How It Performs As A Pressure Cooker
I also made one of my go-to pressure cooker recipes: pulled pork shoulder. I followed a recipe Ive used several times in other Instant Pots: dredging the 3-pound pork shoulder in flour and spices, searing in the Instant Pot and pressure cooking for 45 minutes. The Duo Crisp turned out a near mirror image of the fork-tender pork shoulders Ive made before in the same amount of time.
Read Also: Silicone Egg Bites Mold Instant Pot
How To Select The Instant Pot Steamer Basket Substitute
Making your final decision can pose to be a challenge. But worry not. We have a few suggestions to make your selection process easier.
Before that, we would recommend you opt for sites like Amazon, Walmart, Newegg, and Best Buy for your purchase.
So the factors you should consider while selecting your instant pot steamer basket substitute would be:
What Size Steamer Basket Do You Need For An Instant Pot
If a steamer basket fits into your instant pot without scratching it, you can use it. You have to select a steamer basket according to the circumference of your instant pot. The most commonly used pot sizes are 3 quarts , 6 quarts , and 8 quarts , but most of the regular steamer baskets will not fit a 3-quart pressure cooker.
Therefore, while buying a new steamer basket, keep in mind the size of your instant pot otherwise, it may not fit in existing vessels.
In addition, different sizes and types of steamer baskets are available, such as stacked and sectional steamer baskets, etc., which allow you to steam a variety of foods simultaneously.
Read Also: How To Make Stew In Instant Pot
Instant Pot Silicone Steamer Basket
As you can tell by the name, this product is an official IP accessory. It is made from high-quality food-safe silicone and it resists to high temperatures .
However, it doesnt have legs of its own and its not very big . On the other hand, you can buy two or three of these and stack them. This way, you can steam different types of foods, on different levels. In terms of circumference, it can be safely used with different pressure cookers .
Lastly, the basket is easy to clean and doesnt retain bits of food.
The verdict: Its a good steamer basket that wont leave a dent in your budget. However, its not as convenient as the first two products Ive discusses since its not very spacious and it doesnt have feet.
Stainless Steel Steamer Basket
This stainless steel steamer basket is similar to the mesh one I recommend, but in a more solid stainless steel. This makes it particularly sturdy.
Fitting both 6-quart and 8-quart Instant Pots, it has a fold-down handle thats covered with heat-resistant silicone that makes it easy to remove from the Instant Pot.
Because its 5 tall, it has a greater capacity than many smaller steamer baskets.
The solid construction allows this basket to double as a strainer, so it could be particularly useful for other purposes beyond steaming.
For instance, if you want to make a big batch of broth in your Instant Pot, you can keep the bones and scraps within the basket, then you can easily pull those out of the broth after cooking.
This stainless steel basket is dishwasher safe, too! As with all steamer baskets, rinse shortly after cooking to prevent food from sticking to the holes.
Read Also: Instant Pot In India Cost
Why Do I Need It
Given that the Instant Pot Duo Crisp is rather large and cumbersome you may wonder if its the best option. However, unless youre open to buying a separate appliance for frying , this is the ideal option.
Quick note: if you already own an Instant Pot and youre not interested in purchasing another one, you can still enjoy air frying without buying a new one. You have 2 options:
1. Get the Mealthy CrispLid
2. Get the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
You can easily store the Air Fryer lid in the cupboard and only get it out when its needed. In the meanwhile, youll have a fully-functional Instant Pot in your kitchen, which will broaden your cooking options and reduce the time spent over the stove.
Furthermore, the entire ensemble lets you cook an entire dish, from start to finish in just one pot. You can start with the regular lid, and have the food tenderized by the pressure or steam, and finish with the Air Fryer lid to bring some crispiness and crunchiness to the surface.
Lastly, all the dishes cooked with the Duo Crisp Instant Pot are healthier than the ones cooked using standard methods. This is due to the technology used by these devices, designed to keep nutrients in the food while using as little oil and grease as possible. And, since the frying is done with the help of hot air, theres no need to bathe your food in oil to get that golden look we all love.
Stackable Stainless Steel Steamer Insert Pans
This set comes with two tiers so that you can cook different foods at once. They help you to pull off pot-in-pot cooking and are designed to be durable and easy to use.
You can cook multiple foods in these at once angry even use a steamer basket as a dessert pan . Its also great for reheating food without having to worry about your pan changing the flavour or affecting the quality of the food.
It works with a number of 6-quart Instant Pot designs as well as the 8-quart cooker. The long-lasting, food grade stainless steel makes for a high quality product that should prove reliable for many years.
It comes with two different lids for different steaming and cooking purposes. The attached handles make it easy to take the steamer basket out of your Instant Pot.
You May Like: What Is Ultra In Instant Pot
How Does Steamer Basket Works
A steamer basket is a kitchen appliance that is used to cook food by steaming. Steamer baskets are made of metal, plastic, bamboo, or other materials and have a perforated bottom that allows steam to pass through. To use a steamer basket, you will need a pot or wok that is large enough to fit the basket.
Fill the pot with water so that it comes up around the sides of the basket, but not over the top. Place your food in the basket, cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Steam will then pass through the holes in the basket and cook the food.
They typically have a handle or handles so that they can be easily removed from the pot. Some steamer baskets also have a lid so that the steam does not escape while the food is cooking. Steamer baskets are an effective way to cook chicken, fish, vegetables, and rice. They can also be used to reheat cooked food.
Performance: Whats Not To Like
I expected the Pressure Cook function to work here as well as on other Instant Pot models Ive used, and there were no surprises. I slow-cooked soup, pressure cooked oatmeal, and steamed vegetables. This has a Sous Vide mode, so I tested its ability to hold its temperature, and it stayed steady. However, the size of the pot limits the size of food that can be cooked using Sous Vide, so it may not be large enough for every sous vide recipe. The Sous Vide mode can also be used for making yogurt or for any recipes where a steady temperature is required.
Air frying is done in the stainless steel cooking pot with or without the fryer basket. The basket reduces the cooking space but offers better airflow. The broiler/dehydrator rack that fits in the basket allows a second layer of cooking. It has two large finger holes that make it simple to place in the basket, but once the rack is hot, gloved fingers didnt fit, so I used a pair of thin tongs.
I used the Bake mode for some cookies, with three on the bottom of the fryer basket and three on the broiling/dehydrating tray. The cookies on top cooked a bit more quickly, which was expected since the heat is from the top. I removed the rack and gave the bottom cookies another two minutes. The results werent perfect, but good enough. While there are better ways to bake cookies, its good to know this can manage a few treats.
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Also Check: Instant Pot Meals For The Week
Also Check: How To Cook Broccoli In An Instant Pot
People Are Also Reading
Benefits of steaming foods
Cooking food with steam is a simple, healthy process that doesn’t require the use of added oils or fats. This food preparation method helps lock in flavor and conserves nutritional integrity better than other cooking methods. It’s also a great way to prepare delicate foods like fish, because there’s little handling involved and the steam preserves moisture.
Size
Choose the correct steamer basket size or it may not fit inside your Instant Pot. The product description should outline all compatible IP models. Buy a basket that’s too large and you have to cram it into your Instant Pot, which may leave behind scratches or other damage. A basket that’s too small won’t keep your food elevated, and you end up boiling ingredients instead of steaming them.
Ease of cleaning
Because most steamer baskets are made of wire mesh, they’re a bit difficult to hand-wash thoroughly. Opt for a model that’s dishwasher-safe so you’re not left scrubbing messes left behind.
Type of basket
There are a few steamer basket options to choose from, including stacked baskets, which allow you to steam different foods by stacking steamer baskets atop one another, and sectional steamers, which utilize dividers for cooking various foods within a single chamber.
Features
Construction
Steamer basket components
Price
Q. How do I use a stackable steamer insert?
Best Size Steamer Basket For The Instant Pot
The best size steamer basket for the Instant Pot will depend on what types of foods you want to prepare.
If you are looking for a large, versatile steamer basket that can accommodate both small and large foods, then the Instant Pot Silicone Steamer Basket is an excellent option.
If you have a 6 quart Instant Pot then be sure to get a steamer stainless steel steaming basket that will fit into your pot, so you have plenty of room for your food.
Multi-sized steamers like the Instant Pot Collapsible Silicone Steamer Basket are also a great option, as they can be easily adjusted to fit into your specific pressure cooker.
Ultimately, the best-size steamer basket for the Instant Pot provides plenty of space and flexibility, while still fitting comfortably in your pot.
Read Also: How To Use Slow Cooker Option On Instant Pot
Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer Oven
This is a stand-alone oven and air fryer in one appliance. Its a great option when you want to cook a small batch without heating a whole oven or house. There are trays that stack so that you can air fry a larger amount than the traditional basket style air fryer.
The Essential Air Fryer Cookbook for Two: Perfectly Portioned Recipes for Healthier Fried Favor by Gina Kleinworth
Instant Pot Air Fryer Appetizers
These Instant Pot air fryer lid recipes are quick and easy. The original Instant Pot models lacked the ability to make crisp recipes. The addition of air frying capability has taken the Instant Pot to new levels. The hot air generated by the air fryer lid attachment crisps up the food in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven. And you only have one pot to clean!
Recommended Reading: How To Cook Spaghetti In An Instant Pot
Can I Steam Vegetables Without A Steamer Basket
Yes.
You can steam vegetables without using a steamer basket, just by placing the vegetables on the bottom.
I did it a few times as a test, as you can see in my Instant Pot steaming vegetables recipe. Is was a great side dish, however as expected, the results are not the same.
You can also use a homemade improvised steaming basket. Please note that steaming can be a dangerous job because, in an uncontrolled environment, there is the risk of burning your hands and/or face while handling an improvised steamer.
So if you have an Instant Pot and a steamer basket there is no reason for you to do so.
Can I Use A Steamer Basket As A Rack For Pot
A. Pot-in-pot cooking, or PIP, is the technique of using a steamer rack or basket as a stand to hold a second pot above a layer of water in your pressure cooker. When in use, the pressure cooker uses that water to generate steam and pressure to cook your dish. So yes, you can absolutely use a basket as the stand to hold up your second pot.
Don’t Miss: Instant Pot Ace Blender Replacement Parts
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are a holiday or weekly staple. Youll NEVER make them on the stove after you do them in the Instant Pot! I load up my steamer basket with russet potatoes, then take them to the sink to rinse/clean. Its nice to just do it all in one!
If youd rather have regular baked potatoes made in the pressure cooker, its so easy to do in a steamer basket! Read my recipe for Instant Pot Baked Potatoes.
Another awesome use of your Instant Pot Steamer Basket is to use it for SALT POTATOES! The steamer basket is perfect because youd otherwise have to pour a very hot, very heavy pot of boiling water and potatoes into a colander.
Using your steamer basket, simply add your potatoes , and put them into your Instant Pot. Check out my Salt Potato recipe for an easy, impressive side thats sure to please kids and critics alike.
Best Steamer Basket For Instant Pot
A steamer basket is a kitchen tool that is used to steam food. It is usually made of metal or bamboo and has a handle for easy removal from the pot. The basket is placed into a pot of boiling water and the food is placed on top of the basket.
The lid is then placed on the pot to trap the steam and cook the food.
Recommended Reading: How To Make Coconut Yogurt In Instant Pot
Multiple Appliances In One
This was the biggest sell for me, as I live in an apartment and dont have a huge amount of storage space. Im a bit of a kitchen appliance junkie, so Ive had my eye on an air fryer for a long time but couldnt justify the space it would take up, especially since I already own a toaster oven that can produce pretty similar results. The fact that the Duo Crisp combines multiple appliances into one is a huge plus for me!
How Do You Care For A Steamer Basket For An Instant Pot
To clean your steamer basket, simply remove it from your Instant Pot and place it in your sink. Use warm, soapy water and a sponge or scrub brush to clean the basket, then rinse it well with clean water.
You can also place the basket in your dishwasher for a thorough cleaning. If your basket is starting to look stained or discolored, you can add a ½ cup of white vinegar to your wash cycle to help brighten it up.
Don’t Miss: How To Cook Quinoa In Instant Pot
Top Rated Steamer Baskets On Amazon
Types Of Instant Pot Air Fryer
Instant Air Fryers are the only genuine Air Fryers on this list. The drawer design makes it easy to flip ingredients and safer to operate. Clearly, its the best type of Air Fryer.
It is difficult to use the Air Fryer Lid accessory in an Instant Pot. Though the heating element has some sort of heat protection, its still going to be dangerously hot.
The only use case that I can see with this type of machine is when you want to pressure cook your chicken before air frying it. Well, pressure-frying, in a way, produces a juicier end product.
Finally, if you love making pizza, Air fryer Ovens are the way to go. The Instant Vortex Pro can hold an 8 inch pizza. And if you need something bigger, the Instant Omni Pro can handle a 12-inch one.
Also Check: Instant Pot Prepared Meals
How To Use It
All Instant Pot products are easy to use due to the user-friendly control panel on the front. All pots also have an LCD display that communicates important information such as temperature, current cooking settings, pressure, elapsed time, and more.
Now, its important to specify that the Instant Pot Duo Crisp is delivered with two different lids , one stainless steel inner pot, one multi-level air frying basket, and other accessories.
When you want to use the Instant Pot Duo functions, you will work with the stainless steel inner pot, which is big enough to fit a whole chicken , and the pressure cooking lid. Basically, once you put the ingredients in the inner pot and sealed in the lid, all you need to do is select one of the 6 Smart Programs you want to use .
When you want to use the other 5 Smart Programs , you will work with the Air Fryer lid. Also, its best to use the frying basket, to place the food in the ideal position for the heat to move through with ease.
Here I have to mention that the Air Fryer lid is a bit on the heavy side. It has a special handle that lets you lift it whenever you need and it comes with a special tray to rest in when its hot, but it still requires some upper body strength.
Recommended Reading: The Best Instant Pot Accessories
