Steam Or Liquid: What's Cooking In Your Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for a variety of cooking functions, including steaming. Steaming in an Instant Pot is a convenient and healthy way to prepare food, especially vegetables, as it retains nutrients and flavour. The Instant Pot can also be used to steam chicken, fish, eggs, and even dumplings.

To use the Instant Pot as a steamer, users must add water to the inner pot, place a steamer basket or trivet inside, add their food of choice, secure the lid, and adjust the settings to the steaming function. The Instant Pot will then steam the food under pressure, cooking it quickly and efficiently.

While the Instant Pot is a popular option for steaming, some users have noted that the steam function can be confusing to use, and it may take some trial and error to find the right settings for specific foods. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the vent is sealed properly to prevent steam from escaping and affecting the cooking process.

Instant Pot steaming: a quick and easy way to cook

Instant Pot steaming is a quick and easy way to cook food while retaining its nutrients. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam in an Instant Pot.

Step 1: Prepare the Instant Pot

Firstly, add 1 to 2 cups (240 to 470 ml) of water to the Instant Pot. Use less water for a smaller quantity of food, and more water if you are steaming a whole basket of vegetables or seafood. Place a trivet at the bottom of the pot to hold the food up over the water. If you are using a steamer basket, place it on top of the trivet.

Step 2: Prepare the food

Layer the food in the basket according to cooking time, with foods that take longer to cook at the bottom, and quicker-cooking foods at the top. Avoid overfilling your steam basket; leave a little space at the top to ensure the lid fits securely.

Step 3: Steam the food

Secure the lid on the Instant Pot by turning it clockwise until it locks. Double-check that the arrows on the lid and the pot line up. Close the vent by shifting it to either the left or right to trap the pressure and steam inside the pot.

Step 4: Set the cooking time

Push the "Steam" button and adjust the cooking time using the plus or minus keys. Generally, most vegetables steam in 1 to 5 minutes, but root vegetables take longer. Seafood also cooks quickly, usually in 1 to 5 minutes. Listen for the beep that signals that your food is done cooking, and manually release the pressure as soon as you hear it.

Step 5: Release the pressure and serve

Release the pressure by switching the vent to the venting position. Cover your hand with an oven mitt or towel to protect your skin from the steam, then push the steam release handle to open the vent. Open the lid and remove your steam basket. Your food is now ready to serve!

Tips and Tricks

• You can steam a wide variety of foods in the Instant Pot, including vegetables, fruits, chicken, fish, potatoes, eggs, and dumplings.
• If your Instant Pot does not have a steam button, you can use the sauté function instead. Simply pour water into the pot, place a trivet and steamer basket inside, and close the pot with a clear glass lid that fits snugly. Press the sauté function and set the timer to your desired cooking time.
• If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a colander, a tall trivet, or an egg rack to steam your food.

What can be steamed in an Instant Pot?

Instant Pots are a great addition to your kitchen and can be used to cook a wide variety of foods. They are particularly well-suited for steaming. Here is a list of foods that can be steamed in an Instant Pot:

Vegetables

Whether you are cooking fresh or frozen vegetables, steaming is the best way to cook them. This method retains the flavour and nutrients much better than boiling them in water. You can steam vegetables such as:

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Green beans
• Asparagus
• Brussels sprouts
• Butternut squash
• Corn
• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Carrots
• Pumpkin
• Artichokes
• Beets

Chicken

Steaming chicken breasts in the Instant Pot is quick and convenient. It is perfect for making shredded chicken for sandwiches or recipes that require pre-cooked chicken.

Fish

Fish can be tricky to cook in an Instant Pot. If cooked in water, it is easy to overcook, so gently steaming is a better approach.

Potatoes

Potatoes can be hard to cook in the Instant Pot as they tend to fall apart if overcooked. Steaming is a better approach as it is a more gentle cooking method.

Eggs

Steaming eggs in the Instant Pot is a great way to cook them. Hard-boiled eggs take just 5 minutes.

Fruits

You can steam whole fruits like pears and apples directly on the trivet, or chopped fruit in a heatproof bowl on the trivet or in a steamer basket.

Idlis and dumplings

You can also steam Idlis and dumplings in an Instant Pot.

How does the Instant Pot steam preset work?

The Instant Pot steam preset is a quick and easy way to cook food while retaining its nutrients. The steam preset is set to 10 minutes on low pressure by default. This setting is ideal for steaming anything that is suitable for steaming. The Instant Pot takes less time to come to pressure in this function, so there is no overcooking of food, making this a blessing for quick steaming.

The steam preset can be adjusted to a maximum of 15 minutes and a minimum of 3 minutes. The vent should be in the sealing position when using this preset mode.

To use the steam preset, first, add a cup of water to the inner pot and place the trivet on top. You can place vegetables or a piece of fish or thinly sliced chicken on top of the trivet or use an additional steam basket or a round pan with holes that fits inside the pot. A steamer basket might be useful for smaller-sized vegetables or cut-up vegetables to prevent them from falling into the water.

Secure the lid and press the steam button. The default setting is pre-programmed to set the pot to cook at low pressure for 10 minutes. If you press the steam button again, you can adjust the mode from normal to less or more.

Less mode - 3 minutes at low pressure - use for steaming vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, peas, snow peas, bok choy, asparagus and so on. Also great for steaming fruit like apples, pears, peaches, apricots and plums. This mode is also a good setting for cooking fresh shrimp. Do not use root vegetables like beets, sweet potatoes or white potatoes as they take longer to cook.

Normal mode - 10 minutes at low pressure - use for steaming fresh fish like salmon or white fish fillets, fresh clams and mussels, and for cooking frozen shrimp; dumplings can also be steamed using this setting mode - use 10 minutes for frozen and reduce the time to 7 minutes for freshly made or defrosted dumplings/potstickers.

More mode - 15 minutes at low pressure - use for steamed sliced or cubed butternut squash, new baby potatoes, cubed beets. You can also use it to steam sliced chicken breast. For the whole chicken breast, you will need to manually increase the time to 20 minutes. You can also steam condensed milk into caramel but you will need to increase the time to 40 minutes.

If desired, use the -/+ buttons to further customise the time. The cooking time may be adjusted at any time during pressure cooking.

Instant Pot steam venting or sealing: what's the difference?

The Instant Pot is a great addition to your kitchen. It can be used to cook a wide variety of foods, from vegetables and fruits to chicken, fish, and eggs. It is particularly well-suited for steaming, which is a quick and easy way to cook food while retaining its nutrients. Here's a guide to help you understand the difference between steam venting and sealing in your Instant Pot.

Understanding the Instant Pot's Pressure Release Methods

The Instant Pot has two main pressure release methods: natural release and quick release. The natural release method allows the pressure to dissipate gradually on its own, while the quick release method involves manually turning the venting knob to rapidly release the steam and pressure. The type of food you're cooking and the desired outcome will determine which pressure cooking method to use.

Properly Sealing and Venting Your Instant Pot

To properly seal your Instant Pot, ensure that the sealing ring is in place and the venting knob is turned to the "Sealing" position. This allows pressure to build up inside the pot during the cooking cycle. After cooking, you can either let the pressure release naturally or carefully turn the knob to "Venting" for a quick pressure release. Remember to keep your hands and face away from the steam vent to avoid burns.

The Role of the Float Valve

The float valve is an important safety feature of the Instant Pot. It pops up when the pot is pressurized and locked, indicating that the lid is securely fastened. As the pressure drops, the float valve slowly sinks, signalling that it is safe to open the lid and revealing your perfectly cooked meal.

Tips for Safely Releasing Pressure

Before using your Instant Pot for the first time, it is recommended to perform a water test to familiarise yourself with the pressure release methods. Add 3 cups of water, seal the lid, and set it to "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" for 5 minutes. Then, practice using both the natural and quick release methods to understand how the steam is released and how long each method takes.

Additionally, always check that the sealing ring is properly seated in the lid and free from debris before each use. The anti-block shield should also be clean and in place to prevent food particles from clogging the steam release valve.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Ensure that the venting knob is in the correct position. Before cooking, make sure it is set to \"Sealing\" to allow pressure to build up. After cooking, turn it to \"Venting\" for a quick release or leave it in "Sealing" for a natural release.
• Check for obstructions in the steam release valve. Food debris can clog the valve, preventing proper venting. Clean the valve regularly and ensure it moves freely.
• Properly place the sealing ring and lid. A misplaced or damaged sealing ring can cause leaks and affect the sealing of the Instant Pot. Always ensure the sealing ring is properly seated in the lid groove and free from cracks or deformities. When closing the lid, align the arrow on the lid with the "Open" mark on the cooker base and twist it clockwise until it locks into place.

How to steam in an Instant Pot without a steam button

Instant Pots are a great addition to any kitchen and can be used to cook a wide variety of foods. They are particularly well-suited for steaming. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam in an Instant Pot without a steam button:

Step 1: Add Water to the Inner Pot

Firstly, add 1 to 2 cups of water to the Instant Pot. Measure out your water and pour it into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Use less water for a smaller quantity of food, but go ahead and add the full 2 cups if you’re steaming a whole basket of veggies or seafood.

Step 2: Place a Trivet and/or Steam Basket in the Pot

Place a trivet and/or steam basket in the pot. The trivet is the short rack that comes with your Instant Pot. Place it at the bottom of your pot to help hold the food up and over the water. If the water comes up over the trivet, scoop a bit out to lower the water level.

Step 3: Layer the Food in the Basket

Layer the food in the basket according to cooking time. Check the cooking times in your recipe or Instant Pot cooking guide before loading multiple foods into your steam basket. Place the foods that take longer to cook at the bottom, closer to the water. Top the basket with your quickest-cooking food. Root vegetables take longer to steam than green veggies, and seafood also steams pretty quickly.

Step 4: Secure the Lid on the Instant Pot

Place the lid over the top of the Instant Pot and turn the lid clockwise until the lock clicks. Double-check that the lid is secure by making sure the arrows on the lid and the pot line up. If the lid isn't sealed, the steam can escape, and your food won't cook correctly.

Step 5: Seal the Vent

Look on the top of the lid to find the vent switch. Shift it in either direction to close off the vent. This traps the pressure and steam inside the Instant Pot. If you don't put the vent in the sealing position, the steam will escape, and your food won't cook right.

Step 6: Set the Cooking Time

Set the cooking time using the plus or minus keys. Times vary for each type of food, so double-check the recommended time the first time you steam a food. Use the time listed in your recipe, or use Instant Pot's handy guide. Generally, most veggies steam in as little as 1 to 5 minutes, but root veggies usually take longer. Frozen veggies will need a longer steaming time than fresh veggies. Similarly, most seafood cooks in 1 to 5 minutes.

Step 7: Listen for the Beep

Stay near your pot so you are there when the timer goes off. It’s super important that you manually release the pressure as soon as you hear the beep. Otherwise, your food may overcook and get mushy. Place your oven mitt or kitchen towel nearby so you have them handy.

Step 8: Release the Pressure

Cover your hand with an oven mitt or towel to protect your skin from the steam. Then, push the steam release handle to either the left or the right to open the vent. This releases the pressure inside the Instant Pot so your food stops cooking. Be super careful as you do this—the steam will rush out and could burn your skin.

Step 9: Open the Lid and Remove Your Steam Basket

Twist the lid to unlock it, then carefully lift it off the Instant Pot. Next, grip the handle of the steam basket and lift the basket out. Set the basket on a plate or kitchen towel. Dinner is served!

Frequently asked questions