Ekilove NutriPot NuWave Pressure Cooker: A Beginner’s Dream

The NuWave NutriPot Pressure Cooker is an excellent option for those new to pressure cooking, offering a range of higher-end features at an affordable price. In this article, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know to get started with this fantastic appliance.

Jenn here! We’ve been receiving many inquiries about the NuWave NutriPot, so we decided to purchase one and put it to the test.

How to Set the Cook Time on the NuWave NutriPot

In my recipes, you’ll often see the phrase “Select High Pressure and set a ## minute cook time.” To achieve this on the NutriPot, follow these three simple steps:

1. Press the Time button.
2. Use the Plus [+] or Minus [-] buttons to adjust the desired time.
3. Press the Start/Stop button to initiate the cooking cycle.

What Makes the NuWave NutriPot Pressure Cooker Stand Out

✅ The NutriPot comes with a cool-to-the-touch lid. It is entirely covered in plastic, eliminating any hot spots that you need to avoid while cooking.

✅ The pressure release valve points towards the back of the machine when releasing pressure. Be sure to position it to avoid any upper cabinets.

✅ The lid also features a convenient push-button steam release. This feature keeps your hands away from the valve. The steam release locks open when pressed and resets when the button is pressed again. It proves especially useful for recipes requiring intermittent steam release, such as pastas and potatoes.

✅ The NuWave NutriPot comes equipped with a removable carry handle. I haven’t removed it since taking it out of the box, as it makes grabbing the appliance from lower shelves or cabinets effortless.

✅ The NutriPot offers multiple sizes, including 6-quart, 8-quart, and the giant 13-quart options. Keep in mind that most pressure cooker recipes are written for the 6-quart size, so if you opt for a larger size, adjust the liquid quantity accordingly.

✅ With your purchase, you’ll receive a manual, rice paddle, ladle, and 1-cup measuring cup. NuWave goes the extra mile by including a 1-cup measuring cup instead of the smaller rice measuring cup found with many other pressure cookers.

What You Need to Know Before Buying

🔺 The manual pressure cook button isn’t immediately apparent, as it’s labeled the Time button. For custom cook times, use any of the pressure cook functions (like rice or poultry) and adjust the time using the [+] or [-] buttons.

🔺 The NuWave NutriPot lid is hinged, enabling you to leave it in place while sautéing or serving your food. It may take a little getting used to at first, but it provides added convenience.

🔺 The NutriPot does not have a low pressure setting. However, since most recipes call for high pressure on Pressure Cooking Today, you shouldn’t encounter any issues. Do note that some readers prefer low pressure settings for items like eggs or yogurt.

🔺 The cooking pot features a nonstick coating. While this allows for easy cleanup, remember to use wood or plastic utensils to prevent scratching the coating. If you prefer a stainless steel pot, NuWave offers one as a separate purchase.

🔺 The Keep Warm setting does not count the minutes since the pressure cooking cycle ended. Instead, the display provides a continuous indication.

🔺 The NuWave’s cord is not removable, so ensure you have a suitable location for your pressure cooker in your kitchen.

Which NuWave NutriPot Button to Use

At the bottom of the display, you’ll find six black buttons:

• Time: This button functions as your “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button, allowing you to set a custom high-pressure cook time.
• Texture: Use this button to adjust the default preset cook time to Less, Normal, or More.
• Delay Start: Set a specific number of minutes before your pressure cooker begins the selected pressure cook setting. Adjust the time using the [+] or [-] buttons.
• Warm: This button activates the Keep Warm setting. However, unlike other brands, it doesn’t always turn on and may count down from a set number of hours. Be cautious, as foods can continue cooking on this setting, potentially leading to sticking.
• Sear: Brown and sauté your foods using the Sear button, which operates at a single temperature and doesn’t adjust to low or high.
• Slow Cook: Utilize your NutriPot as a slow cooker with the Slow Cook button. Remember to leave the lid in the unlocked position and press the release button just in case.

To set a custom cook time exceeding one hour, use the Hours/Minutes center button.

All preset buttons cook at high pressure. Refer to the table below for default cook times, which can be further customized using the [+] and [-] buttons:

*If you use the Rice or Multigrain preset buttons, the Warm function will remain on indefinitely.
**If you use the Fish, Steam/Veg, Bake, or Canning preset buttons, the Warm function will not activate after pressure cooking.

The NuWave NutriPot maintains a set pressure of 70kPa or 10 PSI across all pressure cook buttons.

Is it Safe to Can Foods in the NuWave NutriPot Pressure Cooker?

The canning button has been a topic of discussion in the pressure cooking world. Although many brands include a canning function in their pressure cookers, user manuals often contain caveats. In the NutriPot manual, it states that “Meat and seafood are not recommended to be pressure canned.”

The user manual advises consulting an instructional book specifically written for pressure canning. For detailed information on canning in your NutriPot, refer to pages 25-28 of the NuWave NutriPot Pressure Cooker Manual.

So, what are the USDA’s guidelines for canning with an electric pressure cooker?

The USDA’s National Center for Home Food Preservation explicitly addressed canning in electric pressure cookers in February 2019, stating that they “do not support the use of the USDA canning processes in the electric, multi-cooker appliances now containing ‘canning’ or ‘steam canning’ buttons on their front panels.”

This recommendation is based on several factors:

• No USDA thermal process work has been conducted with jars inside an electric pressure cooker, tracking the temperatures inside the jars throughout the process. In other words, no brand of electric pressure cooker, including the NuWave NutriPot, has been proven to consistently meet the necessary temperature and pressure levels to ensure safe canning.
• USDA recommendations were established for stovetop pressure canners, which hold four or more quart-size jars standing upright. The NutriPot manual recommends pint-size jars, which have different cooking requirements and have not been tested.
• Temperature, not just pressure, is crucial. The canner must maintain a minimum temperature throughout the process time to ensure the safety of the final product. Electric pressure cookers operate by turning the heating element on and off, making it difficult to determine if the food in the jars stays above the required temperature to kill the botulism bacteria.
• Cooling time is also a factor in killing bacteria. The canning recommendations take into account the time it takes the canner to reach pressure, the process time, and the cool-down time. Currently, there is no way to determine the exact contribution of cooling for each canning recommendation.

Considering the above, we DO NOT recommend pressure canning in the NuWave NutriPot at this time. However, you can explore hot water bath canning with your NutriPot, as long as your mason jars are short enough to sit on the trivet while still being covered by an inch or two of boiling water. Additionally, you can create delicious freezer jams and compotes that will keep for up to a year in the freezer or 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

If you’re interested in experimenting with steam canning high-acid foods, such as fruits, jams, or pickles, my friend Frieda has conducted extensive testing with steam canning in the Instant Pot, and her instructions can easily be adapted for the NuWave pressure cooker.

What Do the NuWave Pressure Cooker Error Codes Mean?

Refer to page 29 of the user manual for the Troubleshooting section. In case you encounter an error code on your NuWave NutriPot, follow these steps:

• E3 is the most common error code, equivalent to Instant Pot’s “Burn Notice.” It indicates that food may have burned onto the bottom of the cooking pot. To address this error:
  • Use a quick release to release any pressure in the pot.
  • Open the lid and transfer the contents to a separate bowl.
  • Check the bottom of the pot for any scorched or stuck food (be cautious, as the cooker will be hot).
  • Allow the NutriPot to cool before attempting to use it again. If food has indeed burned onto the pot’s bottom, you’ll need to add more water to finish your recipe or transfer it to a stove-top pot for completion.
  • Avoid using ingredients containing thickeners, like jarred tomato sauce or canned soups.
• For other errors, NuWave recommends contacting their customer service at 1-877-689-2838 (Monday through Friday, 7:30am – 4:30pm CST) or help@nuwavenow.com. The remaining error codes are as follows:
  • E1: Broken circuit or sensor.
  • E2: Short circuit of sensor.
  • E4: Signal switch broken.

Share Your NuWave NutriPot Pressure Cooker Experience

Do you own the NuWave NutriPot Pressure Cooker? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your experience and feedback in the comments below!

Get Great Recipes for Your NuWave Pressure Cooker

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