The 10 Best Instant Pot Accessories in 2021

People love Instant Pots for many reasons. Compared to normal pressure cookers, these all-in-one appliances are smarter and much more versatile. They can do almost everything, from stewing meat to baking cheesecake.

However, to take advantage of all the possibilities that the Instant Pot offers, you have to pick up some extra accessories. Not to worry, though! It doesn’t mean you have to waste a lot of money on useless junk for your pressure cooker. A little research goes a long way in picking out useful extras for your cooking needs.

In this post, we will help you sort through the best Instant Pot accessories that promise to take your cooking game to a whole new level.

In-Depth Review of The Best Instant Pot Accessories

Here’s our list of top must-have Instant Pot accessories:

1. Stainless Steel Inner Cooking Pot

Having an extra pot makes your work more convenient, especially when you want to prepare two different dishes one after another. It’s also great for storing leftovers in the fridge to reheat the next morning.

The backup inner cooking pot is made of stainless steel, with a heavy duty 3-ply bottom and no chemical coating. It has inner markings at the 1/2 and 2/3 lines for pressure-cooking safety and comes in various sizes, from 3-quart to 8-quart.

Stainless steel is great, as compared with other materials, like Teflon or Aluminum, it’s healthier for you, more environmentally-friendly and can be used with all metal utensils. Besides having high heat absorption efficiency, it can also distribute heat more evenly without affecting the flavor of the food.

Keep in mind that your stainless steel pot is not non-stick, so there is a chance that food will stick to the surface. Luckily, the polished surface helps make food stick less and helps make cleaning easier.

2. Ceramic Coated Non-Stick Inner Pot

If you often cook food that easily sticks to the cooking surface, this inner pot is a great option for you. Unlike stainless steel models, the Instant Pot ceramic inner pots have a non-stick coating to ensure easy food release and hassle-free clean up. There are three size options for you to choose from, including 3-,6-, and 8-quart.

These pots are Teflon, PTFE- and PFOA-free with no harmful chemicals. Although they’re labeled as dishwasher-safe, we recommend you wash them by hand, since the dishwashing process might cause the coating to flake off over time.

Most ceramic cookware pieces are not compatible with metal utensils because the hard, sharp edges can ruin their surface finish, and the ones featured here are no exception.

3. Sealing Ring

Inside your Instant Pot lid is a sealing ring made from a silicone rubber compound. It’s very durable and can be used for 2-3 years without problems. However, after 6-12 months of regular use, it will fade and begin to carry a funky smell, especially if you regularly cook savory dishes like chicken, beef, or bacon. So, you will eventually need the extra silicone ring (or two) to replace the old one.

The Instant Pot sealing rings are inexpensive and available in a range of colors (red, blue, and clear). To achieve the highest safety standards, they’re built with the optimal materials, which have passed UL, FDA, and LFGB tests for safety and reliability.

Note: To ensure your Instant Pot cooker's performance, you're advised to use only authentic sealing rings from the official manufacturer when replacing the part.

4. Steamer Basket

We chose this Hatrigo stainless steel steamer basket because it can steam almost anything and is especially designed for electric pressure steamers. It comes with the silicone-coated handle which is heat-resistant and can be easily removed from the pot once cooking is done.

The silicone wrapped legs on the base of the basket are a nice feature to have. Besides protecting your inner pot liner from scratching, they also help prevent the basket from slipping when removed.

There are multiple size Hatrigo steamer baskets fitting pans and pots of all sizes, including a 3-,6-,8-quart Instant Pot pressure cookers.

5. Tempered Glass Lid

The backup clear lid comes in a wide range of sizes to accommodate all Instant Pot sizes and series. It’s made of high-quality tempered glass with steam vent, stainless rim, and a metal handle.

Designed for your daily cooking, this useful Instant Pot accessory is best suited for when you are using non-pressurized functions and want to keep track of the cooking process. It’s also perfect for sautéing, making yogurt, stews, and proofing dough.

The lid is dishwasher-safe and oven-safe to 428°F (220°C).

6. Egg Bite Molds

These particular egg bite molds come in a set which includes everything you might need for hassle-free cooking: two egg bite molds, two removable plastic lids and a stainless steel trivet with silicone handles.

The egg bite molds are made of high quality food grade silicone, have seven molds per layer, and come with a 1-year limited warranty. With a compact design, they fit perfectly inside any inner pot, from a 5-quart to 8-quart Instant Pot pressure cooker.

The possibilities with these little add-ons are practically unlimited. You can use them to make brownies, Starbucks-style egg bites, pancake bites, corn dog bites, mini meatloaves, as a poacher ring, and so much more. They can even serve as a storage container for baby food portions and leftovers.

These egg bite molds with BPA-free lid can be used in the freezer. You can even put them in the oven or microwave. Generally, the temperature of 425°F in the oven and microwave is tolerable. For safe and healthy use, when using in the oven or microwave, do not cover with the lid, as this part is not certified microwavable.

Made of premium 304 stainless steel, the steamer rack trivet is designed to prevent scratching of non-stick surfaces. It measures 7.7 by 6.2 inches and comes with 5.2-inch heat-resistant handles, which make it safer and easier for users to take food out from the pot.

The trivet has many other uses too. You can use it for canning food, baking potatoes and other veggies right in the instant pot.

All these accessories are dishwasher-safe.

7. Stackable Insert Pans

This is a two-tier set of stackable pans made from food-grade stainless steel, which will fit in a 5-, 6-, or 8-quart Instant Pot. They are dishwasher-safe for convenient cleaning and come in handy for pot-in-pot cooking (steaming, baking, or reheating), especially when you want to cook two dishes at a time, but keep them separate. Besides having a nice interlocking handle for comfortable removal, these pans are also secured by a fitted lid.

These have-to-buy Instant Pot accessories also serve as dessert pans for making cheesecakes. They can even be used as food containers for picnics and outdoor activities or for storing food in the fridge.Unlike most cheaper models which become very hot in the microwave and then pose a fire hazard, the ekovana insert pans are safe at any microwave temperature. That’s why they might be the best way to quickly reheat your leftovers.

8. Silicone Lid Cover

If you’re planning on buying an additional insert pot for storing leftovers, we’d recommend you also pick up this accessory.

When food is uncovered, it can fill your fridge with unwanted odors, as well as deteriorate in taste and sometimes texture. This heavy-duty silicone lid will keep your leftovers fresh, prevent them from stinking up the fridge and stop spillage by creating an airtight and watertight seal on your inner pot.

This lid cover is made from 100% food safe silicone, is dishwasher safe and FDA and LFGB certified as being nontoxic and safe for contact with food.

9. Cheesecake Pan

If you are a fan of homemade cheesecake, pick up this pan. It has a durable aluminum finish that will fit perfectly in a 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot. It features a removable bottom so that your cheesecake will come out more easily.

Notes:

• This part requires hand-washing as the dishwasher will cause discoloration.
• To get this pan out of an Instant Pot after cooking, use the trivet that comes with your pressure cooker.

10. Silicone Mini Mitts

These mini mitts for your Instant Pot are made of food-grade silicone, not only do they offer heat protection, they also won’t affect your food if you happen to handle it (accidentally or on purpose!)

Designed with grip in mind, they have ridged finger and thumb areas. These are perfect for putting in or taking out trivets or other accessories during the cooking process, as well as the inner pot itself. They are also great for holding onto the pot while stirring sauces, curries, soups or stews.

They have also been made with the ability to nest inside one another to take up less space when storing.