The One Ingredient That Is Probably Causing Your Instant Pot's 'Burn' Message

If you've ever heard the shrill beeps of an Instant Pot's "burn" warning, we feel your pain. From half-cooked dinners to burned-on food, the issues that arise when an Instant Pot shuts off due to scorching are a less than ideal situations.

If this happens to you regularly, it might have less to do with your cooking skills and more with your choice of ingredients. Tomatoes, the backbone of a plethora of Instant Pot dishes, are notorious for easily scorching.

If you still want to be able make a pot of chili, whip together homemade pasta sauce, or just throw a can of tomatoes into your next pressure cooker recipe, read below to learn why tomatoes burn easily in Instant Pots and how to prevent it in the future:

Why Tomatoes Scorch

Many cooks blame scorching in the Instant Pot on the tomatoes' sugar content, but that's highly unlikely. Other sugar-heavy recipes, like jams and desserts, are easily made in the same appliance.

Instead, it's tomatoes' viscosity that causes the burning issue. Thicker than water, tomato-based liquid doesn't move around as easily, meaning it can stay stagnant too long and scorch on the bottom of your pot insert. Picture this: When you simmer tomato sauce on a stovetop, it sits calmly for minutes, then the pressure of the boiling bubbles finally bursts through the thick tomatoes and causes splattering.

The problem with the liquid's thickness can vary among ingredients, meaning you may have an easier time avoiding scorching with crushed tomatoes, which are a bit water heavy, but almost immediately get a burn notice if you've stirred in tomato paste.

Methods for Preventing Tomatoes From Scorching

There is no one tried-and-true method for avoiding tomatoes scorching; you'll have to experiment with what technique works for you and the dish you're cooking. It may be as easy as adding a dash of water or using a different cooking container. Here are our recommendations to avoid the dreaded "burn" message:

1. Place Tomatoes On Top

If tomatoes are an addition to your dish instead of the main ingredient, simply pour them on top, and don't stir before sealing up the Instant Pot. This method can work for dishes like shredded chicken, curries, rice, and legumes.

2. Cook Pot-in-Pot

The pot-in-pot technique is a must-know for mastering the Instant Pot. Simply insert the stainless steel rack that came with your appliance, put a few inches of liquid in the bottom of the pot, then put a heat-resistant, Instant Pot-approved glass or metal bowl on the rack. This allows your recipe to cook without having the high heat of the burner directly on the tomatoes.

3. Avoid Processed Ingredients

If you're using a tomato-based product like salsa, prepared marinara, or ketchup, you may see that "burn" message more quickly. These products often have commercial thickeners added, which can make the finished dish even more concentrated, opening it up to the potential of scorching.

4. Take Extra Steps in Sauté Mode

If you're using the sauté mode on your Instant Pot before bringing it to pressure, this can make burn issues more common. Be sure to deglaze your pot by adding a little water, broth, or wine to unstick all the caramelized bits.

For those who experience scorching regularly, you can either sauté ingredients in a pan separately, then add it to the pot, or some more committed Instant Pot fans buy two inserts, using one for sautéing, then switching out to a clean one for pressure cooking.

5. Add More Water

A lack of water is frequently a reason why tomato-based recipes scorch. While adding water isn't always an option, especially in things like rice or sauces where the ratio will mess up the end texture or flavor, it can be tweaked to help many dishes avoid burning.

For more liquid tomato products, such as fresh, diced canned, or crushed tomatoes, you may only need a splash of water. But for thicker ingredients like canned tomato paste or sauce, a heftier amount of water is needed.

Related Content:

• What Does 'Burn' Mean on My Instant Pot?
• 5 Surprising Ways to Use Your Instant Pot
• Mistakes Too Many Home Cooks Are Making With the Instant Pot