The inner pot bottom is scorched or food burns frequently, especially in rice or sauté modes.

Safety first: Unplug and allow the cooker to cool before cleaning.

• Use correct mode: For rice, use the dedicated Rice mode. For thick sauces, use Sauté with frequent stirring and lower time.
• Replace inner pot: If the nonstick coating is scratched or worn, replace the Hamilton Beach inner pot to improve heat distribution.
• Stir and deglaze: After browning, add liquid and scrape the bottom to remove stuck bits before pressure cooking.
• Sensor check: If burning occurs even with adequate liquid and proper use, consider replacing the bottom temperature sensor (NTC).