When using the Pot-in-Pot (PIP) cooking method
your food is placed into a separate container before
you place it into the stainless steel inner pot.
Step-by-Step:
-ALWAYS put the inner pot in the Instant Pot.
-ALWAYS add water to the inner pot.
-Place trivet into inner pot.
-Set the container with your food on trivet.
-Seal pot & cook.
There are several reasons for using the PIP method:
-Thick sauces tend to scorch on the bottom of the pot.
-If you don’t want your food watered down or cooked in liquid.
-To keep foods separated when cooking more than one item.
-Convenience / Easy Clean Up
-Personal preference
Some of the foods you can use the PIP method for are:
cheesecake, cake, pudding, custard, breads, rice, quiche,
poached eggs, meatloaf, lasagna, casseroles, leftovers.
Instant Pot says you can use any container that is labeled “Oven Safe”.
This includes containers made from metal, silicone, ceramic & glass.
NOTE: With any ceramic or glass material there is a risk of breakage
even if it is labeled as “Oven Safe”. They can even break in the oven.
Many people use Pyrex, CorningWare, Anchor Hocking & canning jars
in the Instant Pot without any problems, but USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
If you decide to use oven-safe glassware be careful to avoid thermal shock:
Do not set a cold dish/jar on a hot surface; or hot dish/jar on a cold surface.
Do not set a dish/jar directly on the bottom of the pot, set it on a trivet/rack.
Also, do not use if you see any cracks or chips in your dish or jar.
Some materials conduct heat better than others so you may need
to adjust your cooking time depending on the container you use.
You usually need to add a few minutes cook time when cooking
with the Pot In Pot method, especially when using silicone.
You also want to make sure that your container fits inside the inner pot/liner.
You need a 1/2 inch clearance around your container to allow steam to rise.
You also need to allow room for whatever you’ll be using to remove your
container from the pot as it is going to be VERY HOT when you open the pot.
Items you can use to remove hot containers include:
Foil Slings, Silicone Bands, Steam Racks w/Handles, Silicone Gloves/Hot Pads.
Visit these pages for more info & helpful photos:
VIDEO: Pot in Pot Cooking by Urvashi Pitre
How to Get a Pan Out of a Pressure Cooker
PIP Cooking Method by Paint the Kitchen Red
Pot-in-Pot Method by Pressure Cooking Today
Pot in Pot Instant Pot Recipes by Spice Cravings
Pot in Pot Rice (Step-by-Step Guide) by Amy Jacky
Instant Pot Resources 
I cook all my rice and oatmeal using the pot-in-pot method (I’m a bachelor). My biggest problem was not to burn myself removing the inner-inner pot. I have bought two Billy-pots that fit perfectly in the Instant Pot and they have handles. I got them both on Amazon and they are:
Olicamp Stainless Steel Kettle (1-Quart)
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
Return eligible through Jan 31, 2017
$19.75
Condition: New
Buy it Again
Open Country 2 Quart Non-Stick Covered Kettle
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
Return eligible through Jan 31, 2017
$19.83
After cooking I eat my oatmeal straight out of the 1 quart and my rice stays in the 2 qt. and then into the fridge.
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Thanks for the tips. Camp cookware — who knew?
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Did you use your nonstick pot inside the instant pot?
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Sherry, I’m not sure I understand your question.
Are you talking about the non-stick ceramic liner for the IP?
Or about a non-stick pot that you want to put your food in for PIP cooking?
Whenever you cook in the IP you use the IP inner pot/liner…either the stainless steel one or the ceramic one.
Then for PIP your food is placed in another oven-safe pan or bowl & placed inside the IP liner.
I hope that answered your question!
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I am looking at buying the stackable insert pans for our Instant Pot. Some have a couple of holes in the sides, others do not. What is the function of the holes? There seems to be much confusion whether they are a plus or a minus.
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Tom~ I found this info on a listing for the pans with the holes/vents…..
“The vent holes on the sides of the pans regulate pressure to cook food evenly without side walls breaking. These small holes are high enough that only the steams hits the food, and ensure that the pans don’t crack or warp under high pressure.”
I’ve also read that you shouldn’t cook in “hermetically sealed” or completely airtight containers in a pressure cooker because they can build up pressure inside.
I’ve not seen anyone complain about their pans without the vents warping, though.
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