In this review, we put the extra effort to gather all the information about the Instant Pot Steamer Baskets.
It was hard work putting this guide together cause there’s little to no information about the Steamer, there’s some website that even get it confused with the trivet ( you can check our review here).
But no worries that we got you covered!, with a full guide on how to use the different Steamer Baskets, tips, and tricks to get the best from it, and which ones are the best to buy in 2021.
Contents
Why you Need an Instant Pot Steamer Basket?
If you use your Instant pot regularly, you’ll need to have a steaming basket, trivet, or some sort of steel or silicone steamer basket close by. In most recipes that come with veggies, there’s no other way around it.
Having the Steamer Basket will give enough heat and vapor to soften the veggies without burning them. The basket will keep separate and on top all the veggies, or different ingredients, that you don’t want to keep in contact with the bottom of the pot.
Another advantage of having a steamer basket is that makes it easier for beginners to cook delicate foods, like eggs. And also when cooking recipes that you need to add liquids (broth, water, etc) the steamer basket will help you separate those ingredients that you don’t want to be submerged in the liquid or juices.
When to Use a Steamer Basket in an Instant Pot
Any good recipe will specify when you will require a steamer basket (or sometimes, a rack or trivet).
Check Our Most Popular Instant Pot Recipes.
Although if you are in doubt on which quick meals you can cook and take advantage of the Instant Pot Steamer Basket we give you a list of the best uses for a day to day type of recipes:
Eggs: Due to the fact that they’re so fragile, eggs benefit from being place in the Steamer Basket inside the Instant Pot. Since eggs never rest straight inside the pot, when using the trivet they’re less likely to be crowded or damaged during the food preparation.
Hard or firm vegetables: The pressure cooker feature on your Instant Pot is also a smart way of cooking both hard or firm veggies quickly. Make use of the steamer basket to stop the veggies from taking in way too much of the water in the bottom of the pot. This is specifically vital when making potatoes.
Meatloaf, whole chicken, and various other meats: Making use of a steamer basket or trivet to elevate the meatloaf or even a whole chicken is a great way to stop the food from getting soaked.
Bread and cakes: Yes, you can even make baking recipes like bread and cheesecake using your Steamer Basket, You will always need the basket so so the ingredients don’t mix with water on the bottom of the pot..
3 EASY Instant Pot Steamer Basket Recipes
Does The Instant Pot Come With A Steamer Basket?
Sadly, the Instant Pot does not include a Steamer basket. You will get a short rack and in some models a trivet that can be used for steaming certain types of ingredients although if you want the Steamer basket you will need to buy it separately.
Best-Selling Instant Pot Steamer Basket and Inserts
Stainless-steel Steamer Basket
This is the most common basket, every recipe that we need a steamer or a rack e use this model.
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Have in mind that the cookers are always bigger than the pot, for example, the inner pot of a 6-Quart model is 8 inches in size, by having this stainless steel steamer basket the flexible fit of this basket will stop the food from falling out.
Not just do we enjoy steaming broccoli or potatoes with this steamer basket, we also like cooking chicken with it. You can check our full recipe for cooking a whole chicken on an instant Pot.
Pros + (what we like): Stainless-steel, affordable, sturdy, Dishwasher safe, Can be quickly be transported when cooking even with high temperatures.
Dimension: 5.3 to 9.25 inches, is best for a 6 quarts Insta Pot model as well for a small to a medium saucepan.
Stainless-steel Steaming Rack Stand.
This one is a must-have for any kitchen! It’s great for recipes that you need to cook Pot-in-Pot (PIP) food preparation technique.
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You can find the fits for 6 quarts there’s even a 5 quarts size that will also fit easily on your 6 quarts model.
Pros + (what we like): Stainless-steel, affordable, sturdy, Dishwasher safe, Perfect for the Pot-in-Pot cooking method.
Dimension: 5 Quart 6 Quart Instant Pot (6″ x 1.9″)
Stackable Stainless-steel Steamer Insert Pans.
These stainless-steel stackable steamer pans are pretty common for Instant Pot users and they also work great for the Pot-in-Pot (PIP) cooking technique.
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But the most amazing feature is the ability to separate the different ingredients that you wish to steam giving you an extra layer of control over your meals overall taste
Wide Rim Steamer Basket.
ONe fo the best and best seller from Instant Pot. You can even have some week that they are out of stock because of their popularoty.
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We didn’t put it in the first place because the other baskets are the ones that we used the most but this one is just as good as any of the others.
You can also use this steamer basket as a strainer for food such as noodles or spaghetti. Now you know why this basket is such a best seller you can use it to steam, wash, and drain your foods using this all-in-one Steamer Basket.
It’s also great for those that make their own bone broth or stock since you can easily transport the ingredients all together and at the same time, rather than scooping them out bit by bit.
Highlights: Stainless steel, Sturdy, Well built, Dishwasher safe, Budget-friendly.
Dimension: 8-1/4 ″ Size x 4-3/4 ″ Height (Legs: 5/8 ″)– suits 6-Quart Instant Pot Cooker.
Capacity: 3 quarts.
Note: You will need to take out the handle to make it fit not your 6-Quart Instant Pot.
8 Inches Bamboo Steamer.
Another great addition to your Instant Pot collection.
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This steamer is great for delicate recipes those that you don’t want to move the food preparation more than once since you can get everything falling apart.
Recipes such as dumplings or gyoza that the texture of the cover is so slim and thin that you can be in trouble in just a second. Then you can also add the flavor that the bamboo leaves it’s going to give to the overall taste and flavor of your dumplings.
You will get 2 bamboo steamers so you can get the most frmo your recipes and achieve the perfect taste.
Highlights: Easy to use, the dome shape lid will prevent the water vapor from leaking onto the food, Easy to clean up.
Dimension: 6, 8, and 10 inches will fit comfortably into a 6 or 8 quarts Instant Pot model.
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