Marianne Martinez
Stackable pans can be used in an Instant Pot to cook multiple dishes at the same time. This is known as the Pot-in-Pot (PIP) method. The PIP method involves cooking food in a small heat-proof pot inside the Instant Pot's inner steel pot. This method is beneficial as it saves time and makes cooking and cleaning easier. It can also be used to bake desserts, reheat leftovers, and steam vegetables and seafood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the method | Pot-in-pot (PIP) |
| Main benefit | Cooking multiple dishes at once |
| Other benefits | No burn error; easy storage; reheating leftovers without a microwave or stovetop; steaming vegetables, seafood, and other delicate foods |
| Accessories | Oven-proof dish/bowl; trivet/steaming rack; stackable stainless steel multitiered containers; flat wire rack; silicone sling |
| Containers | Stainless steel, glass, ceramic, silicone, aluminum, bamboo, or copper |
| Water | Always add water to the cooking pot before lowering in the pan |
What You'll Learn
Stackable pans can be used to cook multiple dishes at the same time in an Instant Pot
To cook with the PIP method, you will need a few accessories. Firstly, a stainless steel, metal or silicone bowl or pan that fits inside the Instant Pot is ideal. Glass bowls can also be used but require extra caution and attention to the manufacturer's directions. Secondly, a rack or trivet that elevates the bowl or pan above the bottom of the Instant Pot is necessary. The Instant Pot comes with a short rack, but for double-decker cooking, a taller trivet of about 2.5 inches is recommended.
There are two ways to utilise the PIP method. The first method involves steaming and baking. This includes pouring at least one cup of water into the bottom of the Instant Pot, placing a rack or trivet, and then arranging the oven-safe bowl with food on top. The second method is for cooking two separate dishes simultaneously. In this case, the food with the longer cooking time goes directly into the bottom of the Instant Pot, followed by a tall trivet, and then the second dish in its oven-safe bowl. It is important to ensure that the foods have similar cooking times, as the food in the bowl may take longer. Additionally, the food in the bottom of the Instant Pot should be paired with a thin liquid to help the Instant Pot achieve pressure.
The PIP method is versatile and can be used for various dishes. It is perfect for cooking meals with thick sauces, such as creamy scalloped potatoes, or for preparing desserts like cheesecakes. It is also useful for cooking dishes with little to no liquid, such as casseroles, or for reheating leftovers without drying them out.
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They can be used to cook rice
Stackable pans can be used to cook rice in an Instant Pot. The "pot-in-pot" (PIP) method lets you cook rice without dirtying the inner cooking pot of the Instant Pot, which is useful if you plan to use the pressure cooker again. It also lets you cook two separate parts of a meal at the same time, such as rice and lemon chicken.
To cook rice using the PIP method, you will need to assemble your equipment: a trivet, an oven-safe pan or glass dish, and a sling or retriever tongs. Most pressure cookers come with a trivet, but if yours did not, you will need to purchase one. The cooking dish can be a Pyrex or other serving dish, or a cake pan; do what you're comfortable with. You can make a simple sling by folding a long strip of aluminium foil in thirds lengthwise, or use retriever tongs to remove the pot-in-pot pan from the hot inner cooking pot.
The most important thing to remember about pot-in-pot cooking is to add water to the cooking pot before lowering in the pan. Pressure cookers need steam to cook, and the water added to the bottom of the pressure cooking pot creates this steam. Add the water to the pressure cooking pot first so that you don't forget this step once the pot-in-pot is in place. The amount of water needed will vary depending on the cook time; however, for most things (including rice), add 1 cup of water to the 6-quart pressure cooking pot, then place the trivet on the bottom.
In your oven-safe dish, add the ingredients and stir. Centre the oven-safe dish on the sling, and use the sling to carefully lower the pan onto the trivet. Fold the sling so that it doesn't interfere with closing the lid. Lock the lid in place and cook as directed. When the time comes, remove the lid and unfold the sling. Use the sling to remove the oven-safe dish from the pressure cooker, being careful, as the cooking process can make the sling hot and slippery.
If you are cooking rice and another dish at the same time, such as chicken, you can put the chicken and its ingredients in the bottom, then put the trivet on top of that, and the rice in a pan on the trivet. The ideal size for insert pans in a standard 6-quart Instant Pot is a 7.5-inch diameter. This leaves just enough space around the outer edges of the pot to allow sufficient airflow for even cooking, while maximising the volume of food in this second vessel.
The cook time for the rice will depend on the type of rice you are using. White rice (Basmati or Jasmin) takes 3 minutes of high pressure plus natural pressure release. Brown rice (Basmati) takes 22 minutes of high pressure plus natural pressure release. Red rice takes 30 minutes of high pressure plus natural pressure release. Wild rice takes 30 minutes of high pressure plus natural pressure release.
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They can be used to cook chicken
Stackable pans can be used to cook chicken in an Instant Pot. The Instant Pot is a pressure cooker that can be used to cook a variety of foods, including chicken. Stackable pans are designed to fit inside the main pot of the Instant Pot as a secondary vessel for "pot in pot" ("PIP") cooking, allowing you to cook multiple things at once.
When cooking chicken in stackable pans, it is important to consider the cooking time. Chicken breasts take less time to cook than dark meat parts like thighs and legs. So, if you are cooking a recipe that calls for both types of meat, you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
One way to cook chicken in stackable pans is to use the sauté function on the Instant Pot to cook the chicken before adding the other ingredients. This can help ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly while also allowing you to take advantage of the stackable pans for cooking other ingredients simultaneously.
Another option is to use the stackable pans to cook the chicken and other ingredients together. This method can work well if the other ingredients have similar cooking times to the chicken. For example, you could cook chicken breasts with quick-cooking white rice or chicken thighs with longer-cooking brown rice.
It is also important to note that the size and type of stackable pans may affect the cooking time and results. Stainless steel pans conduct heat more quickly than thicker glass pans, so cooking times may need to be adjusted depending on the material of your stackable pans. Additionally, using a rack or trivet to elevate the stackable pans can help ensure even cooking and prevent the pans from sitting directly in any liquid at the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Overall, stackable pans can be a convenient way to cook chicken in an Instant Pot, allowing you to prepare multiple dishes at once and streamline your dinner preparations.
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Stackable pans can be used to reheat food in an Instant Pot
To reheat food in stackable pans using the PIP method, first add water to the bottom of the Instant Pot. Then, place the stackable pan on a rack or trivet inside the Instant Pot. The rack or trivet should be at least 2.5–3 inches tall to allow room for steam to circulate. Make sure the stackable pan does not touch the inner walls of the Instant Pot and that the lid can be closed easily. Finally, secure the lid of the Instant Pot and select the appropriate pressure and cook time based on the type of food being reheated.
It is important to note that the cook time may need to be adjusted when using the PIP method, as food cooked in an oven-safe bowl on top of the Instant Pot may take longer to cook than food prepared directly in the metal insert. Additionally, some types of containers may conduct heat differently, affecting the optimal cooking time. It is recommended to use a stainless steel bowl for pot-in-pot cooking, as glass bowls may require additional cooking time.
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They can be used to cook vegetables
Stackable pans can be used to cook vegetables in an Instant Pot. The Instant Pot is a pressure cooker that can be used to cook multiple dishes at the same time. Stackable pans are designed to fit inside the main pot of the pressure cooker as a secondary vessel for "pot-in-pot" (PIP) cooking. This allows you to cook two recipes together in the same pressure cooker, which is often referred to as a "Double Decker Dinner".
When using stackable pans in an Instant Pot, it is important to consider the size of the pans and the amount of airflow they allow. The ideal size for insert pans in a standard 6-quart Instant Pot is a 7.5-inch diameter, which allows for sufficient airflow while maximising the volume of food. Stackable pans are often sold in sets of two, with a wire sling for fastening the two pieces together. However, when cooking a Double Decker Dinner, it is more efficient to use the main pot of the pressure cooker for the bottom-layer recipe, as it is roomier and cooks faster.
There are a variety of stackable pan options available for purchase, including stainless steel insert pans, Pyrex glass bowls, and steamer baskets. Stainless steel insert pans are a popular choice due to their even cooking and simple recipe development. Pyrex glass bowls can also be used, but it is important to note that not all Pyrex glass is made of the same material, and some may be more vulnerable to shattering due to changes in temperature. Steamer baskets, made of stainless steel or silicone, are another option that allows for more airflow and faster cooking.
When cooking vegetables in stackable pans, it is important to consider the cooking time required for each type of vegetable. For example, potatoes and sweet potatoes may require a longer cooking time, while zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice may cook more quickly. By using stackable pans, you can cook multiple vegetables at the same time, streamlining your dinner preparations.
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Frequently asked questions
The pot-in-pot method, sometimes referred to as PIP, is a technique where you cook food in a small heat-proof pot inside the Instant Pot's inner steel pot.
The PIP method offers several benefits, including the ability to cook multiple dishes at once, bake desserts without an oven, cook recipes with little to no liquid, reheat leftovers, and prevent scorching or burning.
You will need an oven-proof dish or bowl that fits inside the Instant Pot, a trivet or steaming rack to lift the dish off the bottom of the inner pot, and optionally, stackable stainless steel containers, a flat wire rack, and a silicone sling.
There are two ways to use the PIP method. For steaming and baking, you fill the Instant Pot with water, place a rack/trivet, put your food in an oven-safe bowl on the trivet, and secure the lid. To cook two separate dishes at the same time, place the food with the longer cooking time at the bottom of the Instant Pot, add liquid, arrange a high trivet, and place the second dish on top.
Choose two foods with similar cooking times. If you are concerned about the outcome, precook the food with the longer cooking time, or wrap the second food item in aluminium foil to insulate it and slow down the cooking.
