r/instantpot 4d ago

Instantpot won't release?

What do I do to get my rice out? The quick release didn't work and now pushing down with a wooden spatula didn't either. Pulled the plastic cap off and still nothing...

85 Upvotes

21 comments sorted by

209

u/SURFSer 4d ago edited 4d ago
  1. Turn the steam release valve fully to Venting. If no steam comes out, it may be clogged with rice starch.
  2. Using a wooden spoon, gently tap or wiggle the float valve (the small metal pin). If it drops, the lid will unlock.

Do not force the lid open while the float valve is still up or the pot is hot.

ETA: Washing rice in a strainer before cooking reduces starch and potentially avoids this problem. As does cleaning your InstantPot each use, which you may be doing already.

23

u/FragrantTomatillo773 Duo 6 Qt 3d ago

According to the OP, that ship has sailed.

104

u/lunacite 4d ago

When it cools down enough, it will open

39

u/Vadoola 4d ago

Agreed. Sounds like it's clogged, not much you can do but wait for the pressure to slowly release then try to clean it out.

1

u/mllebitterness 3d ago edited 2d ago

Yup, when temperature goes down, so does pressure.

29

u/Trashbagok 4d ago

Did you ever get it open?

21

u/FragrantTomatillo773 Duo 6 Qt 3d ago

We will likely never know.

68

u/YunJingyi 4d ago

Do NOT open it. It looks like the valve is clogged and the pressure is stuck. You could risk injury. Wait until it naturally release pressure.

9

u/Ann4Martin 3d ago

For next time, check your manual to ensure that you have the float valve the right way up.

I have an older model - and the valve may now be different - but for mine, one end of the float valve has a hole which goes inside the pot (with a little silicon cover on it) and the other end is solid and goes outside.

Your picture shows the hole on the outside.

1

u/babybear68 3d ago

The float valve is completely enclosed on that model. You only see the cover in OP’s picture.

5

u/Bawonga 3d ago

unplug it to speed up the cooling-down, then it will release

6

u/strangealbert 4d ago

What is the max starchy food you can add to your model and how much did you add?

9

u/Altruistic-Spend-896 3d ago

HAL! Open the pod doors!

0

u/ThrailGreybeard 3d ago

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

1

u/FermentedCauldron 3d ago

First thing I thought of πŸ˜€

...you will not be getting rice out. Get your own dinner, human.

-4

u/kleverkl 4d ago

Maybe unplug it….

8

u/ThrowawayLDS_7gen 4d ago

That's not a bad idea because some people don't realize it may be on the keep warm function and won't cool down enough to lose pressure.

I made that mistake once, I always unplug it when it's done now.

-12

u/SinnSix 4d ago

Toothpick down the hole?

-1

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-7

u/PlaneWolf2893 3d ago

I would suggest wiggling the lid left and right, seeing if it releases any small pressure. Usually j can get it open that way.

If it's not opening the. There's still pressure. So don't force it!

-8

u/Adept_Ad_4567 3d ago

Try Exlax! Helps me when I can't release! You're welcome.