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The Instant Pot is a great kitchen appliance that lets you cook up mouthwatering food in record time while remaining superbly flexible.
This multi-cooker comes with a range of indispensable accessories and attachments. Each is vital to pressure cooking the perfect meal.
A condensation collector sucks up the extra water released during cooking. We’ll be taking you through a closer look at this handy accessory, explaining what it does and whether you can use your instant pot without one.
Can I Use My Instant Pot Without The Condensation Collector?
The short answer is, yes! You can use your multi-cooker without the condensation collector. If you don’t have one fitted, the condensation and all excess liquid will pour out the bottom of your instant pot.
If you don’t mind a spill beneath your machine, making sure to clean the spillage as you cook, then go ahead and use your instant pot without the condensation collector attached.
However, once you’ve tried cooking with one, you’ll never want to stand for that mess again.
What Is A Condensation Collector?
The condensation collector is a small detachable plastic cup that comes packaged with your instant pot.
Unfortunately, many users overlook this ever-valuable attachment. Some never get given one with their pot, while others lose theirs quickly thanks to not knowing what it’s for.
Make sure your multi-cooker comes with a full set of accessories and fits your collector before cooking a meal.
What Does A Condensation Collector Do?
As food pressure cooks and hot food cools down, liquid forms as condensation. A condensation collector fits the back of your instant pot, collecting all excess moisture.
Rice cookers are another commonly used piece of kitchen equipment that features this accessory. Just as is the case with an instant pot, the collector helps immensely in keeping things clean.
Liquid spilling out of the cooker instead of into the condensation collector makes the unit harder to clean. This impacts durability and detracts from good general hygiene whilst preparing food.
After all, no one wants their pressure cooker seated on top of a puddle of whatever’s being cooked.
Instant Pot Condensation Collector Fitment
Whereas all instant pots will feature individual fitment, a condensation collector normally hooks onto the back of your pressure cooker. Ensure that the cup is aligned properly to guarantee secure, flush fitment. Most slide into place.
Not every Instant Pot will have a collector, so check your specific model’s user manual if you can’t see one in clear sight.
How to Use a Condensation Collector Safely
- Always correctly install the collector before turning on your instant pot. The plastic cup that collects condensation should never leak.
- Wait until the pot is off and the cup has cooled down before detaching, as the unit will get scorchingly hot during use.
- Clean and dry all accessories thoroughly after use.
Improve Flavors, Fit An Instant Pot Condensation Collector
With all of the water drippings and moisture collected in a cup instead of building up on the walls of your pot, you’re given a better overall cooking result.
Food cooks more evenly, granting better, bolder flavors thanks to less dilution taking place. Instead of recirculating, the liquid collects just the right amount of moisture needed is left in your pot, which means a perfectly cooked plate of food every time.
If you don’t have the condensation collector for your cooker available, go ahead and prepare your meal. We recommend that you try to source a condensation cooker replacement to save yourself hassles and improve flavors in the future.