Silicone Instant Pot Steamer Basket
Silicone baskets offer a bit more flexibility, and can be easier to handle without getting burned.
This silicone steamer basket features a pleated design, so it is flexible enough to fit into both 6-quart and 8-quart Instant Pots.
The handles hook together during cooking, so they are out of the way of the pressure cookers lid. When its time to put it away, the handles interlock around the feet of the basket, requiring less space for storage.
Its heat-resistant up to 450F and is made with BPA-free silicone.
As with any steamer basket, youll want to rinse it shortly after cooking, so food doesnt collect in the holes. Then, pop it in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
If you prefer to avoid metal baskets or want one with some flexibility and easy storage, this Instant Pot silicone steamer basket model could be a good fit for you.
What Should You Not Put In The Instant Pot
Almost anything that can be put in the oven can be put in a pressure cooker such as the Instant Pot, says Bruce Weinstein, author of The Instant Pot Bible. However, Weinstein notes that high pressure can damage some handmade ceramics, so its best to avoid using those in the Instant Pot. If your cookware says microwave-, oven- or broiler-safe, as long as its not handmade youre pretty good to go in the Instant Pot, he says.
Outside of accessories, there are certain foods you just shouldnt cook in the Instant Pot. For example, an Instant Pot isnt meant to be used to fry food, says Manalang. Burgers, steaks and chops also arent good for being pressure cooked, she adds.
Dairy is also a no-go. “The Instant Pot is not a good choice for cooking any dairy-heavy dishes where milk is the primary component, says Bridgette Witte, a chef who runs the website Culinary Debates. This is so that the dish’s flavor and appeal aren’t ruined by the milk curdling due to the pressure cooker’s high heat. Thats why most Instant Pot recipes call for dairy to be added at the end, adds Witte.
Stackable Instant Pot Steamer Baskets
Stackable steamer baskets allow you to steam more than one thing at a time, each in its own separate compartment.
This food-grade silicone basket made by Instant Pot can fit inside a 5-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart Instant Pot, and its essentially the silicone counterpart of a traditional bamboo steamer.
Because it doesnt have feet of its own, youll have to place this one on top of a trivet to keep it up out of the water.
And while you can just use one of these if desired, you can also stack two of these on top of the trivet in order to cook more than one food at a time. This can be useful if youre cooking different foods that you dont want touching each other.
One steamer basket isnt very deep on its own, but it will accommodate a small amount of food. Stacking one steam rack on top of the other increases your cooking capacity.
This silicone model is dishwasher safe, too!
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How Does A Set Of Stackable Steamer Baskets Work
A. Stackable steamer baskets work by placing one basket on top of the other within your Instant Pot. It allows you to cook more than one food at a time, for example rice in one basket and vegetables in the other. Take note that the top basket will cook slower than the bottom basket and it will also drip some of its contents into the bottom basket, as well.
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.
Recommended Reading: How To Make Stew In Instant Pot
Top Rated Steamer Baskets On Amazon
Instant Pot Green Beans
If youre noticing a trend, vegetables do incredibly well in the Instant Pot. Try pressure cooking plain green beans in the steamer basket for a quick and healthy side dish.
I made these for my Instant Pot class just plain pressure cooked green beans and then added some garlic butter on top! So simple! You could also just do a simple squeeze of lemon and a dash of salt.
Try my famous Instant Pot Bacon Green Beans!
Recommended Reading: How To Make Jasmine Rice In An Instant Pot
Does The Instant Pot Come With A Steamer Basket
No, unfortunately the Instant Pot does not come with a steaming basket.
However, it does come with a trivet, which you could use for steaming some foods, if youre careful.
For instance, Ive used my trivet to steam eggs in my Instant Pot and also to steam quartered potatoes for Instant Pot mashed potatoes.
The trivet wont work for small pieces of food that could fall through the rack into the water.
Its also a little tricky to lift the trivet out without spilling the food. So while it can be done, a proper steaming basket definitely makes things easier.
What Is An Instant Pot Exactly
As Harshit Damani, founder and chief editor at Simple Food Tips, explains, an Instant Pot is a multi-use cooking appliance that can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté and more. The Instant Pot comes in a variety of sizes, with both 6- and 8-quart options available.
It’s a great appliance for busy people who want to make home cooked meals but don’t have a lot of time, says Damani. The Instant Pot can help you make healthy, delicious meals in a fraction of the time it would take to cook them using other methods.
Also Check: How To Tell What Size Instant Pot I Have
Instant Pot Springform Pan $1461 On Amazon
Amazon
I think a 7-inch springform pan is a must so you can make cheesecakes and other desserts like bread pudding, says Weinstein. This springform pan fits 6- and 8-quart Instant Pot models and is non-stick and oven-safe. Beyond desserts, you can also use it to make savory snacks such as deviled eggs. Yum!
Buying Guide For Best Instant Steamer 2023
We all know that how much beneficial is online shopping. But before you add that item to your cart, there are a few things you should consider first. Here are some questions to ask before buying anything online.
Here are some questions to ask before buying best Instant Steamer online.
1. What is the return policy?
2. What are the shipping costs?
3. What are the customer reviews saying?
4. Is the price right?
5. What are my other options?
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Types Of Steamer Baskets
Standard: Your everyday steamer basket. It has one chamber and fits comfortably in most pressure cookers.
Stacked: A set of steamer baskets designed to fit tightly together with one on top of the other, allowing you to cook two different foods at once.
Sectional: A single steamer basket with two, three or four individual walled-off chambers that allow you to cook small portions of multiple different foods at once.
Best Instant Pot Steamer Basket Guide
I love steamed vegetables! Whether its broccoli, string beans, peas, or carrots, they are amazingly delicious when cooked in a steamer. In fact, this is one of the reasons why I love my Instant Pot so much – it makes some mind-blowing steamed veggies!
The steam trapped inside the Instant Pot speeds up the cooking and makes sure the veggies maintain their taste, texture, and color. They also retain nutrients and the fiber isnt damaged, which is the best part about eating vegetables.
However, you cant make properly steamed vegetables without a steamer basket.
What is this, you ask? Well, so did a lot of readers. Lately, Ive seen a lot of questions about steamer baskets and steaming in an Instant Pot in general, that I thought it best to dedicate an entire blog post to this topic.
So, if you want to know what is, how to use it, where to find such an IP accessory, keep reading. Ill start by answering some of the questions I had in my inbox and finish with a top 5 best steamer baskets .
Contents
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What Is A Steamer Basket
In short, a steamer basket is a standard accessory that fits inside an Instant Pot and allows the steam to penetrate the veggies. It usually has stilts and handles so its easy to use, and it can be made from stainless steel , mesh, silicone, or other food-grade materials.
Luckily, there are lots of different products on the market and everyone can have their pick. For instance, you can get a stacked basket, which allows steaming on different levels and of different foods. There are also sectional steamers, which you can use while cooking other foods.
Still, the main purpose of the steamer basket is to hold the food and make sure the food doesnt touch the water or liquid . This way, the food is exposed to the hot steam and becomes tender and ready to eat.
List Of Top Ten Best Instant Steamer
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Steaming In The Instant Pot
You might think steaming in the Instant Pot could be tricky its not. Really, its one of the simplest ways Ive found to make delicious, healthy food, fast.
An Instant Pot steamer insert allows you to just drop some of your favorite veggies into the Instant Pot and cook them quickly, thereby preserving lots of the nutrients present when the veggies are fresh .
I mentioned that my Instant Pot steam basket is versatile heres my top 12 recipes that are simple and oh-so-easy to throw together using your steamer basket.
Also Check: How To Make Chili In Instant Pot
Can You Use Air Fryer Accessories In The Instant Pot
There are a bunch of air fryer accessories you can use in the Instant Pot. You can use things like silicone egg molds, trivets and mesh baskets in the Instant Pot that can also be used in the air fryer, says Manalang. Theres also an Instant Pot air fryer lid you can buy, which lets you turn your Instant Pot into an air fryer so you dont need two separate devices. Pretty neat!
Instant Pot Steamer Basket Broccoli
I use my steamer basket the most to make Instant Pot Broccoli. This is one situation in which you really need the basket for the most ideal, perfectly-cooked broccoli.
We consume so much broccoli each week, and the Instant Pot and Instant Pot steamer basket make it so much easier. One and done!
BONUS: Dont forget to check out my post on the Best Instant Pot Accessories to buy and AVOID!)
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Stainless Steel Measuring Cups And Measuring Spoons $1495 On Amazon
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As Damani notes, a set of measuring cups and spoons will come in handy when following recipes in your Instant Pot. This high-quality stainless steel set is rust-resistant and easy to clean. Each cup and spoon is engraved with both standard U.S. measurements and metric measurements so you dont have to worry about doing any conversions. Sweet!
Buying Guide For Best Instant Pot Steamer Baskets
If youre as thrilled with your Instant Pot as many others are, youve probably tried out most of its default settings maybe even the yogurt maker feature. Now you can take this handy kitchen appliance to the next level by adding a steamer basket.
Instant Pot steamer baskets are pretty versatile. Depending on the model, they can provide simple steaming, steam on multiple tiers allowing you to steam two foods at once or cook more delicate foods by keeping them above the surface of the main pot insert.
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Is A Steamer The Same As A Trivet
A trivet is a separate tool that usually comes with a pressure cooker to keep food off the bottom of the pot.
It can work in place of a steamer basket for some foods, but it usually isnt as convenient.
To learn more about the Instant Pot trivet, read our full guide on Everything You Need to Know About the Instant Pot Trivet.
Best Instant Pot Steamer Baskets
Because there are so many different options available on the market, Ive narrowed them down to five popular but different steamer baskets, so you can choose the one that best suits your preferences.
If you want the best Instant Pot steamer basket, these are high quality options that I feel are definitely worthwhile choices.
Some models come with a limited warranty from the manufacturer, so be sure to check the product listing for updated information.
Recommended Reading: How To Cook Baked Potatoes In Instant Pot Duo
How Does A Steamer Basket Work
A steamer basket is typically a sort of container with holes in it, which allows steam to come in contact with the food in the container. These baskets are commonly made of mesh, silicone, or stainless steel.
These steamer baskets fit inside the inner pot of your Instant Pot.
The primary purpose of a steamer basket is to keep food out of the water in a pot, while allowing the steam from the water to circulate around the food.
An Instant Pot steamer basket works on the same principles. Water in the pressure cooker heats up and creates the steam, and the food in the basket cooks in the steam while remaining elevated out of the water.
Stackable Steamer Insert Pans $3499 On Amazon
Amazon
Do double duty with these stackable steamer insert pans. The two-tiered pans allow you to cook different foods simultaneously so you can get dinner on the table quicker. Theyre made from food-grade stainless steel and have a secure-fitting lid that locks in heat and moisture. Plus, the solid handle ensures easy removal of your food post-cooking.
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Which Instant Pot Steamer Basket Is Best
Theres a tremendous amount of recipes that you can try out in your Instant Pot, but some of them require extra pieces of equipment, like steaming with a steamer basket. Anything from fish to dumplings to vegetables can be perfectly steamed in almost no time. You can even steam different types of food simultaneously with certain stackable steamer basket configurations.
The best Instant Pot steamer basket is actually made by Instant Pot: the Instant Pot Official Large Mesh Steamer Basket. It fits 6 and 8-quart Instant Pots with no mess or fuss and can even act as a strainer for extra versatility.
Kitchen Deluxe Vegetable Steamer Basket
Extendable handle, silicone feet, and foldable legs are only a few of the features that made me place this basket first on my list! It also folds in a compact package that can be easily stored in a deeper drawer or on a shelf.
I love the way it blooms and adjusts to the size of the pot! This way, you can use it in almost any pot, and the silicone legs keep the bottom from getting scratched.
Its large enough to fit bigger veggies but it cal also be used for boiling eggs. So its versatile and easy to understand!
The basket is made from brushed premium quality stainless steel that can be cleaned in the sink or the dishwasher. Also, the handle is extendable so it can be adjusted to fit any type of pot . The handle is also useful when removing the basket from the pot as its easy to grab even with oven mitts.
The verdict: This is the ideal steamer basket for IP users as it will fit any size and it can withstand high temperatures.
Also Check: What Is High Pressure On Instant Pot
