Best Instant Pot Accessories
Want to know what pressure cooker accessories to buy to help you get the most out of your new Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker? I’ve tested so many items so you don’t have to! Here’s my list of the best pressure cooker accessories of 2019!
If you’re just getting started pressure cooking, you might be overwhelmed by the number of accessories in this post. Ultimately, I recommend starting with just three: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer, Fat Daddio’s Anodized Aluminum Round 7×3-inch Cake Pan, and a trivet.
Then add more accessories as your budget and cabinet space allow!
None of the items on this post have been sponsored; every item on this list is something I find myself using over and over in my kitchen.
All of the recommended items fit a 6-quart pressure cooking pot, like the Instant Pot Duo or Mealthy MultiPot. They can also be used in larger pressure cookers as well.
Steamer Baskets, Racks, & Trivets that Fit in an Instant Pot
The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer is my favorite steamer for the pressure cooker. It’s perfect for steaming vegetables, but my favorite use is keeping the potatoes out of the water when I cook my Quick Pressure Cooker Potato Salad, Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin, and Chunky Potato Cheese Soup, so the potatoes stay chunky and firm but also tender.
Oxo also makes a flexible silicone pressure cooker steamer that works great, but I still find myself reaching for the stainless steel version. If you prefer a mesh basket strainer, I like this one with Stainless Metal Strainer with Nonstick Feet.
When cooking pot-in-pot, you’ll absolutely need a trivet. I have three that I love. The tall 2.7″ Stainless Steel Steam Rack/Trivet is a must-have when cooking chicken in the bottom of the pot and rice above. The shorter trivet is useful when you have tall ingredients like a butternut squash or are stacking ramekins or mason jars on top of each other.
My newest trivet is the red OXO Good Grips Pressure Cooker Sling—I really love using the handles to remove hot pans from the pressure cooker. (There’s no need to make a foil sling anymore when you’re using this.)
Pots, Pans, and Molds that Fit in ANY 6-Quart Pressure Cooker
My #1 most used accessory is this Fat Daddio’s Anodized Aluminum Round 7×3-inch Cake Pan. It’s a workhorse—I use it for “baking” in the pressure cooker as well as for cooking rice or even lasagna pot-in-pot. The Fat Daddio’s pan has stood up really well to multiple-times-a-week use in my kitchen. Five years in, it’s still going strong! (Not #sponsored—I really love this pan!)
Want to make cheesecake? It’s extra smooth and creamy when you make it in the pressure cooker. While I haven’t found any pan that’s 100% leakproof, this Nordic Ware 7-Inch Springform Pan comes the closest. Try it when you make any of my BEST Pressure Cooker Cheesecake Recipes (Samoa Cheesecake, anyone?)
If you prefer a push bottom pan, I got this Fat Daddio’s Cheesecake Pan at the recommendation of several people in the Instant Pot Community Facebook Group and love this Hatrigo 7-Inch Push Pan with a handle recommend by the Instant Pot 101 Facebook Group.
Another fun accessory I use is Nordic Ware 6-Cup Half-Size Bundt Pan. I’ve used it to make Pressure Cooker Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake and Stuffing in the Pressure Cooker for Thanksgiving. (You can make stuffing in the cake pan, but I love the extra crispiness you get from the bundt pan.)
Finally, you have a few specialty pans. I love these Silicone Molds for Instant Pot for making egg bites or muffins. They’re also great for making mini cheesecakes—I’m planning to make some cheesecake pops this way soon. And the cake push pans are another way for making cheesecakes or mini cheesecakes.
Pressure Cooker Spare Parts & Add-Ons
The gasket/silicone ring is an essential part of the pressure cooker, but it does absorb odors as you cook. I have a second Instant Pot Sealing Ring Two-Pack (Red/Blue) that I use for desserts and other mild-tasting foods. (My daughter has one that’s saved just for cheesecakes!)
I also make sure to have a spare Instant Pot Float Valve and Mini Gasket on hand.
There are a few occasions when having a nonstick inner cooking pot comes in handy—like making tapioca pudding. And if you use the slow cook feature on your pressure cooker, an Instant Pot Tempered Glass Lid really comes in handy.
Other Useful Pressure Cooking Tools
If you make a lot of cheesecakes, this Fox Run Tart Tamper makes it super easy to press the crust into the pan.
I really recommend having a good Instant-Read Digital Food Thermometer so you can verify that your foods are cooked to a safe internal temperature.
I love using these Instant Pot Mini Mitts to get foods out of the electric pressure cooker.
I’m obsessed with this OXO Good Grips Ground Meat Chopper for breaking up hamburger or ground chicken in my Instant Pot recipes, like in my American Chop Suey or Parmesan Meatballs.
I’m including the Mealthy CrispLid here because it’s SUCH a useful accessory—crisp up your pressure-cooked food without having to take it out of the cooking pot. If you want to read more about the Crisp Lid, see my review.
Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Cookbooks
You’ll want to use these accessories with some tried-and-true recipes. These cookbooks also make great gifts.
Instantly Sweet: 75 Desserts and Sweet Treats by Barbara Schieving and Marci Buttars
The Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook: 200 Fast and Foolproof Recipes by Barbara Schieving
The Instant Pot Baby Food & Toddler Food Cookbook by Barbara Schieving and Jennifer Schieving McDaniel
What would you put on your list of best pressure cooker accessories? Is there something I need to try? Let me know in the comments!
See all my pressure cooker and baking accessory recommendations in my Amazon Store.
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I have a Power Pressure Cooker XL 10 qt. I have not been able to find any accessories for a 10 qt. Could I use the ones for an 8 qt?
Most regular size pans will fit in the 10 quart. So you could use a 9-inch springform pan for cheesecake and double Instant Pot cheesecake recipes for example. Anything that fits in an 8 quart will fit in your 10 quart.
Can you tell me which trivet that you use to put the cheesecake on? I bought the 2.7 high trivet and my pan is going to be very close to the top of my 6 qt. Ulta.
Hi Charlene – my favorite to use for cheesecake lately is the OXO Sling. It makes it so easy to put it in and get it out. If I’m not using the sling or the trivet that came with my Instant Pot, I’ll use this trivet https://amzn.to/2YqTWa5 As long as the pan doesn’t interfere with the lid closing and there’s plenty of room around the edges and top for steam to circulate, you can use the tall trivet.
Thank you! I bought the Oxo sling and love it! Your article on useful accessories was wonderful, especially for a newcomer!
That’s awesome – thanks for the update Charlene! Glad you love the OXO sling as much as I do.
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Can we use Teflon springform in pressure cookers , if yes then do we need to place a plate before placing the springform ?
Hi Akansha – any dish that is oven safe and fits in the pressure cooker with room around the sides for steam you can use in the pressure cooker. You always want to use a rack to elevate the dish so it isn’t sitting on the bottom of the inner pot.
Hi Barbara, the pans you listed are for what size IP? I have the 6 qt duo60 and want to get a Bundt Pan. Thanks!
Hi Jeanne – they’re for a 6 quart pressure cooker. So the bundt pan will be perfect for your Duo60. Have fun!
Great q&a.. I learn so much from this site, thankyou…
Hi, will these accessories fit the Crock Pot Express Cooker. I got one for Christmas, and I am in 7th heaven! I am 64 years old, and I remember my mother using a pressure cooker to can meat. It had 8 screw down clamps, and it was the ONLY kitchen tool I was not allow to use. One time, mom did something wrong, and it exploded. The lid went flying, and the quart canning jars flew up, and broke every where. So this new pressure cookers, so much fun. I made the best vegetable soup ever, and in only 20 minutes. It tasted like it had simmered all day. Thank you for this site, I love it!
Hi Melody – yes, they will fit great in your Crock Pot Express. That does sound terrifying. The new electrics are so safe. Have fun!
How do you remove the handles from the steaming basket? They seem to be on there really well! Help please!
Hi Angie – my husband just used a screw driver to pry them off and they popped off really easily.
Would it be okay to make mini cheesecakes in the glass custard cups? Does the cooking time change and do I need to cover them (to protect from lid drips)?
Hi Betsy – yes, here’s a post where I made cheesecake in the custard cups https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/pressure-cooker-robin-egg-mini-cheesecakes/ I did not cover them.
Barbara. When my daughter ask for a pressure cooker for Christmas last year , I bought her some silicone accessories (recommended by the web site I got the cooker) which included a cake pan, muffin pan and a rake, I also got a set for myself a set. My question is can I use these to do things like making a cake , a casserole, rice etc. ? I have made hard boiled eggs in the pan which was great because it has large loop handles which made it very easy to remove from the cooker.
Hi Lynn – yes, you can use silicone pans for cooking cakes, rice and casserole, etc.. Just be aware that the silicone pans do absorb odors just like the gaskets.
Any recommendations for a stainless steel bowl that will fit inside my 6 at Instant Pot for cooking rice that I could get on Amazon?
Hi Lisa – This is my favorite bowl for cooking rice pot in pot in the 6 quart pressure cooker http://amzn.to/2iILyfG
Will the accessories u listed as your favorite will they fit The power Pressure Cooker XL?
Yes, they will all fit the Power Pressure Cooker XL as well.
I have Elite Bistro. I haven’t checked with the manufacturer yet. To be honest I didn’t think about getting a backup ring until I found your post. Will check with them. Thanks!
I have an 8 qt. & a 4 qt cooker. Why don’t they offer a 4 qt sealing ring? I like the idea of having a second one. I only see one for a 6 qt & a 4 qt. Was also considering buying a 12 qt. Can you tell that I love these things?!
They’re so easy to love! I’ve heard it is harder to find some sealing rings. What brand do you have? Have you tried contacting the manufacturer?
I like to cook rice using the “pot-in-a-pot” technique in my pressure cookers. The inside pot should be stainless steel to prevent the risk of breakage. Most stainless bowls I have found are too high on the sides and too round. Oddly enough, the best stainless bowl I use to cook my rice is a stainless steel dog bowl. I am a dog trainer and I have hundreds of these bowls. They have nearly straight sided sides, a flat bottom, and a short lip for grasping. And they work awesome! My rice always turns out fully cooked, light and fluffy, and all the rice is not gummy and sticky. People always ask me how I get my rice (especially brown rice) cooked so absolutely perfect every single time. And I use the opportunity to introduce them to the world of pressure cooking.
Wow, stainless steel dog bowls???!!! I would’ve never thought if that thanks for the tip.
I was just going to ask that question, what bowl can I use to cook rice in when the recipe calls for a stainless steel bowl. What size do I need for a 6 at?
I have a 6qt, will the Bundt pat be too big? I always heard you’re supposed to leave some space… Thank you
Hi Pam – it works great in my 6 quart Instant Pot.
I recently purchased the Cooks Essentials PC. Will the accessories discussed work in that PC?
Hi Marcy – yes, they should work just fine.
I have a stove top Fagor Pressure cooker so I don’t have all of the options like “saute” or I noticed that many of your recipes say to cook on different temperatures. I made stew and it scorched on the bottom. Any suggestions to keep things from scorching or burning on the bottom?
Hi Debbie – a couple of things to try. Regulating the temperature is super important with a stove top pressure cooker. Make sure to reduce the temperature to the lowest possible to maintain pressure. You may need to add more liquid to a recipe if you know your pressure cooker loses more liquid as it cooks. Also, with stew, be sure and don’t flour your meat before you brown it. It can form a thick layer on the bottom of the pot that can burn and interfere with pressure cooking. On a stove top pressure cooker instead of the saute button, you just cook on a medium-high temperature without the lid on, just like you would normally brown or saute ingredients on the stove.
I love all the plastic free selctions! Thank you for that. I am not sold on silicone in pressure cookers, no matter how many suggest the stuff. I think it smells like gas/oil. Uck.
I’ve been looking into the oxo steamer accessory, but I keep wondering how it works in the instant pot with those plastic handle grips? Do those not get damaged?
Hi Carla – the plastic handle doesn’t get damaged. I’ve been using it in the pressure cooker for a couple of years now and it’s as good as new.
Thank you for this information. Do you find a need for the IP glass lid?
Hi Janette – I don’t have the IP glass lid because I have a glass lid from my pots and pans that fits perfectly. Lots of people do like the IP glass lid though.
Barbara I’m looking for a rack so that I can make extra rows of mini cheesecakes??? Something for the 2nd layer- any ideas?
Hi Jody – lately I’ve been loving my 7 Inch Pizza Screen – it doesn’t have any legs which is nice. Looks like the one I bought is now sold out on Amazon, but there are others. I talked about racks in my new gift giving guide. https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/electric-pressure-cooker-gift-giving-guide/ A second rack is definitely a must have I think.
What size cooker do you have? 6 qt., 8 qt. or 10 qt?
Hi Lovel – I mainly use a 6 quart https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/faq/
Are the handles difficult to remove from the RSVP stainless steel basket . I have an Instant Pot and love trying new things with it.
Wow. Where have I been hiding?? I had no idea that I could be doing so much with my pot. I received it as a gift so I’m not real familiar with the whole concept of pressure cooking. I just purchased tidbit’s new recipe ebook and I’m looking forward to getting comfortable with this ” new way” of preparing, well, just about anything! Thanks for sharing.
Hi. This is a great post. Could you tell me about the steamer rack you use to stack your custard cups for the flan recipe? It looks perfect and I would love to know where you got it. Thanks!
Thanks T! I added a link to the rack below the picture of the flan. Thanks for the question! http://amzn.to/2a7Qi9D
how do you get the handles off of the mesh basket?
My husband just broken them off with a screw driver.
where can i purchase the trivet/rack for a 4 quart pressure cooker? also any other accessories for my cooker plus lid would be appreciated thank-you
I do love my small springform pan and that OXO steamer-both so easy to use and perfect for the pressure cooker.
One thing I use a lot to lift hot things out of the pressure cooker is my Ove Gloves. I find they offer more protection than pot holders and aren’t as bulky as oven mitts when lifting the insert out. They seem to work better for me.
Please add me to list. Thanks
Hi Barbara
The IP silicon lid is currently out of stock thru Amazon, and they don’t know if and when it will be available again. Also some very mixed reviews with several people saying it’s not tight enough for a good seal.
Thanks for a great list.
Thanks Astrid. The fit isn’t tight, but I do still like it because the lid is nice and thick and seems like it will last a long time.
I have not made yogurt in my pc yet and need to know what accessories you recommend?
Hi Patty – you can make yogurt right in the cooking pot. If you want thicker yogurt you can strain it. I added a link to the nut bags above. Here’s a link to the yogurt recipe many are using http://www.tidbits-cami.com/2015/09/homemade-yogurt.html
Hi BARBARA SCHIEVING,
Awesome list of pressure cooker accessories. I recently purchased the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer after reading about it at BestPressureCookerReview.com and I just want to add that there is a reason this steamer costs more than others, and it is well worth it.
We eat a lot of steamed foods and this is the best steamer I’ve ever used. It is useful for veggies, chicken, fish etc. I’ve had MANY problems with blades coming loose from the cheaper brands, but this one is well built and more durable, so I have not experienced that issue. The legs can fold up, won’t scratch non stick surfaces, and are long enough to give you plenty of water for prolonged cooking times. This is a welcome addition because many of the cheaper brands have short legs, forcing you to constantly monitor the water level else get that nasty burning smell when it runs dry. There is also a handle which pushes down for a low profile when cooking (so you can use a lid), and then raises to easily pull the steamer out when it’s done.
The only caveat, as with all stainless steel steamers, is that when cooking fish or chicken it will be a huge mess to clean up if you do not use a non-stick spray product beforehand. The meat gets stuck in the holes and between the blades and takes some effort to clean off by hand. This is dishwasher safe, but putting it into the dishwasher with a lot of food still stuck on it will only dry it up onto the steamer. Coat with PAM or brush with olive oil before steaming and you’ll be fine.
Hi Maxine – great contribution. I generally don’t use the steam basket for meats. I’ll just use the trivet/rack that came with the pressure cooker for meats.
A hand held dish brush that fits in the palm of your hand is excellent for cleaning wire and mesh baskets. It’s get in all those nooks and crannies very easily.
Oxo brand makes a really nice one that you can add dish soap to and just push to squirt the dish soap out.
It’s an amazing little brush!
Thanks Penny – I’ve seen those brushes. I’ll have to pick one up and try it.
The primary reason I purchased the Instant Pot instead of the TV-advertised competitor was because of the included stainless steel cooking pot. I specifically did NOT want an aluminum one. So, the Nordic Ware spring-form pan will not do for me. This Wilton one might, however: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000DIX7U/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2T05QGJJ9L8P1&coliid=I1DV81XDFOH3YJ&psc=1 . Thanks for the other ideas, though!
Why can’t you use aluminum in a pressure cooker??
Hi Dawn – you definitely can use aluminum in the pressure cooker. Some people are just concerned there may be negative consequences from it. Like the warnings about charring meat on the grill or not using a microwave oven.
Hey Barb…have you seen these silicone inserts for the pc? I bought them off of QVC and they are super tools for the pc (I bought black inserts).
Check them out…I think you will love them!
Here is the link:
http://www.qvc.com/Cooks-Essentials-4-pc.-Silicone-Pressure-Cooke.product.K42922.html?upsh=1&sc=K42922-CSWB
Thanks for your hard work and information.
Thanks for sharing PattiAnn – I know a lot of people in the FB group like them. I do have a silicone steamer, but I find it difficult to get out of the pressure cooker, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be a problem with these. Looks like they’re sold out right now.
Yep, I have one of those silicone steamers too and they are difficult to deal with. These however with the handles are a breeze to get in and out of the pc. They are very popular and they do sell out pretty quick, but keep your eye out ’cause they probably will come back into stock.
Barbara this is a great list. Hopefully a lot of folks will see this that are in the IP FB group. The question of accessories is constant and you have done an outstanding job of explaining all of your choices. Love your blog and recipes! Thank you
Thanks so much Sandi! I was hoping people would find it helpful.
I’d like to hear what people use for making yogurt. I love the accessories you’ve shown and want them all!
Thanks Mary – I added an Amazon link to the Nut Milk bags recommended for straining the yogurt. I’d love to hear others suggestions too.
I much prefer the Euro Cuisine greek yogurt strainer than a nut milk bag. If you are making yogurt with a gallon of milk, you will need 2 of these strainers. Much less messy then a nut milk bag.
https://www.amazon.com/Euro-Cuisine-GY50-Greek-Yogurt/dp/B0091XNL0I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480534017&sr=8-2&keywords=yogurt+strainer
Our Fresh Market-<that's the name, had cloth coffe bags that I think are just 99 cents which would work, we use them for our cold brew.