Instant Pot thread - Page 17

badgoodDeb · 10-05-2017, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

The chain mail will scratch stainless.

Huh!!! I am very surprised!! Well, live and learn.

Cinisajoy · 10-05-2017, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

Huh!!! I am very surprised!! Well, live and learn.

So was I. At least it was a skillet where the scratches won't really hurt anything except the look.

Blossom · 10-05-2017, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

First, a nylon scrubby, then when that doesn't work, a metal scrubby (SOS pad). I suspect the newly "cool" chain mail squares would work well too -- they are sold for cast iron ware. Also, cooking a bit of vinegar in a cup of water (just for cleaning purposes), or a pot of spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes, or even a batch of iced tea, will clean it. Till the next usage. So mostly I don't bother.

(Iced tea: ~1 quart of water plus 1 family sized tea bag. Manual 4 minutes high. QR if in a hurry, or a few minutes of NPR. Remove tea bag. Pour over ice, or into another 1.5 quarts of cold water. Frig till cold. Double if you want more; this lasts me 3-4 days, and I want it no older than that.)

What about a brillo pad? Too harsh?

Sent from my Nexus 7

Blossom · 10-05-2017, 09:42 PM

How do you keep the tea from tasting like your gasket? It absorbs all kinds of smells.

Sent from my Nexus 7

Strether · 10-06-2017, 10:09 AM

I'm very late to this party, not even having heard of the Instant Pot until I read my latest Consumer Reports, which gave it a very brief favorable review. I watched a dozen or so You Tube videos to see how it worked and when I checked Amazon for the price, discovered they were having a $30-off sale. Had enough bonus points to pay for it and it arrived on Wednesday. My maiden voyage yesterday was a batch of pea soup, which was completely successful. It cut the time in half, but as many have mentioned, one of the best features is that it needs very little attending to.

One question I have though: The instructions mention in a couple of places that you shouldn't plug it in under a counter. Any thoughts about why that would be? I have a center island in my kitchen and the ideal place to plug it in would be under the lip of this island.

Jim

PeterT · 10-06-2017, 10:16 AM

I believe the concern is the venting of the steam when you release the pressure.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

ApK · 10-06-2017, 10:19 AM

Attachment 159332

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strether

One question I have though: The instructions mention in a couple of places that you shouldn't plug it in under a counter. Any thoughts about why that would be? I have a center island in my kitchen and the ideal place to plug it in would be under the lip of this island.

Jim

Welcome to the cult.
The warning is because it would mean the power cord is running from the pot on the counter, over the edge of the counter, where people or pets may be walking around, to the outlet under the counter, and the cord could get snagged, dumping the hot, pressurized food bomb off the edge.

IOW, it's a warning to keep the cord short and out of the way.

ApK · 10-06-2017, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

I believe the concern is the venting of the steam when you release the pressure.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

The quick release steam blast might indeed wreak havok on veneers and paint and such, but the manual warnings are all about PLUGGING THE CORD in under the counter, not PLACING THE POT under the counter.

You certainly do want to make sure the steam vents in a direction where it won't do harm, like not into your face, etc.

Strether · 10-06-2017, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

Attachment 159332

Welcome to the cult.
The warning is because it would mean the power cord is running from the pot on the counter, over the edge of the counter, where people or pets may be walking around, to the outlet under the counter, and the cord could get snagged, dumping the hot, pressurized food bomb off the edge.

IOW, it's a warning to keep the cord short and out of the way.

I figured it might be something like that. Probably not an issue in my household, but better to be safe than sorry. I use an electric steamer on the island because of the volume of steam being vented and not wanting to use it under my cabinets. Doesn't look like that's going to be a problem with the Instant Pot, so being cautious, will use it on the back counter.

Jim

badgoodDeb · 10-06-2017, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

What about a brillo pad? Too harsh?

Sent from my Nexus 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

How do you keep the tea from tasting like your gasket? It absorbs all kinds of smells.

Sent from my Nexus 7

SOS or Brillo are probably ok. I know I use SOS. Test with light hand pressure before you push hard!

Tastes: many people say that, and I've bought spare gaskets due to that. However, I never put them in, as mine only once absorbed smells and has recovered since. I don't like highly spiced foods, I guess. I did make sure to buy spare "rings" that were "Instant Pot" branded, rather than bought from any other company. Your warranty can depend on that.

People suggest vinegar, baking soda, and/or hanging in the sun; the last is supposed to help the most.

Blossom · 10-07-2017, 06:59 AM

You should never open the vent fully that's asking for a mess.

Use a wooden spoon to lightly lift up and release your pressure slowly. Once it barely shows any signs of release then open all the way to finish.

Sent from my XT1528

copyrite · 10-07-2017, 07:53 AM

I have a gasket I use for spicy recipes and another for everything else. Direct sunlight seems to be the best way I've found to get rid of the smells on the stinkier ring. I've seen mentions of steam cleaning to get rid of the smell with vinegar, but that didn't work for me.

I use baking soda, a non abrasive pad (the generic Dobie I find in the grocery store... I remember my mother and MIL only buying genuine Dobie LOL), and elbow grease to clean the pot. Occasionally will try to "shine" the inside with vinegar.

I use the IP several times a week. We're about to do a major kitchen remodel - I'll think I'll be using it every day then!

Cinisajoy · 10-07-2017, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copyrite

I have a gasket I use for spicy recipes and another for everything else. Direct sunlight seems to be the best way I've found to get rid of the smells on the stinkier ring. I've seen mentions of steam cleaning to get rid of the smell with vinegar, but that didn't work for me.

I use baking soda, a non abrasive pad (the generic Dobie I find in the grocery store... I remember my mother and MIL only buying genuine Dobie LOL), and elbow grease to clean the pot. Occasionally will try to "shine" the inside with vinegar.

I use the IP several times a week. We're about to do a major kitchen remodel - I'll think I'll be using it every day then!

Good luck with your kitchen remodel.

badgoodDeb · 10-09-2017, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

You should never open the vent fully that's asking for a mess.

Use a wooden spoon to lightly lift up and release your pressure slowly. Once it barely shows any signs of release then open all the way to finish.

Sent from my XT1528

Depends what you are cooking. If it's all water, then have at a full blast release! (hard boiling eggs, for example, or cooking pot-in-pot even without a lid on the inner pot)

Blossom · 10-09-2017, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

Depends what you are cooking. If it's all water, then have at a full blast release! (hard boiling eggs, for example, or cooking pot-in-pot even without a lid on the inner pot)

I find it better to do gradual release it keeps water from coming out of the top and going all over the lid. It also saves on odor.

Sent from my XT1528

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10-05-2017, 09:42 PM	#244
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	How do you keep the tea from tasting like your gasket? It absorbs all kinds of smells. Sent from my Nexus 7

10-06-2017, 10:09 AM	#245
Strether Guru Posts: 765 Karma: 2825929 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fresno Device: Kindle 1; iPad Air; iPhone 7; Kobo Libra; Kindle Oasis 3	I'm very late to this party, not even having heard of the Instant Pot until I read my latest Consumer Reports, which gave it a very brief favorable review. I watched a dozen or so You Tube videos to see how it worked and when I checked Amazon for the price, discovered they were having a $30-off sale. Had enough bonus points to pay for it and it arrived on Wednesday. My maiden voyage yesterday was a batch of pea soup, which was completely successful. It cut the time in half, but as many have mentioned, one of the best features is that it needs very little attending to. One question I have though: The instructions mention in a couple of places that you shouldn't plug it in under a counter. Any thoughts about why that would be? I have a center island in my kitchen and the ideal place to plug it in would be under the lip of this island. Jim

10-06-2017, 10:16 AM	#246
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,693 Karma: 79983758 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	I believe the concern is the venting of the steam when you release the pressure. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

10-07-2017, 06:59 AM	#251
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	You should never open the vent fully that's asking for a mess. Use a wooden spoon to lightly lift up and release your pressure slowly. Once it barely shows any signs of release then open all the way to finish. Sent from my XT1528

10-07-2017, 07:53 AM	#252
copyrite Wizard Posts: 1,841 Karma: 4985051 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maryland Device: Kindle	I have a gasket I use for spicy recipes and another for everything else. Direct sunlight seems to be the best way I've found to get rid of the smells on the stinkier ring. I've seen mentions of steam cleaning to get rid of the smell with vinegar, but that didn't work for me. I use baking soda, a non abrasive pad (the generic Dobie I find in the grocery store... I remember my mother and MIL only buying genuine Dobie LOL), and elbow grease to clean the pot. Occasionally will try to "shine" the inside with vinegar. I use the IP several times a week. We're about to do a major kitchen remodel - I'll think I'll be using it every day then!