Steamer Baskets Racks & Trivets That Fit In An Instant Pot
The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer is my favorite steamer for the pressure cooker. Its perfect for steaming vegetables, but my favorite use is keeping the potatoes out of the water when I cook my Quick Pressure Cooker Potato Salad, Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin, and Chunky Potato Cheese Soup, so the potatoes stay chunky and firm but also tender.
Oxo also makes a flexible silicone pressure cooker steamer that works great, but I still find myself reaching for the stainless steel version. If you prefer a mesh basket strainer, I like this one with Stainless Metal Strainer with Nonstick Feet.
When cooking pot-in-pot, youll absolutely need a trivet. I have three that I love. The tall 2.7 Stainless Steel Steam Rack/Trivet is a must-have when cooking chicken in the bottom of the pot and rice above. The shorter trivet is useful when you have tall ingredients like a butternut squash or are stacking ramekins or mason jars on top of each other.
My newest trivet is the red OXO Good Grips Pressure Cooker SlingI really love using the handles to remove hot pans from the pressure cooker.
Using An Instant Pot As A Steamer
An instant pot can come in handy for more than just making quick meals. It can also be used as a steamer.
Steaming in an Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to cook food while retaining its nutrients. And the best part is it is completely hands-off once you have put it in the Instant Pot.
While it may not be that much quicker overall to steam in an Instant Pot it is certainly easier as you dont need to supervise your food closely as you would if you were steaming in a pan on the stovetop.
Scroll down for the printable card with the Instant Pot Steam instructions, or read on for all the details.
Do You Have To Use Trivet In Instant Pot
There are many Instant Pot recipes that dont require the trivet. Dishes that mix or blend all the ingredients together dont typically use a trivet, such as soups, chili, yogurt, or applesauce. Just pay attention to the specific recipe youre making. It should specify whether or not you need the trivet.
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How Long To Steam In The Instant Pot
It can be difficult to get the steaming time just right in an Instant Pot, and you may need to use some trial and error to figure out the right setting for how you like your food steamed.
Check out the Instant Pot steam time estimates in the charts below to get started.
It is important to remember that the Instant Pot will begin heating the water and producing steam while it builds up pressure, and that the food will start steaming during this time.
This means that there are some foods that have a 0 minute cooking time because they steam quickly and so are fully cooked by the time the Instant Pot has reached full pressure.
Instant Pot Silicone Trivet
This silicone trivet is made by the Instant Pot company and fits 6 quart and 8 quart Instant Pots.
This silicone trivet is very easy to clean because its made of silicone and is dishwasher safe. The design allows steam to circulate and cooking liquid to cover the bottom of the inner pot which helps prevent the Burn Message and the food to cook evenly.
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How To Steam Idlis In Instant Pot
- Add 1.5 cups of water to the Instant pot and turn on SAUTE , so that the water comes up to a boil. Meanwhile grease your idly plates with oil or ghee, Pour idly batter into the idly plates/moulds. Do not overdo it.
- Once the water starts to boil, place the idli stand into the Instant pot. Close the lid and keep it in the VENTING position and turn on the ‘STEAM’ mode.
- Steam the idli trays in the IP for 10-12 mins. Note: The timer on the instant pot does not work in the venting position, so you have to monitor time with a separate timer.
- Once done, check the idlis by piercing a toothpick in it. If the toothpick comes out clean, the idlis are done.
- Remove idli’s from the moulds. Serve hot, with coconut chutney and sambhar.
Steaming Idlis In Instant Pot
May 22, 2022. by Bhavana Patil. | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Learn how to cook Soft and fluffy Idli or savory rice cakes steamed in an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.
Steaming Idlis in Instant Pot
Idli, a round-shaped steamed rice-lentil cake, is one of the healthiest breakfast items of Indian Cuisine and the staple food of South Indians. This recipe makes steamed Idli in the Instant Pot. Idli is mostly eaten with coconut chutney and sambar.
The cakes are made by steaming a batter consisting of fermented black lentils and rice. You can also buy idli batter in the Indian grocery stores too.
Today in this recipe, I have used Rava Idli Instant Dry Mix , which is available in Indian stores and on amazon. You can use any brand.
You may like other idli recipes from the blog: Vegetable fried idli, podi idli, spicy tawa idli, lemon idli, and spinach idli.
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How Do You Steam Vegetables In An Instant Pot
How Do I Use A Steamer Basket In My Instant Pot
The concept is rather simple – the steamer basket goes directly into the inner pot of the Instant Pot. First, you have to add the required quantity of water so the IP can build pressure and create steam.
Next, place the veggies or dumplings in the basket, close the lid, and set the timer. The last step is a bit tricky and requires a bit of trial and error because you cant sample the state of your veggies while steaming. The secret is to time the cooking according to the type of vegetables and their state . Also, if youre steaming dumplings, the time will be different.
Lastly, you can add seasonings if you want, but I prefer adding them at the end after the steam has done its job.
As a side note, the steaming function is not just for veggies and dumplings. You can also steam meat such as oysters, fish, or even chicken. The secret is to adjust the timing and the pressure according to each type of food.
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Option : Simple Pot Steaming
If you cant go for any of the 4 options above, the simple steamer method is undoubtedly worth trying.
In fact, this method is no different than boiling vegetables because foods cooked with these two cooking methods both taste similar.
First, you need to pour water into the pot, add the vegetables, cover, and cook until the vegetables are soft. Then, just like that, you can enjoy your food already.
However, we dont recommend this method because it tends to make the vegetables taste watery. Therefore, you should only apply it when cooking tough vegetables like cauliflower or carrots.
Metal Trivet With Handles
This is the official trivet for the Instant Pot that is shipped with most Instant Pots. It has handles that allow you to easily remove the food. It fits 6 quart and 8 quart Instant Pots.
This is one of the most-used Instant Pot pressure cooker accessories that I own. This is the best Instant Pot trivet because it takes very little space in the dishwasher and it has handles.
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Converting Your Own Recipe
As fun as it is to find new recipes to try, you may want to use your instant pot to cook your own tried-and-true favorite recipes that you used to make before you had this new appliance.
Here are some tips for figuring out how to convert your recipe to be insta-pot-friendly:
- Know the insta-pots limitations – Pressure cooking relies on moisture so any recipe that requires dry heat methods like roasting, frying, or baking might not do so well in an instant pot.
- Start by looking for instant pot versions of your recipe – Someone has probably already tried making a variation of your dish so refer to a similar recipe to get cook times and settings, then incorporate your choice of seasonings and ingredients.
- Use a cook time chart if you cant find a similar recipe – If you dont find a recipe that is similar enough, you can easily find cook time charts online to help you do the conversion.
- Dont overfill – Adjust your portion sizes to account for the max capacity of the insta-pot.
- Save sauces & dairy ingredients for the end – Use the Saute button on low heat at the end if your dish calls for a roux or other sauce-thickening. Dairy ingredients also have to go in at the end because they might scorch or foam.
How To Use This Recipe For Meal Prep
- Cook the vegetables ahead of time to reheat later. Steamed vegetables can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can reheat them as needed.
- Prep and chop the vegetables ahead of time, store the fresh veggies in the refrigerator, and steam as needed. This way, you will always have freshly steamed vegetables and dont need to worry about reheating them.
- Cut and chop the vegetables and place them into the Instant Pot. Use the Delay Start function or turn on the pressure cooker before setting the table for dinner. You can leave the fresh vegetables in the Instant Pot for up to 8 hours.
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Instant Pot Accessory Set
This Instant Pot accessory kit includes multiple steamer baskets, trivets, egg mold, springform pan, and lots more.
If youre brand new to the Instant Pot and are planning on purchasing some accessories, make sure you look at this set to see if it has everything you need. You might save some money buying a set. It comes in different colors too.
Instant Pot Steam Vs Pressure
You may be wondering what is the difference between steam and pressure cook on Instant Pot? Or how do I use the Steam function, and does it still cook under pressure?
So firstly, the Instant Pot steams under pressure, so it is a different process from steaming on your stovetop, and much faster.
The Steam function on the Instant Pot is a preset for high pressure for ten minutes. The time can be adjusted up to 15 minutes by selecting More, or down to 3 minutes by setting it to Less. It can also be adjusted by using the -/+ buttons for finer control.
You will see from the steaming times charts below that very few foods have steaming times that align with the presets under the Steam setting, so generally it is just as easy to use the Manual/Pressure cook function and set the time manually.
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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
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.
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The Steam Boss Steam Release Diverter
The quick release feature on the Instant Pot is the fastest way to release pressure when your food is fully cooked. Normally, the steam release valve on the lid of your Instant Pot directs the steam straight up. But with this nifty little steam diverter, you can point the steam off to one side and avoid steaming up the underside of your cabinets. I cant tell you how many times I wished I had something like this before I found it!
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.
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Does The Instant Pot Come With A Trivet
Yes! If you have an Instant Pot, you have a trivet. Every Instant Pot model should include a stainless steel trivet rack that fits perfectly inside the liner. Since I have 8 or 9 Instant Pots, Ive found that the design of the trivet actually changes based on the size and model of your pot. No matter what it looks like, theyll all have the same function!
Even if your electric pressure cooker isnt an Instant Pot brand, it will almost always come with one. If you dont have one or have lost one, you can always purchase a metal or silicone trivet for your Instant Pot separately.
Watch my Instant Pot 101 series for everything you could possibly need to know about how to use your Instant Pot! This video series includes great tips for beginners to ensure you have success using your Instant Pot.
Hatrigo Steamer Basket For Pressure Cooker With Silicone Handle
If youre looking for a more structured type of steamer, look no further than this Hatrigo steamer basket! The stainless steel feet and handles of the steamer basket are wrapped in protective silicone to prevent burns and scratches, and the tall sides will keep your food contained on the way into and out of the pot.
More Ideas You’ll Love
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Why Trust Momjunction
A good steamer basket is a go-to product for every household and kitchen. We have compiled a list of the best available steamer baskets. These products are useful in steaming vegetables to help make your cooking simpler and quicker. We have researched user reviews and various products to bring you the best ones. Additionally, explore our buying guide to select a high-quality and suitable steamer basket.
Steamer baskets help retain the nutrients in the vegetables and meat, making your meal healthy. If you are planning to buy one, you should consider your needs and check the materials and capacity. Steamer baskets promote healthy eating, making them one of the most sought-after kitchen equipment. Its easy cooking process helps save time and effort, suitable for preparing quick, nutritious meals. These steamer baskets are easy to clean for long-lasting use and are sturdy, with several features to simplify the process.
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What Is A Trivet
An Instant Pot trivet is a stainless steel rack that holds food or food containers above the liquid in the inner pot.
The instant pot trivet with handles has two metal hinges on the sides. They act as handles for you to lift the trivet with the cooked food or containers out of the Instant Pot.
This tool is particularly useful for steaming, pressure-steaming, and cooking with the Pot-in-Pot method.
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