Instant pot exploding?

Sen Graves

I would think if there is damage to the instapot or if it is left pressurized for way to long that it could happen. I have been using mine for a year and no sign of explosion, some burnt items and liquified potato’s while I learned but no explosions.

Oliver Clarke

I just read the entire Wikipedia page on pressure cookers. The pressure cooker was invented in the 1600s and first manufactured for sale in 1864, which gives you an idea as to how long it's been tinkered with and improved. Modern pressure cookers such as the instant pot are typically "over-engineered" for safety, and any variety that is also available for sale in the EU you can be extra sure is safe, as they have strict regulations on safety features for pressure cookers. While I have never heard of an IP exploding, there are a small handful of times that criminals have used altered pressure cookers as the base for an explosive device. However, I will remind you that criminals have also done the same thing with plant fertilizer, and we still use that safely. My answer would be that early iterations of the pressure cooker had some risks associated with them, but any pressure cooker (including the Instant Pot) that has been available for sale in the 21st Century is entirely safe.

Kurt

I don't think it's possible if the safety valves aren't tampered with. The one that is like a weight could get plugged up and may stick, but the silicone band that holds the red button is designed to let loose if the pots pressure gets too high. It would shoot out of the lid like a cork and vent out. It is highly unlikely the pot could blow before this valve blew out.