Stacking Pans: Instapot Essential?

Stackable pans are a great way to cook multiple dishes at the same time in your Instant Pot. They are especially useful if you want to cook rice and a curry or stew at the same time, or steam vegetables, seafood, and other delicate foods. You can also use them to bake desserts without needing an oven or air fryer.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using stackable pans in your Instant Pot. First, make sure that the containers you use are Instant Pot-safe and made of materials such as stainless steel, glass, or silicone. Second, adjust the cooking time based on the type of container you are using, as different materials will conduct heat differently. Finally, remember to always add enough liquid to the base of your Instant Pot when using the pot-in-pot method to generate the necessary steam for pressure cooking.

Overall, stackable pans are a great addition to your Instant Pot accessories, allowing you to cook multiple dishes at once and save time and effort in the kitchen.

Stackable stainless steel insert pans for Instapot

Stackable stainless steel insert pans are a great accessory for your Instapot. They are designed to fit inside the main pot of the pressure cooker, allowing you to cook a variety of foods simultaneously. Here are some key features and benefits of these stackable pans:

Versatility and Convenience:

Stackable stainless steel insert pans are a versatile and convenient addition to your Instapot. They allow you to cook multiple foods at the same time, such as steaming vegetables, rice, meat, and fish. You can also use them for cooking Pot in Pot meals, reheating food without losing flavour or nutrients, and storing leftovers.

Perfect Steaming Compact Lid:

The stackable pans usually come with a compact lid that is designed for multi-functionality. The enclosed steamer lid has no holes, ensuring perfect steaming for your food. The air-tight lid is also ideal for cooking or reheating food.

Food-Grade Stainless Steel:

The stackable steamer insert sets are made of durable, high-quality food-grade stainless steel, ensuring your health and quality are not compromised. This makes them one of the best choices for use with your Instapot.

Compatibility with Different Cooker Sizes:

The stackable stainless steel insert pans are compatible with most Instapot models and fit a range of cooker sizes. For example, the LNM stainless steel cooker insert and pan fit 6-quart and 8-quart cookers, while other options are available for 3-quart and 8-quart cookers as well.

Satisfaction Guarantee:

Many brands offer a satisfaction guarantee or a money-back guarantee if you are not happy with the product. This makes it a risk-free purchase, allowing you to try out the stackable pans and see how they improve your Instapot cooking experience.

Customer Reviews:

Pyrex glass bowls as PIP containers for Instapot

Pyrex glass bowls are commonly used as PIP containers for the Instant Pot. However, it's important to note that not all Pyrex glass is made of the same material. Original Pyrex products were made from borosilicate glass, but since the 1980s, production has shifted to soda-lime glass, which is more resistant to physical breakage but more vulnerable to shattering due to changes in temperature.

Manufacturer guidance suggests that any container labelled as oven-safe, including newer soda lime Pyrex, is safe for pressure cooking. Some people have experimented with using Pyrex bowls in their Instant Pots and have not experienced any cracking. However, it is important to follow all safety precautions for Pyrex, such as avoiding sudden temperature changes, to prevent the rare case of shattering.

When using Pyrex glass bowls for PIP cooking, be aware that glass containers require different cooking times compared to stainless steel pans. Thick glass does not conduct heat as readily as thin steel, so food may take about 5 minutes longer to cook.

• Ensure that the Pyrex bowl is oven-safe and approved for pressure cooking.
• Add 3-4 minutes to the cooking time to account for the slower heat transfer of glass.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes when handling hot Pyrex to prevent shattering. For example, do not place hot Pyrex on a wet or cold surface or handle it with a wet towel or potholder.
• Allow hot Pyrex to cool on a cooling rack or dry surface before washing, refrigerating, or freezing.

Accessories for PIP cooking in Instapot

PIP, or Pot-in-Pot, is a cooking method where you use a pot inside your Instapot. This allows you to cook multiple dishes at the same time, as well as delicate foods that require a bain-marie or steamed cooking style.

Steam Rack or Trivet

The Instapot comes with a steam rack that can be used for PIP cooking. This is placed in the bottom of the pot, and the cooking container is placed on top. It is important to note that the container should not be placed directly into the inner pot, but rather on a rack to allow for steam to circulate. If your steam rack does not have handles, you can create a sling out of aluminium foil to easily lift the container out of the pot.

Oven-Safe Container

An oven-safe container is necessary for PIP cooking. This can be made of stainless steel, oven-safe glass, silicone, or ceramic/porcelain. It is important to ensure that the container does not touch the walls of the inner pot and that there is enough space for the Instapot lid to close easily. A springform cake pan or push pan is also a great option for PIP cooking.

Stackable Containers

Stackable containers are ideal for PIP cooking as they allow you to cook multiple dishes at the same time. You can use multi-tiered stackable containers or put food in individual bowls separated by flat wire racks. This is a great option for cooking a complete meal, such as a main dish and a side, all at once.

Silicone Oven Mitt

Even with a sling, you may still need an oven mitt to handle the hot containers. A silicone oven mitt is a good option as it protects against heat and steam and can be easily rinsed off if it gets dirty.

Aluminium Foil

Aluminium foil can be used to create a sling to lift the container out of the Instapot if your steam rack does not have handles. It can also be used as a cover for the container to prevent condensation from dripping in.

Pros and cons of using Pyrex in Instapot

Pyrex is a popular choice for Instapot users, but there are pros and cons to using it.

Pros

Pyrex is a versatile material that can be used for cooking, storing, and serving food. It is also oven-safe, so it can be used for multiple cooking methods. The pot-in-pot method is a popular choice for Instapot users, as it allows for cooking multiple dishes at once and containing messes. Pyrex is a good option for this method as it comes in a variety of sizes and shapes that fit well inside the Instapot. It is also easy to find and affordable.

Cons

Pyrex is not specifically designed for pressure cooking, and the manufacturers of Pyrex do not recommend using their products in the Instapot. There is a risk of the glass shattering due to thermal shock, especially with the newer Pyrex products made with soda-lime glass. This can create a mess and ruin your meal.

Overall, while Pyrex is a convenient and affordable option for Instapot users, there is a risk of shattering due to thermal shock. It is important to use caution when using Pyrex in the Instapot and to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

How to use stacking pans to cook two recipes together in Instapot

Stackable pans are a great way to cook two recipes together in your Instapot. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Choose the Right Stackable Pans

Select stackable pans that are compatible with your Instapot model and size. Make sure they are made of high-quality, food-grade stainless steel to ensure your health and safety. The ideal size for insert pans in a standard 6-quart Instapot is a 7.5-inch diameter, which allows sufficient airflow for even cooking while maximising the volume of food.

Step 2: Prepare Your Recipes

Find a combination of recipes that have similar cooking times and that can be cooked together in the Instapot. For example, you could cook a pot of stew, chilli, or meat in the main pot and add a basket of potatoes, rice, or vegetables in the stackable pan.

Step 3: Assemble the Stackable Pans

Follow the instructions provided with your stackable pans. Typically, you will need to remove the stainless steel pans from their handle, place food in each pan, cover them with the chosen lid, and then place the pans back into the handle for easy insertion and removal.

Step 4: Cook Your Recipes

Place the stackable pans inside the Instapot, ensuring that you have added enough water to the bottom of the cooker as per the manufacturer's instructions. Set the Instapot to the appropriate pressure-cooking time and temperature for your recipes.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the cooking is complete, carefully remove the stackable pans from the Instapot using the handle or a heat-resistant glove. Serve your delicious, efficiently cooked meals and enjoy the convenience of cooking two recipes together in your Instapot!

Frequently asked questions