Instant Pot High Altitude Adjustment Cooking Time Chart

Our Instant Pot Recipes are developed and tested at close to sea level. If you live in a high altitude city (over 3000 ft above sea level), you will have to use our Instant Pot High Altitude Adjustment Cooking Time Chart to adjust the cooking times for our pressure cooker recipes.

Pressure Cooking Time at High Altitudes:

“Cooking time under pressure should be increased by 5 percent for every 1,000 feet after 2,000 feet above sea level.” – Anderson, B. M. (1980). New High Altitude Cookbook.

“In addition to altitude, the types of meat and the maturity and size of vegetables must be taken into consideration when determining cooking times under pressure. A one-to-two minute increase in cooking times is usually sufficient for most vegetables, except for such bulky roots as potatoes, beets and the like. At an altitude of 5,000 feet, these require an additional 5 minutes of cooking time.” – Anderson, B. M. (1980). New High Altitude Cookbook.

Pressure Cooker High Altitude Cooking Time Adjustment Chart:

Pressure Cooker High Altitude Cooking Time Adjustment Example:

If you are living in Denver, your altitude is at 5280 ft. According to the chart above, you will have to increase our recipes’ cooking time by 15%.

Calculation:

If a recipe calls for a cooking time at High Pressure for 20 minutes at sea level = 20 minutes x 1.15 = 23 minutes.

You will have to cook at High Pressure for 23 minutes in Denver.

Pressure Cooker High Altitude Cooking Time Adjustment Questions & Answers:

Can I use this Pressure Cooker High Altitude Cooking Time Adjustment Chart for my Stovetop Pressure Cooker?
Yes, you can use the above chart for both electric pressure cookers and stovetop pressure cookers.

Do I have to adjust the time in other recipe sites or cookbooks?
This will depend on the altitude that the author used to develop their recipes. Be sure to ask them if it’s not stated in their websites or cookbooks.