Welcome to the ultimate guide for enhancing your Instant Pot cooking experience! Over the years, as a passionate home cook and avid Instant Pot user, I’ve gathered an extensive collection of accessories that truly transform the way I utilize my electric pressure cooker. People frequently ask me about my top picks and essential tools for their Instant Pot, which inspired this comprehensive, curated list. Whether you’re a seasoned Instant Pot pro or just starting your pressure cooking journey, these accessories are designed to simplify your cooking, expand your culinary repertoire, and make every meal preparation more enjoyable. This guide is regularly updated to bring you the best and most current recommendations, ensuring you have access to the most effective and highly-rated tools.
Originally published November 5, 2017. Last updated: October 26, 2023.
It’s important to note that while many of these accessories are perfectly compatible with Instant Pot® brand pressure cookers, they are not all manufactured by the Instant Pot company. Most of these versatile tools will also work seamlessly with other brands of electric pressure cookers. Always double-check the dimensions of your specific Instant Pot model (e.g., 3-quart, 6-quart, 8-quart) to guarantee that any accessory you purchase will fit properly and function as intended. Investing in the right Instant Pot accessories can truly unlock your pressure cooker’s full potential, transforming it into an even more indispensable kitchen appliance.
Essential Instant Pot Accessories to Elevate Your Cooking
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The Perfect All-Around Instant Pot Accessories Starter Set
For those new to the Instant Pot world, or looking to quickly expand their collection, an all-inclusive accessory set is an excellent starting point. These sets often include a variety of useful tools that address common cooking needs, providing great value and versatility right out of the box. They are typically compatible with popular 6-quart and 8-quart Instant Pot models, offering a wide range of functionality for steaming, baking, and more.
15-Piece Pressure Cooker Accessories Set (Compatible with 6 & 8 Quart Instant Pot): This comprehensive set is a fantastic way to equip your kitchen with a variety of essential tools. It typically includes items like steamer baskets, springform pans, egg bite molds, and silicone mitts, all designed to fit your Instant Pot perfectly. It’s a thoughtful gift for any Instant Pot enthusiast and a smart investment for beginners seeking versatility.
Top Instant Pot Accessories: Steamers, Racks, and Trivets
Steamers, racks, and trivets are foundational Instant Pot accessories, crucial for everything from perfectly cooked vegetables to delicate fish and even pot-in-pot recipes. They elevate food above the cooking liquid, ensuring even steaming and preventing burning, making them indispensable for healthy and diverse meals.
Genuine Instant Pot Silicone Steamer Gift Set: Ideal for beginners or as a thoughtful present, this official Instant Pot silicone steamer set is a safe and reliable choice. Silicone is non-stick, easy to clean, and gentle on your pot, making it perfect for steaming a wide array of foods without scratching the inner liner.
Aozita Steamer Basket for Instant Pot (5, 6, 8 Qt) with Removable Dividers: A divided steamer basket is a game-changer for meal prep. This high-quality set allows you to cook up to three different vegetables or food items simultaneously without their flavors mingling, saving you time and effort. It includes a convenient trivet, making it a complete steaming solution.
Netany 2 Piece Stainless Steel Egg Steamer Rack: These versatile egg steamer racks offer dual functionality. Not only are they perfect for cooking a batch of hard-boiled eggs with ease, but their sturdy design also makes them excellent general-purpose racks for elevating other foods in your pressure cooker. The stackable feature is a bonus, allowing you to cook more at once.
Debbiedoo’s Beer Can Chicken Holder (6 Qt Instant Pot, Grill, or Barbecue): For those adventurous enough to try a “beer can chicken” in their 6-quart Instant Pot, this specialized rack is exactly what you need. Its robust design holds the chicken upright, ensuring even cooking and crispy skin. Plus, its versatility extends to outdoor grilling and barbecuing, making it a multi-functional kitchen gadget.
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer with Extendable Handle: OXO is known for its thoughtful design, and this steamer rack is no exception. Unlike many standard models, it features stable feet to prevent tipping and an extendable handle that makes placing and retrieving food from a hot Instant Pot significantly safer and easier. It’s a superior choice for everyday steaming needs.
CookingBasics Silicone Vegetable Steamer: This silicone steamer is perfectly sized for 6-quart Instant Pots and boasts integrated handles. These handles are invaluable for safely lowering and lifting the basket, preventing accidental burns and spills. It’s a practical, space-saving accessory for steaming vegetables and more.
Silicone Vegetable/Food Steamer Basket: For those who need more capacity, this silicone steamer basket offers a larger surface area, allowing you to steam more food in a single batch. It’s particularly well-suited for 6-quart pots and excels in 8-quart models, making it ideal for larger families or meal prepping.
RSVP Endurance Stainless Steel 3-Quart Wide Rim Mesh Basket (for 6 Qt Instant Pot): I personally own two of these and find them incredibly useful for various tasks, such as steaming diced potatoes for potato salad or a large batch of hard-boiled eggs. While the handles need to be detached for it to fit into a 6-quart Instant Pot, the process is straightforward, and the utility and excellent price point make it a worthwhile addition to your accessory collection.
Steamer Basket for 3, 6, or 8 Quart Instant Pot Pressure Cooker by House Again: A versatile steamer basket designed to accommodate various Instant Pot sizes, offering a flexible solution for steaming needs across different models. Its robust construction ensures durability and efficient cooking.
Hatrigo Instant Pot Accessories 3, 6, or 8 Quart Steamer Basket: This steamer basket from Hatrigo is another excellent option, known for its high quality and adaptability to 3, 6, or 8-quart Instant Pots. It’s a popular choice for its sturdy design and reliable performance.
The Original Salbree 6-Quart Instant Pot Steamer Basket: This highly sought-after stainless mesh steamer basket is a favorite among 5 and 6-quart Instant Pot owners. Its popularity means it often sells out quickly, a testament to its quality and effectiveness in preparing various steamed dishes.
Aozita Steamer Basket for the 8-Quart Instant Pot: Specifically designed for the larger 8-quart Instant Pot, this Aozita steamer basket offers ample space for cooking bigger batches. Its dimensions are tailored to fit perfectly within the 8-quart model, ensuring optimal performance for larger meals and gatherings.
TOOGOO® 5 5/8″ Kitchen Cookware Stainless Steel Wire Steaming Rack Stand: This robust wire rack is invaluable for “pot-in-pot” (PIP) cooking. Its taller legs provide the perfect elevation, allowing you to cook a main dish in a pan placed on top, while simultaneously cooking another item (like broth or potatoes) underneath. This maximizes your Instant Pot’s capacity and efficiency.
Lakatay Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Round Steamer Basket Stand: Similar to the previous item, this heavy-duty stand is another excellent option for multi-level cooking. Imagine cooking tender potatoes in a flavorful broth at the bottom of your Instant Pot, while a perfectly steamed meatloaf, nestled in foil or a pan, rests securely on this elevated trivet. It’s perfect for creating complete meals in one go.
Instant Pot Silicone Steam Rack: This silicone steam rack is a personal favorite due to its thoughtful design, particularly the long handles. These handles allow for easy, safe placement and removal of food, preventing awkward maneuvering or burns. Its flexibility and non-stick properties make it a joy to use and clean.
We’re always on the lookout for innovative and useful Instant Pot accessories! If you have a favorite steamer, rack, or trivet that you believe deserves a spot on this list, please let me know so I can consider adding it and sharing with our community!
Unleash Your Inner Baker: Instant Pot Cheesecake & Baking Pans
Beyond savory dishes, your Instant Pot is a fantastic tool for baking, especially for moist cheesecakes and tender cakes. These specialized pans are designed to fit perfectly inside your pressure cooker, allowing you to create impressive desserts with minimal effort and perfect results every time.
Fat Daddio’s Anodized Aluminum Round Cheesecake Pan with Removable Bottom (Assorted Sizes): Often called a “Push Pan,” this is my go-to choice for crafting flawless Instant Pot cheesecakes. The removable bottom design makes unmolding your cheesecake incredibly easy – simply push the bottom up, and your creation lifts out perfectly. Available in various sizes, you can find one that fits your 3, 5, 6, or 8-quart Instant Pot, ensuring a perfect fit for any model.
7 Inch Non-stick Springform Pan: While push pans are excellent, many bakers prefer traditional springform pans for their cheesecakes and other delicate desserts. This 7-inch non-stick springform pan is a popular choice, offering easy release and reliable performance for your Instant Pot baking needs.
Mastering Pot-in-Pot Cooking: Essential Pans for Your Instant Pot
Pot-in-Pot (PIP) cooking is a revolutionary technique that allows you to cook diverse meals, heat leftovers, or bake delicate dishes in your Instant Pot without them directly contacting the inner liner. This method is fantastic for preventing flavors from mixing, cooking multiple dishes at once, or simply ensuring easy cleanup. These specialized pans are designed for perfect PIP results.
ekovana Stackable Stainless Steamer Insert Pans (6-Quart Instant Pot): These stackable stainless steel insert pans are among my absolute favorite Instant Pot accessories! They enable true multi-tasking, allowing you to cook different foods simultaneously in the same pot without flavors intermingling. Use them stacked for a complete meal or individually for perfectly cooked rice, fish, cornbread, scalloped potatoes, stuffing, and so much more. They are a must-have for maximizing your Instant Pot’s efficiency, available for 3, 6, and 8-quart models.
ekovana Stackable Stainless Steamer Insert Pans (3-Quart Mini Instant Pot): Don’t let the smaller size of your 3-quart Mini Instant Pot limit your PIP cooking! These ekovana stackable pans are specifically designed to fit the smaller models, bringing the same multi-functionality and convenience to compact kitchens or individual meal preparation.
Aozita Stackable Stainless Steel Steamer Insert Pans (6 or 8 Qt) with Interchangeable Lids: This alternative stackable stainless steel set offers a unique advantage with its interchangeable lids, including one with holes for steaming and another solid one for baking or storing. This thoughtful design enhances versatility, making it perfect for 6 or 8-quart Instant Pots.
Aozita Stackable Stainless Steel Steamer Insert Pans (8 Quart Instant Pot) with Interchangeable Lids: Specifically tailored for the larger 8-quart Instant Pot, this Aozita stackable pan set offers the same benefit of interchangeable lids as its smaller counterpart. It’s an excellent solution for maximizing cooking capacity and versatility in bigger Instant Pot models.
Stack N’ Cook – Stackable Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker Steamer Insert Pans with 2 Lids: Similar to the ekovana sets, this Stack N’ Cook option features a larger bottom pot, which I find particularly useful for cooking a main dish while a side cooks simultaneously in the smaller upper pot. While I don’t personally own this set, it consistently receives strong reviews for its practical design and dual-purpose functionality.
Nordic Ware 6-Cup Bundt Pan: A Bundt pan isn’t just for cakes; it’s incredibly versatile in the Instant Pot! This Nordic Ware 6-cup pan is perfect for baking moist cakes, but it also excels at creating savory dishes like meatloaf, stuffing, or even creative savory rings. Its unique shape allows for even heat distribution in the pressure cooker.
Tovolo Stainless Steel 1.5-Quart Bowl: This high-quality 1.5-quart stainless steel bowl is an essential tool for Pot-in-Pot cooking. I frequently use it for heating frozen leftovers directly in the Instant Pot, ensuring even reheating and easy cleanup. Its durable construction makes it a reliable choice for a variety of PIP applications.
Hiware 7-Inch Non-stick Springform Pan: This 7-inch non-stick springform pan is incredibly useful for a range of dishes beyond cheesecake. I frequently use it to prepare savory creations like lasagna, taco pie, and various other culinary experiments that benefit from easy release and defined shape.
Debbiedoo’s 7-Inch Non-stick Springform Bundt Pan: This ingenious pan from Debbiedoo’s truly offers double duty, functioning as both a springform and a Bundt pan. Its versatility makes it perfect for creating a wide range of cakes and other culinary delights, and with its attractive design (I love both the blue and orange versions!), it’s a delightful addition to any kitchen.
Debbiedoo’s Flower Cake Bundtlette Pan (For 3, 5, 6, & 8 Qt Pressure Cookers): This charming 3-cup Bundt-style pan from Debbiedoo’s is perfect for smaller portions. It can hold up to 8 eggs or half of a standard cake mix, fitting perfectly into 3-quart and larger Instant Pot models. It’s ideal for individual desserts, savory egg bakes, or smaller cakes.
Set of 6 Porcelain Ramekins – 6 oz: If you’re a fan of individual desserts or side dishes, a set of 6-ounce ramekins is a must-have. They are the ideal size for achieving the best results in recipes like my delicious Instant Pot Chocolate Lava Cakes, and perfect for custards, soufflés, or mini gratins.
AmazonBasics Reusable Silicone Baking Cups, Pack of 12: These versatile silicone cupcake molds are perfect for individual portions. Use them to make flawless poached eggs, convenient individual egg bakes, or even adorable tiny cheesecakes. Their reusable nature and non-stick properties make them an eco-friendly and practical choice.
MADE-IN-USA – Popfex Silicone Egg Bites Mold for Instant Pot Accessories: This silicone tray, originally designed for baby food freezer storage, has become incredibly popular among Instant Pot users. It’s perfect for creating the famous “Egg Bites” or delightful mini cheesecake bites, fitting conveniently in 6 and 8-quart pots. *Note: Brands and availability can vary; search Amazon for “silicone baby food storage” to find similar options.*
Silicone Baby Food Storage Containers Freezer Trays with Plastic Clip-On Lids – 3 Pack: If you own a 3-quart Mini Instant Pot, these silicone freezer trays are an ideal fit for making Egg Bites or other individual portions. The clip-on lids make them practical for both cooking and storing.
Mirenlife 2 Inch Large Food Grade Silicone Ice Cube Tray with Lid (Set of 2): Don’t let the name fool you! This large square silicone ice cube tray is fantastic for baking. Use it to create perfectly portioned cornbread squares, brownies, or any other individual baked goods you desire in your Instant Pot.
Miscellaneous Must-Have Instant Pot Accessories & Kitchen Tools
Beyond the core cooking inserts, certain general kitchen tools and clever solutions can significantly improve your Instant Pot experience, from maintenance to precision cooking and serving.
Loew Cornell 841 20-Piece Foam Brush Set, 2-Inch: Cleaning the intricate rim of the Instant Pot lid can be a notoriously tricky task. For a long time, I struggled with paper towels, but then I discovered the brilliance of foam brushes! These inexpensive brushes effortlessly reach into all the nooks and crannies, making lid cleaning a breeze. A true “mind-blown” moment!
Pressure Cooker Covers – Custom Made from Debbiedoo’s: Keep your valuable Instant Pot protected from dust, spills, and scratches with these well-made, custom-fitted covers from Debbiedoo’s. They feature a convenient pocket for storing small accessories or recipe cards and come in various colors to match your kitchen decor. Available for 3, 6, and 8-quart models, they offer both protection and style.
- Pressure Cooker Cover – Custom Made – 3 Quart
- Pressure Cooker Cover – Custom Made – 6 Quart
- Pressure Cooker Cover – Custom Made – 8 Quart
Spring Chef Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Metal Measuring Spoons: I cannot rave enough about these measuring spoons! Their innovative design allows them to actually *fit* into standard spice jars – a small detail that makes a huge difference in convenience. They are crafted from high-quality, heavy-duty stainless steel and even include a rare 3/4 teaspoon size. The flat bottom of the rectangular spoons means you can set them on the counter without spilling contents. Plus, they come with a lifetime warranty! Seriously, I genuinely love these spoons.
Mrs. Anderson’s Baking Dual-Sided Pastry Dough Tart Tamper, Hardwood, 6-Inches: When creating cheesecake crusts or tarts, achieving a perfectly even and compact base is key. While fingers or a glass bottom work, this specialized pastry tamper is designed for the task, making it incredibly effective for pressing crusts firmly and uniformly into your baking pans.
Rubbermaid 7J71 Easy Find Lid Square 9-Cup Food Storage (2 Containers): I stumbled upon this genius cheesecake storage solution by accident! I realized one day that by simply inverting a Rubbermaid 9-cup square container, it perfectly fit my 7-inch cheesecakes. This set of two offers an incredibly economical and practical way to store your baked creations, keeping them fresh and protected. This is a brilliant hack for any Instant Pot baker!
Worthy Parchment Liners (Various Sizes): For consistent results when baking cheesecakes or other delicate items, parchment rounds are invaluable. These pre-cut liners save time and effort, ensuring your baked goods don’t stick and are easy to remove. Available in sizes like 6-inch and 7-inch, they perfectly match common Instant Pot pan sizes. You can also find them in natural, unbleached options.
Genuine Instant Pot Mini Mitts: Handling the hot inner liner or accessories from your Instant Pot requires proper protection. Unlike cloth pot holders that can get wet and transfer heat, these silicone mini mitts offer superior heat resistance and a secure grip. I use them constantly for safely removing hot items, making them an essential safety accessory.
Topoko Pan Grippers: When using the Pot-in-Pot method, especially without a sling or a long-handled trivet, retrieving hot pans can be challenging. These Topoko Pan Grippers are specifically designed to securely grasp hot pans, allowing for safe and easy removal from the Instant Pot. They are incredibly effective and offer peace of mind when dealing with hot cookware.
Euro Cuisine GY50 Greek Yogurt Maker (Strainer): For those who enjoy making homemade yogurt in their Instant Pot, this Greek yogurt maker is a game-changer. It effectively strains out the whey, transforming regular yogurt into thick, creamy Greek-style yogurt. It’s a popular accessory for achieving that desirable texture and tang.
Lipper International 8831 Bamboo Over-The-Sink/Stove Kitchen Cutting and Serving Board: While it’s strongly advised *not* to place your Instant Pot directly on a stove burner, some kitchens offer limited counter space. If you must use your Instant Pot near a stovetop, this cutting board with raised feet provides a crucial safety buffer. It elevates your Instant Pot above burner knobs, reducing the risk of accidental activation and potential damage to your pressure cooker. It’s a pragmatic solution for challenging kitchen layouts.
Ozeri ZK14-L Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale: A reliable food scale is an indispensable tool in any kitchen, especially for precise baking and following recipes that list ingredients by weight. I use mine several times a week for everything from portioning ingredients for meal prep to accurately measuring for complex recipes. This Ozeri scale is accurate, easy to use, and a fantastic investment for serious cooks.
Lavatools PT12 Javelin Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer: For food safety and perfect results, an instant-read thermometer is non-negotiable. Whether you’re cooking roasts, meatloaf, chicken, or making yogurt, precise temperature control is vital. This Javelin thermometer provides quick and accurate readings, making it a critical tool for every home chef.
Cuisinart CSB-75BC Smart Stick 200 Watt 2 Speed Hand Blender: Making creamy, blended soups or sauces in your Instant Pot is incredibly easy with an immersion blender. Who wants the hassle and mess of transferring hot liquids to a traditional blender? This Cuisinart Smart Stick is powerful and efficient, allowing you to blend directly in the Instant Pot liner, making cleanup and cooking infinitely simpler.
Award-Winning Professional Grade Black Silicone Spatula By DI ORO: A high-quality spatula is essential for stirring, scraping, and serving. This DI ORO silicone spatula stands out for its perfect balance of flexibility and rigidity. It’s made for high heat, meaning you can confidently use it for sautéing in the Instant Pot, and its seamless design makes it hygienic and easy to clean. It’s truly an excellent all-around kitchen tool.
Crucial Instant Pot-Specific Accessories: The True Must-Haves
While many general kitchen tools enhance your Instant Pot experience, some accessories are specifically designed for or become absolutely essential when owning an Instant Pot. These items address unique aspects of pressure cooking, from functionality to maintenance and safety.
Instant Pot Tempered Glass Lid (3, 6, 8 Quart): A tempered glass lid is a versatile and often overlooked accessory. I use mine frequently to cover the pot when pre-heating water or stock before pressure cooking, during the yogurt-making process, for keeping food warm after cooking, and especially when utilizing the slow cooker function. It’s a must-have for added flexibility and convenience.
Instant Pot Tempered Glass Lid – 3, 6, 8 Quart
Instant Pot Silicone Cover (3, 5, 6, 8 Quart): These silicone covers are incredibly practical. If you want to store leftovers directly in the stainless steel inner liner in the fridge, or transport a pot of food to a potluck, these covers provide a tight seal. They are incredibly useful for both storage and portability, ensuring your food stays fresh and secure (cover only, liner not included).
Extra Genuine Instant Pot Silicone Sealing Rings: Without a doubt, extra sealing rings are one of the most essential Instant Pot accessories! They are critical for proper pressure cooking and will eventually wear out, so having a spare on hand is crucial. However, their importance goes beyond wear and tear. Silicone is notorious for absorbing food odors. This is the infamous “stinky ring” dilemma that every Instant Pot cook eventually faces! Despite thorough washing, soaking, and even sun exposure, the smell rarely vanishes completely. This odor can easily transfer to foods, leading to undesirable flavor contamination. I once made applesauce that tasted distinctly like a savory roast – a lesson learned the hard way!
The best solution is to designate separate sealing rings: one for savory/spicy dishes and another for neutral/sweet foods like yogurt, rice, and desserts. Storing your Instant Pot lid upside down on the pot, allowing the ring to air out, also significantly helps mitigate odors. Always ensure you use genuine Instant Pot brand sealing rings to maintain your warranty and ensure safe pressure cooker operation.
- Genuine Instant Pot Silicone Sealing Rings – 2-Pack, 5 & 6 Quart
- Genuine Instant Pot Sealing Ring 2-Pack – 3, 6, or 8 Quart (Red/Blue)
- Genuine Instant Pot Sealing Ring 2-Pack Clear, Mini 3 Quart
- Silicone Sealing Ring 8 Quart Clear for IP DUO-80
Genuine Instant Pot Stainless Steel Inner Cooking Pot – 3, 6, or 8 Quart: Having an extra inner cooking pot is incredibly convenient, especially if you cook frequently or prepare multi-course meals. It allows you to quickly switch between dishes without having to clean the pot in between, or to cook one dish while another is being stored or served. This genuine Instant Pot stainless steel pot is durable and easy to clean.
Ceramic Coated Nonstick Inner Liner Pot for the 3, 6, or 8 Quart: This ceramic-coated nonstick inner liner pot is a revelation for dishes like mac & cheese, rice, and oatmeal. Cleanup becomes exceptionally easy as food simply slides off. If you frequently cook sticky or starchy foods, this nonstick pot is one of my top recommendations for making your Instant Pot experience even more enjoyable.
Explore the Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker Models
While this guide focuses on accessories, it’s worth highlighting the core Instant Pot models themselves. If you’re looking to purchase your first Instant Pot or upgrade to a newer model, here are some of the most popular and highly-rated electric pressure cookers available.
- Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker
- Instant Pot Ultra 6 Qt 10-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker
- Duo Plus 6 Quart Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
- 8 Quart Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
Compact Power: 3 Quart Instant Pot® Mini Models
The 3-quart Instant Pot Mini models are perfect for smaller households, dorm rooms, or for preparing side dishes and smaller portions. They offer all the versatility of their larger counterparts in a compact form factor.
- Instant Pot Mini 3 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
- Instant Pot DUO Plus 3 Qt 9-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker
- Instant Pot Ultra 3 Qt 10-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker
Equipping your Instant Pot with the right accessories can truly transform your cooking experience, making it more efficient, versatile, and enjoyable. From specialized steaming baskets to ingenious baking pans and essential maintenance tools, each item on this list has been carefully selected for its ability to enhance the functionality of your beloved pressure cooker. By investing in these thoughtful additions, you’re not just buying tools; you’re unlocking new culinary possibilities and streamlining your kitchen routine.
Don’t hesitate to share your own indispensable Instant Pot accessories! Your suggestions help enrich this guide and benefit our entire community of Instant Pot enthusiasts. Happy cooking!
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