Health-conscious or not, today everyone wants an electric pressure cooker in their kitchen. This is because a good electric pressure cooker helps make meals fast, even when you are busy. The obvious choice for most is the Instant Pot. It is also called a multi-cooker as it can saute and slow-cook.
According to the New York Times, out of all the brands it has tested since 2016, Instant Pot stood out as the best pressure cooker. However, in recent times, the brand has been in the news because of fatal explosions that resulted in severe injuries to the user. Victims of such explosions have filed lawsuits as well.
In this article, we will delve into the Instant Pot cooker problems that may lead to explosions, and understand if it’s worth your investment.
A Georgia Woman Calls Out Instant Pot Over Design Defects
Typically, Instant Pot explosions result from device malfunctions. In April 2024, Courtney Nicole Foster, a woman from Georgia, claimed that the cooker’s safety feature failed to prevent the lid from opening while the food was under pressure. This led to an explosion which made her suffer from severe burn injuries.
In the lawsuit, Foster stated that she was using an Instant Pot Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker. She further claimed that the explosion occurred because the cooker’s safety features failed to function as promised by the manufacturer. Also, the defendant failed to redesign the cooker, even when there were alternative, safer, and more economical designs available.
Foster shared that the manufacturers promoted their safety features and assured consumers that the cooker would not explode. Hence, her lawsuit includes claims of design defect, strict product liability, negligence, breach of warranty, and failure to warn.
TorHoerman Law states that to recover from pressure cooker explosion injuries, you might need physical therapy, burn care, skin grafts, and surgery. All these treatments require a substantial amount of money. Hence, it’s necessary to consult a lawyer and file a lawsuit. That way, you can receive your compensatory amount and use it to pay for your medical expenses and cover other damages.
Other Problems with Instant Pot Cookers
Consumer Shield stated in July 2024 that the probable reasons for Instant Pot malfunctions are faulty gaskets, poor venting, and defective seals. These can make the pressure cooker burst open, expel hot food, and steam on the user, leading to painful injuries, like lacerations and scarring.
Additionally, here are a few common problems that you can encounter when using an Instant Pot. Once you know how to address them, you might prevent an accident.
The Timer Takes Too Long to Start
This pressure cooker takes about 10 to 15 minutes to heat. After that, the pressure reaches the right level, and the time starts. Hence, when any recipe states ‘start cooking in 5 minutes’, mentally add more time. In case it takes too long, you should check the cooker settings carefully to ensure that you are using the right mode.
An Error Code Message
This electric pressure cooker has error codes that denote specific issues. If you see a code, check the support page to know what it means. C1, for instance, indicates that there is a faulty temperature sensor. On the other hand, C5 means the cooker isn’t positioned correctly on the heater.
A Stuck Float Valve
The pressure cooker lid has a float valve atop it that moves loosely between the natural pressure release and venting positions. A jammed valve indicates that it may be clogged with food. Hence, you should unclog the valve, wash the surrounding lid, and ensure that you’ve removed the food completely for smooth operation.
The Pot Keeps Beeping
When the Instant Pot starts to heat, it will beep when the timer starts and the cooking is done. If you find the pressure cooker beeping otherwise, there’s something wrong with it. Check for any error code that flashes on the screen, as this might indicate an overheating issue.
By keeping these problems in mind, you can use the Instant Pot better and prevent accidents. It is also necessary to check the appliance thoroughly before you buy to avoid bringing home a faulty cooker.
To sum up, the Instant Pot pressure cooker was purchased by thousands when it was unveiled. Even though the brand was a raging success, reports of pressure cooker explosions have given it a bad name.
Today, consumers question whether it’s worth their money. Arriving at a one-word answer is difficult. However, it is important to know that the Instant Pot can have design issues and common problems that you should watch for. If you feel you wouldn’t want to face these issues with your pressure cooker, you can search for other options.
