Have you just purchased the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer? If yes, this guide will help you get started on how to use it.
We will put you through everything you need to know about the parts, buttons, and functions. So, continue to read to learn all about your new kitchen appliance.
The Instant Pot Crisp Air Fryer is a pressure cooker and an air fryer. Depending on whether you want to pressure cook or/and air fry, this appliance is for you.
It has a display panel, a lid that converts the appliance into an air fryer, and a pressure cooker lid that can automatically seal itself.
Table of Contents
Safety Precautions You Need to Know
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer is designed to eliminate and avoid many problems attributed to old models of pressure cookers.
Safety features include pressure sensor technology, lid lock, and close detection, overheat protection, pressure controls, and auto-temperature.
As the owner of the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer, you need to make sure you follow the following guidelines:
- Don’t touch the stainless steel parts or anywhere that is meant to be hot. The pot has a handle. Please use the handle to move the pot.
- Avoid placing the pot close to a gas or electric burner.
- Avoid moving the pot when it’s under pressure.
- Don’t fill the pot over the indicated measure, especially when you are cooking expandable foods.
- Make sure that the anti-block shield, steam release pipe, and float valve are not clogged and clean.
- Put down the float valve before you open the lid. The pot should lose pressure first before opening to avoid accidents.
- Do not stay too close to the steam release mechanism, and make sure not to block the steam release valve when releasing the pressure.
- Always use the lid for the Duo Crisp Instant Pot. Don’t use a lid for another appliance.
- Do not cover the vents while using the air fryer.
- Place the lid on the enclosed protective pad, especially when it is hot.
The Parts of the Pressure Cooker of the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer comes with two lids. One of them is for the pressure cooker while the other is for the air fryer.
Outer Pot: houses the heating element, control panel, and power cable
Inner Pot: a removable stainless steel pot where the cooking takes place. You can use this pot on your stovetop and can wash it by hand or dishwasher.
Pressure Cook Lid: seals the Pot and keeps pressure on it. Can be washed by hand or through the dishwasher.
Air Fryer Lid: converts the Pot into an air fryer. Do not wash this lid. Remove grime and grease splatter with a soft, damp cloth or sponge.
Lid (Handles, Locking Pin, and Fins): the lid fin, found on the outer pot, props the lid open. You use the lid handle to handle the lid, and the locking pin holds the lid in place.
Steam Release (Button, Valve, and Pipe): the steam release button allows you to release the pressure (steam) manually from the cooker, which will then travel through the pipe outside. The steam release valve controls the inner temperature and pressure.
Float Valve: allows the Instant Pot to be pressurized.
Silicone Cap for Float Valve: keeps the float valve in place while covering it.
Anti-block Shield: prevents food from coming out.
Sealing Ring and Rack: the sealing ring seals the pot while the rack holds the ring in place.
Condensation Collector: collects the moisture that builds on the rim.
How Does the Pressure Cooker Work?
This enclosed environment provides the necessary pressure that forces the temperature to rise, thereby cooking the food.
Under high pressure, food cooks very fast, and since the steam does not evaporate but condenses inside the pot, pressure is maintained.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer: How To Use
The air fryer has a powerful fan that blows hot air around the food, heating it up and cooking it. You do not need to use oil at all with the air fryer.
Your food comes out crisp, cooks fast, and you do not have to deal with excess heat. You place the food in a mesh basket and put it in the inner pot.
Place the air fryer lid on the top, and superheated air will be blown into the food to cook and crisp it. Whether your food is fresh or frozen, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer has got you.
Parts of the Air Fryer
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer has the following parts:
Lid, Lid Fin, and Handle: the lid allows the pot to be used as an air fryer. The lid fin fits in the slot of the base unit for air frying. The handle helps move the lid.
Cooling Pad: it protects the countertop from the heating element of the air fryer lid. You should always place the lid on this protective pad.
Broil / Dehydrating Tray: used for air frying two levels of food. The tray sits about halfway up in the air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Basket: has vents on its base and a ridge on which the broiling tray can sit.
The Air Fryer Base: clips the air fryer basket in the air.
Air Intake and Vent: this allows for the circulation of air in and out of the air fryer.
Heating Element and Cover: the heating element creates the required heat to cook the food. The cover protects the heating element from external influences.
Power Sensor and Connector: this helps to activate the air fryer lid by making contact with the base.
To close the air fryer lid, place the lid in such a way that the lid fins go into the base unit lid fin slots.
Push it down firmly to make sure that the power sensors of the base unit and the lid make contact. A chime will tell you if you are successful.
On the other hand, lift the lid straight up to open it. Place the protective pad on the countertop, and then put the lid on the pad.
Ways to Use the Air Fryer Lid
There are three ways of using the air fryer lid on your Instant Pot. They include:
- In the Inner Pot, directly
- Pot-in-Pot Method. The food should be in an oven-safe dish
- Air Fryer Basket
Things You Need to Know about the Air Fryer
- The capacity of the air fryer is limited, so large quantities of food should be prepared in batches.
- Always listen for the chimes. They tell you when to turn the food in and when the food is done.
- Be careful when you move the lid, especially when it is hot. The lid is also heavy.
- Keep away from the reach of children.
- The maximum temperature is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a recipe that needs a higher temperature, you cannot use the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer.
What is the Water Test?
The water test is an initial test run for your Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer. It is done by pressure cooking water for a few minutes.
The amount of time you use to run the test depends on how much water you use. This test familiarizes you with the Instant Pot while establishing that your pot works correctly.
The test can also help you identify problems with the pressurizing.
How To Do The Water Test
- Make sure the sealing ring is seated correctly, and place the inner pot into the base unit. Connect the power cable.
- Pour about 3 cups of water into the inner pot, ensure the steam release button is up, and close the lid.
- Press the pressure cook button and set the timer to 5 minutes. You will set the timer by pressing the +/- buttons. Push the start button.
- After a while, the display will show ON, and you will see steam coming from the lid. The smell might also be funny. Do not fret. These are normal happenings.
- The float valve will come up once the display changes from 00:05. It might take a few minutes. After it has come up, the countdown will start.
- When the pressure cooking is done, the appliance will chime, and you will see an L0:00 display implying that the Keep Warm function is on.
- You can choose to do a quick release or a natural release. The natural release of the steam can take up to 39 minutes. Keep yourself away from the steam. The float valve will go down once the steam is fully released, and your Instant Pot will be de-pressurized. Open the lid afterward.
If your appliance fails this test, that is, it does not pressurize, then there is a significant problem, and you should return it or take it to an engineer for a checkup.