Did your hot water kettle stop working? Don’t want to use the stovetop? No worries––you can boil water in your Instant Pot. While this is not the device’s primary function, if you want to boil a pot of water (or any liquid for that matter), you can do so in just a few easy steps.
Continue reading to learn more about using your Instant Pot to boil water. Along the way, we’ll also include insight into how you can use your appliance.
How to Boil Water in Your Instant Pot
The makers of Instant Pot actually recommend boiling water in your appliance every once in a while. Not only does this kill any germs, but it also ensures that your device is working.
However, if you want to boil water for cooking purposes, first make sure that your Instant Pot’s interior is clean. Clear away any foodstuffs, residue, or other byproducts that could leach into your water. Then:
- Measure three cups of water and pour it into your Instant Pot.
- Put on the lid, making sure to lock its valves for that airtight seal.
- Select the high-pressure function and set it for three minutes.
- Wait until the three minutes are up.
- Release any built-up pressure from the Instant Pot.
- Open the lid.
Of these steps, number two is perhaps the most important. If your Instant Pot doesn’t have that airtight seal, steam will escape from the pot, effectively increasing the amount of time it takes for your water to boil.
Note: If you want to boil more than three cups of water, increase the time on the keypad.
Using the Sauté Function to Boil Water
For whatever reason, you may not want to have the lid on your Instant Pot while the water is heating up. Perhaps you want to use that water as the base of a soup or want to add noodles at the peak of its boil.
To boil water in your Instant Pot without fastening the lid, simply:
- Add three cups of water.
- Choose the sauté function on the Instant Pot, ensuring it’s on the highest setting.
- Monitor your water as it boils.
Of course, you’re not limited to boiling water in your Instant Pot. You can also use these steps to heat up soup, simmer chili, and slow-cook other liquid-based meals.
Troubleshooting Your Instant Pot’s Water Boiling Feature
You might already know how to boil water in your Instant Boil but find yourself unable to do so. If you followed the instructions above, and you did not get the desired results, here are some possible causes of your problem:
You Have an Inadequate Power Source
If your Instant Pot won’t turn on or only stays on for a few moments at a time, trying using a different power outlet. Do not plug your Instant Pot into an extension cord, as this poses a risk to your safety.
If this doesn’t work, try checking your home’s fuse box. Make sure that all of the switches are pointed in the same direction. You might need to consult an electrician if this is the root of your problem.
Your Inner Sealing Ring Isn’t Doing Its Job
It might seem like a flimsy piece of plastic, but your Instant Pot’s inner ring has an important job. If it’s worn out, riddled with holes, or otherwise misshapen, it could prevent heat from building up inside your Instant Pot––effectively making the appliance useless.
Make sure that your device’s inner sealing ring is in the correct location. You might have to bend it into place. If you think that it’s totally unusable, you can buy a replacement inner ring online.
You Didn’t Seal the Valves Correctly
Let’s start from the very beginning. You poured three cups of water into your Instant Pot. You put down the lid. And then, did you make sure that the valves were fastened? If the steam release valve is not pointed toward the seal symbol, the water will not boil as quickly.
A Defect Is Hindering Your Cooking Experience
If all else fails, there could be a mechanical problem preventing your device from working correctly. In this instance, you could have up to a year to file a warranty claim. This benefit would allow you to ship your Instant Pot back to its manufacturers, where they would cover most (if not all) of the repairs.
Keep in mind that warranties only apply to factory-based issues. Normal wear-and-tear, misuse, and negligence are generally not covered under these policies.
In Conclusion
Using your Instant Pot to boil water is easy. By using the device’s high-pressure function, you can boil water in a matter of minutes. You might even find that it’s faster than using your hot water kettle!