What is the pot in pot method for Instant Pot?

The PIP method allows you to cook food in a smaller pot inside the Instant Pot's inner pot (liner) . It's a very useful and helpful technique for a variety of practical applications. It saves time, makes it more convenient to cook or clean, and offers more possibilities on what you can cook.

What is pip method for Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot pot-in-pot (PIP) cooking method is cooking food in a separate dish that's placed on a trivet inside your Instant Pot liner . Steam is created from water below the trivet and builds pressure to cook the food.

What bowls are safe to use in Instant Pot?

Instant pot-safe bowls can be made of stainless steel, glass, ceramic, silicone, aluminum, bamboo, or copper .

What is the 5 5 5 method for Instant Pot?

The 5-5-5 method involves the following: 5-minute cook time . 5-minute natural pressure release . 5-minute ice bath .

Can you cook 2 things at once in the Instant Pot?

Double Decker Dinner is a personal favorite Instant Pot recipe theme, all about finding the right combination of foods that pair together as a balanced meal and that can be stacked and cooked at the same time in the same pressure cooker . It's one-pot wonderful!

How do you answer PIP question about preparing food?

Explain if the difficulties you have preparing or cooking a meal cause you any physical or mental symptoms (like pain, discomfort, tiredness or lack of motivation). It's helpful to explain the symptoms and give an example, including: how often you have them.

Can I use glass bowl in pressure cooker?

Oven-tempered glass and metal bowls or pans can be used in a pressure cooker . Beautiful desserts and side dishes can be prepared in a pressure cooker by using individual molds, glass custard cups, metal bowls, pans, soufflé dishes, and springform pans, all of which must be oven safe.

Can I use plastic bowl in pressure cooker?

Pressure cookers generate high temperatures and pressure, which can cause plastic to melt or release harmful chemicals . It is important to only use materials that are approved for pressure cooking, such as stainless steel, aluminum, or heat-resistant glass.

What are the different cooking modes on Instant Pot?

The cooking mode can be set to normal (which is equivalent to low on most slow cookers), more (which is equivalent to high), or less (which is a the same as a keep warm mode) . You can also get a glass lid for your Instant Pot to use while slow cooking.

Is the pot in the Instant Pot stainless steel?

Like all Instant Pots, it comes with a stainless steel inner pot , which is more durable than the nonstick inserts in cookers we've tested from many other brands.

Can I use my Instant Pot as a regular pot?

The Instant Pot's three non-pressurized settings, “Sauté,” “Slow Cook,” and “Keep Warm,” also let you use the appliance like a saucepan . This is a handy thing to remember around the holidays when you need an extra burner or want to keep foods warm.

What happens if you don't put water in the Instant Pot?

Without sufficient liquid, pressure won't build — and you'll likely get the dreaded “burn” error . Unless otherwise specified in the recipe, you'll need just enough liquid (usually water or broth) to bring the cooker to pressure. The Instant Pot manual suggests 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 cups, depending on the size of the cooker.

Recipe This | The Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method (PIP) (2024)

The Ultimate Guide To The Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method, otherwise known as PIP Instant Pot Cooking.

Table of Contents

Instant Pot PotIn Pot Cooking Method

When you hear the term InstantPot Pot In Pot Cooking Method for the first time, you’re probably wonderingwhat on earth I am talking about!

That’s because I was clueless when I first heard of the InstantPot Pot in Pot Cooking Method too.

I was already doing Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking, but I didn’tknow it had a fancy name to it, it was just a way that I cooked in my InstantPot Pressure Cooker.

But every day I get asked by my readers what Pot In Pot InstantPot Cooking Is, so I am here to day to explain Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking,so that you’re no longer confused.

What Is The InstantPot Pot In Pot Cooking Method?

Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking means cooking food in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker inside of a container.

The Instant Pot is called a pot and then you’re adding another pot, hence the name “Pot In Pot Cooking”. It is also known for short as PIP.

Even though you would think it just refers to a POT it canbe any type of container that fits inside of the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

You might cook with:

And the Instant Pot PIP list goes on and on.

Quite often I don’t even think of it as pot in pot cookingand more as, lets get dinner cooked in the Instant Pot. It is simply put, afancy name for simple Instant Pot recipes that use accessories.

How To Cook WithThe Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method

The logistics behind Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking IsSimple. So simple that you will remember this info in your head for next timeyou decide to try pot in pot cooking yourself.

Pour 250ml/1 cup of water into the bottom of the Instant Pot Inner Pot
Place your steamer shelf/trivet over the water section
Add your PIP container on top
Pressure cook

As long as you remember that you need a cup of water at thebottom to bring it to pressure, that the food container needs to be above the waterand that it takes longer to cook, then those are the basics covered.

Why Cook PIP In The Instant Pot?

I love Pot In Pot Cooking in the Instant Pot. There are so many times when I do pot in pot cooking and I probably cook more with pot in pot, than I do directly in the inner pot.

Here are some examples of doing pot in pot cooking:

Freezer Meals– It is perfect for portioned freezer meals. You can add water to the bottom and place your favourite freezer meal on top of the trivet. I often reheat pasta dishes this way and love it for an alternative to the microwave.

Here you can see it reheating a frozen pasta casserole:

Recipe This | The Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method (PIP) (2)

2 Become 1– You can also add one meal to the bottom of your Instant Pot and then another up top. Perfect for if you want to cook meat and potatoes at the same time in the Instant Pot.

Or my favourite 2 in 1 meal is Instant Pot shepherd’s pie. The way the shepherd’s pie works is that you have your ground minced lamb in the bottom with the carrots and other ingredients and then your potatoes are steaming on top.

You use a tall trivet and place it into the mince lamb like this:

Recipe This | The Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method (PIP) (3)

Then add your steamer basket on top with your potatoes like this:

Recipe This | The Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method (PIP) (4)

Then when you have finished cooking your potatoes are removed, you mash them, and you have yummy shepherd’s pie.

Under Pressure– The Instant Pot is a heavy bit of kit when it works under pressure. But some meals don’t want a lot of pressure and by protecting them from the inner pot, you can cook delicate meals in the Instant Pot.

Just You– If there is just you to feed, using the PIP method is perfect for meals for one or just a small portion of rice to go with your chicken dinner. Or when you have meal prepped and you need to reheat your meals.

Quick Defrost– When I am cooking a dish with a sauce, the sauce will often be from the freezer.

I will place the container over the trivet and cook for zero minutes. This will be long enough for the food to defrost enough to be able to use and I can stir the sauce into my meal.

Unique– There are a lot of recipes that we would say didn’t apply to the Instant Pot. Recipes that need moulds or specific accessories to make. Crème Brulee, poached eggs, egg bites andsponge pudding. These all suit pot in pot cooking.

Why NOT CookWith The Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method?

There are of course lots of positives to cooking with theInstant Pot pot in pot method, but what about the negatives?

Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method Recipes

Recipe This | The Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method (PIP) (5)

There are so many recipes that you can cook, using the Instant Pot Pot In Pot method that it’s hard to know where to start.

I have outlined a selection of Pot In Pot Instant Pot Recipes to get you started:

Instant Pot Egg Bites– Using the pot in pot method the egg bite moulds are rested on the trivet as you can see below:

Recipe This | The Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method (PIP) (6)

What is wonderful about this is that they can also cool down on the trivet after cooking too. You can also mix and match favourite flavours and add in extra cheese.

You can also use the egg bites method for instant pot chocolate cake bites. Or any favourite batter that you would like to cook in the instant pot.

– My all time favourite way of doing pot in pot cooking is to use the egg bite moulds for mini meatloaves and then loading potatoes below. You then have meatloaf and mash.

Recipe This | The Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method (PIP) (7)

Or if you prefer you can use the same method for mini burgers, mini meatballs or even veggie balls.

– This uses the famous stackable inserts that you can use in the instant pot. You fill different inserts with your food and then it cooks together separately like you see below:

Recipe This | The Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method (PIP) (8)

Then when it is cooked transfer it to one insert and serve.

Instant Pot Shepherd’s Pie – I use this method a lot when I am making meat and potato dishes. The meat is cooked below and then the potatoes are cooked above in the steamer basket. Then when everything is cooked you remove the potatoes and mash them and then serve it with your meat. This also works well with instant pot cottage pie, instant pot bangers and mash and instant pot lamb shank.

Recipe This | The Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method (PIP) (9)

RecipeThis.comVerdict

Pot In Pot Cooking in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker is truly AMAZING. It opens up the possibilities of more and more things that you can cook in your Instant Pot. As they say the possibilities are endless. But in order to do quality pot in pot cooking you need the accessories to go with it!

Pot In Pot Instant Pot Accessories

Recipe This | The Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method (PIP) (10)

Here are the main accessories that I use in my Instant Pot when I do pot in pot Instant Pot cooking:

Instant Pot Steamer Basket – Perfect for steaming fish, meat, fruit and vegetables in the Instant Pot. It expands depending on how much food you need to steam.

Instant Pot Spring Form Pan – Famous for making cheesecakes in the Instant Pot and so easy to use. I also use them for lasagne and moussaka. Or use a bundt pan if you love bundt cakes.

Silicone Egg Bite Moulds– If you want to make egg bites inyour Instant Pot then this is the product you need.

Silicone EggPoachers– These are perfect if you want to cookpoached eggs in the Instant Pot.

Steamed Pudding Bowl – I use these cute pudding bowls whenever I want to make a steamed pudding for dessert.

Ramekins Set – If you want to make small desserts, crème brulee or just little frittatas then a set of ramekin dishes are essential.

Instant Pot Stackables – You can get this amazing pack of 2 stackable inserts for the Instant Pot, then cook a different thing in each of them. Imagine doing meat in one and potatoes in the second one. Or you could meal prep 2 different Instant Pot Freezer Meals at once.

Instant Pot Stackable Bowls – Cover a layer with silver foil and an extra steamer shelf and load them on top of each other. Or if just cooking one item, then just put one bowl in. Also, a good option for delicate desserts.

Extra Steaming Shelf – Perfect for slotting in between two bowls so that you can cook multiple items at once.

Glass Bottom Containers – I recommend this bundle for getting you started with cooking meals in the Instant Pot. It is also perfect for cooking our Instant Pot Freezer Meals.

Ceramic Soup Mugs – Perfect for quick soups in the Instant Pot for lunch or for making a cute little frittata in a mug.

Silver Foil Containers – If you want a cheap as chips way to use the pot in pot method of cooking in the Instant Pot, then nothing is cheaper than silver foil containers. We use these cute round ones the most for leftover sauces and soups.

All In One Instant Pot Accessories – In this super pack you can have an amazing bundle of different things for your Instant Pot, including a lot of the different items that have outlined above.

Recipe This | The Instant Pot Pot In Pot Cooking Method (PIP) (11)

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