Steam Reheating: Pressure Cooker Food Revival

Reheating food in a pressure cooker is a great alternative to using a microwave, and it's faster than using a stovetop. It's also a good option if you don't have a microwave, or if you're concerned about the health and safety implications of using one.

The Instant Pot is a popular pressure cooker with several functions, including 'steam', 'slow cook', 'saute' and 'keep warm'. To reheat food in an Instant Pot or similar pressure cooker, you'll need to add some water to the inner pot to create steam. The amount of water will depend on the food and the cooker, but it's usually between 1/2 a cup and 1 cup. You can then use the 'steam' function, or the manual function with the temperature set to high pressure. This should take around 5 minutes for most foods, but you may need to adjust the time depending on what you're reheating.

You can also use the 'pot-in-pot' or 'PIP' method, which involves placing the food in a heat-proof container on a trivet inside the pressure cooker, rather than directly in the water. This is a good option for foods that are already in heat-proof containers, or for frozen food. Simply add a cup of water to the inner pot, place the container on a trivet, and use the 'steam' or 'manual' function as above.

Other functions on the Instant Pot that can be used for reheating food include 'saute', 'slow cook' and 'keep warm'. The 'saute' function is similar to using a stovetop and is good for heating up meat, while 'slow cook' takes longer but can be useful if you want to reheat something while you cook something else. The 'keep warm' function is useful if you want to keep food warm after it's been reheated, or if you've just cooked something and aren't ready to serve it yet.

How to reheat frozen food in a pressure cooker

Reheating frozen food in a pressure cooker is a great alternative to using a microwave, and it can save you time compared to using a stove. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare your pressure cooker

Coat the base of the inner pot with a small amount of cold water (around 40ml). Then, place a trivet inside.

Step 2: Prepare your frozen food

Remove the frozen food from its bag or container. If you're reheating rice or pasta, place the food inside a separate container such as a stainless steel bowl or an enamel pie dish. Avoid using Pyrex or ceramic, as these materials can increase the required heating time.

Step 3: Add the food to the pressure cooker

Place the frozen food directly into the pressure cooker. If you're using a separate container for rice or pasta, place the container on the trivet inside the pressure cooker.

Step 4: Close the pressure cooker and set the timer

Close the lid of the pressure cooker and set the steam release handle to "Sealing". Press "Manual" and programme the cooker for 15 minutes. Newer Instant Pots may only require 5 minutes with 5 minutes of natural pressure release. You can experiment with different timings to find what works best for your cooker.

Step 5: Release the pressure and serve

You can do a quick release at the end of the programmed time, or you can let the pressure release naturally if you're busy or relaxing. Give the food a good stir, as it might still be in a lump when you open the lid.

Tips:

• This method works well for dishes like bolognese, chilli, and stews, but it's not ideal for fish, as it can become rubbery.
• If you're reheating rice or pasta using the pot-in-pot (PiP) method, cover your container with foil to prevent condensation from dripping into the food.
• You can also use the "Keep Warm" function on your pressure cooker to slowly reheat food or keep it warm until you're ready to eat.

The 'pot-in-pot' method for reheating

The pot-in-pot method is a great way to reheat food in your pressure cooker. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare your pressure cooker

Firstly, add water to the bottom of your pressure cooker. The amount of water will depend on the size of your cooker and the food you're reheating. As a general rule, add at least 1 cup of water for a 6-quart pressure cooker.

Step 2: Prepare your food

Place the food you want to reheat into a heat-proof container. This could be a stainless steel bowl, an enamel pie dish, or even a foil container. If using Pyrex or ceramic, be aware that these materials conduct heat less efficiently, so you may need to increase the reheating time.

Step 3: Set up the pot-in-pot

Place a trivet at the bottom of your pressure cooker. Then, put your container of food on top of the trivet. If your trivet doesn't have handles, you can use a foil sling or retriever tongs to lower and lift the container.

Step 4: Reheat your food

Lock the lid of your pressure cooker in place. Use the Steam function and select an appropriate time, depending on the type of food. For most foods, 5 minutes is a good starting point. For delicate foods like vegetables, 2-3 minutes may be enough. For denser foods or multiple containers, you may need 8-10 minutes or more.

After the set time has passed, allow a natural pressure release. Then, open the vent and lid to check the temperature of your food. If it needs more time, you can steam for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Tips:

• Covering your container with foil can help prevent condensation from dripping into your food.
• If reheating multiple containers, you can stack them, depending on their size.
• If your pressure cooker has a "Keep Warm" function, you can use this to slowly reheat your food.

Using the steam function

Step 1: Prepare the Pressure Cooker

Firstly, ensure that your pressure cooker has enough water to generate steam. The amount of water required will depend on the specific food you're reheating and the model of your pressure cooker. As a general guideline, about half a cup of water is sufficient for quick steaming, while a full cup is ideal for longer steam times. Always refer to the instructions manual of your pressure cooker for specific water measurements.

Step 2: Prepare the Food

Now, it's time to prepare the food for reheating. The placement of the food inside the pressure cooker will depend on the type of food and your personal preferences. If your food can handle direct contact with water, you can place it directly into the pressure cooker. This method is suitable for soups or liquid food options, and remember to add a small amount of water to prevent drying.

However, if your food is better suited for steaming, there are a few accessories you can use. For foods like spaghetti, use a basket accessory, which allows you to place the food above the water. For steamed vegetables or similar foods, a steaming accessory is ideal. Separator accessories are handy if you want to heat multiple items simultaneously.

Step 3: Start the Reheating Process

Once your food is in place, it's time to lock in the flavours and nutrients! Place the lid securely on top of the pressure cooker and turn it on. Follow the instructions provided with your specific pressure cooker model for the best results.

Step 4: Adjust Timing and Release Steam

The timing for reheating will depend on the type of food and your desired level of doneness. For most foods, the steam function is set for high pressure for around 10 minutes. However, you may need to adjust this timing based on the specific dish. For example, noodles and vegetables may only need 2-3 minutes, while larger casseroles or frozen dishes could take 10 minutes or more.

After the set time has elapsed, it's essential to release the steam and pressure that has built up. For most cases, a quick release is recommended to prevent overcooking.

Step 5: Check and Serve

Finally, open the lid and check that your food is thoroughly reheated. Give it a good stir to ensure even heating, and then serve!

Using the sauté function

The "Saute" function on your pressure cooker is a great way to cook or reheat food without needing to use a separate pan or pot. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use it:

Step 1: Press the "Saute" Button

Locate the "Saute" button on your pressure cooker and press it. The pot will display a default saute time of 30 minutes and then show "On". Don't worry about changing the time; you can press "Cancel" at any time to turn off the saute function.

Step 2: Add Cooking Oil

Wait for the pot to heat up. Some models will show "Hot" on the display when it's ready. At this point, add cooking oil as needed or directed in your recipe.

Step 3: Add Food and Saute

Add your food to the pot and saute or brown it as instructed in your recipe. If you're browning meat, it's best to leave it undisturbed for a few minutes to form a browned crust before trying to move it, as this will help prevent sticking.

Step 4: Press "Cancel" to Turn Off Saute Mode

Once your food is sauteed to your liking, press the "Cancel" button to turn off the saute function.

Step 5: Deglaze the Pot (Optional)

If you plan to use the pressure cooking function after sauteing, it's a good idea to deglaze the pot to reduce the chances of getting a "burn" message. To do this, pour in some of your cooking liquid and scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pot.

Using the saute function is a convenient way to prepare food without dirtying multiple pots and pans. It's perfect for browning meat, sauteing vegetables, and even finishing off dishes that need a little more cooking time. Give it a try the next time you use your pressure cooker!

Using the slow cook function

Lid

While you can use the regular pressure cooker lid, it is not ideal as it is designed to seal tightly and keep moisture in. Instead, use a tempered glass lid with a stainless-steel rim, or a lid from a pan that fits your pressure cooker. If you do use the standard lid, remember to open the valve to "venting" to allow some steam to escape.

Liquid

Ensure there is at least one cup of thin liquid (water, broth, juice, etc.) in the inner pot. This is crucial for the pressure cooker to reach and maintain a consistent temperature. If using a thick sauce, such as BBQ or tomato sauce, the cooker may struggle to reach and maintain temperature.

Temperature and Time

The temperature settings on the slow cook function do not directly correspond to those of a traditional slow cooker. On an Instant Pot, the "Less" setting is equivalent to the "Keep Warm" setting on a slow cooker, "Normal" is equivalent to "Low", and "High" is slightly lower than "High" on a slow cooker. If you want to replicate "High" on a slow cooker, add 15 minutes of cooking time per hour.

Getting Started

Place your food in the pressure cooker, put on the lid, and press the "Slow Cook" button. Then, adjust the temperature and time as needed. The cooking will start automatically 10 seconds after the last button is pressed. Once the cooking time elapses, the Instant Pot will beep and transition to "Keep Warm" for up to 10 hours.

Frequently asked questions