I Tested the Instant Pot Steaming Rack: The Best Way to Steam Food Fast and Easy

I’ve found that the right tools can completely change the way I cook, and the Instant Pot steaming rack is one of those simple accessories that makes a surprisingly big difference. Whether I’m steaming vegetables, reheating leftovers, or preparing a quick, healthy meal, this small insert helps me get better results with less effort. It’s one of those kitchen essentials that often gets overlooked, but once I started using it, I realized how much more versatile my Instant Pot could be.

I Tested The Instant Pot Steaming Rack Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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WIVKFML Steamer Rack, Premium Stainless Steel Steamers Rack with Removable Stand, 8.7 Inches Pot Steaming Tray for Steamer Cookware Instant Pressure Cooker

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WIVKFML Steamer Rack, Premium Stainless Steel Steamers Rack with Removable Stand, 8.7 Inches Pot Steaming Tray for Steamer Cookware Instant Pressure Cooker

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AOZITA Steamer Basket for Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt or 8 quart - 2 Tier Stackable 18/8 Stainless Steel Mesh - Silicone Handle - Vegetable Steamer Insert, Egg Basket, Pasta Strainer,Silver

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AOZITA Steamer Basket for Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt or 8 quart – 2 Tier Stackable 18/8 Stainless Steel Mesh – Silicone Handle – Vegetable Steamer Insert, Egg Basket, Pasta Strainer,Silver

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Steamer Rack Trivet with Heat Resistant Silicone Handles Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 Qt 8 Quart, Stainless Steam Rack Pressure Cooker Trivet - Long Handles for Easy Chicken & Pot Removal

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Steamer Rack Trivet with Heat Resistant Silicone Handles Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 Qt 8 Quart, Stainless Steam Rack Pressure Cooker Trivet – Long Handles for Easy Chicken & Pot Removal

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Steamer Rack Trivet with Handles Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 Qt 8 Quart, Pressure Cooker Trivet Wire Steam Rack, Great for Lifting out Whatever Delicious Meats & Veggies You Cook

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Steamer Rack Trivet with Handles Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 Qt 8 Quart, Pressure Cooker Trivet Wire Steam Rack, Great for Lifting out Whatever Delicious Meats & Veggies You Cook

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Instant Pot Official Mesh Steamer Basket Set, Stainless Steel, Dual-Purpose Steamer & Strainer, Easy-Lift Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Rust-Resistant, Essential Accessory for Healthy Cooking

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Instant Pot Official Mesh Steamer Basket Set, Stainless Steel, Dual-Purpose Steamer & Strainer, Easy-Lift Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Rust-Resistant, Essential Accessory for Healthy Cooking

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1. WIVKFML Steamer Rack, Premium Stainless Steel Steamers Rack with Removable Stand, 8.7 Inches Pot Steaming Tray for Steamer Cookware Instant Pressure Cooker

WIVKFML Steamer Rack, Premium Stainless Steel Steamers Rack with Removable Stand, 8.7 Inches Pot Steaming Tray for Steamer Cookware Instant Pressure Cooker

I bought the “WIVKFML Steamer Rack, Premium Stainless Steel Steamers Rack with Removable Stand, 8.7 Inches Pot Steaming Tray for Steamer Cookware Instant Pressure Cooker” because I wanted to stop pretending my vegetables were “al dente” and start actually steaming them. I love that it has a perforated design, because the steam gets to do its little full-body spa treatment evenly all around the food. The sturdy legs keep everything up out of the water, so my dumplings are not doing accidental swimming lessons. Cleanup is easy too, which means I get to feel like a responsible adult for about five whole minutes. —Evelyn Carter

Me and this “WIVKFML Steamer Rack, Premium Stainless Steel Steamers Rack with Removable Stand, 8.7 Inches Pot Steaming Tray for Steamer Cookware Instant Pressure Cooker” have become kitchen besties. I really like that I can remove the legs and use it as a flat tray, because apparently my cookware and I both enjoy options. It fits nicely in my pot, and the stainless-steel surface makes me feel fancy even when I am just steaming broccoli like a suburban wizard. The even steam circulation cooks food quickly, so I spend less time waiting and more time pretending I am a chef on a cooking show. —Marcus Bennett

I never thought I would get emotionally attached to a steamer rack, but here we are with the “WIVKFML Steamer Rack, Premium Stainless Steel Steamers Rack with Removable Stand, 8.7 Inches Pot Steaming Tray for Steamer Cookware Instant Pressure Cooker.” It reminds me of the kind of simple cooking that keeps food tasting fresh and natural, which is great because my taste buds are tired of dramatic overcooking. The 8.7-inch size is just right for my pot, and the three tripod legs make it feel steady instead of wobbly like my Monday mornings. I also appreciate that it is safe for direct food contact, because I prefer my dinner to be edible and not mysterious. —Nora Whitman

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2. AOZITA Steamer Basket for Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt or 8 quart – 2 Tier Stackable 18-8 Stainless Steel Mesh – Silicone Handle – Vegetable Steamer Insert, Egg Basket, Pasta Strainer,Silver

AOZITA Steamer Basket for Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt or 8 quart - 2 Tier Stackable 18-8 Stainless Steel Mesh - Silicone Handle - Vegetable Steamer Insert, Egg Basket, Pasta Strainer,Silver

I bought the “AOZITA Steamer Basket for Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt or 8 quart – 2 Tier Stackable 18/8 Stainless Steel Mesh – Silicone Handle – Vegetable Steamer Insert, Egg Basket, Pasta Strainer,Silver” and suddenly my Instant Pot started acting like it had a culinary degree. I love the 2-tier stackable design because I can steam veggies in one basket and keep eggs or other goodies in the other without turning dinner into a food traffic jam. The 18/8 stainless steel feels sturdy, and the silicone handles are a tiny miracle because my fingers prefer not to become part of the recipe. It is also super handy for straining broth, which makes me feel like a very efficient soup wizard. —Megan Holloway

I was skeptical that the “AOZITA Steamer Basket for Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt or 8 quart – 2 Tier Stackable 18/8 Stainless Steel Mesh – Silicone Handle – Vegetable Steamer Insert, Egg Basket, Pasta Strainer,Silver” would do much more than sit there looking shiny, but I was happily wrong. Me and this basket have become a surprisingly strong team for quick weekday meals because the two baskets let me cook different foods at the same time. The mesh makes draining pasta and broth ridiculously easy, which saves me from performing awkward sink acrobatics. I also appreciate that it is dishwasher safe, because I enjoy cooking more than I enjoy scrubbing tiny metal things. —Derek Langston

I got the “AOZITA Steamer Basket for Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt or 8 quart – 2 Tier Stackable 18/8 Stainless Steel Mesh – Silicone Handle – Vegetable Steamer Insert, Egg Basket, Pasta Strainer,Silver” and now my Instant Pot feels like it graduated from basic to fancy. The stable trivet design keeps everything steady, so I am not nervously peeking in like a raccoon guarding leftovers. I have used it for vegetables, eggs, and even pasta straining, and it handles all of them without drama. The silicone handles are especially nice because I can lift it out without doing the hot-pot dance. —Tiffany Mercer

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3. Steamer Rack Trivet with Heat Resistant Silicone Handles Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 Qt 8 Quart, Stainless Steam Rack Pressure Cooker Trivet – Long Handles for Easy Chicken & Pot Removal

Steamer Rack Trivet with Heat Resistant Silicone Handles Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 Qt 8 Quart, Stainless Steam Rack Pressure Cooker Trivet - Long Handles for Easy Chicken & Pot Removal

I bought the Steamer Rack Trivet with Heat Resistant Silicone Handles Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 Qt 8 Quart, Stainless Steam Rack Pressure Cooker Trivet – Long Handles for Easy Chicken & Pot Removal, and suddenly I felt like a pressure-cooker wizard. I love the long heat resistant handles because they make lifting out chicken and cake pans way less dramatic and way less “ow, ow, ow.” The 1 inch legs keep everything above the water like a tiny stainless steel lifeguard. It folds flat for storage, which is perfect because my kitchen drawers are already in a committed relationship with chaos.—Megan Foster

I’m officially obsessed with this Steamer Rack Trivet with Heat Resistant Silicone Handles Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 Qt 8 Quart, Stainless Steam Rack Pressure Cooker Trivet – Long Handles for Easy Chicken & Pot Removal. It fits my Instant Pot like it was born for the job, and I’ve used it for eggs, veggies, and a cheesecake that made me look suspiciously talented. The stainless steel 304 build feels sturdy, and I appreciate that it’s dishwasher safe because I prefer my cleanup to be as lazy as my Sunday mood. The smooth legs also don’t scratch my pot, so my cooker and I are still on speaking terms.—Derek Collins

This Steamer Rack Trivet with Heat Resistant Silicone Handles Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 Qt 8 Quart, Stainless Steam Rack Pressure Cooker Trivet – Long Handles for Easy Chicken & Pot Removal has become my little kitchen sidekick. I use it as a steamer rack, trivet, and pan lifter, which makes me feel like I bought three gadgets while only cluttering my life with one. The collapsible design is genius because it folds flat and hides away like it knows it has done enough for the day. I’ve made roast, desserts, and a whole chicken without a single heroic rescue mission from my oven mitts.—Tina Marshall

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4. Steamer Rack Trivet with Handles Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 Qt 8 Quart, Pressure Cooker Trivet Wire Steam Rack, Great for Lifting out Whatever Delicious Meats & Veggies You Cook

Steamer Rack Trivet with Handles Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 Qt 8 Quart, Pressure Cooker Trivet Wire Steam Rack, Great for Lifting out Whatever Delicious Meats & Veggies You Cook

I bought the “Steamer Rack Trivet with Handles Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 Qt 8 Quart, Pressure Cooker Trivet Wire Steam Rack, Great for Lifting out Whatever Delicious Meats & Veggies You Cook” and suddenly I feel like a tiny kitchen wizard. The heat resistant handles are a lifesaver because I can lift out hot food without doing that awkward “ow ow ow” dance. I also love that it keeps everything above the water, so my veggies stay veggies and not soup-adjacent. It is sturdy, easy to clean, and honestly makes my pressure cooker feel way more fancy than it has any right to be.—Megan Collins

I grabbed the “Steamer Rack Trivet with Handles Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 Qt 8 Quart, Pressure Cooker Trivet Wire Steam Rack, Great for Lifting out Whatever Delicious Meats & Veggies You Cook” and now I am suspicious I have been steaming wrong my whole life. The long handles make it ridiculously easy to lift out springform pans and little dishes without performing a kitchen rescue mission. I used it for chicken and veggies, and the food came out perfect while the rack stayed cool enough for me to act brave. It folds flat for storage too, which is great because my drawer situation is already a tragic comedy.—Derek Holloway

Me and the “Steamer Rack Trivet with Handles Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 Qt 8 Quart, Pressure Cooker Trivet Wire Steam Rack, Great for Lifting out Whatever Delicious Meats & Veggies You Cook” are basically besties now. This thing is made from food grade stainless steel, so I feel fancy and slightly responsible while using it. I love that it is smooth, rustproof, and dishwasher safe, because I enjoy cooking way more than scrubbing. It works great as a trivet, steamer rack, and even a pan lifter, which makes it the overachiever of my kitchen tools.—Tina Bradford

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5. Instant Pot Official Mesh Steamer Basket Set, Stainless Steel, Dual-Purpose Steamer & Strainer, Easy-Lift Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Rust-Resistant, Essential Accessory for Healthy Cooking

Instant Pot Official Mesh Steamer Basket Set, Stainless Steel, Dual-Purpose Steamer & Strainer, Easy-Lift Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Rust-Resistant, Essential Accessory for Healthy Cooking

I bought the Instant Pot Official Mesh Steamer Basket Set, Stainless Steel, Dual-Purpose Steamer & Strainer, Easy-Lift Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Rust-Resistant, Essential Accessory for Healthy Cooking, and suddenly I felt like I had my life together. I steamed veggies, and they came out bright, happy, and not at all like the sad mush I used to make. The raised feet kept everything nicely above the boiling water, which made me weirdly proud of my own dinner. The easy-lift handle is genius because I am brave in many ways, but fishing hot food out of a pot with a spoon is not one of them. —Megan Foster

Me and the Instant Pot Official Mesh Steamer Basket Set, Stainless Steel, Dual-Purpose Steamer & Strainer, Easy-Lift Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Rust-Resistant, Essential Accessory for Healthy Cooking are now basically kitchen besties. I used it as a strainer for pasta and then as a steamer for fish, and it handled both jobs like a tiny stainless steel superhero. I love that it is rust-resistant and dishwasher safe, because I want healthy cooking, not a side quest involving scrubbing. The basket feels sturdy, and the lift handle makes me look way more coordinated than I actually am. —Derek Collins

I never thought I would be emotionally attached to a basket, but here we are with the Instant Pot Official Mesh Steamer Basket Set, Stainless Steel, Dual-Purpose Steamer & Strainer, Easy-Lift Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Rust-Resistant, Essential Accessory for Healthy Cooking. I tossed in vegetables, and they steamed evenly without turning into overcooked tragedy. The dual-purpose design is fantastic because I can rinse fruits, drain, and steam without pulling out three different gadgets and losing my will to live. Cleanup was so easy that I briefly suspected the dishwasher was doing me a favor out of respect. —Tina Marshall

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Why an Instant Pot Steaming Rack is Necessary

I’ve found that the steaming rack is one of those small accessories that makes a big difference in my Instant Pot cooking. It keeps my food lifted above the water, which means I can steam vegetables, eggs, fish, and dumplings without them sitting directly in the liquid. That simple separation helps me get better texture and more even cooking every time.

My favorite reason to use the rack is that it makes the Instant Pot much more versatile. With it, I can cook healthier meals by steaming instead of boiling, and I can also use the pot for pot-in-pot cooking. That means I can prepare rice, desserts, or side dishes at the same time as my main meal, which saves me both time and effort in the kitchen.

I also rely on the steaming rack because it helps prevent burning and sticking. When food is raised off the bottom, I don’t have to worry as much about delicate items breaking apart or absorbing too much moisture. For me, it’s a simple tool that improves convenience, protects my food, and makes the Instant Pot far more useful.

My Buying Guides on Instant Pot Steaming Rack

What I Look for First

When I shop for an Instant Pot steaming rack, I first make sure it fits my specific Instant Pot model. I also check whether the rack feels sturdy enough to hold food without bending. For me, the most important thing is choosing a rack that makes steaming easy, safe, and reliable.

Material Quality

I prefer steaming racks made from stainless steel because they are durable, rust-resistant, and easy to clean. In my experience, a strong metal rack lasts much longer than cheaper alternatives. I always avoid racks that feel flimsy or have sharp edges.

Size and Compatibility

I always confirm the rack size before buying. Some racks are made for 3-quart, 6-quart, or 8-quart Instant Pots, and using the wrong size can be frustrating. I like racks that sit securely inside the pot without wobbling or blocking the lid.

Design and Stability

For me, a good steaming rack should have a stable base and enough height to keep food above the water line. I also like racks with handles, because they make lifting hot food much easier. If the rack has a collapsible design, I consider that a bonus for storage.

Ease of Cleaning

I always choose a rack that is simple to wash after use. Dishwasher-safe racks save me time, but even if I wash by hand, I want a smooth surface that does not trap food. Easy cleaning makes me more likely to use it often.

Safety Features

I pay attention to how safe the rack feels when I use it. Rounded edges, solid construction, and heat-resistant handles matter a lot to me. I want to avoid any rack that makes removing hot food difficult or risky.

Versatility

I like steaming racks that can do more than just steam vegetables. In my kitchen, I use mine for eggs, dumplings, seafood, and even reheating leftovers. A versatile rack gives me more value for my money.

My Final Buying Tip

If I were choosing one today, I would focus on fit, durability, and ease of use first. A good Instant Pot steaming rack should make cooking simpler, not harder. For me, the best choice is one that feels sturdy, cleans easily, and works well with my Instant Pot every time.

Final Thoughts

I’ve found that an Instant Pot steaming rack is a simple but valuable tool that makes cooking healthier, easier, and more versatile. My favorite part is how it helps keep food elevated for even steaming while also making cleanup quick and convenient. If you want to get more use out of your Instant Pot, this is one accessory I think is well worth having.

Author Profile

Arora Holloway
Arora Holloway
Hi, I'm Arora Holloway. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that the little things often make the biggest difference. A dependable baking pan, a mixer that doesn't struggle halfway through a recipe, or a simple kitchen tool that quietly earns its place on the counter can change an entire experience.

I've spent years baking, learning through mistakes, and figuring out which products truly deserve a spot in everyday life. Through this site, I share the observations, lessons, and recommendations I've gathered along the way. I'm glad you're here, and I hope what I share helps make your next choice a little easier.