Depending on your Instant Pot® model there are variety of pre-programmed buttons for easy use. Here is a listing of the programs which may be available depending on your model.
PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL – This is the setting you’re likely to use the most. The temperature, pressure levels, and cooking times can be controlled through the operation keys on the control panel. Here, press the Pressure Level key to adjust the pressure level and the +/- keys to change the cooking time
SOUP/BROTH – Brings soups to a slow simmer, and results in a clear broth. For meatless soups, use the Less mode; for soups with meat, use the Normal mode; for soups that requires longer cook times, such as rich bone broth, use the More mode.
MEAT/STEW – Best for cooking large cuts of meat at high pressure. For a soft texture, use the Less mode; for a very tender meat texture, use the Normal mode; for fall-off-the bone texture, use the More mode
BEAN/CHILI – Using this program results in different doneness levels for beans. For a firmer bean texture, use the Less mode; for a softer bean texture, use the Normal mode; for a very soft bean texture, use the More mode.
CAKE – This high-pressure mode creates a very moist, dense cake. For a lighter, moister cake, use the Less mode; for a denser cake, use the Normal mode; for a really dense cake, such as a New York Style cheesecake, use the More mode
EGG – This program is designed for cooking extra-large eggs, so you may need to adjust the time for smaller eggs. For a soft-cooked egg, use the Less mode; for a medium cooked egg, use the Normal mode; for a hard-cooked egg, use the More mode
SAUTÉ – Yes, you can sauté food in your Instant Pot® just as you would in a pan.
Use Less mode for simmering, thickening, reducing liquids and for foods that may burn easily; use Normal mode for searing; use More mode for browning and stir-frying. Remember, the maximum time for sauté is in 30 minute intervals as a safety precaution
SLOW COOK – Use the Less to correspond to a low (8 hour) slow cooker setting; use the Normal mode to correspond to a medium (6 hour) slow cooker setting; use the More mode to correspond to a high (4 hour) slow cooker setting
RICE – This program cooks on low pressure, and is best used for white rice. For rice with a firmer texture, use the Less mode; for rice with a normal texture, use the Normal mode; for rice with a softer texture, use the More mode.
MULTIGRAIN – Includes a presoaking time, and is best for brown rice, wild rice, and tougher whole grains. For a firmer texture, use the Less mode; for a normal texture, use the Normal mode; for a softer texture, use the More mode. The More setting includes the pre-soak prior to pressure cooking
PORRIDGE – Use the Less mode for Oatmeal; use the Normal mode for making rice porridge (congee); use the More mode for a porridge / congee that contains a mixture of beans or tougher grains
STEAM – For steaming vegetables, use the Less mode; for seafood and fish, use the
Normal mode; for meats, use the More mode. Always use the steam rack to elevate food above the water and use the QR (Quick Release) method to prevent overcooking the food
STERILIZE – This program is designed for sterilizing baby bottles, jars, and utensils. Use the Less mode to pasteurize dairy products; use the Normal mode for low pressure sterilization and canning of acidic fruits and vegetables; use the More mode for high pressure sterilization and canning of acidic fruits and vegetables
YOGURT – The Less mode is designed for Jiu Niang, a sweet fermented rice dish; the Normal mode is for fermenting milk when making yogurt, while the More mode is for pasteurizing milk
KEEP WARM – 3 temperatures to maintain food at different serving temperatures