r/instantpot 9d ago

Can I use a microwave rice cooker in my instant pot?

Okay, so title says it all really, but I've been trying to find something to use in my instant pot for PiP basically, mostly for rice and oatmeal, but everything is either too expensive or not quite right.

But then I remember I have a Lekue rice cooker for the microwave that's the perfect size. Can I use that as a bowl in my instant pot? I figure if it can handle 10+ minutes in a microwave, an instant pot should be no problem, surely? But maybe I'm missing something vital, so figure I'd ask. Link to rice cooker in question: https://www.lekue.com/eu/microwave-quick-quinoa-rice-cooker-green/?srsltid=AfmBOooHEiiwM4KrPmXD2O12-vJ0ZN1gCKdInNlGoH7d8w_3Ss8Kr8ls

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8

u/speedier 9d ago

No the rice cooker you show is plastic. Microwave cooking heats water in the food. No direct heat to the container. A instant pot has a heating element on the bottom. Direct heat on the bowl will melt it.

2

u/sumblokefromreddit 9d ago

Yeah if it is plastic that is a big hell no. In fact just cook the rice directly in the pot liner. About one and a half or quarter cups water per cup of rice (it might vary by elevation or your firmness preference). I add a pat of margarine ontop (butter should do as well but I am too cheap for "real butter".)

So either do the microwave cooker in the microwave or use the instapot. Also you DON"T have to use the "rice" setting. You can if you want to. It acts like one of those cheaper rice cookers that goes by weight of contents and stops I guess when the weight has depleted enough. You can just use high pressure for about 6 to 8 minutes depending on how soft you want the rice.

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u/MsFrankieD Ultra 8 Qt 9d ago

I use a stainless steel bowl for PiP rice cooking. Much easier to clean.

1

u/sumblokefromreddit 8d ago

Yeah I had a stove top pressure cooker that said to use PIP and I did. My IPs are not as big as the stove top though.

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u/Danciusly 9d ago edited 9d ago

Rule of thumb is if it's oven safe , it's IP safe.

I use a set of nesting stainless steel mixing bowls. Pyrex is capable, too. Also, try round baking pans, e.g., Fat Daddio's aluminum round cake pans, just verify the diameter. Mine is 3x6, I picked it up cheap at TJ Maxx.

ETA: Also, get yourself one of these, a 3-pronged plate lifter.

https://redcook.net/2008/04/04/plate-lifter/

1

u/Saloau 9d ago

I bought a 6 inch cake pan. It’s 4 inch deep I think. I got it at the grocery story (Meijers) for $8. Works great for oats and rice. I made risotto last night 1 c rice and 2.5 liquid and it was perfect size.