PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance reliability of an ink jet recorder by preventing defective recovery operation due to breakage of meniscus at an ejection opening or dripping of ink therefrom caused by trouble of enclosure when recovery operation is performed under capped state by simply changing the sequence of recovery operation. SOLUTION: Pressurizing and sucking operation of ink is performed between an ink tank 11 and a recording head 3 while capping the recording head 3 with a cap member 19 and ink discharged to the cap member is recovered through the sucking operation. Upon finishing the sucking operation, the cap member is separated temporarily from the recording head and negative pressure is removed. Subsequently, the recording head is capped again pressurizing and recovering operation is performed between the ink tank and the recording head.