Instant Pot Cabinet Saver

One of the fastest-growing cooking methods in the last few years is the Instapot, an electric, automatic countertop multi-cooker. Because it fits nicely under cabinets it is very convenient for slow cooking, pressure cooking, rice cooking, and many other forms of cooking. The problem is, when using it as a pressure cooker or a slow cooker or rice cooker, you have to vent the steam. The Insta pot vends the steam straight up. If you have wooden cabinets over your countertop this can be a problem. You can go out and buy a cabinet saver steam diverter for between $ 8 - 10. but if you have just a few tools you can make one out of a 1 inch PVC 90 degree angle connector. The one I am using here cost $1.08 and it took me less than 5 minutes to make the steam diverter or cabinet saver.

The tools that you will need are as follows:

• 1 inch PVC 90° angle connector
• permanent marker
• ruler or measuring device
• depth gauge (optional)
• a rotary tool equipped with a small saw blade
• straight file
• round file

Turn the vent of the Instapot to Vent

Place the PVC 90 Degree Angle on the vent. Turn the PVC so the opening is at an angle that will divert the steam from your cabinets. In my case that was at about 9 o'clock looking down on the vent from the front of the Instapot. Now mark the position you want the slot for the vent handle and mark the width of the vent handle on the PVC with a permanent marker. The width for mine was about 0.6 inches (3/5")

Use a depth gauge or a small measuring device to find the depth you will need to cut so the Cabinet Saver will sit flush on the Instapot. For mine, the depth was about 0.75 inches (3/4")

Draw the lines for the width of your opening and for the right that you measured with the depth gauge.

Cut along the lines you drew then attempt a fit over the vent valve on the Instapot. If it is too small as mine was, then make adjustment cuts until it fits down over the valve easily and clean-up the cut with the files or a rotary bit to ease the edges and corners.

First at the sealed position then turn to the vent position to make sure the steam will be released in the desired direction.

You've saved yourself about $7-9 and it only took about 5-10 minutes to complete this project. Your kitchen cabinets will thank you. When I use the Instapot I put the cabinet saver in place right from the start and use it to turn the valve safely when it is time to release the heat and steam. This also cleans easily in either the top of the dishwasher or just by simply hand washing.

This is loose fitting so it can easily be placed in position or removed with no trouble.

If you have any questions or recommendations, please let me know.