Instant Pot Burn Message - what happens when your IP displays "burn", what is the cause, how to fix it and how to prevent it in the first place.
Seeing the burn message on your Instant Pot, can lead to a slight panic moment but remember: this is a smart appliance and it's just telling you that the temperature at the bottom it too high and it turned off the heating element. It gives you a chance to fix the issue.
INSTANT POT BURN MESSAGE
Chances are that while cooking pasta dishes or chili in your Instant Pot, you saw the "burn" message on the display. The most common dishes that will cause that are pasta dishes and chili because of the thick sauce. If you read my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners, you know that the Instant Pot needs a thin liquid to come to pressure so a thick tomato based sauce is not ideal and it will cause the dish to burn on the bottom.
WHAT DOES BURN MESSAGE MEAN ON MY INSTANT POT?
If you see "burn" display on your Instant Pot, do not panic. The IP detected a high temperature at the bottom of the stainless steel insert and because this appliance has a burn-protection sensor, it turned off heating of the pot which means it stopped cooking. This is a very smart feature and it will prevent your whole dish from burning and smoking up your kitchen, as it would happen in a regular saucepan or pot on the stove.
The "burn" message can be caused by:
- lack of thin liquid or not enough thin liquid (8qt Instant Pots require more liquid than 6qt IPs),
- burnt food pieces on the bottom of the inner pot caused during sauteing mode,
- missing or improperly placed sealing ring,
- thick tomato or cream-based sauce or starch-thickened sauce.
INSTANT POT BURN MESSAGE FIX
When you see the burn message on your Instant Pot:
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- Press the cancel/off button.
- Switch the valve to "venting" position to quickly release the pressure.
- Carefully open the lid away from your face.
- Check if there is any food stuck to the bottom of the inner pot. If so, remove the food onto a plate or bowl and add water or stock to the pot. Using a wooden spoon, scrape any food bits from the bottom of the pot. If there is no food stuck, add more thin liquid to your dish. Stir to make sure the liquid is at the bottom.
- Let the Instant Pot cool down and proceed with cooking.
To ensure the best final result, always follow my 4 Steps each time you use your Instant Pot. Print the image below and place on the fridge for easy access.
HOW TO AVOID BURN MESSAGE ON INSTANT POT?
To avoid the burn message on your Instant Pot, always make sure there is no food stuck at the bottom of the inner pot (especially if you sauteed the food before pressure cooking). The best example is my recipe for the Instant Pot Chicken Thighs. You need to saute the thighs first, then remove them onto a plate, deglaze the bottom of the pot by adding required liquid and scraping it with a wooden spoon, then placing a trivet inside and arranging the meat on top.
If you are making pasta dishes (like my Instant Pot Baked Ziti or Instant Pot Spaghetti), always make sure you scrape any food bits from the bottom of your inner pot after sauteing onions and garlic. If adding tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes, add them last and in the center of the dish, avoiding it touching the sides of the inner pot. Do not stir the dish. Pressure cook according to the instructions in the recipe.
It is recommended by the Instant Pot brand to avoid thick cream sauces when pressure cooking, as it will prevent the IP from coming to pressure. Add cream cheese, heavy cream or thicken the sauce with cornstarch and half and half after your food is cooked. Use the saute mode to thicken the dish.
It seems that 8qt Instant Pots tend to get burn message more often, and my assumption is that while the 8 quart IP requires more liquid to come to pressure than the 6 quart IP, most recipes do not include the info to adjust that according to what IP you are using.
To learn more about the Instant Pot and how to use it almost daily, make delicious dishes and love it, check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners.
I hope this information will help you avoid the burn message and moments of panic. Cooking with your Instant Pot should be fun and stress-free!
Bubba says
With all these comments about the burning of food in the 8 quart IP, you would think the company would take the hint. I use a 6 qt model for making vegetarian chili without a single problem. Not so with the newer 8 quart model. I returned it. 'Tis worthless to me as a quick and easy cooking method.
Barbara says
My 6qt IP burned by chili recipe. I used the liquid from the diced tomatoes but clearly this is not enough. How much liquid and what type do you use for your chili? I like thick chili and was afraid to add too much broth. (I make vegetarian chili)
Sally Shutt says
Add more water. Yes, just water. When it is done, let it vent and simmer until it thickens. In a hurry? Put the pot on the stove top to thicken as it steams. OH! Add some Dehydrated refried beans beans. A staple for a single person wanting just 1 or 2 burritos!
Beverly Danforth says
I read somewhere, never to use the IP inner pot on the stove top. Is that true?
Les says
I have a question that I haven't been able to find an answer for anywhere! Sometimes foods have enough thin liquid to cook fine, but as they cook longer they thicken the liquid. Or like pastas, which swell enough that the pasta itself causes the burn notice. Has anyone tried putting pasta/rice/beans in the strainer pot and adding enough liquid to keep them immersed? It would keep the problem food from contacting the bottom of the pot, I think.
Anna says
Hi Les! That is a very interesting idea. I have not tested it but it's worth a try. I know that newer models of the Instant Pot are more sensitive and show burn message more often. Do you have a specific recipe that causes the burn message?
George Helber says
Some of my recipes require a thick sauce. Obviously they burn every time on high pressure. My question is how do I adjust the cook time for low pressure as they don't burn on low pressure?
I have a recient 6 qt InstantPot
NCGirl says
I am so done with efforts not to get the burn message. I cooked a chili verde and got BURN message - released pressure poured contents into a stainless bowl- scrubbed my pot clean from any traces of cooking - replaced the meat and sauce and reset it to low pressure - BURN again- repeated cleaning and set it to stew instead - BURN again - now I had added more liquid the first time and once again added more liquid - frustration has taken over my original thrill of using the IP. I’ll go back to my electric pot (like a electric frying pan, only tall)
Anna says
Hi! What model of the Instant Pot do you have? I know that the newer models are much more prone to burn message. I am sorry you are dealing with this.
Madison says
Definitely feel some of these comments! I’ve only used my IP a handful of times because of the burn message. I’ve followed instructions from the Manuel and tricks from online and still get a burn message. Think I’ll just stick to my crock pot.
Aaron Smith says
Why are you so set on pressure cooking your food? Your goal is good food and if it's too thick to pressure cook, so what? Simmer it on medium to low heat and be happy. Throw away that electric pot and use the IP to pressure cook what makes sense and cook traditionally on it when that makes sense.
melanie says
I feel the same way; FRUSTRATED! Everyone raves over the Instantpot but I have never used it without getting the BURN msg... It is a lot easier just to get a pot out and cook the normal way. There's no benefit to taking food out and cleaning pot and then putting the food back in and finish cooking. Way too much work
Merble says
I had a 8qt power pressure cooker for 2 years and everything came out great...no issues until it just quit working halfway through a meal. After poor customer service I did research and decided to go with the instant pot and purchased one 3 months ago. I have cooked 8 meals in it so far and even ones from the recipe book that came with it and I always get the burn error. I bought these style cookers for the convenience of quick meals without using so many dishes to complete a meal. I don’t believe you should have to empty your pot and clean it to continue cooking a meal that should be completely cooked prior to going through all the extra steps of removing, cleaning, and continue cooking. I think there are other underlying issues with these pots. Your supposed to be able to start a meal and relax till it’s done. Would never trust the delay start with these issues. Very, very disappointed!
Anna says
Hi Merble! I find the recipes in the booklet don't always turn out well. I hope you can try some of my recipes without issues! Let me know what recipes you are looking for! I love my IP and use it almost every day. I would love for you to enjoy cooking in it too.
Phyllis Pleasants says
So disappointed in my IP
The first few dishes came out perfect... now every recipe (even repeats that initially did perfect) burns... increased up to double liquid and same results.
Anna says
Hi Phyllis! Is it with the same type of recipes? What type of Instant Pot do you have? I know the newer models are more sensitive and show burns message quite often.
Amber says
If the newer models are more prone to this message - is there a way to troubleshoot it? We too are making the same recipes we have always made without any issues and now we constantly get the burn messages - I can't tell you how much frustration and wasted food has occurred in the last week.
Marjorie Cole says
I made a mistake with my Instant Pot when I was steaming. I put the glass top, that is not used for pressure cooking, on as I did not realize that steaming included pressure cooking. My pot made a loud "pop" and then displayed the "burn" message. I think I was cooking rice at that time and it did not seem to be affected by the pop or the "burn." The rice contents in the pot did not look burned. I have used the pot since, but always lurking in my mind is the question of what caused the "pop" sound and how might that affect future use. Do you have any clues. I wonder if it is still OK to use my Instant Pot. It seems to work fine.
Anna says
Hi Marjorie! If it works fine, I would guess it was just a build up of pressure under the lid. My newer model will show me if my lid is not on, so that is helpful. What model of the Instant Pot do you have?
Rob Bayuk says
My first "burn" and I'm a IP newbie. Chili. The post was helpful. However, the last bullet "...cool down and proceed with cooking" left me a little puzzled, as I was somewhere on a 10 min high pressure cook per the recipe I was following, thus didn't know how much was left to cook. I ended up transferring it to a stovepot and finishing it there. Is there a way to know how much cook time would have been left? thanks!
Lizzy says
I want to know the answer to this, too! Thank you!
Tara says
I hate my IP. Every time I have cooked a recipe with pasta or rice it burned. Added extra liquid., Burned. 8 quart.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Oh no! We need to change that and turn you into an IP fan! I am still working on a fail-proof rice dish, but I figured out the perfect recipe for spaghetti! It may look like there is too much liquid, but once you stir it for a couple of minutes and let it sit while you set the table and make a salad, it will be absolutely perfect! Let me know what recipes you are looking for, Tara. I am always happy to help!
Kelly says
Thank you!! This makes so much sense. I really appreciate you sharing all of your tips for avoiding the burn in the first place!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
I am so glad it's helpful! Thank you, Kelly!
Laurel says
Hello, I just used my IP for the first time to make chili. I think I made the mistake of mixing everything prior to pressure cooking. I keep getting that burn message after scraping the bottom, which isn’t burnt. Is there any way to fix this?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Laurel! Sounds like there is not enough thin liquid and the IP can't come to pressure. I would add more stock or water. I hope this helps!
Joey says
Thank you for the tips! I've had the burn message before and it freaked me out! LOL I have a question about the pasta dishes. If I need more liquid, won't the dish be too runny? Will adding the cream after pressure cooking thicken it?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Joey! Yes, after the dish is done pressure cooking, stir for a few minutes. That often helps the excess liquid to evaporate. You can add cream or cream cheese and stir it until you are happy with the texture. I also use cornstarch mixed with water. Hope this helps!
Sylvie says
Thank you so much for sharing this! I am relieved to know that the IP will turn off heating when the burn message comes up. Another reason to love this appliance!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Right? It's so smart, no wonder we are obsessed with it! Thanks, Sylvie!
Steve says
As the InstantPot comes up to pressure, it says "burn" across the front of it. This is only my second time using it. Do I just leave it on that setting and let it cool off, do I scrap my entire meal, what? Please help.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Steve! Press "cancel/off" button and switch the valve to venting to release the pressure. Open the lid and check on the dish. If there is burnt food on the bottom, remove what you can, add water and scrape any pieces stuck to the bottom. Then you can start over. I hope this helps!
Christine says
I have the Ultra 6 qt. & DUO 8 qt. I use them all the time. I don’t think this is a user problem. Something is wrong with new sensors on the newer IP. Instant Pot must have gone with a cheaper sensor. I am just glad I have the pots from early on and I never had a burn notice.
Beverly Danforth says
I was thinking the same thing as Christine. If the newer IP is more sensitive, they should go back to the older method. I don't know which is considered newer, but I assume my 6 qt is, as it's less than 6 months old. I've only gotten the burn message once but from reading these comments, if I was considering a purchase, I would not buy an IP. I appreciate the tips.
Sasha says
My old pot worked just fine. I do the same recipes in my new pot and constantly have things burning. Whats different?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Sasha! If it's with every dish, then you may have defective IP. I would contact the brand, they are very responsive and super helpful. If it's dishes that have thick sauce or after sauteeing, add more liquid before sealing the pot. I hope this helps!