of the most commonly asked questions that I will discuss to help you choose:

1. What Does An Air Fryer Do?
2. What Does An Instant Pot Do?
3. Can An Instant Pot Be Used As An Air Fryer?
4. Which Is Healthier? Instant Pot or Air Fryer?
5. What Can You Cook In Them?
6. Air Fryer Vs Instant Pot: Which Is Cheaper?
7. Should I Get An Air Fryer Or An Instant Pot?

1. What Does An Air Fryer Do?

This all depends on the model of air fryer that you buy. There are air fryers that are super basic and have buttons to select time and temperature only.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are air fryers that offer a dozen preset cooking functions, along with the ability to adjust time and temperature.

Basic Models

• GoWise Air Fryer
• Gourmia Air Fryer
• Ninja Air Fryer

Models With More Functions

• Cosori Air Fryer with Presets
• Breville Smart Oven Air
• Instant Vortex Air Fryer

How Does An Air Fryer Work?

Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food and crisping the outside of your food by raising the internal temperature until it’s fully cooked.

2. What Does An Instant Pot Do?

As with air fryers, it depends on which model of Instant Pot you buy. There are as many types of Instant Pots and other name brands of pressure cookers as there are air fryers. You can get an Instant Pot for the beginner pressure cooker or you can get one that will do everything but the dishes for you.

Basic Models

• Instant Pot LUX
• Instant Pot Duo
• Instant Pot Duo Nova

Models With More Functions

• Instant Pot Ultra
• Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus
• Instant Pot Smart WiFi

How Does A Pressure Cooker Work?

Pressure Cookers work by cooking the food inside of the pot under high heat and pressure. If you’re wondering the science behind how the food cooks, take a look at my post about the Maillard Reaction . It explains how and why this method of cooking works.

Think an Instant Pot is what your kitchen is missing? Check out how to choose the right Instant Pot to help you make a decision on which one to buy.

2. Can An Instant Pot Be Used As An Air Fryer?

This is a tricky question. An Instant Pot CAN be used as an air fryer, but not without an additional attachment , such as an air fryer lid or crisping lid. Here are some of my favorite options for air fryer attachments to use with your air fryer:

• Mealthy Crisp Lid
• Michelangelo Air Fryer Lid
• Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid

Would I Buy This?

Absolutely. If I already owned a pressure cooker or Instant Pot, I would pick up one of these air fryer lids. They have a very small footprint, are more affordable than buying a freestanding air fryer, and are so simple to use.

You also have the option of buying a 2 in 1 appliance that has different lids that perform different functions. My favorite is the Ninja Foodi . This is a large appliance, but it still takes up less space on your kitchen counter than two separate appliances.

Would I Buy This?

This can vary from person to person. If you have a small living space, already own an Instant Pot or Air Fryer, or are on a budget, you might want to pass on this. If you’re in the market for both an air fryer and an Instant Pot with plenty of room to cook in your kitchen, this is a great solution for your pressure cooking and air frying needs.

4. Which Is Healthier: Air Fryer Vs Instant Pot?

Most of this decision depends on what kind of food you plan on cooking most in it. As with almost any cooking gadget or appliance, you can make healthy food and you can make unhealthy food .

If you plan on making mostly foods that you would normally deep fry, such as french fries, egg rolls, and pizza in your air fryer, I would say that the Instant Pot is the healthier choice.

If you plan on making meals that are full of processed ingredients, carbs, and unhealthy fats, the air fryer would be the healthier choice.

It’s all in how the user cooks and the recipes they make.

What Can You Make In Them?

There are many recipes that you CAN cook in your Instant Pot and Air Fryer. However, there are some that are BETTER cooked in one rather than the other. Here are a few things that are best made in each small appliance:

Air Fryer

• Steaks
• Pork Chops
• Vegetables
• Shrimp

Basically, any smaller items that you want to turn out perfectly crispy on the outside.

Instant Pot

• Soups
• Stews
• Tougher Cuts of Meat
• Beans
• Rice

Anything that generally requires a longer cook time will be better cooked in an Instant Pot.

6. Air Fryer Vs Instant Pot: Which Is Cheaper?

As far as price goes, you can get an opening price point air fryer and Instant Pot for about the same price . Higher-end air fryers or air fryer/oven combinations can be quite a bit more expensive than even the most expensive version of the Instant Pot

I like to think of this as the price of the investment . It doesn’t matter how expensive or inexpensive your appliance is if you never use it. Don’t decide to buy the cheaper appliance just to save a few dollars. Buy the one that you will use more and you will get more value for your investment.

7. Should I Get An Air Fryer Or An Instant Pot?

The right decision for one person may not be the right decision for another. It all comes down to what kind of food you want to cook. Here are some suggestions to help you make your decision:

Buy An Air Fryer If:

• You want to reduce the amount of deep-fried food you eat
• You want to reheat leftovers without using your microwave
• Hate waiting on your oven to preheat
• You like to try new recipes (think more than french fries and egg rolls)

And don’t forget to check out my air fryer cookbooks! Every day easy air fryer , and Air Fryer Revolution .

Buy An Instant Pot If:

• You want food done quickly
• Hate doing dishes. No more using every pot and pan you own to make dinner
• You want to combine several kitchen gadgets in one (think pressure cooker, slow cooker, and air fryer with the addition of a crisping lid)
• Love to try new recipes

Grab Some Great Instant Pot Recipes In One Of My Instant Pot Cookbooks

Don’t forget to check out my otherBest-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!

Indian Instant Pot , Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy , Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot .

More Helpful Gadget Reviews

• Instant Pod Coffee & Espresso Maker
• Misen Santoku Knife Review
• Instant Pot Ace Blender Review
• Instant Pot Mini Duo Review
• Chef’s Choice 615A Meat Slicer Review
• How To Use A Food Saver
• How To Choose An Instant Pot
• KitchenAid Nespresso Espresso Maker
• Instant Zest Rice Cooker
• Souper Cubes
• Skoy Dish Scrubbers
• Sous Vide Accessories
• Phillips Starfish Technology Air Fryer Review
• Nutrimill Artiste Review

Tips For Deciding Air Fryer Vs Instant Pot

So, have you decided which one you’re going to add to your kitchen gadget collection? If you found Air Fryer Vs Instant Pot comparison helpful, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest so they can read it too.

Originally Published October 17, 2020