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How to Use the Steam Rack in an Instant Pot
The instant pot steam rack acts as a platform for the food and prevents your food from coming into contact with the water, which rests below. To use it, first, add water to the instant pot then place the steam rack at the bottom, ensure it doesn’t move — then set your food in a bowl and position the bowl on the rack.
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This site also appreciates that the “legs” of this basket are silicone-free, so food doesn’t get stuck in the gaps between the silicone and the metal. Remember that this is a smaller basket designed for smaller pots, so it may not fit your larger pot.
What features does the basket have?
This basket is removable and features a retractable handle, making it easier to take it out of the pot and place it on the counter to serve vegetables from the steamer basket. The basket does not have legs (must be used with a steam grill or rack) and is not very large (does not hold too many vegetables).
This stainless steel basket is strong enough (no fragile nets here) and holds its shape well, and the silicone-coated handle makes it very easy to remove from the multicooker. Pot and protect your hands from sunburn.
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This basket is great for holding vegetables and preventing them from falling into the pot. The point is to lift the food out of the water and hold it in what looks like a bowl or basket.
The main purpose of the steamer is to keep the food away from the water in the pot by allowing the steam from the water to circulate the food. The water in the pressure cooker heats up, and forms steam, and the food in the basket leaves the water as it steams out.
At the end of the pressure cooking cycle, you can begin to release the pressure naturally, which can take 5 to 30 minutes, depending on the amount of water in the pot.
| Place a bowl containing the first food on the steam rack, add a second steam rack to the bowl | Add 2 cups of water in the inner pot, and place a steam rack on the bottom |
| You can cook almost anything in a steamer basket | Uses of the steamer rack |
| You can cook dumplings and fish fillet | You can cook dumplings and fish fillets |
| You can steam vegetables like carrots and broccoli | And place the second bowl of food on the top rack |
The correct method of pressure cooking
During pressure cooking, you must use 1-2 cups of water for each recipe (unless you use the Saute function only). Add water to the pot to build up the correct pressure when steaming vegetables, fruits, or other foods. Pour at least one cup of water into the inner lining to use the steam function.
The only problem with using the Steam feature is that you cannot control the food while steaming as it is under pressure and the lid is not transparent. It’s quite understandable if you prefer the old-fashioned way since you can’t control your food when steamed with the steam feature.
Let the food cook, although you can lift the glass lid (beware of the hot steam) to check the food periodically.
Simply add leftovers to the pot and press the “Heat” button, and the “Heat” button will gradually heat the food. If you press the “Keep warm” button, a 2-hour interval will automatically be set during which the contents of the pot will remain warm.
You can place the pan directly in the instant pot over water or use a rack or cooking rack to hold the pot so that the bottom flour doesn’t touch the top if you’re cooking two dishes simultaneously.
If you use the Instant Pot regularly, we recommend keeping a steamer rack or a silicone or metal steamer basket nearby.
For example, if you want to cook a large broth in an instant pot, you can store the bones and leftovers in this stainless steel steamer basket to easily take them out of the broth after cooking.
Also, in addition to cooking eggs in a basket, you can use it to drain (for example, when making bone broth). It’s large enough to hold large vegetables (such as artichokes) but can also be used for hard-boiled eggs.
This basket is large enough to hold some larger vegetables and is designed for versatility and ease of use.
Since the basket is large, you can fill it with vegetables and cook the entire dish in minutes. To begin, create a less turbulent environment for cooking delicate foods like eggs.
Only food parts are used in this basket, so it is completely safe for cooking and does not penetrate the food.
When you’re done using the basket, it’s easy to clean (dishwasher safe) and fold away for easy storage. Made by Instant Pot, this food-grade silicone basket fits 5-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart Instant Pots and is essentially the silicone equivalent of a traditional bamboo steamer.
Because you always need to add liquid when using the pressure cooker function, the steamer basket is handy for lifting some foods that cook better without resting in liquid, such as meatloaf and desserts.
You can use a glass bowl, stainless steel pan, or something safe and durable for pressurized use (check beforehand!). Cooking green beans in a steam basket helps keep the corn out of the water, and you can just take it out once it’s cooked.
Can you steam without a rack?
You can use any heatproof item, such as an inverted large bowl that can act as a stand-in the boiling water—in a hurry, three aluminium foil balls will suffice. However, I prefer a spherical cooking rack.
Can I put a metal plate in Instant Pot?
Over the water, place a metal trivet or steamer rack in the inner pot. Place the food to be cooked in an oven-safe container—stainless steel dishes work best inside the instant pot. There is no need for liquid in this container.
What can I use instead of a steam rack instant pot?
A strainer is a substitute for an instant pot steamer basket. You just need to pour water into the pot and put the strainer or sieve inside. Ensure that the bottom of the sieve does not touch the water in the pot.