How to Use an Instant Pot Trivet
The Instant Pot trivet is a small accessory that makes a big difference in pressure cooking.
Knowing how to use instant pot trivet properly can improve texture, prevent burning, and expand what you can cook in a multicooker.
Most Instant Pot models include a metal trivet or steam rack, but many cooks never use it beyond basic steaming.
In reality, this simple platform supports pot-in-pot meals, keeps food out of the cooking liquid, and helps create better results for eggs, vegetables, rice, desserts, and reheated leftovers.
What Is an Instant Pot Trivet?
An Instant Pot trivet is a raised rack designed to sit inside the inner pot.
It elevates food above the bottom surface, allowing steam and heat to circulate underneath.
The standard accessory is usually stainless steel and includes short legs for stability plus handles for easy lifting.
In pressure cooking, the trivet is useful because it separates delicate food from direct contact with liquid, sauces, or the hot base of the pot.
It is also the foundation for pot-in-pot cooking, a method where a smaller dish sits on the trivet inside the main inner pot.
How to Use Instant Pot Trivet Correctly
To use the trivet, place it flat on the bottom of the inner pot before adding food or liquid.
The trivet should sit evenly so it does not tip during cooking.
If you are using it for steaming, add the recommended minimum liquid for your Instant Pot model, then set the food on the trivet or in a steam-safe basket placed on top.
If you are cooking pot-in-pot, pour water into the main inner pot, insert the trivet, and set your heat-safe bowl or pan on top.
The food cooks in the smaller dish while the steam from the lower liquid surrounds it.
- Use the trivet to lift vegetables, eggs, fish, or dumplings above water.
- Use a heat-safe dish on the trivet for rice, custards, casseroles, or desserts.
- Lift cooked food out carefully using the trivet handles or a sling if needed.
Why the Trivet Matters in Pressure Cooking
The trivet improves control.
It keeps food from sitting directly in liquid, which is important when you want steaming instead of boiling.
This is especially helpful for foods that can become mushy, such as broccoli, green beans, or delicate seafood.
It also helps with texture.
For example, when reheating leftovers, the trivet prevents the bottom layer from getting soggy.
When cooking eggs, it keeps shells from bouncing around in the liquid.
When making cheesecake or lasagna in a smaller pan, it helps create gentle, even heat.
Best Ways to Use an Instant Pot Trivet
Steaming vegetables
Place water in the inner pot, set the trivet inside, and arrange vegetables on top or in a steam basket.
This method works well for carrots, cauliflower, green beans, and asparagus.
The vegetables cook quickly and keep more of their shape than they would in direct liquid.
Cooking eggs
The trivet is a reliable way to hard-cook eggs in the Instant Pot.
Add water, place the trivet inside, and set the eggs on top.
After pressure cooking, an ice bath helps stop carryover cooking and makes peeling easier.
Pot-in-pot meals
Pot-in-pot cooking is one of the most versatile uses for the trivet.
A separate bowl or pan can hold rice, oatmeal, macaroni, bread pudding, or even small casseroles.
This is useful when you want to cook a main dish below and a side or dessert above it.
Keeping proteins above sauce
For chicken, fish, or meatballs, the trivet can keep the food above a flavorful liquid so it cooks gently without becoming waterlogged.
This can help preserve the shape of fillets and reduce sticking.
Reheating leftovers
Leftovers like sliced bread, buns, tamales, or casseroles can be warmed above steam rather than soaking in moisture.
This method is especially useful when you want to avoid soggy results.
Common Types of Instant Pot Trivets
Most Instant Pots come with a standard metal trivet, but other versions are available depending on your cooking style.
- Standard stainless steel trivet: The most common style, used for steaming and pot-in-pot cooking.
- Trivet with handles: Easier to remove from the pot, especially when lifting a heavy dish.
- Silicone trivet: Useful for some applications, though it must be rated for high heat and pressure cooking.
- Stackable or tall trivet: Helpful when you want to cook multiple dishes or raise food higher above liquid.
What Size Dish Works with the Trivet?
The dish you choose should fit inside the inner pot with enough room for steam to circulate.
For most 6-quart Instant Pots, small stainless steel bowls, 7-inch pans, and heat-safe glass or ceramic dishes are common choices.
For 8-quart models, larger pans may fit, but clearance for the lid and valve still matters.
Before pressure cooking, make sure the dish is oven-safe or pressure-safe, depending on the material.
Stainless steel is usually the easiest and most reliable option for pot-in-pot cooking.
Safety Tips When Using the Trivet
Using the trivet is straightforward, but a few basic safety habits help prevent problems.
- Always check that the trivet sits level before starting the cooker.
- Use enough liquid for pressure to build according to your Instant Pot manual.
- Do not overfill the inner pot, especially when using a bowl on the trivet.
- Be careful when lifting hot dishes; steam can escape suddenly when the lid opens.
- Use oven mitts, silicone grips, or a sling for safer removal of hot containers.
It is also important not to block the pressure release path with oversized cookware or stacked accessories.
Leave space for steam to move freely and for the lid to lock securely.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the biggest mistakes is assuming the trivet is only for steaming.
It is actually a multi-use platform that can improve many recipes.
Another common error is adding too little water, which can prevent the pot from reaching pressure.
Other mistakes include using a dish that is too tall, placing food unevenly on the rack, or forgetting that pot-in-pot dishes often need slightly different cook times than food cooked directly in the inner pot.
If you are cooking multiple components, the denser item usually needs the longer time.
Helpful Recipe Ideas for the Instant Pot Trivet
- Hard-boiled or soft-boiled eggs
- Steamed broccoli, potatoes, or carrots
- Rice pudding in a heat-safe bowl
- Cheesecake in a springform pan
- Chicken breasts cooked over broth
- Tamales or dumplings heated above steam
- Small breakfast casseroles or egg bakes
The trivet also works well for meal prep because it can separate components cleanly.
For example, you can cook chicken in the bottom and a rice dish above it, then portion both for later.
When You Should Skip the Trivet
The trivet is not necessary for every recipe.
If a dish needs to be submerged, such as soups, stews, or beans, the trivet may not be helpful.
Some recipes also rely on direct contact with the bottom of the pot for browning or thickening before pressure cooking.
In general, use the trivet when you want elevation, steam circulation, or a separate cooking vessel.
Skip it when the recipe is designed for full immersion or direct pot contact.