If you want to keep the warm setting ON in an instant pot, you need to know how long you can keep it on for your food to remain fresh, delicious, and safe to eat.

Many people leave food in the keep-warm setting after it has finished cooking. Though this may affect the food’s flavor or texture, depending on the duration.

An instant pot is a kitchen appliance that allows you to make food quickly. Additionally, it offers the benefit of keeping your food warm using the keep warm setting.

This article will discuss how long an instant pot can stay in its keep-warm mode.

How Long Can I Keep the “Keep Warm” Setting On on the Instant Pot

Determining the specific limit for keeping the keep warm setting varies depending on your instant pot and the recipe you have made.

Certain foods can burn if left on the keep-warm setting for too long.

The timer for the keep warm setting on most instant pots ranges from 10 minutes to 10 hours.

It doesn’t require a seal, so you can set it with us without the lid on.

Many skilled chefs recommend leaving the keep warm setting on for a maximum of 5 hours. Although it will affect the taste of your meal, your food will still be safe to eat. 

Is It Safe to Use the Keep Warm Setting on an Instant Pot?

According to the Instant Pot manual, the keep warm setting’s temperature varies from 140 to 172 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can choose from three keep-warm levels: low, medium, and high.

You can change it based on what temperature you want or what is required for the type of food.

The instant pot’s keep-warm setting is safe because it matches the advised safe temperature for food.

To avoid the risk of contamination, hot foods should be kept at 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Can I Keep the Keep Warm Setting on Overnight?

You can leave the keep warm function on an instant pot ON overnight. However, there are a few precautions that must be taken to do so.

When using the keep-warm function for a prolonged time or overnight, keep in mind that the pot must be in a well-ventilated location and away from any clutter.

Be sure to check the recipe you are cooking because many foods will not last at such a high temperature.

Over time, they can dry out or lose their texture and flavor.

Additionally, the manufacturers of instant pots advise consumers not to leave the pot unattended. Leaving an instant pot unattended for the entire night should be avoided.

If you intend to do this, you must be familiar with using instant pots and the recipes to be cooked.

What Types of Food Can I Keep Warm in the Instant Pot

Many foods will benefit from the keep warm function. Soups, stews, and other foods that would normally simmer for a long time on the stove are suitable.

However, more delicate foods can become mushy and lose their appeal. Some examples include leafy vegetables and pasta.

Certain foods, particularly those put directly in the instant pot, can dry out or lose their texture if they are kept warm for an extended time. Rice is an example of this because long-term exposure to a high temperature can cause the rice to dry out.

One tip you can use in this situation is to place the food in a separate dish. So, the food will not have direct contact with the instant pot. Then fill the pot with water to produce steam.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, an instant pot’s keep warm feature is safe to use to keep your food warm. The amount of time to keep the keep warm setting on depends on the food you are cooking in the instant pot.

It is recommended to keep the keep warm setting on for a maximum of 5 hours. Leaving food in keep warm mode for too long may ruin its flavor and texture.

Hopefully, this article helped you understand your instant pot’s keep-warm function.