I am often asked about perfect steamer baskets (sometimes called steamer inserts) for the Instant Pot available here in the UK so I thought I'd compile them in one place, the Feisty Tapas blog (of course).
The inner pot of the 5.7 litre / 6 litre / 6 quart Instant Pot has a diameter of 20 cm so you need something that will fit in there (some of them actually indicate that they are suitable for 20 cm pressure cookers, like the Kuhn Rikon).
The inner pot of the Instant Pot 8 litre has a larger diameter and you can choose pretty much any steamer basket for that one.
For the 3 litre / Mini Instant Pot, you'll need something smaller. The umbrella / collapsible type of steamer is perfect for this.
Of course, your Instant Pot also comes with a trivet which you can use to steam ingredients but a steamer basket will make life much easier.
Below are the steaming baskets and inserts that I have and use all the time, as well as the ones that have good reviews from the people who use them regularly.
If you are happy with your steamer basket and it's not included in this list, please let me know and I'll add it to the post and probably to my basket collection!
Have you taken the Instant Pot electric pressure cooker leap?
You havent? You must know by now that there is nothing to be scared of, that it has ten safety mechanisms, that it's virtually silent and that you can set it and go, right?
Even better, it pressure cooks and slow cooks (and at the end keeps your food warm).
I blog Instant Pot recipes with familiar UK measurements and ingredients right here.
Ready for my list of perfect steamer baskets for your Instant Pot all available in the UK?
Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Trio Separator
I personally have (and love) the Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Trio separator, the separator pops out for those times when you don't need it.
To use it, all you need to do is pour a cup of water (250 ml) in your inner pot.
Place your veg in it.
Press the Steam button and set the time. For example, for a selection of unpeeled new potatoes and chantenay carrots, I press Steam and set it to 5 minutes. steam release is pointing to Sealing. Then do a quick release at the end.
One great thing about this one is that the Instant Pot trivet fits very neatly on top for layered cooking.
Fits in the 5.7/6 and 8 litre Instant Pots. Doesn't fit in the 3 litre / Mini.
Silit Insert Basket 19 cm
A lot of Instant Pot users have this Silit basket to use with their Instant Pot (it has a slightlhy larger capacity).
Many people use this Silit basket for their bone broths as they can easily strain them at the end just by lifting the basket.
This one changes price all the time, the lowest I've seen it for is probably around £16.
Fits in the 5.7/6 and 8 litre Instant Pots. Doesn't fit in the 3 litre / Mini.
RSVP Wide Rim VEGETABLE STEAMER Mesh Basket Stainless Steel Strainer
Then there is the RSVP (official name RSVP Wide Rim VEGETABLE STEAMER Mesh Basket Stainless Steel Strainer). It has a good price BUT you have to use pliers to gently bend the handles up and down to snap them off, otherwise the basket doesn't fit. It's very important to bear this in mind. Some people have successfully bent the handles inwards to make it fit. I'm not too familiar with this one but people who have it seem happy with it.
**Edited to add: I now have this one, I managed to snap the handles myself after a bit of trying, despite the fibromyalgia so it can be done, I use it a lot**
Fits in the 5.7/6 and 8 litre Instant Pots. Doesn't fit in the 3 litre / Mini.
Wilko Saucepan 3 Division Separator
For a tenner, this Wilko separator is gaining lots of followers among the Instant Pot crowd.
If you don't find it at your store, you can order it in, or order online. Find it here.
Fits in the 3 litre/Mini, 5.7/6 and 8 litre Instant Pots.
Instant Pot Silicone Steamer Basket or Steamer Set
The Instant Pot Silicone Steamer Basket and the Steamer Set.
They fit neatly on the new long-handled Instant Pot trivet (which has higher feet than the trivet supplied with your Instant Pot).
Fits in the 5.7/6 and 8 litre Instant Pots. Doesn't fit in the 3 litre / Mini.
Joseph Joseph Lotus Steamer Plus
If you prefer a collapsible style one, this Joseph Joseph Lotus Steamer Plus does the trick as will an stainless steel collapsible / umbrella steamer basket.
You just have to bear in mind that your Instant Pot's inner pot has a diameter of 20 cm if it's a 6 litre and 22 cm if it's a DUO 8 litre so it has to be able to fit in there.
*Edited to say* I picked up the Joseph Joseph for £7.99 at TKMaxx recently and I'm really liking it. It has a good grip to get things in and out.
The Joseph Joseph Lotus Steamer Plus fits in the Instant Pot Duo Mini, 5.7 / 6 litre and 8 litre.
OXO Good Grips Pop Up Steamer
Another collapsible stainless steel steamer basket is this OXO Good Grips Pop Up Steamer, preferred by many Instant Pot users because of the large, tall, sturdy handle.
Fits in the 5.7/6 and 8 litre Instant Pots. My guess is it fits the Mini too but haven't confirmed it as I don't have it.
Kuhn Rikon 2-in-1 Stackable Steamer Basket (two-tier)
Fits in the 5.7/6 and 8 litre Instant Pots. My guess is it fits the Mini too but haven't confirmed it as I don't have it.
Finally, Steamer baskets and inserts you may have lying around the house already!
I am reliably told that, should you have any steamer inserts from an old stove-top pressure cooker you may have had before your Instant Pot, they work well in the Instant Pot too. People have been singing the praises of Prestige in particular.
Remember, if you have a good steamer basket that is not mentioned here, please let me know and I'll add it.
You might also be interested in my What is Pot-in-Pot (PIP) Cooking post.
37
Leave a Reply