When slow cooking in an Instant Pot, it might shift to the "Keep Warm" mode after a few minutes due to its built-in safety features and to prevent overcooking or food safety concerns. Here are the main reasons why this happens:
Reaching Optimal Temperature: The Instant Pot's slow cooking mode starts by heating up to reach the desired cooking temperature. Once it reaches that temperature, it will then switch to the "Keep Warm" mode to maintain a lower and constant temperature. This helps avoid overcooking the food and keeps it at a safe temperature until you're ready to serve.
Food Safety: Slow cooking typically involves cooking food at low temperatures for an extended period. During the initial heating phase, especially for recipes with perishable ingredients like meat, the Instant Pot ensures that the food reaches a safe cooking temperature relatively quickly to minimize the time it spends in the "danger zone" (40°F to 140°F or 4°C to 60°C), where bacteria can grow rapidly.
Energy Efficiency: The "Keep Warm" mode on the Instant Pot uses very little energy compared to the regular cooking mode. After the slow cooking phase is complete, the Instant Pot automatically switches to "Keep Warm" to maintain the food's temperature without using excess energy.
Convenience: When using the slow cooking function, many recipes call for longer cooking times, sometimes up to 8 hours or more. Once the cooking phase is finished, the "Keep Warm" mode allows you to keep the food warm until you're ready to eat, making it convenient for serving.
If you find that your food is finishing too quickly and going to "Keep Warm" mode too soon, you can try adjusting the cooking time or using the "Less" setting for slow cooking. Additionally, the size and quantity of ingredients in the Instant Pot can also affect the cooking time, so make sure to adapt the time accordingly to achieve your desired results.