topic Re: Instant Pot Help Needed (Baking) in Kitchen

Instant Pot Help Needed (Baking)

coffee drinker — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 18:21:48 GMT

First off, I have an 8 qt.IP and am trying to "bake" an Apple Cinnamon Cake -- a recipe I found on-line. Followed directions to a "T", except instead of 1 cup water, I added maybe 1.5 cups. Wrapped the cake pan in foil, set the time for 1 hour. In a few minutes I got a Burn error. Tried it again, this time adding 2 cups water -- same thing happened. Also, the float valve popped up, but I never saw the clock time down. Called IP help line told the woman my problem and was told to add more water which I did. Now there's about 3 cups water added, plus I removed the foil. Once the IP reaches full pressure (float valve pops up) isn't the time suppose to start counting down -- this didn't happen. Got a third "Burn" message just now and the IP turned itself off. Took the cake out, tested it and it's cooked, I think. I'm going to call IP help line and check what they have to say. Any suggestions from you?

Re: Instant Pot Help Needed (Baking)

fthunt — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 18:39:16 GMT

Confused - is the cake sitting in 3 cups of water now? From your description sounds like clock should be counting down. I just learned something about IP Slow Cooker function. Wanted to make bean and ham soup in my new Instant Pot but on Google a lady expert said ...don't....use an actual slow crock pot instead. You can read for your self....summary....temperature control on IP not the same & not good for slow cooking...and IP lid doesn't allow moisture to escape so result is food has way too much liquid at end of cooking cycle. So today soup is cooking in old faithful crock pot - tried and tested for 30 years.

Re: Instant Pot Help Needed (Baking)

coffee drinker — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 18:56:06 GMT

@fthunt Sorry for the confusion. No, the cake isn't sitting in 3 cups water. Right now the cake seems thoroughly cooked after 3 attempts. The 3rd time, I added approx, 3 cups water to the main pot, put the trivit in then the cake pan. Because this was the 3rd attempt, I set the timer to 40 minutes instead of 60 in the original recipe. The float valve popped up, but the clock on the front panel never cycled down. Then the IP beeped and that blasted Burn error showed and the pot turned itself off. The cake is cooked, but it's not the way I think the IP should work.

I've made regular food -- stew, stuffed peppers, soup and never had this problem.

I did call IP help line again and the person said because it was a dense mixture, maybe it should be cooked on the low setting instead of high. Try that. Who knows.

Perhaps I should start doing Facebook -- suppose to be lots of help there.

Re: Instant Pot Help Needed (Baking)

dancingwoman — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 19:19:07 GMT

@coffee drinker Hi, from what I've read from people with similar problems, what could be happening is that your seal isn't seated correctly in the lid. If it isn't sealing it won't count down...the water will evaporate and you will get the burn error. Is there water left in the pot when you get the burn error? DW

Re: Instant Pot Help Needed (Baking)

dancingwoman — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 19:32:47 GMT

@coffee drinker I've also read that there has to be at least 1/2 inch of room between the pan you are using and the inside pot if the IP. if there isn't enough room the unit will not come to pressure....DW

Re: Instant Pot Help Needed (Baking)

jackthebear — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 20:55:29 GMT

have never baked in my IP, so I can't help you at all, but it's being done,

there are a bunch of pressure cooking blogs start searching you might find some help and the facebook group will be helpful too

Re: Instant Pot Help Needed (Baking)

tiny 2 — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 21:47:06 GMT

I have read that the burn error happens more on the 8 qt.

Re: Instant Pot Help Needed (Baking)

coffee drinker — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 01:24:28 GMT

@tiny 2 Now you tell me. (Just kidding).

Re: Instant Pot Help Needed (Baking)

coffee drinker — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 01:40:52 GMT

Thanks to all for their help and comments.

In case anyone wants to know, after 3 tries, the cake cooked and tasted OK. But it's not the way it suppose to be cooked. Something went wrong. Think I'll stick to cooking "regular" foods In the IP and leave desserts to the oven.

Re: Instant Pot Help Needed (Baking)

tiny 2 — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 14:17:24 GMT

@coffee drinker, LOL. At least you have been brave enough to get it going. My 8 qt is still in the box. When things settle down I will take it out and if it will cook black beans that are edible I will be very happy.

Re: Instant Pot Help Needed (Baking)

coffee drinker — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 18:37:15 GMT

@tiny 2 If you get that "Burn" error message like I did, you may get those black beans without trying.

Re: Instant Pot Help Needed (Baking)

tiny 2 — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 21:13:05 GMT

@coffee drinker wrote:
@tiny 2 If you get that "Burn" error message like I did, you may get those black beans without trying.

@coffee drinker, LOL, I am telling you black beans are my Culinary nemesis from H.E.L.L. I have tried EVERYTHING from cooking 6 hours to the last attempt(determined to win) 6 days. Did the beans finally soften???

NO!!!!!. My husband likes black beans. His grandparents were missionaries to Brazil and his mother was born and raised there except for their break time in the states so black beans are a side in pretty much every Brazilian dish and canned beans are not acceptable. If this pot will cook those particular(wicked) beans it will have a place of honor in the kitchen.

Re: Instant Pot Help Needed (Baking)

coffee drinker — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 01:08:49 GMT

@tiny 2 Good thing I re-read your post because I was going to suggest canned (as a joke). I'm no expert cooking beans or anything else, but anytime I've cooked dry beans I always put them in a pot of water, let the water come to a boil, turn off the stove, cover and let them soak overnight. That works for me, but I've never cooked black beans. I'm sure you've tried this, but in case you didn't.