Instant Pot has become a household name over the last few years. It’s a great multi-cooker with many features, including pressure cooking, slow cooker, rice cookers, yogurt makers, etc. But how safe is it?
There have been multiple reports of exploding instant pots. Some were caused by overheating, others were due to improper usage, and yet others were simply defective products. In fact, according to Consumer Reports, “more than half” of the reported cases involved exploding instant pot models, which the manufacturers eventually recalled.
But how common is it for Instant Pots to explode? And how can you use yours safely? We’ll answer all your questions in this article.
Summary – It’s extremely rare for an Instant Pot to explode. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), only the Gem 65 8-in-1 model exploded during normal operation. There were 107 reports as of 2015, and no injuries resulted.
How Does an instant pot Work?
The term “Instant Pot” was invented by the company which makes them, but they’re also known as “electric pressure cookers.” They work on the same principle as a stovetop or oven: heat water inside a pot, then add food and other ingredients to be cooked.
However, unlike a regular pot, the Instant Pot uses steam instead of hot air to pressurize the contents of the pot. This means that the temperature inside the pot never rises above 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 C).
This is why the Instant Pot is so much safer than a traditional stovetop or oven. You don’t have to worry about burning yourself when using one because there are no open flames. Plus, the Instant Pot doesn’t get too hot either, so you won’t burn anything if you accidentally touch it.
Can An Instant Pot Explode?
Yes! There have been several instances where people have used their Instant Pots improperly and ended up with a broken product. The most common cause of these incidents is overheating. If you leave the Instant Pot unattended while it’s heating, it will eventually reach a certain temperature. Once that happens, the lid will pop off automatically.
If you’ve ever left a pan of boiling water unattended, you know what I’m talking about. When you return to find the kitchen covered in water, you may notice that the pan is cracked or even completely destroyed. That’s exactly what happened to some users who didn’t pay attention to their Instant Pots.
If you leave your Instant Pot unattended, make sure to turn it off before leaving the house. Also, keep in mind that the Instant Pot is not designed to be left unattended. So if you need to go out for more than 30 minutes, consider putting the instant pot off.
Below are other reasons why your instant pot may explode.
What Can Cause an Instant Pot To Explode
Overfilling Your Instant Pot
When filling your instant pot with liquid, always fill it only half full. Don’t fill it any higher than that. Otherwise, you risk damaging the seal between the lid and the body of the pot.
Blocked Valves
If you see bubbles coming from the valve area of your instant pot, you probably have a blocked valve. To fix this problem, remove the valve cover and clean it thoroughly. Then, replace the valve cover and tighten it down securely.
Old Sealing Ring
The sealing ring inside your instant pot can become worn over time. You’ll want to change the sealing ring every 6 months to prevent this from happening. Simply unscrew the top of the pot and pull out the old sealing ring. Then, wash it thoroughly and replace it with a new one.
Production Defects
Sometimes, manufacturers produce defective products. Contact the company immediately if you’re lucky enough to receive a faulty unit. They’ll usually send you a replacement part free of charge.
Incorrect Use
It’s important to note that the Instant Pot isn’t meant to be used as a pressure cooker. It was specifically designed to cook food quickly. Therefore, if you use it like a normal pressure cooker, you could end up causing damage to your appliance.
Is an Instant Pot safe?
Instant Pots are becoming increasingly popular because they are safer than conventional electric pressure cookers. However, like all appliances, they can pose some degree of health risks to users.
For example, electric pressure cookers produce more than enough pressure to injure someone who handles them carelessly. Also, the intense heat produced by these machines can damage oven mitts and kitchen utensils.
Most people don’t experience serious injuries using an instant pot. Still, it pays to exercise caution when using one. Here are some tips to help ensure your safety when using an Instant Pot:
- Always read the manual before operating the appliance.
- Ensure that children do not play around with the appliance or touch the heating element.
- Do not leave the Instant Pot unattended.
- Be careful when removing the cover.
- Never use an aluminum utensil to remove the cover. Use a wooden spoon instead.
- Only use oven mitts when removing the cover or putting it back on.
- When washing the Instant Pot, ensure no water leaks into the heating element area.
- Remove the rubber feet before cleaning the Instant Pot.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners such as scouring pads or steel wool.
- Finally, never use the Instant Pot near heat sources like ovens, fireplaces, etc.
- If you notice any signs of corrosion, immediately stop using the Instant Pot and opt for a replacement
The Instant pot also comes with safety features that help protect against overheating or accidental explosions. Below are 10 features that keep your instant pot protected
10 Safety Features Of An Instant Pot
1. Temperature Control Feature
A great feature of an instant pot is setting the desired cooking temperature via the dial. Then, you simply turn the dial to increase or decrease the temperature setting.
Most models offer three different settings – high, medium, and low. However, some models allow you to choose between four different temperatures. For example, most Breville models offer five settings: warm, hot, boil, simmer and keep warm.
2. Leaky Lid Protection
Another valuable feature of an instant pot includes leaky lid protection. This feature prevents the lid from leaking during heating. When the lid is heated, it expands slightly. If the lid were to expand too much, it would cause the seal between the lid & the body of the pot to break.
Once the seal breaks, water will start pouring into the pot. This could lead to serious injury or even death. The leaky lid protection feature helps prevent this by allowing the lid to expand without breaking the seal.
3. Overpressure Protection
An additional safety feature found on many instant pots is overpressure protection. This feature allows you to set the maximum amount of pressure in the pot. The steam release button automatically shuts off if the pressure reaches this level.
4. Pressure Relief Valve
This feature is similar to overpressure protection. Instead of shutting off the steam release button when the pressure gets too high, this valve opens. This allows excess steam to escape through the valve.
5. Anti-Spill Lid
An anti-spill lid is a must-have safety feature for any pressure cooker. The reason is simple: when you’re cooking food at high heat, there’s a risk of steam escaping through the vent holes in the lid. This means that the food inside the pot may not be cooked properly.
To prevent this from happening, you need to place the lid over the top of the pot. But if you forget to put the lid back on after use, you risk spilling hot liquid onto yourself.
6. Steam Release Button
The steam escapes through the vent holes at the lid’s bottom when you press the steam release button. These vents allow the steam to escape while preventing any liquids from escaping.
7. KeepWarm Setting
Some instant pots include a keep warm function. This feature keeps the internal temperature of the pot constant after the meal has finished cooking.
8. Slow Cooker Mode
Many instant pots come with slow cooker mode. In this mode, the machine can be programmed to cook food slowly. This is perfect for making stews, soups, and other dishes requiring long cooking.
9. Programmable Cooking Time
Many instant pots now come equipped with programmable cooking times. This means that you can adjust how long your food takes to cook. Some models even allow you to set timers so that the instant pot cooks your food according to a schedule.
10. Digital Display
Digital displays show you exactly what’s going on inside your instant pot. They also provide you with very detailed information about the current status of your food. Many models have large screens, which makes viewing the display easy.
FAQs On How Common is it for Instant Pot to Explode
How long do Instant Pots last?
Your Instant Pot should last for 2 to 3 years with proper care. However, this depends on a few things, like the quality of the materials used and whether there were any manufacturing defects.
Is instant pot worth having?
An Instant Pot is a great investment if you’re looking for a kitchen appliance that will save you time and money! You can make delicious, healthy meals quickly and easily with an Instant Pot. Plus, it’s energy-efficient!
