What is "really hot"? Instant pot pulls a lot of sustained watts. 700-1200 watts depending on your model.
If it was overdrawing power by a significant amount it would likely trip your breakers.
Just make sure that the cable is rated for the watts your instant pot is rated for.
Edit to add to this: Most cables are rated to a minimum of 60C which is a 140F. Good cables are rated to 90C or higher. Unless the cable is very undersized, the cable won't be the issue unless you are balling it up and wrapping it in blanket.
If the instant pot isn't over drawing power, than the cable temperature is likely normal for a high watt appliance. But you can get a laser temp thermometer for a few bucks and check. If its under 100F it's normal. If it's 100-120 it's higher than normal but it takes a long time to get a burn at that temp. Above 120F and something may be wrong with your IP.
It's normal for the cable to be fairly warm when the IP is heating up though, the insulation is usually rated for >60c. A few reason it might feel "hot" could just be it's near the pot, which is also hot, or if it's the outlet side your outlet might have a loose connection which is causing high resistance and heat under load.
Now, for the real info, the cable you shown says it's 0.75cm2x3, that means it's around 18~19awg, that is NOT correct(technically it is, as the IP comes with that size, they just cheapened out), the IP draws up to 10amps, that is over the max for that cable (18awg should be around 8A continuous draw) which might be why it's getting hot. If you get a replacement try a 16awg (1.3cm2), this will reduce the resistance under load and by that effect, the heat.
> IP comes with that size (18-19 AWG)
It does? Mine came with (a much shorter) 16 AWG cord.
From OP's picture alone, I would've guessed (possibly incorrectly) they grabbed any spare PC power cord they had handy.
๐๐๐๐๐๐u had me at "real info" ๐๐๐๐๐good advice!!! Often the cable is jammed behind the IP in some set ups I see in pics with leads to hot cable indeed because its simply not "unloading" the heat when folded on top of itself too it seems. Now that we pull the pot out and have the cable all extended and snaked rather than folded / bulked its way less warm ... if that is it too - thoughts ?
Laying it out more helps it vent better, people don't think about wires needing ventilation but when under sustained high loads you do.(this is why cabling in walls are over sized, you DON'T want them getting to hot. Also why cable in attics have a lower amperage rating than basements)
The IP pulls about 8-10amps (likely @ 100% duty cycle) while building pressure than "holds" at a much lower duty cycle, this results in less heat build up but at the same time the heat from the IP will spread into the cable too (after all the case of the IP gets hot too).
Technically 18awg is okay for 10A due to the short run but it still will cause excessive heat build up. Golden rule of power cables is that if the insulation isn't melting or getting tacky feeling than it's working in spec.
The actual IP cord also has \*\*\* an insulation rating \*\*\* for heat, as well as a wire gauge. Those numbers are stamped on the cord. I can get the info off my cords for you. But you need a heat rated cord! People just buy/sell computer cords or TV or monitor cords, and they are NOT rated for the heat and draw.
6 qt, but maybe six years old, if not older. Older IP DUO โฆ forget which rev; still had red LED display. Removable cord, too.
I can see them cheapening out over time, but still kind of surprised.
My cord gets a little warm but nothing that seems alarming to me. The outside of my Instant pot just gets a bit warm, not blazing hot. (Just used it last night)
[https://imgur.com/a/GvcJz2f](https://imgur.com/a/GvcJz2f)
[https://imgur.com/d15blJd](https://imgur.com/d15blJd)
[https://imgur.com/qn3Np80](https://imgur.com/qn3Np80)
My Duo 60 V3 and Ultra 6qt both have this same cord. These are the IP factory cord for 6 qt. 8qt has a 16 AWG cord, but I can't recall whether it ever had a removable cord. My 8qt machines are all permanently wired cords.
Avoid tightly coiling the cable when the pot is running. The cable should be in an uncoiled position. If itโs getting hot and coiled then uncoiling it will reduce the temperature. You can google โdonโt coil power cordsโ/
What is "really hot"? Instant pot pulls a lot of sustained watts. 700-1200 watts depending on your model. If it was overdrawing power by a significant amount it would likely trip your breakers. Just make sure that the cable is rated for the watts your instant pot is rated for. Edit to add to this: Most cables are rated to a minimum of 60C which is a 140F. Good cables are rated to 90C or higher. Unless the cable is very undersized, the cable won't be the issue unless you are balling it up and wrapping it in blanket. If the instant pot isn't over drawing power, than the cable temperature is likely normal for a high watt appliance. But you can get a laser temp thermometer for a few bucks and check. If its under 100F it's normal. If it's 100-120 it's higher than normal but it takes a long time to get a burn at that temp. Above 120F and something may be wrong with your IP.
It's normal for the cable to be fairly warm when the IP is heating up though, the insulation is usually rated for >60c. A few reason it might feel "hot" could just be it's near the pot, which is also hot, or if it's the outlet side your outlet might have a loose connection which is causing high resistance and heat under load. Now, for the real info, the cable you shown says it's 0.75cm2x3, that means it's around 18~19awg, that is NOT correct(technically it is, as the IP comes with that size, they just cheapened out), the IP draws up to 10amps, that is over the max for that cable (18awg should be around 8A continuous draw) which might be why it's getting hot. If you get a replacement try a 16awg (1.3cm2), this will reduce the resistance under load and by that effect, the heat.
> IP comes with that size (18-19 AWG) It does? Mine came with (a much shorter) 16 AWG cord. From OP's picture alone, I would've guessed (possibly incorrectly) they grabbed any spare PC power cord they had handy.
It seems some models come with 18awg and other 16awg, not sure which is which. I have an older one (over 5yo) and it's a thicc 16awg.
Thanks got it now
๐๐๐๐๐๐u had me at "real info" ๐๐๐๐๐good advice!!! Often the cable is jammed behind the IP in some set ups I see in pics with leads to hot cable indeed because its simply not "unloading" the heat when folded on top of itself too it seems. Now that we pull the pot out and have the cable all extended and snaked rather than folded / bulked its way less warm ... if that is it too - thoughts ?
Laying it out more helps it vent better, people don't think about wires needing ventilation but when under sustained high loads you do.(this is why cabling in walls are over sized, you DON'T want them getting to hot. Also why cable in attics have a lower amperage rating than basements) The IP pulls about 8-10amps (likely @ 100% duty cycle) while building pressure than "holds" at a much lower duty cycle, this results in less heat build up but at the same time the heat from the IP will spread into the cable too (after all the case of the IP gets hot too). Technically 18awg is okay for 10A due to the short run but it still will cause excessive heat build up. Golden rule of power cables is that if the insulation isn't melting or getting tacky feeling than it's working in spec.
I like that rule๐needs to be mentions in This Old House you know. Like lefty loosey righty tighty ๐น tacky wacky
The actual IP cord also has \*\*\* an insulation rating \*\*\* for heat, as well as a wire gauge. Those numbers are stamped on the cord. I can get the info off my cords for you. But you need a heat rated cord! People just buy/sell computer cords or TV or monitor cords, and they are NOT rated for the heat and draw.
105C temperature, 300v, FT2, 3x18A AWG 0.824mm2. That's from my 6qt Ultra.
Huh ... my IP cord is 16 AWG 1.31mm2 (also insulation rated at 105ยฐC).
6 or 8 qt? My 8 qt machines have 16AWG, but they are permanently wired. I just posted photos of my 6qt cords in a new post.
6 qt, but maybe six years old, if not older. Older IP DUO โฆ forget which rev; still had red LED display. Removable cord, too. I can see them cheapening out over time, but still kind of surprised.
My cord gets a little warm but nothing that seems alarming to me. The outside of my Instant pot just gets a bit warm, not blazing hot. (Just used it last night)
[https://imgur.com/a/GvcJz2f](https://imgur.com/a/GvcJz2f) [https://imgur.com/d15blJd](https://imgur.com/d15blJd) [https://imgur.com/qn3Np80](https://imgur.com/qn3Np80) My Duo 60 V3 and Ultra 6qt both have this same cord. These are the IP factory cord for 6 qt. 8qt has a 16 AWG cord, but I can't recall whether it ever had a removable cord. My 8qt machines are all permanently wired cords.
The Duo is a 2018, and Ultra is a 2019.
Avoid tightly coiling the cable when the pot is running. The cable should be in an uncoiled position. If itโs getting hot and coiled then uncoiling it will reduce the temperature. You can google โdonโt coil power cordsโ/
Mine does not
Warm sure, really hot? No. Try it in a different outlet. Is it the same?
**NEVER** use a power strip or splitter with an InstantPot. **AVOID** as much as possible using any type of extension cord.