What to do if your Instant Pot says 'burn' and how to prevent it in the future

• Do not panic if your Instant Pot says "burn."
• The message means that the sensors have detected that the inner pot is too hot.
• The burn message is easy to fix, and is typically caused by food getting stuck to the bottom of the pot or a minor device malfunction.

One of the reasons the Instant Pot is so popular is because it has a number of programmable features that can alert you when the pot has come to pressure, finished cooking, and more.

One notification that leaves home cooks puzzled is the burn notice. This alert, which is often accompanied by loud beeps, can go off as the pot is coming to pressure or during pressure cooking.

If you get the burn notice, don't panic. Most of the time you can still save your dish if you follow a few simple steps.

What does the burn message mean?

"The burn notice simply indicates when food is burning on the bottom of the inner cooking pot," says Claudia Lai, Senior Marketing Director of Instant Brands. Depending on your machine, the screen will either display "burn," "hot," "food burn," or "OvHt."

Lai says the most common cause for a burn notification is not adding enough liquid to the pot or using thick ingredients like a thick tomato sauce. "If you sauté prior to pressure cooking and you do not properly deglaze the bottom of the pot, food stuck to the bottom can cause the burn notification," says Lai.

Another culprit could be a device malfunction or user error. For example, the silicone ring in the lid that helps create a seal could have slipped out of place, or the pressure gauge could be opened instead of closed, allowing all of the liquid to boil off.

Quick tip: While the burn notice doesn't always mean your meal is ruined, don't ignore it. The Instant Pot is programmed to warn you when something is amiss, and taking action as soon as you see the burn notification will ensure your meal doesn't end up in the trash.

What to do if the burn message appears

As soon as your Instant Pot registers a burn warning, Lai recommends pressing the cancel button and performing a quick release to release the pressure built up inside the pot. If you start to see liquid bubbling up out of the valve, use an oven mitt to carefully close the valve again and then reopen it, repeating if needed.

First, do a quick examination. "Open the lid and make sure nothing is stuck to the bottom of the pot and that you have sufficient liquid," says Lai.

If you see food browning or stuck to the bottom of the pot, or if there is little to no liquid in the pot, then add some liquid — often about a half a cup will suffice. Give the mixture a stir, dislodging anything from the bottom of the pot, and seal the lid. Proceed with the remainder of your cook time, subtracting a minute since the pot will have to come back up to pressure.

If the food in the pot isn't scorching and has plenty of liquid, examine the Instant Pot itself. Make sure all of the parts in the lid, including the silicone ring, are in their proper place and in good condition. Make sure the inner pot is in the correct position and that it and the outer pot are clean on the bottom where they connect. Be careful, since the inner pot and lid will be hot.

Important: Use caution when performing a quick release. The sudden release of hot steam can scald, so move out of the way as soon as you open the valve. Keep hands, arms, and your face far away from the pot lid.

How to clean a burnt Instant Pot

If you were too late and your dish ended up scorching in the pot, remove any food that isn't stuck-on and fill the inner pot with warm, soapy water.

Let it soak, then scrub. If any stains remain, Lai recommends using a non-abrasive cloth or scrubber dampened with baking soda and vinegar. Bar Keepers Friend or a similar product also work well.

How to avoid a burn message

Every time you prepare to use your Instant Pot, ensure that all components are clean and in working order. Double-check that the pressure valve is in sealing position before pressure cooking, or all of the liquid will boil off and scorch the bottom of the pot.

"Always ensure that you have sufficient liquid," says Lai. Use at least one cup of liquid unless you are cooking extremely juicy ingredients that will release their liquid quickly. Well-tested, reliable recipes will take this into account, and should successfully avoid the burn notice.

She also recommends deglazing every time you sauté and scraping the bottom well to ensure no food is stuck on before pressure cooking. Finally, avoid thick sauces and sticky ingredients, which have a tendency to burn.

Insider's takeaway

While the burn notice on the Instant Pot can be alarming, it doesn't always mean your meal is ruined. Release the pressure quickly, check for malfunctions, and add more liquid if needed, scraping the bottom. To avoid the burn notice, include at least a cup of liquid and deglaze the pot after sautéing.