Instant Pot Duo Plus: Get Started

Welcome

Welcome to your new Instant Pot Duo Plus multifunction cooker! This appliance can help you cook healthy, delicious meals more easily and in less time. We hope you fall in love with Instant Pot cooking and enjoy it in your kitchen for years to come!

Get started with your Instant Pot!

Contents

This document provides a quick start guide. For detailed information, refer to the User Manual.

• What's in the box
• Using your Duo Plus
• Initial setup
• Using the lid
• Pressure Cook
• Slow Cook
• Rice
• Steam
• Sauté
• Yogurt
• Sous Vide
• Cake
• Keep Warm
• Cleaning
• Learn More

What's in the Box

Lid Components

The lid includes:

• Lid fins
• Handle
• Lid position marker
• Float valve
• Sealing ring
• Steam release vents
• Whisper quiet lid cover
• Steam release switch
• Steam release valve and Anti-Block shield
• Sealing ring rack

Inner Cooking Pot

Stainless Steel Inner Cooking Pot

Cooker Base Components

The cooker base includes:

• Condensation rim
• Control panel
• Heating element (inside)
• Power cord (rear; the 8-quart model has an attached cord)
• Condensation collector (rear)
• Cooker handles
• Stainless steel exterior

Parts & Accessories

• Sealing ring (extra) - One sealing ring comes installed.
• Stainless steel steam rack with handles

Illustrations are for reference only and may differ from the actual product.

Remember to recycle! We designed this packaging with sustainability in mind. Please recycle everything that can be recycled where you live.

Using Your Duo Plus

Control Panel Overview

The control panel is designed to be simple to use and easy to read.

Key Components:

• 1. Smart Program Settings: Cooking presets.
• 2. Time: Displays cooking time, delay start time, and keep warm time.
• 3. Delay Start Indicator: Shows when Delay Start is active.
• 4. Pressure Indicator: Illuminates when a pressure level is selected.
• 5. Temperature Indicator: Illuminates when a temperature is selected.
• 6. Progress Bar: Shows cooking progress.
• 7. Message Display: Shows cooking instructions.
• 8. Cooking Programs: Indicates the active program.
• 9. Delay Start Button: Light shows ON when active.
• 10. Keep Warm Button: Light shows ON when active.
• 11. Cancel Button
• 12. Start Button
• 13. Steam Icon: Illuminates when there is pressure in the multi-cooker.

Sound Settings

Turn sound on/off: Press and hold 'Delay Start' and 'Keep Warm' for 5 seconds. The display will show 'Sound Off' or 'Sound On'. Audible safety alerts (beeps) cannot be turned off.

Temperature Scale

Set to Fahrenheit: When in Ready mode (and scale is set to Celsius), press and hold the 'Control Dial' for 5 seconds. The display shows 'Temp Unit F'.

Set to Celsius: When in Ready mode (and scale is set to Fahrenheit), press and hold the 'Control Dial' for 5 seconds. The display shows 'Temp Unit C'.

Delay Start

You can set a Delay Start timer for a minimum of 10 minutes or a maximum of 24 hours. Select a Smart Program, adjust settings, press 'Delay Start', use the 'Control Dial' to set the time (in 10-minute increments), and press 'Start'. Delay Start begins automatically.

Set a Timer (without cooking)

You can set a timer for a minimum of 1 minute or a maximum of 60 minutes. When the unit is on and the display shows 'Ready', press 'Delay Start', use the 'Control Dial' to set minutes (in 1-minute increments), and press 'Start' to begin the timer.

Cancel Cooking

When in Preheating, Cooking, or Keep Warm modes, press 'Cancel'. The display shows 'Ready'.

Reset Unit to Original Settings

• Reset individual programs: In Ready mode, press and hold a program button for over 3 seconds. The display shows 'Ready'. The program's settings revert to factory defaults.
• Reset individual programs during cooking: In Cooking mode, press and hold the program button for over 3 seconds. The display returns to the cooking program, but with factory default settings.
• Reset all program settings: In Ready mode, press and hold 'Cancel' for over 3 seconds. The display shows 'Ready'. All unit settings are restored to factory defaults.

Initial Setup

Clean Before Use

1. Wash the inner cooking pot with hot water and soap. Rinse and dry the outside with a soft cloth, or wash the inner cooking pot in the dishwasher.
2. Wipe the heating element inside the cooker base with a soft cloth to ensure there are no stray packaging particles.

Condensation Collector

The condensation collector attaches to the back of the cooker base to catch overflow moisture from the condensation rim. It should be installed before cooking and emptied and rinsed out after each use.

To remove: Pull the condensation collector away from the cooker base; do not pull down. Note the tabs on the cooker base and the grooves on the condensation collector.

To install: Align the grooves on the condensation collector with the tabs on the back of the cooker base and slide the condensation collector into place.

Sealing Ring

When the lid is closed, the sealing ring installed on the underside of the lid creates an airtight seal between the lid and the cooker base. The sealing ring must be installed before using the cooker and should be cleaned after each use. Use one sealing ring at a time; use one for sweet dishes and one for savory. Sealing rings stretch over time with normal use. To keep your product safe, replace the sealing ring every 12 to 18 months, or sooner if you notice stretching, deformation, or damage.

To install: Place the sealing ring over the sealing ring rack and press it into place. Press down firmly to ensure there is no puckering. The sealing ring should be snug and should not fall out when the lid is turned over.

To remove: Grip the edge of the sealing ring and pull it out from behind the sealing ring rack. Inspect the rack to ensure it is secured, centered, and an even height all the way around the lid. If the sealing ring rack is deformed, do not try to repair it.

Using the Lid

How to Close and Lock the Lid

For pressure cooking, the lid must be securely locked into place to prevent steam from escaping. When you place the lid on the cooker base:

1. Align the line on the lid with the arrow at the side of the control panel.
2. Turn the lid clockwise until the line on the lid lines up with the line on the control panel.

If the lid is not closed and locked when you start a cooking program, the message display will show "Turn to Lock Lid" and the unit will not start pressurizing.

How to Unlock and Open the Lid

Once steam is completely released, you must unlock the lid before opening it:

1. Turn the lid counterclockwise until the line on the lid lines up with the arrow on the side of the control panel.
2. Carefully lift the lid up and off the cooker base.

When a cooking program is finished and steam has been released, the steam icon on the display will disappear and the message display will show END and OK to Open Lid.

How to Release Steam

Instant Pot Duo Plus can release steam naturally or quickly. Use the one that best fits the type of food you're cooking.

Natural Steam Release:

After cooking, leave the steam release switch in the Seal position ?️ until all pressure is released. When pressure is released, the steam icon on the display disappears and the message display shows OK to Open Lid.

Quick Steam Release:

Quickly releases steam after you move the steam release switch to the Vent position ?. Use for foods that tend to overcook, like vegetables and seafood. Wait for all pressure to release. When pressure is released, the steam icon on the display will disappear and the message display shows OK to Open Lid.

Pressure Cooking Caution: This appliance uses pressure to cook. Allow the appliance to release all excess pressure and steam before opening the lid. Opening the lid before pressure is released may result in burns, injury and/or property damage. Read more in the Safety, Maintenance and Warranty document.

Pressure Cook

Pressure cooking uses pressurized steam to cook foods quickly and evenly. Each Smart Program is designed for specific food types. You can adjust settings as your recipe directs.

Smart Programs:

Other settings: Automatic Keep Warm is ON by default for all Pressure Cook programs. Delay Start is available for all Pressure Cook programs.

How to Pressure Cook:

Prep: Cut, chop, season, or marinate your ingredients according to your recipe.

Preheat: Add ingredients to the inner cooking pot and place it into the cooker base. Place the lid on top and lock it. Press 'Pressure Cook' on the Control Panel. Turn the Control Knob to highlight the desired Smart Program, then press the knob to select it. The default cooking time flashes; press the Control Dial to select it or turn the Dial to change it and press to select. The default pressure level flashes; select or change it similarly. To delay cooking, press 'Delay Start', then turn the Control Knob to select the delay time. Keep Warm is ON by default; press 'Keep Warm' to turn it off if desired. Press 'Start'. The message display shows 'Preheating' and the unit builds pressure. It can take 10-15 minutes to reach pressure; frozen foods increase this time.

Cook: When the pressure is ready, the display shows 'Do Not Open Lid'. Cooking starts, and the progress bar shows 'Cooking'. The cooking time counts down. You can press 'Cancel' to stop cooking at any time.

Stop Cooking: Cooking stops when the time reaches 00:00. If Keep Warm is ON, the timer starts counting up.

Release Steam: Choose the steam release method that works for your recipe (see 'How to release steam' above for full details).

Using Liquid to Create Steam:

Pressure cooking requires liquid in the inner cooking pot to produce the steam needed. Minimum amounts:

• 6 Quarts / 5.7 Liters: 1 1/2 cups (12 oz / 375 mL)
• 8 Quarts / 7.6 Liters: 2 cups (16 oz / 500 mL)

*Unless otherwise specified in recipe. Pressure cooking liquids should be water-based, such as broth, stock, soup, or juice. If using canned, condensed, or cream-based soup, add water as directed.

Slow Cook

Slow cooking lets you make your favorite simmering and stewing recipes, similar to traditional methods. This program does not use pressure to cook food. Adjust settings as per your recipe.

Smart Programs:

Other settings: Automatic Keep Warm is ON by default for all Slow Cook programs. Delay Start is available for all Slow Cook programs.

How to Slow Cook:

Prep: Cut, chop, season, or marinate your ingredients according to your recipe.

Cook: Add ingredients to the inner cooking pot and place it into the cooker base. Place the lid on top and lock it. Press 'Slow Cook'. Turn the Control Knob to highlight the desired Smart Program, then press the knob to select it. The default cooking time flashes; press the Control Dial to select it or turn the Dial to change it and press to select. The default cooking temperature flashes; select or change it similarly. You can delay cooking by pressing 'Delay Start', then turning the Control Knob to select the delay time. Keep Warm is ON by default; press 'Keep Warm' to turn it off if desired. Press 'Start'. Preheating starts, then cooking starts, and the progress bar shows 'Cooking'. The cooking time counts down. You can press 'Cancel' to stop cooking at any time.

Stop Cooking: Cooking stops when the time reaches 00:00. If Keep Warm is ON, the timer starts counting up.

Rice

The Rice program uses pressurized steam to cook rice quickly and evenly. You can adjust the settings as your recipe directs.

Smart Programs:

Other settings: Automatic Keep Warm is ON by default for all Rice programs. Delay Start is available for all Rice programs.

How to Cook Rice:

Add ingredients to the inner cooking pot and place it into the cooker base. Place the lid on top and lock it. Press 'Rice' on the Control Panel. Turn the Control Knob to highlight the desired Smart Program, then press the knob to select it. The default cooking time flashes; press the Control Dial to select it or turn the Dial to change it and press to select. The default pressure level flashes; select or change it similarly. You can delay cooking by pressing 'Delay Start', then turning the Control Knob to select the delay time. Keep Warm is ON by default; press 'Keep Warm' to turn it off if desired. Press 'Start'. The message display shows 'Preheating' and the unit builds pressure. It can take 10-15 minutes to reach pressure.

Cook: When the pressure is ready, the display shows 'Do Not Open Lid'. Cooking starts, and the progress bar shows 'Cooking'. The cooking time counts down. You can press 'Cancel' to stop cooking at any time.

Stop Cooking: Cooking stops when the time reaches 00:00. If Keep Warm is ON, the timer starts counting up.

Release Steam: Choose the steam release method that works for your recipe (see 'How to release steam' above for full details).

Steam

The Steam program cooks food using steam but no pressure; it's especially useful for vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, carrots, and others. You can adjust the settings as your recipe directs or to your taste.

Smart Programs:

Other settings: Automatic Keep Warm is not available. Delay Start is not available.

How to Steam:

Prep: Cut or chop the ingredients according to your recipe.

Cook: Add ingredients to the inner cooking pot and place it into the cooker base. Place the lid on top and lock it. Press 'Steam' and 'Custom' flashes on the control panel. The default cooking time flashes; press the Control Dial to select it or turn the Dial to change it and press to select. The default cooking temperature flashes; select or change it similarly. Press 'Start'. Preheating starts. When ready, cooking starts, and the progress bar shows 'Cooking'. The cooking time starts counting down. You can press 'Cancel' to stop cooking at any time.

Stop Cooking: Cooking stops when the time reaches 00:00.

Sauté

Use Sauté in place of a frying or saucepan. Sautéing can deepen the flavors of your food, or can simmer, thicken, or reduce sauces. Adjust settings as per your recipe.

Smart Programs:

Other settings: Automatic Keep Warm is OFF by default. Delay Start is not available.

How to Sauté:

Prep: Cut, chop, season, or marinate your ingredients according to your recipe.

Preheat: Place the empty inner cooking pot into the cooker base. Do not close the lid. Press 'Sauté' and 'Custom' flashes on the control panel. The default cooking time flashes; press the Control Dial to select it or turn the Dial to change it and press to select. The default cooking temperature flashes; select or change it similarly. Press 'Start'. Cooking starts, and the progress bar shows 'Preheating'.

Cook: When the message display shows 'Hot', add the ingredients but do not close the lid. The cooking time starts counting down. You can press 'Cancel' to stop cooking at any time.

Stop Cooking: Cooking stops when the time reaches 00:00.

Sautéing before Pressure or Slow Cooking:

Often, you'll want to sauté foods to brown them before further cooking. Sauté ingredients, then press 'Cancel'. You can deglaze the inner cooking pot before switching to Pressure Cook or Slow Cook (see Deglazing below).

Deglazing:

Deglazing is the process of adding a liquid to a hot pan, releasing all of the delicious, caramelized pieces stuck to the bottom. 1. Remove food from the inner pot. 2. Add water, broth, or wine. 3. Use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to loosen food stuck to the bottom of the inner cooking pot.

Yogurt

You can use your Instant Pot Duo Plus to easily make delicious, fermented dairy and non-dairy yogurt. Adjust settings as per your recipe.

Yogurt Smart Program Settings:

Other settings: Automatic Keep Warm is not available. Delay Start is not available.

How to Make Yogurt:

Pasteurizing Milk: Add milk to the inner cooking pot and place it into the cooker base. Place the lid on top and lock it. Press 'Yogurt' and 'Custom' flashes on the control panel. The default cooking time flashes; press the Control Dial to select a custom setting. Using the Control Dial, change the default temperature to High. The display shows 'bOIL'. Press 'Start'. Cooking starts, and the progress bar shows 'Preheating'. When pasteurization finishes, the display shows 'End'. Milk must reach a minimum of 161°F / 72°C for pasteurization to occur.

Adding Culture/Starter: Allow pasteurized milk to cool to 43°C / 110°F. Add a starter culture to the milk according to package instructions. If using plain yogurt as a starter, ensure it contains an active culture. Mix in 2 tbsp (30 mL) of yogurt per 1 gallon (3.7 L) of milk or follow a trusted recipe.

Ferment: Press 'Yogurt'. Cycle to 'Normal' by pressing Yogurt again; the display shows 8 hours (08:00). The default fermentation time flashes; press the Control Dial to select it or turn the Dial to change it and press to select. After 10 seconds, the cooker begins heating; the display shows the timer counting up from 00:00. When fermentation completes, the unit beeps and the display shows 'End'. A longer fermentation period will produce tangier yogurt.

Cooling & Developing Flavor: Allow yogurt to cool. Place in the fridge for 12-24 hours to develop flavors.

How Much to Make?

Sous Vide

Sous Vide cooks food underwater in an airtight, food-safe bag, for a long period of time. Food cooks in its own juices and comes out delicious and very tender. This program does not use pressure to cook food. You should use the pressure cooking lid to maintain an accurate temperature.

Smart Programs:

Other settings: Automatic Keep Warm is OFF by default. Delay Start is not available.

What You Need to Sous Vide:

• Tongs
• Food safe, airtight, re-sealable food pouches OR
• Vacuum sealer and food-safe vacuum bags

How to Sous Vide:

Prep: Cut, chop, season, or marinate your ingredients according to your recipe. Add the ingredients to the cooking bag or pouch and seal tightly.

Preheat: Place the empty inner cooking pot into the cooker base and close and lock the lid. Press 'Sous Vide' on the Control Panel. Turn the Control Knob to highlight the desired Smart Program, then press the knob to select it. The default cooking time flashes; press the Control Dial to select it or turn the Dial to change it and press to select. The default temperature flashes; select or change it similarly. Press 'Start'. The message display shows 'Preheating' and the unit starts heating.

Cook: When the message display shows 'Hot', unlock and open the lid. Add the sealed cooking bag or pouch to the inner cooking pot and reclose and lock the lid. The cooking time starts counting down. When cooking time reaches 00:00, cooking stops. You can press 'Cancel' to stop cooking at any time.

Remove Food: When cooking completes, the display shows 'End'. Open the lid and use the tongs to carefully remove the cooking pouch.

Cake

The Cake Smart Program uses pressurized steam to bake cakes quickly and evenly, especially cheesecakes. You can adjust the settings as your recipe directs.

Smart Programs:

Other settings: Automatic Keep Warm is set to ON by default. Delay Start is available.

How to Pressure Cook Cake:

Prep: Prepare the ingredients according to your recipe.

Preheat: Add ingredients to the inner cooking pot and place it into the cooker base. Place the lid on top and lock it. Press 'Cake' and 'Custom' flashes on the control panel. The default cooking time flashes; press the Control Dial to select it or turn the Dial to change it and press to select. The default pressure level flashes; select or change it similarly. You can delay cooking by pressing 'Delay Start', then turning the Control Knob to select the delay time. Keep Warm is ON by default; press 'Keep Warm' to turn it off if desired. Press 'Start'. The display shows 'Preheating' and the Instant Pot Duo Plus is building pressure. It can take 10-15 minutes to reach pressure.

Cook: When the pressure is ready, the display shows 'Do Not Open Lid'. Cooking starts, and the progress bar shows 'Cooking'. The cooking time starts counting down. You can press 'Cancel' to stop cooking at any time.

Stop Cooking: Cooking stops when the time reaches 00:00. If Keep Warm is ON, the timer starts counting up.

Release Steam: Choose the steam release method that works for your recipe (see 'How to release steam' above for full details).

Keep Warm

You can choose to allow Keep Warm to turn on automatically after cooking on many Smart Programs, and you can also use Keep Warm separately to reheat food.

Keep Warm After Cooking:

When cooking is finished, automatic warming begins. The timer shows the time passed, up to 10 hours. To turn automatic warming off (either during cooking or during automatic warming), press 'Keep Warm' and the light above the button turns off.

Reheat Food:

When in Standby mode, press 'Keep Warm'. The default cooking time flashes; press the Control Dial to select it or turn the Dial to change it and press to select. The default temperature level flashes; select or change it similarly.

Cleaning

Clean your Instant Pot Duo Plus after each use. Always unplug the unit and let all parts cool to room temperature before cleaning. Before use or storing, make sure all surfaces are dry.

Cleaning Instructions by Part:

• Accessories (Steam Rack, Condensation Collector, Sealing Ring): Wash after each use. Hand wash with hot water and mild dish soap, or wash in dishwasher (top rack). Never use harsh chemical detergents, powders, or scouring pads on accessories. Empty and rinse condensation collector after each use.
• Lid and Parts (Anti-Block Shield, Sealing Ring, Steam Release Vent, Silicone Cap, Steam Release Cover): Hand wash with hot water and mild dish soap, or wash in dishwasher (top rack). Remove all small parts from lid before washing. With steam release valve and anti-block shield removed, clean the interior of the steam release pipe to prevent clogging. To drain water from the lid after dishwashing, grasp the lid handle and hold the lid vertically over a sink, then turn it all the way around. After cleaning, store the lid upside down on the cooker base. Store sealing rings in a well-ventilated area to disperse odor. To eliminate odors from sealing ring, add 1 cup (8 oz / 250 mL) water and 1 cup (8 oz / 250 mL) white vinegar to the inner cooking pot, and run Pressure Cook for 5-10 minutes, then use Quick Steam Release.
• Inner Cooking Pot: Wash after each use. Hand wash with hot water and mild dish soap or wash in dishwasher*. Hard water stains may need a vinegar-dampened sponge and scrubbing to remove. For tough or burned food residue, soak in hot water for a few hours before cleaning.
• Power cord: Use a barely-damp cloth to wipe any particles off the cord.
• Cooker base: Wipe the inside of the cooker base as well as the condensation rim with a barely-damp cloth, and allow to air dry. Clean the outside of the cooker base and the control panel with a soft, barely-damp cloth or sponge.

*Some discoloration may occur after machine washing, but this will not affect the cooker's safety or performance.

Learn More

There's a whole world of Instant Pot information and help waiting for you. Here are some of the most helpful resources:

• Get the User Manual (includes Troubleshooting and more): Instanthome.com
• Register Your Product: Instanthome.com/register
• Contact Consumer Care: In the Instant Brand Connect app, Instanthome.com/customer-care-center, or support@instanthome.com
• Instant Brands Connect App (with 1000+ recipes): Instanthome.com (available on iOS and Android app stores)
• Cooking Charts and More Recipes: Instanthome.com
• How-to Videos, Tips, and More: Instanthome.com
• Replacement Parts and Accessories: Instanthome.com
• Join the Community: Follow on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube.

Product Specifications

Distribution and Trademarks

Distributed by Instant Brands LLC, 3025 Highland Parkway, Suite 700, Downers Grove, IL 60515 U.S. Visit instanthome.com.

© 2022 Instant Brands LLC. Model Number: 112-0169-01-0301.

INSTANT and INSTANT POT are registered trademarks of Instant Brands Holdings Inc.