Do Instant Pots Make Noise?

by Jueria

I have just recently switched from a pressure cooker to a regular instant pot.

I am still learning how to use it. It is taking me time to get the hang of it and there are a few questions I have in mind.

I have mostly read up the manual that guides on which buttons to press for which function.

I wonder if instant pots make noise? If you are also new to instant pot and curious to know about sounds, let us find out together.

Table of Contents

Do Instant Pots Make Noise?

Instant pots are modern electronic versions of traditional pressure cookers. But they are still pressure cookers and bound to make steam.

The steam released makes some noise during the cooking process. As the pressure increases, the valve vents out some of the pressure.

As it is a replacement for pressure cookers, we know that anything that pressure steams will make some amount of noise.

The steam noise is very normal during the cooking process. The instant pot automatically regulates the pressure by opening and closing the pressure release valves.

However, there are other noises to look out for, that may indicate damage or harm to your instant pot.

Different Types of Noises from an Instant Pot

Allow me to tell you all about the possible different noises made by the instant pot and what they mean.

Hissing Sound

Hissing sound indicates the building up of steam. It is completely normal. After a while, the hissing will go quiet indicating a complete seal.

When the pot goes from seal to vent or when you want to quickly release steam and turn the vent up, there will be a hissing noise.

Problem

If the hissing doesn’t stop and continues for long, this can be problematic.

It means that the instant pot is releasing too much steam. As the steam is venting out, pressure is not able to form inside the instant pot.

Your food will not get cooked properly.

Remedy

The most likely reason for this to happen is improper sealing of the pot. Make sure the gasket is placed properly and is not torn or damaged

Place the gasket and lid in the correct position and close the lid once more. Check for any food particles or debris that may have got stuck in the gasket or rim.

Food particles can cause obstruction, not allowing a good seal.

Beeping Sound

One type of beeping sound is when you press any button in an instant pot.

This sound is normal and can be turned off easily. Watch the video below to know how to switch the beep sound off.

However, if it starts beeping on its own at any time, this means a problem and you need to immediately stop the instant pot

Problem

If the instant pot starts beeping on its own, it means that it is overheated. Leaving it to overheat can cause damage to your appliance. It can also cause a dangerous explosion.

The most common reason for the instant pot to overheat is the lack of liquid. You need to add a sufficient amount of liquid according to the instant pot recipe.

The minimum amount that manufacturers recommend is one cup of water. I would strongly advise you to always stay above the minimum levels.

Remedy

Stop the cooking process in your instant pot. Immediately switch off your pot. open up the vent valve and allow steam to escape.

Remove the pot from any electrical or heat source. Let it cool down completely before you open it up.

Rattling Sound

An instant pot is quite a stable device. It does not normally shake or rattle.

When the instant pot starts to shake or rattle, it means something is wrong.

The reason why an instant pot shakes is when there is too much pressure built up inside.

Problem

The problem lies with the pressure valve. When the pressure valve isn’t able to release pressure in time, the instant pot starts to shake making a rattling sound.

This excessive pressure needs an immediate outlet to prevent any undue accident.

Remedy

Stop the cooking process. Press the quick-release button to release the pressure inside. Alternatively, you can turn the vent from seal to release.

Make sure the instant pot is switched off. Allow it to cool down.

Clicking Sound

You don’t have to worry about the clicking sound. It is completely normal with an instant pot

Cause

Clicking sound happens when the water droplets from the outside of the inner pot come in contact with the electronic part in the inner layer of the outer pot.

Another reason why you may hear clicking is due to the effort the instant pot makes in maintaining the pressure.

Remedy

Wipe dry the inner pot. Make sure there are no escaped water droplets that may come in contact with the motherboard units.

Here are some frequently asked questions :

What are the Safety Features of an Instant Pot?

An instant pot comes with solid safety features like :

Auto-locking lid under pressure
Leaky lid detection
Lid lock detection
Food blockage shield for the vent
High-temperature warning
Automatic temperature control
Automatic switch off when the temperature goes too high
Pressure release regulator
Sudden pressure drop ( if the pressure valve gets stuck)

Is the Steam Release From the Instant Pot Loud?

A little bit. But the noise lasts for only a short duration.

The pressure valve is automatically adjusted by the instant pot during cooking.

It may seal or vent out depending on the pressure buildup requirement

What is the Difference Between Quick Release and Natural Steam Release in an Instant Pot?

When your instant pot recipe says ‘quick’ release, it just means that you have to move the valve from sealing to venting quickly so the pressure is released from inside.

When your instant pot recipe says natural pressure release, it means you have to wait for the metal button near the valve to go down.

Quick-release is for recipes like pasta. These get overdone if steam is not released.

Natural release is for tough meats. It takes time for them to tenderize.

The natural release of steam can be anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 mins depending on the quantity inside the instant pot.

Tip: To avoid sputtering of steam, wait for five minutes before quickly releasing the steam. Release the pressure gradually by moving the valve slowly to right or left (depending on your model).

Watch the video below for clarity

How Much Should I Fill the Instant Pot?

Look at the pot inside. There will be a maximum line drawn on the inside of the inner pot. It is a good idea to fill below the max line.

If you fill above the max line, just like any pressure cooker, the venting valves may choke up and clog.

The rule of the thumb for pressure cooking in an instant pot is ⅔ full.

For grains, dry vegetables, etc it is best to fill up half the pit. This is because the grains and veggies will soak up water and expand.

What must I never do when cooking in an instant pot?

Here are some of the important things to keep in mind :

The first thing you must never do is forget to put the inner pot and place the food in the outer pot.

To avoid this scenario, place a spoon or lid on the instant pot whenever you take the inner pot out. This way you will not forget to put it back in before pouring the food.

Similarly, don’t forget to put the silicone ring back in the lid. Without the ring, there will not be sealing and your food won’t cook.

As soon as you are set to cook and have placed the lid back inside, don’t forget to turn the venting knob to seal.

If you leave the valve at the venting position, the pressure will not build and your food will remain raw.

Make sure the water is adequate with the recipe. Adding too much can increase the cooking time leading to overcoming.

If you add less water, the instant pot will not be able to generate enough steam for the food to cook.

It is best to start with one cup of water until you get the hang of cooking. Do not add thickeners in the beginning. Thicken your gravy towards the end.

Lastly, always read the manual and follow the instructions. For example, if you don’t read the manual you might mistake the timer button for setting the time.

The timer button is for delayed cooking. Go through your manual to find out the functions.

Conclusion

So there are normal and abnormal sounds an instant pot can make while cooking. A hissing sound is quite normal and indicates steam release.

But if the hissing is continuous and does not go away, check for proper sealing of the gasket rims and the lid cover. Look out for any stuck food particles.

A beeping sound is normal while pressing buttons. However, if the instant pot beeps on its own automatically, this indicates overheating.

Stop the cooking and allow the pot to cool down. Add a sufficient amount of water and no less than one cup.

The rattling sound is abnormal and indicates the inability of pressure to release. Too much pressure buildup without venting is the common reason for this happening.

Clicking is a normal process that you don’t need to worry about. To avoid it completely, make sure the outer surface of the inner pot is dry and well cleaned.

Now that you know how to differentiate the sounds and what they mean, you can relax and cook comfortably in the instant pot. All the best!

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Jueria

I’m Jueria and I am a regular contributor on cookeryspace.com. In my articles, I share time-saving techniques, appliance wizardry, and health-friendly recipes to bring taste and wellness to your table. So raise a glass (or a spatula) with me, to good health and good food, made easy!