Buying guide for Best instant pot accessories
The Instant Pot is well on its way to becoming the most popular kitchen gadget of the decade. The versatile pressure cooking appliance does the job of multiple kitchen devices and reduces cooking times for a variety of dishes. It’s a true kitchen workhorse.
Now that you’ve equipped your cooking space with an Instant Pot (or two) and you’ve discovered all of its modes and functions, it’s time to step it up a notch with accessories to improve your cooking experience and expand the capabilities of your IP device even further. From extra cooking pots to tools designed to make cooking certain foods like eggs or yogurt easier, there are dozens of accessories available to help you get the most out of your Instant Pot.
Which accessories are worth buying? We’ve researched the options and put together this buying guide to help you get even more out of an already impressive cooking tool.
Key considerations
Your Instant Pot model
There are a variety of Instant Pot models on the market. Identify your model before spending money on accessories as models vary in their size. In addition, not all models have the same capabilities. You wouldn’t buy yogurt-making equipment for a model without a yogurt setting, for instance.
If you still haven’t purchased an Instant Pot, check out our guide for more information on each model.
Your needs
Don’t buy accessories that will simply clutter up your cupboards. Instead, look for accessories that you know you will get good mileage out of.
Do you want to use your Instant Pot to make breakfast? Search for egg-specific accessories. If you’re craving sweets and want to find new ways to bake with your Instant Pot — yes, it’s possible! — pick out compatible cake pans and molds.
Expert tip
If you have had issues with metal accessories rusting, or this is something you worry about, consider silicone accessories instead.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Third-party accessories
There are a lot of third-party accessories on the market for the Instant Pot. Many of them are great and work well with the kitchen appliance. However, you should still read reviews to spot any performance or safety issues.
To avoid uncertainty about compatibility, opt for Instant-Pot-brand extras.
Available accessories
There are a ton of accessories out there and browsing them is a bit overwhelming. We’ve broken down some of the most popular accessory types.
Stackable containers
Use these to separate different foods while they cook. This is a great option for making multiple dishes at once or cooking foods for picky toddlers and kids who don’t want items to touch.
Steamer inserts
Lock in flavor and cook foods with the power of steam right inside your Instant Pot using steamer inserts. They’re an excellent accessory for cooking fish and vegetables.
Extra sealing rings
The sealing ring around the Instant Pot lid is required for pressure cooking. It prevents steam from escaping the device and allows for pressure build-up inside the appliance. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to cook food as quickly, and the bottom of the stainless steel pot would scorch once any liquid evaporated.
Many IP users like to have extra rings on hand in case the original is damaged and to prevent flavor transfer. The material tends to hold onto odors, so those who frequently use their Instant Pot for multiple cooking tasks prefer to use different rings for baking or cooking savory foods.
Egg-cooking accessories
Don’t bother with a pot of boiling water. Use your Instant Pot to cook a batch of eggs for egg salad, deviled eggs, or a week of lunches. Egg racks are one of the most popular Instant Pot accessories and are available in stackable versions, so it’s possible to cook enough eggs for a crowd.
Lids
The lid on your Instant Pot is designed for pressure cooking tasks, but it’s not ideal for other types of cooking. Invest in an extra glass lid for times when you need to keep an eye on your foods while they cook. A glass lid is also better for slow-cooking foods. Do not use a glass lid when bringing your IP up to pressure — the lid is not designed for pressure cooking and may shatter if used improperly.
Silicone pot covers are another type of lid available for the Instant Pot. When cooking big batches of food for later, pop on a silicone lid and stick the pot in the fridge until you’re ready to eat. Silicone lids are also useful for storing leftovers right inside your IP.
Cake pans
If you enjoy using your Instant Pot for baking, you’ll need a cake pan in your arsenal. While there are IP-specific versions of a variety of baking tools, any cake pan will do. Just be sure to check the diameter of the pan to verify that it’ll fit inside your device.
Expert tip
Before you buy a ton of accessories, think about where and how you'll store them in order to avoid the “accessory avalanche” when you open their storage cabinet.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Extra pot
Did you know that some people own two Instant Pots? If you have the room, having two quick-cooking appliances is doubly convenient. Not everyone has the budget or space to invest in two Instant Pots, however. With an extra cooking pot, you can start cooking your next meal without worrying whether the previous night’s pot is clean. It’s also possible to buy a non-stick inner pot in addition to the included stainless steel version.
Travel bag
Tote your Instant Pot around with a secure travel case. Bring it anywhere with an available outlet like a potluck party or to an RV campground.
Yogurt-making tools
Instant Pots with a yogurt-making setting allow you to create pots of this delicious fermented food. You’ll need small containers to make single servings, or you may want to invest in a yogurt maker to strain and thicken the liquid to make Greek yogurt.
Accessory kits
If you’re struggling to identify which accessories you’d get the most use of, consider investing in an accessory kit that includes multiple Instant-Pot-ready extras. It’s usually cheaper to buy a kit than to purchase everything separately.
Instant pot accessory prices
Pricing varies widely depending on the Instant Pot accessory in question. Instant-Pot-brand accessories tend to be more expensive than 3rd party options, and accessory value sets can save you money in the long run.
Individual accessories
The bulk of individually sold accessories won’t cost you more than $20. Items like additional lids or inserts cost closer to $10, while additional cooking pots cost around $20.
Accessory bundles
Accessory kits cost from $20 to over $45. Pricier kits usually include more accessories. While more individual pieces are often a good thing, be sure to carefully check the list of accessories to be sure you are getting your money’s worth.
Expert tip
When cleaning your metal accessories, like a basket insert, think about baking it for a few minutes in the oven after washing and cloth-drying it to evaporate the last bits of water. Letting water sit on metal accessories can lead to rust.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Tips
- Any material that’s safe for use in your oven is safe to use inside your Instant Pot.
- Never try to lift out accessories from your Instant Pot without using oven mitts, gloves, or some type of lifting tool.
- Use the pot-in-pot cooking method to make meals inside your Instant Pot. Add water to the bottom of the inner pot and insert an oven-safe baking dish covered with aluminum foil. Use a rack to elevate the cooking vessel so that it doesn’t sit in the water.
- If you’re using a springform pan and discovering that it leaks, wrap the pan in aluminum foil to prevent leakage.
- Use an oven-safe loaf pan inside your Instant Pot to bake bread.
FAQ
Q. Which accessories should I purchase first?
A. Beginners should try learning all they can about the Instant Pot before buying accessories. Once you’ve gotten the hang of all the functions and have successfully cooked a few meals, start thinking about stocking your cabinets with accessories that will make your life easier.
Q. My accessory is damaged after use in the Instant Pot. What do I do?
A. If it’s an Instant-Pot-brand accessory that has incurred damage, contact Instant Pot and provide them with plenty of detail related to your issue. Attach photos, if possible, to speed up the communication process. If the item is a third-party accessory, contact the manufacturer. Note that if the third-party product is not designed for use with the Instant Pot, the company may not be able to help you.
Q. How do I know if an accessory is compatible with my Instant Pot?
A. Check the item description. If it doesn’t explicitly mention that it’s compatible with your Instant Pot model, check for the accessory’s measurements to see if it will fit inside the inner pot. Only use oven-safe products inside your Instant Pot.
