Why Does My Instant Pot Say Burn? Troubleshooting and Solutions

So, you got an Instant Pot, excited about the prospect of quick, effortless meals. Visions of flavorful dishes cooked in minutes danced in your head. You put in your ingredients, pressed a button, and… “BURN” appeared on the display. Panic sets in. What went wrong? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! The Instant Pot “burn” message is a common issue, and often, it doesn’t actually mean your food is charcoal. Let’s explore the primary reasons why your Instant Pot is displaying this error and, more importantly, how to fix it.

Understanding the Instant Pot “Burn” Error

The “burn” error on your Instant Pot is a safety mechanism designed to prevent food from sticking to the bottom of the pot and scorching. The Instant Pot monitors the temperature at the bottom and triggers the “burn” message when it detects excessive heat or a lack of sufficient liquid. This can be caused by various factors, ranging from user error to the nature of the ingredients being cooked. It’s important to understand that the error doesn’t always indicate burning; it’s more of a warning sign that something isn’t quite right within the pot.

1. Food Stuck to the Bottom: The Most Common Culprit

One of the most frequent reasons for the Instant Pot “burn” message is food sticking to the bottom of the inner pot. This happens when food particles, particularly those containing sugars or starches, become lodged on the surface and start to overheat. This localized overheating triggers the sensor and the “burn” error appears, even if the rest of the dish is far from burnt.

The Solution: Deglaze and Restart

Thankfully, this issue usually has a simple fix:

1. Cancel and Release Pressure: Immediately press the “Cancel” button on your Instant Pot. Carefully release the pressure, either naturally or manually, depending on the contents of the pot and the urgency. Always exercise caution when releasing pressure to avoid burns from escaping steam.
2. Scrape the Bottom: Once all the pressure is released and the pin drops, open the lid. Use a sturdy wooden or silicone spatula (avoid metal to prevent scratching the inner pot) to gently scrape the bottom of the pot. Ensure you dislodge any stuck-on food particles. This process is called “deglazing.”
3. Add Liquid (If Necessary): If the pot seems dry or the liquid has evaporated, add a bit more liquid – water, broth, or stock – to ensure sufficient moisture for pressure cooking. The amount depends on your recipe, but generally, adding ½ to 1 cup is a good starting point.
4. Restart Cooking: Close the lid, ensuring the sealing ring is properly in place, and restart the pressure cooking cycle.

Why Wooden Spatulas Matter: Metal utensils can scratch the non-stick coating of the inner pot, making food more likely to stick in the future. Wooden or silicone spatulas are gentler and more effective at dislodging food without causing damage.

2. Insufficient Liquid: A Pressure Cooking Essential

Instant Pots rely on steam pressure to cook food efficiently. If there isn’t enough liquid in the pot, the pressure won’t build properly, and the bottom of the pot will overheat, triggering the “burn” error. This is especially true when cooking dense or absorbent foods like pasta, rice, or beans, which soak up a significant amount of liquid during cooking.

The Solution: Add More Liquid

The remedy is straightforward:

1. Cancel and Release Pressure: As before, cancel the cooking cycle and carefully release the pressure.
2. Add Liquid: Open the lid and add more liquid to the pot. Refer to your recipe for the recommended amount, but generally, adding at least 1 cup of liquid is necessary. Ensure the liquid covers the bottom of the pot and reaches the minimum fill line indicated on the inner pot.
3. Restart Cooking: Close the lid securely and restart the pressure cooking cycle.

Preventative Measures: Always double-check your recipe to ensure you’re using the correct amount of liquid. When cooking absorbent foods, consider adding a bit more liquid than the recipe calls for, just to be on the safe side. Using the “Pot-in-Pot” method (cooking food in a separate container inside the Instant Pot) can also help prevent burning with certain recipes, as the food doesn’t directly touch the bottom of the pot.

3. Thick Sauces and Starches: A Recipe for Burn

Thick sauces, gravies, and dishes high in starch content can sometimes trigger the “burn” error. These ingredients tend to thicken and stick to the bottom of the pot as they cook, leading to localized overheating. The Instant Pot’s sensor interprets this as a potential burning situation and issues the warning.

The Solution: Thicken After Pressure Cooking

The best approach is to avoid thickening sauces or gravies during the pressure cooking cycle:

1. Pressure Cook First: Cook your dish using the appropriate pressure cooking settings.
2. Thicken Afterward: Once the pressure cooking is complete, release the pressure and open the lid. Remove any solids from the pot and set aside.
3. Use Sauté Mode: Select the “Sauté” function on your Instant Pot. Bring the remaining liquid to a simmer.
4. Thicken with Starch: Create a slurry by mixing cornstarch or flour with a small amount of cold water. Gradually whisk the slurry into the simmering liquid until the desired thickness is achieved.
5. Return Solids: Add the solids back to the pot and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

Alternative Cooking Methods: For dishes that inherently require thick sauces, consider using the “Slow Cook” function instead of pressure cooking. This method allows for more gradual cooking and reduces the likelihood of burning.

4. Actual Burning: The Unfortunate Reality

While the “burn” error often indicates a problem other than actual burning, there are times when the food really is starting to burn. This can happen if the above issues are ignored for too long, or if the cooking time is excessive for the ingredients being used.

The Solution: Salvage What You Can (or Order Pizza)

Unfortunately, there’s no magic solution for burnt food. The extent of the damage will determine your next course of action:

1. Assess the Damage: Immediately cancel the cooking cycle and release the pressure. Open the lid and carefully inspect the food. If the burning is localized to the bottom of the pot and hasn’t permeated the entire dish, you might be able to salvage the unaffected portion.
2. Remove Unburnt Food: Carefully scoop out the unburnt food from the top of the pot, avoiding any contact with the burnt portion at the bottom. Transfer the salvaged food to a clean container.
3. Discard Burnt Portion: Discard the burnt food at the bottom of the pot.
4. Decide on Next Steps: Depending on how much food you were able to salvage, you can either try to continue cooking it using a different method (like the stovetop) or simply start over with a fresh batch.
5. Clean the Pot Thoroughly: Clean the inner pot thoroughly to remove any lingering burnt residue. Soaking the pot in hot, soapy water can help loosen stubborn bits.

Prevention is Key: The best way to avoid actual burning is to pay close attention to your Instant Pot, follow recipes carefully, and address the “burn” error promptly if it appears. Regularly check the pot during cooking, especially when experimenting with new recipes or ingredients.

Beyond the Four Main Reasons

While the four reasons outlined above are the most common causes of the Instant Pot “burn” error, there are a few other less frequent factors that can contribute to the problem:

• Faulty Sealing Ring: A damaged or improperly installed sealing ring can prevent the Instant Pot from building pressure correctly, leading to overheating and the “burn” message. Inspect your sealing ring regularly for cracks or damage, and replace it if necessary.
• Incorrect Instant Pot Settings: Using the wrong cooking settings for your recipe can also lead to problems. Make sure you’re selecting the appropriate pressure level and cooking time for the ingredients you’re using.
• Incompatible Inner Pot: Using an inner pot that is not specifically designed for your Instant Pot model can interfere with heat distribution and trigger the “burn” error. Always use the inner pot that came with your Instant Pot or purchase a compatible replacement.

Embrace the Learning Curve

Encountering the Instant Pot “burn” error can be frustrating, but it’s a common experience for new and even experienced users. By understanding the potential causes and implementing the solutions described above, you can minimize the risk of burning and enjoy the convenience and versatility of your Instant Pot. Don’t be discouraged by a few initial setbacks; with practice and patience, you’ll become an Instant Pot pro in no time!

Remember to always consult your Instant Pot’s user manual for specific instructions and safety guidelines. Happy cooking!