MaxSeries User Manual Instant Pot® Free Recipe App • 500+ Free Recipes • New User Tips • Getting Started Videos
Welcome to the World of Cooking! Thank you for selecting an Instant Pot® smartcooker! Our vision for Instant Pot® is to provide you with the right tools to enhance your food preparation experience. Our smartcookers are designed to save you time, replace a number of appliances, and prepare healthy and tasty meals in a convenient and dependable way.
Table of Contents Important Safeguards 1-3 Product Specifications 3 What’s Included 4 Lid Structure 5 Cooker Base Structure 6 Getting Started 7 - 10 Control Panel 11 - 12 Venting Methods 13 Initial Test Run (15 psi Water Test) 14 - 15 System Settings & Time 16 Operation Field Delay Keep Warm 17 18 Usage Tips 19 Cooking Tips 20 Smart Programs & Advanced Features Pressure Cook NutriBoost™ Canning Sauté Slow Cook Sous Vide Cooking Guidelines Yogurt 21 22 23 - 26 27 28 29 - 30 31 32
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed: 12 1. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Do not touch hot surfaces. Only use side handles for carrying or moving. 3. CAUTION Do not place the appliance on or in close proximity to a hot gas or electric burner, or a heated oven; heat from an external source will damage the appliance. 4. CAUTION Do not use near water or flame. Please keep out of direct sunlight. 5.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS 14. Do not cover or obstruct the steam release valve/handle and float valve with cloth or other objects. Obstructing the steam release valve/handle and float valve can create a safety issue and may cause injury. 15. Turn the appliance off if steam escapes from the steam release valve/handle or float valve in a steady stream for longer than 3 minutes. There may be residual pressure in the appliance.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS 26. When pressure cooking food with a doughy or thick texture, or a high fat/oil content, contents may splatter when opening the lid. Please follow recipe instructions for pressure release method. Once steam is fully released, gently shake the appliance with extreme caution and then if necessary, release the steam again before removing the lid. Refer to the “Venting Methods” section. 27.
What’s Included Before using the Instant Pot® Max, remove all packaging materials and accessories from in and around the pressure cooker, and verify that all parts are accounted for. Pay attention to Important Safeguards and operation instructions. Remove all warning cards and hanging tags after reading. Do not remove safety warning stickers placed on top of lid and back of cooker base. Watch the “Unboxing” video: www.InstantPot.
Lid Structure When attached to the base, the lid becomes powered, enabling an automated venting process to occur during and after cooking. This technology also enables the thermal sensor to transmit temperature readings to the cooker base for precision cooking.
Cooker Base Cooker Handle Stainless Steel Outer Pot Base Power Socket LCD Touch Screen Central Dial Condensation Drain Hole Heating Element Cooker Handle INSTANT TIP: The Cooker Handles are also a Lid Holder The lid has been designed with lid fins that fit perfectly inside the cooker handles on the left and right sides of the cooker base.
Getting Started 1 Read all Important Safeguards Read all Important Safeguards and instructions. Do not remove Safety Warning Sticker placed on the lid and Rating Label placed on back of cooker base. Place the cooker on a stable surface. Rating Label CAUTION Do not place the appliance on or in close proximity to a hot gas or electric burner, Safety Warning Sticker or a heated oven; heat from an external source will damage the appliance.
Getting Started 4 Remove & Install the Steam Release Assembly The steam release valve and cover must be installed during use. Steam Release Cover Steam Release Valve Remove the Steam Release Cover: Turn the steam release cover counter-clockwise until it can be pulled off from the lid. Remove the Steam Release Valve: Pull the steam release valve up and off the steam release pipe. Install the Steam Release Valve: Place the steam release valve onto the steam release pipe and press down.
Getting Started 6 Remove & Clean the Inner Pot Remove the inner pot from the cooker base. Before inserting the inner pot into the appliance, wipe the outer surface of the inner pot and heating element to confirm they are dry and free of food debris. Failure to do so may damage the Heating Element cooker. The curvature of the inner pot matches the heating element. Always use an Instant Pot® authorized inner pot when cooking.
Getting Started 9 Remove & Re-Install the Float Valve The float valve and silicone cap are essential to pressure cooking, as they seal in the pressurized steam. The float valve has 2 positions: Down: cooker is depressurized Up: cooker is pressurized CAUTION While the float valve is up, the contents of the cooker are pressurized. Do not attempt to remove the lid. Refer to “Venting Methods” section in this manual for information on releasing pressure.
Control Panel 1 Max ft 2 Slow Cook Pressure Cook Pre-Heat Cook Sear ft m Hour 3 Pressure 5 Keep Warm Soup / Broth 6 Minute Temperature Canning Rice Keep Warm 7 Venting Yogurt Sous Vide Delay 4 Cancel Start 8 11
1 Pressure Indicator The icon will be lit when the pressure cooker is still pressurized, indicating that the lid is locked and cannot be removed 2 System Settings • Lock / Unlock • Temperature Display: Fahrenheit (°F) or Celsius (°C) • Altitude Display: feet (ft) or meters (m) • Sound (ON / OFF) 3 Smart Programs • Pressure Cook • Sauté • Rice • Sous Vide • Slow Cook • Soup / Broth • Canning • Yogurt • Manual Keep Warm 4 Control Keys • Cancel • Start 5 Cooking Progress Indicator Real-time cooking
Venting Methods Your pressure cooker has an automated venting system for post-cooking pressure release, which can be activated on pressure cooking Smart Programs when desired. The default venting method is Natural Release (NR). To stop or pause once a venting method has begun, touch the Venting field and the pressure cooker will automatically return to NR.
Initial Test Run (15 psi Water Test) x3 PC MAX 2/3 1/2 1 Add 3 cups (750 mL) of water to the inner pot. 2 Line up the unlock arrow on the cooker base with the arrow on the lid. Max Cook ft Keep Warm Pre-Heat Cook Keep Warm ft m Hour Pressure Keep Warm ft m Minute Hour Temperature Pressure Venting Keep Warm Delay Cancel 4 Turn the lid clockwise to close until a jingle sounds. Max ft Pre-Heat 3 Minute Temperature Venting Delay Start Touch Pressure Cook.
Initial Test Run (15 psi Water Test) 10 When the Smart Program has completed, 10 beeps will sound. 11 A short warning burst will be released, followed by a continuous stream of steam. 12 The float valve will drop to indicate the pressure has been fully released. ft Pre-Heat Cook Keep Warm ft m Hour 13 Pressure Once the Pressure Indicator has turned OFF you may open Keep Warm the lid. Minute Temperature 14 Venting Turn the lid counter clockwise to open until a jingle sounds.
System Settings & Time Adjust the System Settings: The system settings will remain on your display so you always know which ones are in effect. To change your system settings: 1. Touch Cancel to ensure the cooker is in standby mode. 2. Touch the System Settings icon (when in standby mode). Note that the padlock symbol disappears. This means that your system settings are “unlocked”, and you can now alter them as you wish.
Operational Field - Delay The Delay setting can be applied to all Smart Programs with the exception of Sauté, Manual Keep Warm, and Yogurt. The Delay setting is not recommended to be used in conjunction with the auto-venting features when cooking thick or foamy foods. The liquid may cause spattering during the cooking process. Max ft Pre-Heat 1 To set a Delay cook timer, touch the Cook Keep Warm ft m Hour Minute Temperature Pressure Delay field.
Operational Field - Keep Warm Automatic Keep Warm can be applied to all Smart Programs with the exception of Sauté, Sous Vide, and Yogurt. When enabled, the setting will turn ON by itself after the Cook cycle has completed, and remain on for up to 10 hours. When selecting an applicable Smart Program, the Keep Warm setting will be ON by default. To turn it OFF, touch the Keep Warm icon.
Usage Tips • For all pressure cooking programs Pressure Cook, Rice, Soup/Broth, and Canning, the total amount of pre-cooked food and liquid in the inner pot should not exceed the PC MAX—2/3. • For food that expands during cooking, the inner pot should not be filled higher than the —1/2 line. • Always ensure that the steam release valve, steam release cover, steam release pipe, anti-block shield, and float valve are clean and free of food particles and residue before cooking.
Cooking Tips • Certain food (such as applesauce, cranberries, pearl barley, oatmeal, split peas, noodles, etc.) can foam, froth, or spatter, and can clog the steam release pipe and/or steam release valve. Extreme caution must be used when cooking and venting these foods—the inner pot should not be filled higher than the — 1/2 line. • When pressure cooking food with a doughy or thick texture, or a high fat/oil content, contents may spatter when opening the lid.
Smart Program - Pressure Cook The following pressure cooking programs are available: Soup/Broth, Rice, Canning, or Pressure Cook. Steps to Pressure Cook 1 Add ingredients to the inner pot and insert the inner pot into the cooker base. 2 Place the lid on the cooker base and turn it clockwise to close it. 3 Connect the power cord. The LCD will display OFF, indicating that the pressure cooker is in standby mode. 4 Select the desired Smart Program: Soup/Broth, Rice, Canning, or Pressure Cook.
Advanced Feature - Nutriboost™ NutriBoost™ is a mid-cooking Pulse Release setting that may be activated on the Rice and Soup/Broth Smart Programs. Rice: NutriBoost™ occurs during the first 3 minutes of the "Cook" cycle. Soup/Broth: NutriBoost™ occurs during the last 15 minutes of the "Cook" cycle. The boiling motion effect created by NutriBoost™ helps to break down food— adding nutrients, enhancing flavors, and improving textures. This setting is ideal for bone broth or risotto.
Canning - Getting Started Canning is a pressure cooking function based on traditional canning principles. When proper canning processes are followed and sufficient temperatures are reached for a sustained period of time, canning is considered an economical way to preserve quality food at home. CAUTION Recipes must be closely followed when canning. Modifying cooking times, ingredients or temperatures can be dangerous.
Canning - Sterilizing Jars All food used for canning should be poured into sterile, empty jars. Always check your jars, lids, and seals for chips and other imperfections. Sterilization of jars should occur just before filling. Excess contact with the air should be avoided for safe canning. Steps to Sterilization Before Canning 1 Wash the jars and rinse thoroughly. 2 Ensure there are no cracks or imperfections in the jars or lids.
Canning - Pressure Canning Steps to Pressure Canning To begin, select a recipe that has been pre-tested and approved for pressure canning. Though ingredients may vary, the process will be the same. Refer to the USDA’s Complete Guide to Home Canning for tested recipes: http://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/publications_usda.html 1 Fill warm, sterilized canning jars with food, following the directions in the recipe for required headspace.
Canning - Pressure Canning 7 Place the lid on the cooker base and turn it clockwise to close it. 8 Connect the power cord to a 120V outlet. The cooker will enter standby mode. 9 Select Canning. 10 Touch the ‘Minute’ field to select it, then turn the central dial to adjust the time as determined by the recipe. Touch the ‘Hour’ field to select it, then turn the central dial to adjust the time as determined by the recipe.
Smart Program - Sauté Sauté is a non-pressure cooking program and works like a frying pan or flat-top grill — as a fantastic way to caramelize onions or sear meat before cooking. Note: This Smart Program has a maximum set time of 30 minutes to prevent overheating. You may see the display switch between ‘On’ and ‘Hot’ — this is normal, and means that your element is working to maintain the temperature. Steps to Sauté 1 Connect the power cord to a 120V outlet; the cooker will enter standby mode.
Smart Program - Slow Cook Slow Cook is comparable to the cooking process of traditional slow cookers, heating to just below boiling over a long period of time. Dependent upon the desired cook time, you may select the appropriate temperature setting for your dish. Low – For all-day cooking. It will maintain temperatures just below boiling until the Cook cycle has completed. High – Provides faster cooking. It will maintain temperatures just below boiling until the Cook cycle has completed.
Smart Program - Sous Vide The term “Sous Vide” is French for ‘Under Vacuum’ and refers to the process of vacuum sealing food, bringing it to a very accurate temperature, and maintaining that temperature for a period of time to achieve high quality, consistently delicious results. Sous Vide offers a customizable setting which allows you to choose a cooking temperature from a range of 25°C ~ 90°C / 77°F ~ 194°F, ideal for Sous Vide cooking.
Smart Program - Sous Vide 10 Place the lid on the cooker base and turn clockwise to close. 11 For long cooking times, check periodically to make sure the water level remains above the sealed pouches. If you need to add water, heat it to approximately the same temperature as the water in the container to avoid cooling the water. 12 Once the Cook cycle has completed, use the Sauté Smart Program, a pan, browning torch, or barbecue to sear meat to your preference.
Sous Vide - Cooking Guidelines Food Thickness Cooking Outcome Cooking Temperature Cooking Time (Minimum) Cooking Time (Maximum) Beef Tender Cuts: Rare 50 °C / 122 °F 1 hour 4 hours sirloin, rib eye, rump, Medium rare 54 °C / 129 °F 1 hour 4 hours T-bone Medium 56 °C / 133 °F 1 hour 4 hours Well done 60 °C / 140 °F 1 hour 4 hours 4-6 cm/ 1½“- 2½” 50 °C / 122 °F 8 hours 18 hours Belly 3-6 cm / 1”- 2½” 82 °C / 180 °F 10 hours 22 hours Ribs 2-3 cm / ½”- 1½” 59 °C / 138 °F 10
Smart Program - Yogurt Yogurt is a non-pressure cooking function with 3 settings: Boil, Yogurt, and Custom. The Custom setting will allow users to make different types of customized fermented dairy and non-dairy recipes. Steps to Making Yogurt - fresh, dairy-based yogurt 1 Pasteurization a. Add milk to the inner pot. Place the lid on the cooker base and turn it clockwise to close it. b. Connect the power cord to a 120V outlet. The cooker will enter standby mode. c. Select Yogurt. d.
Care & Cleaning • Wash all parts and accessories after use • Never use harsh chemical detergents, scouring pads, or powders on any of the unit’s parts or components (damp cloth) Wipe Clean (submerged) Part Hand Wash Dishwasher Safe Cleaning Method Cleaning Tip Accessories • For dishwasher place in top rack Small Parts • All small parts should be removed once every few cooking cycles for routine cleaning, and any time there is visible food debris • steam rack • soup spoon • rice paddle • rice
Troubleshooting The topics covered in the following table do not always indicate a faulty cooker. Please examine the cooker carefully. If you require support, contact the Customer Care Team: • Create a Ticket: www.support.instantpot.com • Live Chat: www.instantpot.com/#Chat • Email: support@instantpot.com • Call: 1-800-828-7280 • Tips, videos, and FAQs: www.InstantPot.com Instant Pot® parts and accessories are available on our online store: www.store.instantpot.
Troubleshooting Problem Float valve does not rise Possible Reason Solution Food debris on float valve or surrounding area Remove float valve from lid, clean float valve, silicone cap, and surrounding area on lid Float valve silicone cap worn out Replace the float valve Too little liquid in inner pot Add requisite minimum 1½ cups (375mL / 12oz) of a thin liquid to inner pot Float valve obstructed by lid-locking mechanism Open and close the lid completely No heat in the inner pot / Inner pot Ensur
Troubleshooting Problem Steam gushes from steam release valve when venting is not activated Possible Reason Solution Steam release valve not seated properly Remove steam release cover and steam release valve, check for internal food debris; re-seat parts Too little liquid in inner pot Add requisite minimum 1½ cups (375mL / 12oz) of a thin liquid to inner pot Pressure sensor control failure Contact the Customer Care Team Lights flash and error code appears on screen C5: Inner pot is not seated pro
Warranty Limited Warranty This Limited Warranty is effective for one year from the date of original consumer purchase. Proof of original purchase date and, if requested by an authorized representative of Instant Brands Inc. (“Instant Brands”), return of your appliance, is required to obtain service under this Limited Warranty.
Warranty Disclaimer of Implied Warranties EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, INSTANT BRANDS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, CONDITIONS OR REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, BY STATUTE, USAGE, CUSTOM OF TRADE OR OTHERWISE WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLIANCES OR PARTS COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES, CONDITIONS, OR REPRESENTATIONS OF WORKMANSHIP, MERCHANTABILITY, MERCHANTABLE QUALITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR DURABILITY.
Index M A Acceptable Liquids 18 Manual 6 Adding Culture 28 Max Pressure Canning 21, 22, 23 Adjust Altitude 12, 16, 24 Model 5 Anti-Block Shield 2, 7, 10, 29 Base Power Socket 8, 31 Canning – Sterilizing Jars 2, 22 Pasteurization 28 Celsius to Fahrenheit 16 Pressure Indicator 12, 15 Central Dial 8, 12 Pressure Level Field 12 Clock / Set Local Time 12, 16 Pulse Release 13 Condensation Collector 6, 9 Condensation Collector Tabs 9 Condensation Drain Hole 8 Control Panel 1
The Instant Pot® Products Lux 3, 6, 8 Quart Duo 3, 6, 8 Quart Max 6 Quart Duo Plus 3, 6, 8 Quart Ultra 3, 6, 8 Quart Tools for a New Lifestyle *Instant Pot® Brand: The NPD Group Inc., Retail Tracking Service, Cookers Category, Dollar Sales, USA & Canada, Latest 52 Wks ending Dec, 2017.
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