The wire rack is an essential accessory that comes with every Instant Pot. It serves several important purposes when cooking food in the Instant Pot. In this article, we will discuss what the wire rack is, why it is used, and the different ways it can be utilized when making recipes in the Instant Pot.
What is the Wire Rack?
The wire rack is a removable metal platform that sits inside the inner pot of the Instant Pot. It has a frame made up of criss-crossed wires that form a grate-like surface. The wires allow water, steam and food juices to flow through freely underneath while holding food up out of the liquid. The rack can be placed in different positions inside the pot depending on what is being cooked.
The main purposes of the wire rack are:
- Elevate foods above cooking liquid
- Allow steam and heat to circulate all around food
- Prevent food from sitting in water or juices
- Separate layers of food for even cooking
- Catch and lift food out of pot easily
Without the wire rack, all foods would end up submerged in liquid at the bottom of the pot while cooking. The rack enables steam and heat to get to all sides of food for thorough, even cooking.
Why Use the Wire Rack?
There are several key reasons why it is important to use the wire rack when cooking certain foods in the Instant Pot:
Elevates Food Out of Liquid
One of the main functions of the rack is to lift foods up and away from cooking liquid. Many dishes like soups, stews, chilis, curries, and braised meats contain a lot of liquid. Sitting directly in the liquid would cause some foods to overcook, become soggy, or lose their shape. The rack holds foods up above the liquid so they steam gently and retain their texture.
Allows Steam Circulation
With the rack in place, steam can fully surround food and cook it evenly. If foods were placed directly on the bottom of the pot, the steam would only rise up and around the sides but have limited access from below. Using the rack enables steam access from all directions for fast, uniform cooking.
Avoids Sogginess
Foods that are cooked submerged in liquid have a tendency to become saturated and soggy. The porous structure of items like rice, grains, legumes, vegetables and bread would cause them to absorb excess moisture. Resting on the wire rack prevents this by minimizing direct contact with the cooking liquid.
Facilitates Liquid Evaporation
In dishes that need the liquid to reduce and thicken like stews, pasta sauces, or steamed vegetables, the rack can accelerate evaporation. More steam is able to rise up from underneath to help the liquid reduce faster. This intensifies flavors and changes texture right in the pot.
Permits Fat Draining
When cooking greasy foods like bacon, sausage or ground meats, the wire rack allows excess fat and grease to drip away below. This helps eliminate some unwanted calories and prevents foods from sitting in puddles of grease. The rendering fat can then be discarded easily after cooking.
Keeps Foods Separated
If different types of foods are layered on top of each other in the pot, the rack keeps them separated. For example, placing vegetables above a rice or grain mixture prevents them from becoming soaked or clumping together. The rack maintains air space between the layers.
How to Use the Wire Rack
There are several different placement options for the wire rack when cooking with your Instant Pot. Here are some of the common ways it can be utilized:
Elevating Food Out of Liquid
Use the rack in its standard base position to lift foods like meat, seafood, vegetables, eggs, rice, legumes, dumplings, or fruits away from cooking liquid below. The amount of clearance can be adjusted by placing the rack right-side up or upside down.
Steaming Vegetables
The rack can hold a steamer basket above water level to gently steam fresh or frozen vegetables. A small amount of water below the rack turns to steam for quick, healthy cooking.
Cooking Multiple Foods
Use the rack to separate layers of different ingredients like meat and vegetables stacked on top of grains. The rack prevents mixing while allowing steam access.
| Layer 1 | Layer 2 | Layer 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | Chicken | Broccoli |
Stacking Food Containers
The rack can hold stacked pots, pans, baking dishes, or ramekins above water level to cook layered meals neatly. Steam heats the upper vessels through the rack grates.
Floating Pan Support
Sit a shallow pan like a cake pan or casserole dish on top of the inverted rack to elevate it off the pot bottom. This allows steam to circulate completely around all sides.
Making Custards or Puddings
When cooking egg-based dishes like cheesecake, flan, or creme brûlée, place the ramekins on the rack over water to gently steam. The water transforms to steam below to cook and set the custard.
Steaming Dim Sum
The rack can hold bamboo steamer baskets above water level to steam dumplings, buns, and other dim sum fare. Steam rises through the grated rack to heat through the basket.
Draining Grease
To allow excess fat or grease to drain away from foods like chicken wings, sausages, bacon, or ground beef, use the rack in its standard position. The drippings fall below while the food stays up top.
Making Soup Stock
When making broths and stocks, the rack can lift large bones or pieces of meat up out of the liquid as it simmers. This prevents scorching on the pot bottom.
Restart Button Protection
For very thick or sticky dishes like porridge, rice pudding, or chili, place the rack over top before pressure cooking. This prevents splattering on the lid to avoid triggering the “burn” safety sensor.
Elevating Whole Chicken or Roast
The rack lifts a whole chicken, pork roast, or beef roast up out of juices, allowing heat to penetrate from all sides for fast, even cooking. The meat rests above the liquid.
Steaming Seafood
Place fresh fish fillets, shrimp, mussels, clams, crab legs or lobster tails on the rack over a little water. Steam rises through to gently cook the seafood without making it soggy.
Making Cheesecake or Crème Brûlée
When baking delicate custards, flans or cheesecakes, set the ramekins or pan on the rack over water. The rack allows steam to surround the vessel for very gentle cooking.
Drying Foods
The open structure of the wire rack makes it ideal for drying foods like fruit leathers or meat jerky. Place the rack in pot and prop lid open to create a dry heating chamber.
Tips for Using the Wire Rack
Follow these tips when using the Instant Pot wire rack for best results:
- Always place the rack gently into pot – dropping can damage the ceramic coating
- Make sure rack sits evenly and flat on pot bottom
- Put food containers or pans in place before adding liquid
- Add enough water for steam but not so much that food touches it
- For stacking, don’t overload – leave space for steam flow
- Remove rack carefully using handles or pot holders
- Avoid putting rack in dishwasher – hand wash to keep it looking nice
- Store rack outside pot when not in use to prevent scratches
- Inspect for damage before each use and replace if wires are bent
Common Questions
Can the wire rack go in the dishwasher?
It’s best to avoid putting the Instant Pot wire rack in the dishwasher. The harsh detergents and hot water can damage the coating over time. Hand washing ensures it stays looking nice and lasts longer.
Why is my food burnt on bottom without the rack?
Sitting directly on the inner pot can cause some foods to scorch or burn on the bottom. The rack separates the food from direct contact with the heated surface.
Can I use the rack when pressure cooking?
Yes, you can leave the rack in place when pressure cooking foods. It will not hinder the cooker’s pressurization or cause any other issues.
What can I use instead of the wire rack?
If you’ve lost your rack, a steamer basket, small trivet, or inverted metal bowl can be used instead. Anything that lifts foods up off the bottom will work.
Can I cook pot-in-pot with the rack?
Yes, the rack permits pot-in-pot cooking by holding your second container up above water level as steam rises through.
Conclusion
The humble wire rack that comes with every Instant Pot has many valuable uses. Taking advantage of the rack whenever possible will give you better results and let you expand the functions of your Instant Pot. With options to lift foods out of liquid, enable steam flow, prevent sogginess, multiply cooking layers and more – the wire rack truly optimizes cooking in your Instant Pot!