The Original Steamer Basket for Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

The Verdict

If you’ve ever tried to steam vegetables in an Instant Pot without a basket, you know the tragedy: broccoli floating in broth, eggs rattling against the metal liner, and a sad, waterlogged dinner. The Salbree steamer basket — marketed as “The Original” — has been the go-to fix for over 235 Amazon shoppers who’ve rated it 4.7 out of 5. But is it actually the best option for your pressure cooker, or just the most popular? Here’s what I found after testing it.

What You Actually Get

This is a simple product, and it knows it. You get a single steamer basket made from 18/8 stainless steel — the same food-grade material used in quality cookware. The basket measures 7.5 inches in diameter and stands about 3 inches tall with legs. The legs are the key feature: they lift food above the liquid level, which is exactly what you need for pressure steaming. Two silicone-coated handles fold down flat when not in use, which is what allows the Instant Pot lid to seal properly.

As shown in the product image, the design is straightforward: a perforated basket with a center post and four legs. No gimmicks, no extra parts to lose. It’s built for the 6-quart and 8-quart Instant Pot models specifically — the 3-quart mini will be too small.

How It Performs in Real Cooking

I ran this through a week of actual pressure cooking to see where it shines and where it struggles. For hard-boiled eggs, it’s excellent: the eggs sit in a single layer above the water, cook evenly, and peel more easily than stovetop steaming. For frozen dumplings and potstickers, the perforations let steam circulate from all sides, which means no soggy spots. Vegetables like green beans and asparagus steam in about 2 minutes at high pressure and come out bright and crisp, not mushy.

The silicone handles are the best feature for everyday use. After a natural pressure release, the pot is still hot enough to burn your hand through a regular metal handle. These stay cool enough to grip for about 10 seconds before you feel the heat — enough time to lift the basket out and set it down safely.

What Buyers Love

Shoppers consistently praise the fit. One verified buyer wrote, “Fits my 8-quart Instant Pot perfectly and the handles fold down so the lid seals with no issues.” Another noted, “I’ve used it every day for two months and it still looks brand new.” The rust resistance gets frequent mentions — the 18/8 stainless holds up to acidic foods like tomatoes and lemon without discoloration, which cheap chrome-plated baskets can’t claim.

Where It Falls Short

The center post is the real limitation. It’s designed to help you lift the basket out, but it gets in the way of large, flat items. A whole head of cauliflower won’t sit flat — it’ll balance awkwardly on the post. You’ll need to break it into florets first. Same with corn on the cob: the post pushes the cobs into a stack rather than letting them lie flat, which means less even cooking.

The handles also require hand washing. The silicone degrades at high dishwasher temperatures, and multiple reviews mention warping after a few cycles. It’s a minor inconvenience, but worth knowing before you toss it in the rack.

Who Should Buy This

This basket is for anyone who owns a 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot and wants to stop boiling their vegetables in the pot liquid. If you cook eggs, steam veggies, or make dumplings more than once a week, it pays for itself quickly. If you’re cooking for one in a 3-quart pot, or if you regularly steam whole, large items, look elsewhere — you’ll fight the center post every time.

FAQ

Will it fit my 3-quart Instant Pot? No. The basket is too wide for the 3-quart liner. It fits 6-quart and 8-quart models only.

Can I use it without water for roasting? No, this is strictly a steaming basket. You need at least 1 cup of liquid in the pot for pressure cooking to work.

Does the silicone handle smell or leach into food? At normal pressure cooking temperatures, no. A few buyers noted a slight rubber smell on first use — wash it with warm soapy water before the first cook and it disappears.

The Verdict

Buy it if: You own a 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot and want a reliable, rust-proof steamer basket that actually fits, seals properly, and makes pressure steaming genuinely easier.

Skip it if: You need to steam large whole items, you’re using a 3-quart pot, or you refuse to hand wash any cookware.

Rating: 4.6/5 — The Salbree basket does one thing well and does it better than most alternatives at the price point. The center post is a design tradeoff you’ll notice occasionally, but for everyday steaming, it’s a solid, durable investment.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.