If you are going camping, an Instant Pot is a great choice to take with you. Using this device, you will be able to make delicious meals quickly and easily. But it can also come with a downside. If used incorrectly, it can become a safety risk.
Thankfully, Instant Pots tend to be straightforward. Get the right setting and time, and you’ll have a delicious meal. As long as you know a few basic safety facts, you shouldn’t have issues using an Instant Pot inside your RV.
When using your Instant Pot outdoor it’s vital to set it on a flat surface. Also, make sure it’s away from large exterior water sources like rain or lakes.
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Keep reading to learn more about your Instant Pot.
Setting the Instant Pot Up
The good news is that using an Instant Pot is easy. It can replace a lot of other cooking methods. For example, you will be able to use it sauté your food without the need for a frying pan. This is ideal for an RV or camping trip, where space is at a premium.
The first step is to get started cooking with it. To do this, you need to make sure that it is set up correctly. Here are some of the steps that you will need to follow:
- Set the Instant Pot on a flat surface. If it is at an angle, your food won’t cook evenly. If you are in an RV, you can put it on the kitchen bench.
- Assemble the Instant Pot. If this is your first time using the Instant Pot, you will need to do some minor assembling. Wash out the steel bowl before you start cooking, to remove any chemicals from the manufacturing process. Then, you just need to remove the warning label and add the sealing ring. Pop on the condenser collector and add the power cord. Then, you’ll be able to start cooking. The owner’s manual will talk you through this process.
- Add liquids and seal. When the pressure cooker is assembled, you’ll need to add your protein or vegetables. Then, you’ll need to add a small amount of liquid. This is what will create the steam that will cook the food. Seal the lid, so you can build the pressure.
- Set the cooking method. Many people can get confused by the number of buttons on the front of the Instant Pot. Just remember to select the right mode for the type of meal you are cooking. Most recipes will require the pressure cook mode. The timer buttons dictate how long you will be cooking.
- Wait for your food to cook. Then, start the cooking process and wait for your meal to be ready.
It’s a good idea to spend a little time with your Instant Pot at home. This lets you learn what recipes work well and get a better idea of what each mode does. By the time you start camping, you’ll be a master. You don’t need to babysit the Instant Pot. As long as you have got it set up properly, there is little risk that anything will go wrong.
Connecting the Instant Pot to a Power Source
When you are using the Instant Pot outside, you will need to plug it into a generator. If you are in an RV, you can use the batteries. You just make sure that the generator is powerful enough to run the appliance. Usually, it will take between 900 to 1,200 watts of power. To put this into perspective, an oven will need around 5,000 watts.
However, sometimes you might find that you are having trouble with the Instant Pot tripping the battery if you are running it at the same time as other appliances, like the air conditioning unit. If this is going to be a problem, you can upgrade the generator or battery to give you more power.
Or you can simply turn off that appliance when you are using the Instant Pot. Often, when cooking in an RV, it’s good to think ahead. For example, don’t cook a meal that requires the microwave, oven, and Instant Pot to be used at the same time.
Mistakes to Avoid When Setting Up Your Instant Pot
In many cases, an Instant Pot will be fairly easy to use. But there are a few common mistakes that you should seek to avoid when you are using this device. These include:
- Be careful when releasing the pressure. One of the most common injuries occurs when you are releasing the pressure from the device. This will release a burst of steam. Make sure that your arm isn’t positioned over the valve, or you will burn yourself.
- Avoid overfilling the machine. Another common mistake is putting too much liquid into the Instant Pot. This will create too much pressure, especially if you are using food that expands, like rice. There is a chance that this can cause the Instant Pot to explode. The line on the Instant Pot will tell you how much liquid you can put in.
- Check the seal. Before you use the Instant Pot, you should check the seals. Make sure that there are no cracks that can release the pressure from inside the machine. The good news is that it should be fairly easy to find a replacement seal.
- Wait for it to depressurize. If you are having trouble opening the lid, it means that the Instant Pot hasn’t depressurized properly. If you persist in opening the lid, it creates the risk that the pot will explode.
Can I Use My Instant Pot Outside in Cold Weather?
While an Instant Pot is relatively easy to use, if you are cooking outside, you need to think about the weather. The good news is that it will be safe to use outdoors, even in chilly temperatures. But the colder temperatures can have an impact on the cooking times.
As the environment is colder, it will take a little more time to cook everything properly. How long it will take will depend on the temperature. It might take a little trial and error to find the right times. It might also take a little longer to come to the right pressure.
Safe Surfaces I Can Put My Instant Pot On?
Because of the heat of the Instant Pot, it’s essential to think about the surfaces you can use it on. The good news is that the Instant Pot doesn’t get too hot on the bottom. Because of this, you don’t need to worry about putting it on the benchtop in your RV.
Sometimes you won’t have enough space on the kitchen bench. That’s OK. You can put it on a fold-out table, or a wooden table if one is near your campsite. The most important thing is to make sure that it is a sturdy surface. You don’t want the table to collapse while you are cooking.
The only place you can’t put the Instant Pot is on your stovetop. If the burners come on, they can melt the bottom of the plastic Instant Pot. If this happens, you will need to replace the device. If you don’t have any other place to put it, you will need to make sure that there is a barrier between the Instant Pot and the stovetop. A cutting board should work well.
Final Thoughts
If you are planning on traveling in an RV or going on a camping trip, you might want to take an Instant Pot with you. This is a compact device that you can use for a wide range of foods. Even better, it’s faster than a pressure cooker. As long as everything is set up correctly and you take care when depressurizing, it will be perfectly safe.
Photo altered by simplelifesaver.com | Photo attribution: Lance Anderson
