Instant Pot ZEST - Rice & Grain Cooker 8 and 20 Cup Manual
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Instant Pot ZEST - Rice & Grain Cooker 8 and 20 Cup Manual

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Table of Contents
Contents
Instant Pot ZEST - Rice & Grain Cooker 8 and 20 Cup Manual

Initial Setup

  • Read all the Important Safeguards before using the appliance. Failure to read and follow the Important Safeguards may result in damage to the appliance, property damage or personal injury.
  • Remove all packing material from in and around the appliance.
  • Place the appliance on a stable, level surface, away from external heat sources.
  • Read and follow Care and Cleaning instructions to clean the appliance before first use.
  • Do not remove safety warnings or rating labels from the appliance.


Heat from an external source will damage the appliance. Never use the appliance on a stovetop. Do not place the appliance on or in close proximity to a hot gas or electric burner or a heated oven.

Product, Parts and Accessories

The Instant Zest automatically perfectly cooks a variety of grains.
Before using the Zest, verify that all parts are accounted for.

Main Unit

Main Unit - Overview
Illustrations are for reference only and may differ from the actual product.

Device Accessories

Device Accessories
Illustrations are for reference only and may differ from the actual product.

Control Panel

Your Zest features an intuitive control panel with status indicators and an LED display to help make cooking quick and easy.
Control Panel

  1. Display
    Indicates the cooking time and cooker status messages.
  2. One-Touch Smart Programs
    White Rice
    Brown Rice
    Oatmeal
    Quinoa
    Steam
    Sauté (Zest 20 Cup)
    Mixed Grains (Zest 20 Cup)
  3. Smart Program Indicator
    Located above each Smart Program button, the LED illuminates when a Smart Program is selected or running.
  4. Smart Program Settings
    Keep Warm
    Delay Start
    Cancel
    − / + buttons

Smart Program Settings

Standby Mode
When the rice and grain cooker is plugged in, the display shows OFF to indicate that it is in Standby mode.
You may select a Smart Program when in Standby mode.

Cancel
Press Cancel to stop a Smart Program at any time. The rice and grain cooker returns to Standby mode and the display indicates OFF. −/+ Buttons
Use to increase or decrease the cooking time or Delay Start time.

Smart Programs
For the cooking time and temperature associated with each Smart Program, see Smart Programs and Cooking Ratios.

Adjust and Save Cooking Time
Select a Smart Program, then use the −/+ buttons to adjust the cooking time in increments of 10 minutes. The adjusted cooking time is saved when the Smart Program begins.
Only applicable to Oatmeal and Steam Smart Programs.

Adjust and Save Cooking Temperature
With the Smart Program selected, press the Smart Program button again to toggle between HI (High) and LO (Low). The adjusted cooking temperature is saved when the Smart Program begins.
Only applicable to Sauté and Keep Warm Smart Programs.

Keep Warm
Press Keep Warm to toggle the setting on or off at any time. Keep Warm has 2 modes:

  • After cooking finishes, the cooker automatically keeps food warm for up to 12 hours.
  • When selected from Standby mode, the Keep Warm Smart Program keeps any food warm for up to 10 hours.

Delay Start
After selecting a Smart Program and adjusting the cooking time and temperature, press Delay Start, then use the −/+ buttons to adjust the Delay Start time in increments of 10 minutes to a maximum of 24 hours.
Not applicable to the Sauté Smart Program.

Reset Individual Smart Program
With the cooker in Standby mode, press and hold the Smart Program button you wish to reset for 5 seconds. The cooker beeps to indicate that it has been restored to the factory default settings.

Reset All Smart Programs
With the cooker in Standby mode, press and hold Cancel for 5 seconds. The cooker will beep once to indicate that all Smart Programs have been restored to the factory default settings.

Status Messages

Indicates that no Smart Program is running and the cooker is in Standby mode.
Indicates that a Smart Program has been selected but not yet started.
Indicates that a Smart Program is running.
Display reads On when the White Rice, Brown Rice, Quinoa, and Mixed Grains Smart Programs are running.
Display changes to MM:SS when less than 10 minutes of cooking time remains.
Indicates the time remaining in the Delay Start cycle, or Smart Program cooking time remaining when using the Oatmeal, Steam or Sauté Smart Programs.
Display changes to MM:SS when less than 1 hour remains until Delay Start or Smart Program completion.
Indicates that the selected Smart Program is set to LO (Low).
Indicates that the selected Smart Program is set to HI (High).
Indicates that the Smart Program has ended.

Smart Programs

For the cooking time and temperature associated with each Smart Program, see Smart Programs and Cooking Ratios.

The Zest features Smart Programs for one-touch cooking of popular rice and grains. For best results, follow grain-to-water ratios as described in Smart Programs and Cooking Ratios.

These Smart Programs detect the volume of ingredients in the inner pot and control cooking times and temperatures automatically:

White Rice Brown Rice Oatmeal
Quinoa Mixed Grains (Zest 20 only)
  1. Press the Smart Program button to select the Smart Program of your choice.
    The Smart Program begins automatically after 10 seconds.
    Note: If Delay Start is on, the display indicates the countdown to the delayed start time. When cooking begins, the rice cooker counts down the remaining cooking time.
  2. Press Cancel to stop a Smart Program at any time. The cooker returns to Standby mode and the display indicates OFF.

The Zest also features Smart Programs for other cooking methods:
Steam
Sauté

Cooking times and temperatures for these Smart Programs are adjustable.

Steam

The Steam Smart Program uses steam (212°F / 100°C) to cook food.

  1. Press Steam to select the Steam Smart Program.
  2. Use the −/+ buttons to adjust the cooking time to a maximum of 1 hour. The Smart Program begins automatically after 10 seconds.
    Note: If Delay Start is on, the display shows the countdown to the delayed start time.
    When cooking begins, the display counts down the remaining cooking time.

Sauté

Zest 20C only

The Sauté Smart Program lightly fries/browns foods using a small amount of oil in the inner pot.

  1. Press Sauté to select the Sauté Smart Program.
  2. Press Sauté again to toggle between HI (High) and LO (Low) temperatures.
  3. Use the −/+ buttons to adjust the cooking time to a maximum of 30 minutes. The Smart Program cooking begins automatically after 10 seconds.
    Note: Delay Start and Keep Warm are not available when using the Sauté Smart Program.

The Zest also offers the Keep Warm Smart Program to keep any food warm for up to 10 hours.

Keep Warm

  1. When in Standby mode, press Keep Warm to select the Keep Warm Smart Program.
  2. Press Keep Warm again to toggle between HI (High) and LO (Low) temperatures.
  3. Use the −/+ buttons to adjust the warming time to a maximum of 10 hours. Smart Program cooking begins automatically after 10 seconds.

Adjustments to cooking time and temperature may only be made when using Keep Warm as a standalone Smart Program. Any adjustments made do not affect the Keep Warm setting when it is used in conjunction with other Smart Programs.

Smart Programs and Cooking Ratios

The cooking times and temperatures for all Smart Programs are controlled automatically (according to the volume of ingredients to be cooked) and are not user-adjustable.

Smart Program Grain to Liquid Ratios Cooking Time Cooking Time Adjustment Cooking Temperature
White Rice 1:1.5 Automatic
25–60 min per vol 		N/A 212°F / 100°C
Not user-adjustable
Brown Rice 1:2 Automatic
40–90 min per vol
Quinoa 1:1.5 Automatic
3 –60 min per vol
Mixed Grains* 1:2 Automatic
40–90 min per vol
Steam N/A Default: 10 min User-adjustable
Range: 5–60 min 		212°F / 100°C
Not user-adjustable
Sauté* N/A Default: HI, 30 min User-adjustable
Range: 1–30 min 		User-adjustable
LO: 221°F / 105°C
HI: 320°F / 160°C
Oatmeal 1:3 Default: 50 min User-adjustable
Range: 20–60 min 		212°F / 100°C
Not user-adjustable
Auto Keep Warm N/A Default/Max: 12 hrs N/A User-adjustable
LO: 149°F / 65°C
HI: 176°F / 80°C
Keep Warm N/A Default/Max: 10 hrs User-adjustable**
Range: 1hr–10 hrs 		User-adjustable
LO: 149°F / 65°C
HI: 176°F / 80°C

* Zest 20 Cup model ONLY.
** Keep Warm cooking time is NOT user-adjustable when used in conjunction with Smart Programs for Automatic Cooking.

Initial Test Run

Follow these steps to familiarize yourself with the Zest, and to ensure your cooker is operating properly.

  1. Depress the lid release button (located on the lid handle) and lift the lid.
  2. Remove the inner pot from the cooker base.
  3. Place the steam rack on the bottom of the inner pot.
  4. Add 1 cup (8 oz / 250 mL) of clean water to the inner pot.
  5. Return the inner pot to the cooker base and close the lid, ensuring it clicks.
  6. Plug the power cord into a 120 V outlet. The display indicates OFF.
  7. Press Steam to select the Steam Smart Program.
  8. Press Keep Warm to turn the warming setting off.
    The Smart Program cooking begins automatically after 10 seconds.
    When the Smart Program ends, the cooker beeps and the display indicates END.
  9. Carefully dispose of the water in the inner pot, then start using your rice and grain cooker!


The cooker may be hot during and after cooking. Do not touch hot surfaces.

Care and Cleaning

Clean the cooker after each use.
Always unplug the cooker and let it cool to room temperature before cleaning. Never use harsh chemical detergents, scouring pads, or powders to clean any part of the cooker.
Allow the cooker to dry completely before further use or storage.

Part / Accessory Instruction Cleaning Method
Accessories
  • Condensation collector
  • Plastic steamer tray
  • Rice measuring cup
  • Plastic rice spoon

Empty and rinse the condensation collector after each use.

Clean accessories after use.

 Dishwasher Safe
Inner Pot

Always ensure the inner pot is dry on the outside before inserting into the cooker base.

Ensure all grease and food debris is fully removed.

Optionally, spray with non-stick cooking spray before adding food.

 Hand Wash
Lid

Clean after each use.

Wipe with a soft, damp cloth or sponge.
Cooker Base

If wet food or grease enters the cooker base, wipe clean with a soft, damp cloth or sponge.

Clean the exterior with a soft, damp cloth or sponge, and wipe dry to avoid streaking.

How-to Videos and Recipes available online at instantappliances.com

Do not immerse the appliance in water. Do not rinse the appliance under a tap. Do not wet the prongs of the power cord. Without proper cleaning, food may build up around the steam release. If you smell smoke, press Cancel and unplug the appliance. Once cool, remove the inner pot and check for foreign objects between the inner pot and heating element.

Troubleshooting

Register your product today at instantappliances.com/support/register.

Contact Customer Care:
1-800-828-7280
support@instantappliances.com
instantappliances.com/#Chat

Problem Possible Reason Try This

Display remains blank after connecting the power cord

 Bad power connection or no power. Inspect power cord for damage. Do not use if the power cord is damaged in any manner.
Check outlet to ensure it is powered.
Cooker's electrical fuse has blown. Contact Customer Care.

Difficulty opening the lid

 Lid release Press down the lid release button on the lid handle, then lift up to one side. The lid is not removable.

Rice or grain is chewy, too hard, or undercooked

 Lid was opened too early. After cooking completes, open the cooker and quickly fluff the rice or grains, then close the lid and let the cooker sit for an additional 5–10 minutes.
Not enough water or liquid. Add ½ to 1 cup water, mix, and run the cooking program again.
Rice or grain requires a longer cooking time. Run the cooking program a second time.

Rice or grain is too soft, or overcooked

 Too much water or liquid. Stir the rice or grain to redistribute the cooking liquid. Close the lid and run Keep Warm for 10-30 minutes as required, stirring occasionally.
Rice or grain was cooked for too long. Refer to recipe instructions.
Error code appears on display, cooker beeps and lights flash continuously. E1 Faulty sensor detected. Contact Customer Care.
E3 Faulty sensor detected. Contact Customer Care.

Any other servicing should be performed by an authorized service representative.


Do not attempt to service the appliance yourself.

Documents / Resources

References

Download manual

Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.

Download Instant Pot ZEST - Rice & Grain Cooker 8 and 20 Cup Manual

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