Instant Pot Burn Message
You just got an Instant Pot burn message – now what? This helpful guide answers all the important burn notice questions, like “why does my instant pot say burn” and “what to do when instant pot says burn” and includes handy tips for how to prevent a food burn notice from happening.
Yesterday I shared a post about what the Instant Pot Buttons mean. Today let’s tackle the dreaded Burn Notice.
The Instant Pot is such a great kitchen appliance! It’s a true time-saver, and when it comes to versatility, it’s tough to beat. Over the years, I’ve cooked pretty much anything and everything using my beloved Instant Pot.
This also means I am all too familiar with the mild panic that sets in when you end up getting an Instant Pot burn message mid-cycle.
Depending on the Instant Pot model, the message may read as “burn,” “food burn,” or “OvHT.” I know that seeing the Instant Pot burn message for the first time can be a little bit scary, but fear not: a burn notice does not necessarily mean your food is ruined.
I’ve put together this handy Instant Pot guide to help explain all there is to know about the burn notice, what to do if you get one, and most importantly, how to avoid getting one in the first place. Armed with this information, I am confident you will feel comfortable cooking up all sorts of amazing Instant Pot recipes with ease!
What Does Instant Pot Food Burn Message Mean?
The Instant Pot burn message is part of the built-in safety measures that help prevent the unit from overheating and causing for to burn.
This message usually occurs during the middle of a cooking cycle, which can be frustrating and lead to delays because the unit will stop cooking once this message is displayed.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons for the food burn Instant Pot message, and then I’ll give you some tips for how to proceed when the Instant Pot says burn!
Why Does My Instant Pot Say Burn?
The Instant Pot is designed to create heat under a tight seal. Since the steam can’t escape, the temperature can get quite high, which helps to cook food quickly.
If everything is working properly this leads to a delicious meal in no time. If something is off, you may see the dreaded food burn message. Here are some of the most common reasons:
- Not Enough Water – The Instant Pot needs at least 1 cup of liquid to function properly. Some foods produce enough liquid on their own, but some require added liquid, so following a recipe closely is important.
- Sealing Valve – The valve must be turned to seal. If you forget and the Instant Pot is set to venting, too much steam can escape, and the pot may get too hot.
- Sealing Ring – Inside the lid of your Instant Pot is a silicone sealing ring. The ring should be clean and have a snug fit. If the ring is too loose or there is food debris in the way, the lid may not seal properly. Sealing rings should also be replaced fairly regularly, especially if you use your Instant Pot frequently.
- Clean The Unit – Food may get stuck to the bottom of the insert, or make its way between the heating element and the insert. This will lead to a hot spot that will trigger the burn message. Always make sure these parts of your Instant Pot are very clean and free of debris.
- Clean The Float Valve – The little “button” that pops up can become jammed with food. Check that the float valve is clean so that it functions properly.
- Close The Lid – Most newer Instant Pot models will not function if the lid is not in place. If you have an older model, you want to be certain that the lid is fully closed.
- Deglaze The Pan – Many recipes require you to sauté certain ingredients before adding everything else to the insert. When sautéing, always finish by adding a bit of liquid to the insert, then scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to remove any stuck-on bits of food.
- Starchy Foods – Starchy foods like rice and pasta are notorious for triggering an Instant Pot burn. These foods are usually not stirred but gently pressed into the liquid. Recipes that use these ingredients may also require you to add the ingredients in a very specific order. Always follow the recipe.
- Avoid Creams and Thickeners – Creams and thickeners can burn or scald easily and should be added at the end of the cooking process.
What To Do When Instant Pot Says Burn
I use the list above like a checklist every time I cook with my Instant Pot. Yet even when I do everything right, there are still times when that burn message will appear.
Here are some tips for proceeding when you see “burn” on the Instant Pot screen.
- Stay Calm – When dinner and dollars are on the line, it can be difficult not to panic. Staying calm will help you to focus on remedying the problem so you can get dinner served.
- Cancel and Quick Release – Cancel the cooking process and quickly release the pressure. Allow the unit to cool down a bit, then open the lid to check for problems.
- Check For Stuck On Food – Stir everything to check for stuck food. If nothing is stuck, proceed to the next step. If there is stuck-on food, transfer your food to a bowl. Thoroughly clean the insert, making srure to removw all of the stuck-on debris. Return the food to the clean insert. If needed, add more liquid to maintain the 1 cup of liquid requirement.
- Check For Mechanical Issues – Closely inspect the sealing ring, sealing valve and float valve. Remove any food and make sure the valve is set to sealing.
- Clean The Instant Pot – Remove any food that may be stuck to the outside of the insert. And check to make sure there isn’t any inside the heating element.
- Finish Cooking – Once you have followed these steps, you can proceed with cooking according to the recipe.
- Reduce Excess Liquid – You may find that there is extra liquid once cooking is complete. In this case, open the lid and set the unit to sauté. Cook for several minutes, frequently stirring, until the liquid has reduced.
How To Prevent A Burn Message?
There are a couple of key things you can do to prevent getting a burn message;
Layer ingredients inside the Instant Pot insert.
Ingredients that have a higher sugar content or are very dense tend to burn easier, so to prevent a burn notice from happening, it is important to make sure these ingredients are kept away from the bottom of the insert.
Tomato and dairy products (diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cream, milk) should be added at the top (last) and not mixed in.
Layer the ingredients in these recipes.
Use The Pot-in-Pot Method
The Pot-in-Pot (PIP) method is a great way to pressure cook ingredients that tend to burn easily. Here’s how to do it:
- Place the trivet that comes with the Instant Pot inside the Instant Pot insert and pour in 1 cup of water.
- Add the ingredients into a separate container (pot, bowl, pan) that fits inside the insert.
- Place the cooking container on top of the trivel.
- Close and lock the lid, then cook as directed in your recipe instructions.
Use the pot-in-pot method in
What If I Keep Getting A Burn Error?
Completed all of the steps and still getting a burn error? You may want to reach out to Instant Pot support.
While burn errors do happen, they are not frequent. If your Instant Pot is giving you error messages often, there could be a problem with the unit.
FAQs
The Instant Pot burn message can appear on any IP size and model but seems to happen more frequently on the 8-quart models and newer models.
Starchy foods such as rice and pasta most frequently trigger the burn message. Be certain to use the proper amount of liquid and follow the recipe instructions for layering ingredients and whether they should be stirred.
In most cases, you can salvage your meal following the steps for what to do when the Instant Pot says burn listed above. Occasionally the burnt flavor may penetrate the whole dish and you may wish to start over, but this is not the norm.
More Instant Pot Basics
Instant Pot Recipes You May Like
- Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup.
- Instant Pot Chicken Tacos.
- Instant Pot Chili Mac and Cheese.
- Instant Pot Chicken Thighs.
- Dump and Start Instant Pot Beef Stew.
- Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta.
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast.
- Instant Pot Chicken Wings.
Thank you for reading my Guide to Correcting Instant Pot Burn Message. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.
How To Correct The Instant Pot Burn Error
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Instant Pot Burn Message
Instructions
- Stay Calm – When dinner and dollars are on the line, it can be difficult not to panic. Staying calm will help you to focus on remedying the problem so you can get dinner served.
- Cancel and Quick Release – Cancel the cooking process and quick release the pressure. This will allow the unit to cool down a bit and allow you to open the lid to check for problems.
- Check For Stuck On Food – Give everything a stir to check for stuck food. If nothing is stuck, proceed to the next step. If there is stuck-on food, carefully remove the remaining food to a clean bowl and thoroughly clean the insert, removing all of the food debris. Return the food to the clean instant pot, adding liquid if needed to maintain the 1 cup of liquid requirement.
- Check For Mechanical Issues – Closely inspect the sealing ring, sealing valve and float valve. Remove any food and make sure the valve is set to sealing.
- Clean The Instant Pot – Remove any food that may be stuck to the outside of the insert or may have fallen inside the heating element.
- Finish Cooking – Once you have followed these steps you should proceed with cooking according to the recipe. The Instant Pot should seal much quicker and you may be able to shorten your cooking time if a portion of time passed before you got the Instant Pot burn message.
- Reduce Excess Liquid – If you added additional liquid you may find that there is too much liquid once cooking is complete. In this case, open the lid and set the unit to saute. Cook for several minutes, stirring frequently, until the liquid has reduced.
