Instant Pot Steamer Basket
Like I said, out of all the instant pot accessories you could buy, the steamer basket is the best one because you can use it in so many different, practical ways
Its best to choose an Instant Pot Steamer basket that can withstand being pressure cooked and not fall apart. The one Ive linked is my favorite steamer basket because it is incredibly high quality.
This mesh steamer basket is stainless steel so it does NOT rust, nor does it have silicone noodles covering the legs, which easily trap food/bacteria that you cannot get out. They also honor a LIFETIME guarantee, so they will replace it if anything happens to it.
Ive tried a couple other baskets, and I promise they are not near the quality. My basket has lasted me years with no sign of wear! .
Additionally, its important to note that youre better off getting this one-tool-does-all basket you dont need a specific vegetable steamer for your Instant Pot rather, get this simple basket that can do it all.
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
The Instant Pot is incredible for steaming sweet potatoes because often, they otherwise take over an hour in the oven! No one has time for that!
Stack a couple whole or chopped sweet potatoes and place them in the steamer basket, then cook for about 10-30 minutes, depending on the size.
I always err on the generous side with sweet potatoes and add a couple minutes because having undercooked food in the Instant Pot is THE WORST.
I use this method for my Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole. Its better than Ruths Chris recipe, in my opinion!
Difference Between Instant Pot Duo 6qt & 3qt Mini
My first hiccup was that the buttons on the Instant Pot Mini 3QT DUO are slightly different that the 6QT & 8QT DUO.
Instead of a MANUAL button to push for pressure cooking as it appears on the 6QT & 8QT DUO models, the button is called PRESSURE COOK and its located in a different spot on the front panel on the Instant Pot Mini 3QT.
Ok, thats not too hard to relearn a more specified name and new location, but it still always takes me a few seconds to find it. Haha!
I also noticed that it came to pressure a few minutes quicker than the larger models. Yay!
This is to be expected since the Instant Pot Mini 3QT is a much smaller capacity and takes less time for the water to convert to steam for enough pressure to cook.
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Buying Guide For Best Steamer Basket For Instapot 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 Steamer Basket For Instapot 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?
Instant Pot Steamer Basket As A Colander
The nice thing about this Steamer Basket is that it doubles as a colander. You can use it to keep berries fresh for up to three weeks!
I typically do this in my salad spinner because it has a colander that fits into its base, but if you dont have that, you can use this steamer basket and your Instant Pot liner!
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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
What To Look For When Buying Online
The internet has made shopping easier than ever before. You can find anything you need with just a few clicks of the mouse. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping online. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your online shopping experience.
1. Customer Reviews
As we mentioned before, online sites have a review section. This section is filled with customer feedbacks and even pictures of the product. Browsing through these reviews is the smartest thing to do. These reviews allow you to comprehend how the product will work for you. You can even determine the pros and cons of these reviews.
Check the rating on the website to learn if the seller is delivering the product as expected by the other buyers.
The item youre buying. Make sure youre getting what you want and that its the correct size, color, etc.
2. Quality
Quality is paramount when choosing any product. Different brands have different visions and objectives, so its important to examine each brands promises carefully to see if they align with what youre looking for. Go for the option with the best quality, and you cant go wrong.
3. Features
What are The Benefits of Buying Best Steamer Basket For Instapot Online?
You can also take your time when you shop online. You can read reviews, compare prices, and find the perfect product for you. Theres no pressure to buy something on the spot.
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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.
Why Use An Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. And there are many accessories that will help you get more out of your Instant Pot.
If you dont have one yet, check out our guide on which one to buy. Also see our guide to How to Use an Instant Pot for more information.
- Dont Have an Instant Pot Yet?This guide can help you choose the right one.
Recommended Reading: Pulled Pork Instant Pot
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.
Favorite Feature Of The Instant Pot Mini
My FAVORITE thing about the Instant Pot Mini, is how FAST it releases pressure after cook time is over when you perform a quick pressure release!
I couldnt believe how fast it came down from pressure, taking only 15 seconds! Amazing, right?!
The larger 6QT & 8QT models take about 5-10 minutes to complete a quick pressure release.
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Quart Pressure Cooker Accessories Compatible With Instant Pot 3 Qt Only
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Quantity
- Free Shipping | Dispatched within 1-2 business days
- 30 Day Returns | 30 Day Returns available on this item
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- Multipurpose Accessories – Steam your meat, vegetables, eggs in the steamer basket tempered glass lid perfect for slow cooking 7-color ice pop sticks to make your favorite pop sticks two-color sealing rings one for savory and one for sweet
- Premium Quality – The steamer baskets are made of food-grade material all the silicone accessories of the kit are made of food-graded silicone, BPA free the cloth cover made of nylon our strict quality standard on materials ensures more safety and greater durability of the accessories
- Special Aspect for Attention – The 7-in glass lid, two silicone sealing rings only compatible with the 3 Quart instant pot
- 100% Money Back Guarantee – If you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase of this set, simply let us know and you’ll be offered a Full refund or replacement, no questions asked.
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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Spareinstant Pot Mini Inner Pot
Why this is the perfect instant pot accessoryfor the mini?
Back in 2017 I used to roll my eyes at anyonethat had a spare inner pot for their instant pot. I used to think they werewasting money and buying instant pot accessories that they didnt really need.
Then I was given one for free when I got my Mealthy Multipot and realised how essential they were.
If you made soup for dinner and plan to have therest for lunch, then you can place it in the fridge and then use your otherinner pot for your porridge at breakfast.
Why this is the perfect instant pot accessoryfor the mini?
Carrying on the conversation about the InstantPot Spare Inner Pot, there is the silicone lid.
You place the lid on top of the instant pot innerpot, and it will keep your food fresh. You can then place the food in thefridge or use it to transport the food in your mini.
Perfect for if you are attending a party andbringing your own food or taking a meal to a friends place. Or in our casewhen we were away camping.
- Easy To Fasten On
Which Accessories Work For Instant Pot Mini 3qt
Raise your hand if you just love your new Instant Pot Mini but find yourself scratching your head about which accessories will fit the Instant Pot Mini 3QT?
Will your other Instant Pot 6QT & 8QT accessories fit in the 3QT too?
This blog post shares a compilation of ALL of the accessories that I have found after scouring amazon, reading hundreds of comments from online Instant Pot users, in addition to my own findings.
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Instant Pot Corn On The Cob
If you have an Instant Pot, please do not ever make corn on the stove! Just pop the ears in your Instant Pot steamer basket and make them in there in just a couple minutes!
Making them in the basket helps so none of the corn sits in the water, and you can just pull them out as soon as theyre done cooking. I dont like leaving the corn in the pot too long after cooking, or else it tastes overcooked .
Top Rated Steamer Baskets On Amazon
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How I Started My Instant Pot Family
When I purchased my first Instant Pot, I bought the #1 best selling model, the Instant Pot DUO 6QT, just like everyone else.
Within a week of cooking with it, I quickly realized that I needed a second Instant Pot so I could be even more hands-free in the kitchen! That way I could cook chicken in one and steam veggies in the other.
For my second Instant Pot, I ended up purchasing the Instant Pot DUO 8QT so I could have something large enough to do a big pot of soup AND have leftovers the next day.
I love being efficient, with less cooking and dishes whenever possible.
Best Steamer Basket To Buy
I have a preferred steamer basket, but as long as the steamer basket is heat/oven/pressure safe, it can be used in a pressure cooker.
There are two main types of steamer basket:
The stainless/mesh baskets that I have are really solid. Theyre most similar to metal colanders, but unlike a colander, they have straight edges/sides and a handle. This is what I have, but it does take up space in your kitchen.
If youre short on space, you can always store your steamer basket inside of the Instant Pot when not in use.
The silicone baskets are really nice and great for smaller spaces. I go more in depth about silicone baskets below.
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Collapsible Instant Pot Steamer Basket
The nice thing about a collapsible steamer basket is that it opens and closes to accommodate different sizes of pots.
The downside is that they can be somewhat shallow in depth, reducing their ability to accommodate much food.
This particular model is made with stainless steel and includes a safety hook tool to use when removing the basket from the Instant Pot.
However, in my opinion, thats just one more thing to fumble with when trying to remove hot food, and one more thing to keep up with in a sea of kitchen tools. But, it does help to keep your hand away from the steam.
The manufacturer says the steamer can expand to fit 3-quart, 5-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart models, as the steamer can have a diameter between 5.5 and 9.5, depending on how far it is expanded.
I appreciate that it collapses down, giving it a small footprint for easy storage.
It does have silicone wrapping around the feet of the basket. Silicone feet can sometimes be difficult to keep clean.
But if you want a flexible option that can fit more than one size pot, this collapsible model could be the best steamer basket for you.
Quart Stackable Steamer Insert Pans
Using stacking containers allows you to cook different foods in separate containers. If youre making a complete dinner, you will be able to cook all the components at the same time, rather than one at a time.
This is super useful for dishes like:
- Chicken and stuffing
You can also cook foods in these stackable containers that you wouldnt be able to put directly into the bottom of the pot because they dont contain enough liquid.
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Mesh Instant Pot Steamer Basket
- Instant Pot Compatible – The 717 Steamer Basket is compatible with 6 and 8 quart Instant Pots, as well as many other Pots and Pressure Cookers. The 717 Steamer Basket is perfect for Eggs, Meats, and Veggies
As I mentioned, this mesh steamer basket is the one I own and use in my Instant Pot. Ive had it for a long time now, and its held up really well.
This particular model is quite durable and keeps its shape well, and the silicone covered handle makes it really easy to remove from the Instant Pot. Its also a large basket with a large capacity.
I also appreciate that the feet of this basket arent coated with silicone, so food wont get stuck in the crevices between silicone and metal.
I know some people have qualms with mesh material, finding it difficult to clean.
However, Ive found that if you rinse the steamer basket immediately after using, it is actually very easy to keep clean. But if you allow it to become caked with dry food, it wont be such an easy job.
Plus, its dishwasher safe, which is always a benefit, in my book!
