So you got an Instant Pot and now you’re wondering if you really need all those accessories people are talking about.
Like the Bundt pan or the stackable pans*.
*Use code 10OFF4WARDEE to get 10% OFF these stackable pans from seller Me’n Lily.
Well, those are fun and I have quite a few of them… but do you really need them?
Not really.
A lot of us are on a budget and can’t just pick up and buy anything that comes our way.
So… here’s a list of Instant Pot accessories you REALLY need. Nothing extra, nothing fancy, just the 5 that I think are necessary if you use an Instant Pot regularly.
These 5 will help you with cakes, cheesecakes, breads, steaming, and even reheating your leftovers.
So you can take your Instant Pot cooking further… without breaking the bank.
Please add your must-have Instant Pot accessories in the comments!
Top 5 Must-Have Instant Pot Accessories
Or keep reading to see everything I shared in the video in print…
1. Extra Silicone Ring
Inside your Instant Pot lid is a silicone ring… and I suggest you get another!
Why? Not only will you have a backup should yours degrade, but in case you use the first one for odorous foods (like beets, cumin, and beans), you’ll want to have a clean-smelling ring for mild or savory dishes. So they don’t get scented like beets, cumin, and beans, for instance. 😉
Where to get it: Click here for the 6-quart silicone ring or click here for the 8-quart silicone ring.
2. Extra Insert Pot
This is the same stainless steel insert pot that comes with your Instant Pot. Just like with the silicone ring, I suggest you get another of these as well.
Why? Because having another means you very nearly have 2 Instant Pots. That’s how much of a difference it can make in your cooking!
With another insert pot:
- you can swap one pot out for another and move along more quickly with your dishes,
- you have an insert pot for leftovers in the fridge,
- and you have an extra insert pot for when the other is tied up making yogurt.
Where to get it: Click here for the 6-quart insert pot or click here for the 8-quart insert pot.
3. Glass Lid
If you use your Instant Pot’s other functions — like slow cook or sauté — you’ll love having this glass lid so you can see what’s going on in there and attend to it.
It’s also helpful for when storing leftovers in the insert pot in the fridge.
Many have told me they happen to have lids to other pots that fit on the insert pot. That’s awesome.
However, I don’t have any pot lids that fit — so I invested in glass lids (a 6-quart size and an 8-quart size). I’m so happy I did. We use them all the time.
Where to get it: Click here for the 6-quart glass lid or click here for the 8-quart glass lid.
4. Steamer Basket
Want to make “hard-boiled” eggs or steam veggies or keep other foods off the bottom of the Instant Pot? That’s what the steamer basket can do. It’s inexpensive and oh-so-helpful.
Tip from TCS member John: Use a steamer basket when making broth — keep your bones in the basket for easy straining afterward!
Where to get it: Click here for the steamer basket I have. Remove the handles and it will fit perfectly inside your Instant Pot.
5. 7-Cup Pyrex Bowl
The 7-cup Pyrex bowl is sooo helpful and handy! You probably already have one in your cupboard. Or you run into them all the time at garage sales or thrift stores. Or you have a similar bowl in your kitchen.
Anyway, the idea is, you can bake right in it inside your Instant Pot. Yep — cakes, cheesecakes, breads (sweet and savory), main dishes, even reheating foods.
Bake anything you want in your Instant Pot in this versatile bowl.
Need a lid? Probably one of your pot lids fits (don’t use the rubber lid that comes with it in your Instant Pot).
Where to get it: Click here for the 7-cup Pyrex bowl I have.
FREE Sourdough Cornbread Recipe
By the way, I make sourdough cornbread using the 7-cup Pyrex bowl in my Instant Pot!
Click here to get my FREE healthy, delicious Instant Pot Sourdough Cornbread recipe — it uses the 7-cup Pyrex bowl!
And that’s a wrap! When you’re considering Instant Pot accessories, these 5 are a must. Any others you can decide on a case-by-case basis.
More Instant Pot resources:
- Which Instant Pot Should I Buy? Which Size And Model Is Best For My Family? #AskWardee 048
- How To Clean Your Instant Pot — Naturally & Easily! #AskWardee 087
- How To Convert Slow Cooker Recipes To Pressure Cooker (Or Instant Pot) #AskWardee 056
What are your must-have Instant Pot accessories? Please share in the comments!
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Would it be possible to help me find a way to purchase those double stacking steamer tins I live in the uk and they. are not on Amazon here So many people have. The Instant pot so they would sell really well Very many thanks Suzanne
Hi Suzanne,
I’m sorry, we don’t know of any. 🙁
You might look for silicone stackable pans for pressure cooking.
~Millie, TCS Customer Success Team
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x8WtJKzD64
The steamer basket you speak of does NOT fit in the Instant Pot because of the handles. How do you use yours? I just ordered one and it will not fit in because of the handles.
Hi Jan,
Wardee removes the handles from the basket. She meant to mention that in the post. We’ve updated it to reflect this. 🙂
~ Millie, TCS Customer Success Team
How do you remove the handles? Are they removable?
Hi Jackie,
They are. 🙂 You can use pliers or multi tool, grab and wiggle until they pop off.
~ Millie, TCS Customer Success Team
I have the 3 at instant pot
She specifically noted to remove the handles ?
How do you remove the basket out of the Instant Pot after cooking and it is hot?
Hi, Sharen:
Good question!
I would think you might be able to put on a pair of oven mitts and reach just inside the top of the basket and, pressing on the sides, slide it up until you can grip the sides and pull it the rest of the way out.
Another idea would be to use an aluminum foil sling. Here’s a link to where Wardee talks about how to do that: https://traditionalcookingschool.com/food-preparation/reheat-food-instant-pot-aw047/
I hope that helps!
Sonya
TCS Customer Success Team
I have a 3 pc set of small locking vise grips (one is a needle nose) that I use in place of potholders for moving hot pans around in the oven, taking hot pan lids off of my steam table pans and for grabbing hold of pans in my 8qt IP. You do need to adjust them to where they just grip the metal pan but not crush them. I’ve never been good with pot holders, They are good for stabilizing the pot but for lifting lids or similar, I just end up sticking the pot holder material in to the food.
Hi Wardee, for the 7 cup Pyrex bowl, you can get a perfectly fitting glass lid made by Corning Ware. I found mine at a Pyrex/Corning Ware/Corelle outlet store for $5 or less.
Wow, that’s great! Thanks for sharing!
Link please, thank you
does anyone know if it is the 1.5 qt or 2.5 qt casserole lid that fits the 7 cup Pyrex bowl?
Hi, Amanda,
Which casserole company are you referring to? Kamila Straker’s comment above found a glass lid that fits the bowl. 🙂
~Peggy, TCS Customer Service Team
HI I was just read y’alls comments and questions and wanted to thank y’all for the wonderful info given. I wanted a Pioneer Woman Crock pot for Christmas. My husband comes home with an instant viva. I had not a single clue how to use the thing. Read that you can only use instant pot accessories in it. Looking at those prices, I was in tears. The only thing I have used it for so far is to boil large amounts of water since oven has to be replaced in rv. Now knowing I can use Pyrex and corning!!! Had those on the shelf looking at me all along. Instant pot, you just got retrieved from the yard sale box!!!
Hi Wardee,
I made a lasagne in my instant pot in the 7cup Pyrex bowl and did so by placing it on the trivet that came with my instant pot. It came out great however do you recommend that in future that I should use the Pyrex bowl on a steam rack that sits higher or do you think the trivet that comes with the IP is sufficient?
Hi Carissa,
If it worked I would continue to use the trivet. 🙂
~Danielle, TCS Customer Success Team
Hi there! How do you remove the handles in the steamer basket?
Hi Allison,
Wardee’s son used a multi-tool to trip the handles and just twisted a few times back and forth until each one popped off.
One of our members said she twisted hers up and down multiple times and they eventually give way. 🙂
~Danielle, TCS Customer Success Team
Hello,
I’m new to the world of IP and purchased the DuoPlus 80, 9 in 1 – 8 quart IP. It will arrive in about three weeks!
My question is what size baking pans such as round cake pans, springform pans and loaf pans should I purchase?
Also, can Corn muffins be made in an instant pot, and if so what do I purchase to fit the 8 quart.
Thank you for any help you can provide.
Warm Regards,
Helene Giel
Hi Helene,
We recommend these:
Muffin liners: http://amzn.to/29NZUsT
7-inch springform pan: http://amzn.to/2a19WG3
Pyrex 7-cup bowl: http://amzn.to/2joNNH1
~Danielle, TCS Customer Success Team
How do you get the glass bowl out of the instant pot when you’re using the pot in pot method? I’m curious if there are helpful utensils for removal of a hot dish or bowl.
Hi Melissa,
Great question! We use a sling made from aluminum foil.
Here’s another #AskWardee where Wardee talks about using a sling: https://traditionalcookingschool.com/food-preparation/reheat-food-instant-pot-aw047/
~ Vicki, TCS Customer Success Team
I have a 8 quart instant pot. Sometimes I want to make a small meal. Can I simply remove the 8 quart insert pot and put in a smaller, 4 quart or 6 quart, insert pot or can I put a 4 or 6 quart insert pot into the 8 quart insert pot?
Hi Cathy,
We do not recommend using the 4 quart or 6 quart liners in the 8 quart Instant Pot.
You can always use the Pot In Pot method when making smaller quantities of food.
Hope this helps!
~Vicki, TCS Customer Success Team
Why can’t you use a smaller liner?
More importantly, what is the pot-in-pot method?
Hi, Dennis,
Unfortunately, you can not use a smaller liner because it may cause safety issues with your Instant Pot due to the height of the pot and the inner insert. It will also lead to steam leakage.
The pot in pot method is used a lot for baking or reheating leftovers. For example, if you wanted to make a bundt cake or a cheesecake using the baking dish inside your instant pot.
~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team
And I am new to the Instant Pot so I appreciate this tutorial. I purchased a 3 Quart Instant Pot just recently and am still learning.
Please tell me what size glass bowl I need. The 7 cup is a too big to fit inside the metal bowl without being a tight fit and extends above the metal bowl edge by 1/4 of an inch.
I also have a 4 cup glass bowl. It seems to be okay, but is it too small? There is a bit of space around it when placed in the Instant Pot metal bowl. And should I place the glass bowl on top of the metal trivet when using it OR does it go directly on the flat surface of the pot the metal bowl?
BTW: I have Anchor Hocking brand glass bowl, not Pyrex but I assume that is an okay brand to use as it is oven safe.
Finally, I have the material that came with my Instant Pot which are just introductory info from what I can tell. Do you recommend any other books and or other tutorials on line to help me learn how to navigate the use of the IP? IF so I would greatly appreciate it.
Hi Mary,
I don’t have a 3qt Instant Pot but an article I found says the 3 qt pot is about 7″ in diameter. So you would need a bowl that’s about 6″ in diameter.
Any glass bowl that is oven safe should be safe to use in an Instant Pot. It shouldn’t matter what brand as long as its oven safe.
When doing the Pot in Pot method always set your bowl on the trivet. Don’t forget to add water below the trivet!
We have an eBook bundle or eCourse on Pressure Cooking. You can find more information here: https://traditionalcookingschool.com/lp/ebook-pressure-cooking/
~ Vicki, TCS Customer Success Team
Hello — before purchasing, can you tell me if the 7 cup Pyrex bowl will fit in a 6 quart instant pot? Thank you for your informative knowledge!
Hi, Regina,
Happy to hear you find this information helpful! This is the 7 cup Pyrex bowl that fit in her 6 quart instant pot that she used:
https://amzn.to/2joNNH1
~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team
On facebook, I’ve read the suggestion to use the 3 qt inner pot INSIDE your 6 qt inner pot, or said another way, you can use the 3 qt inner pot for your Pot in Pot (in your 6 qt). I like the idea of a nice large stainless steel pot instead of glass
In my Instant Pot, I am having condensation building up and not draining into the condensation collector. I’ve communicated with the Instant Pot help line about this, and everything they’ve asked me to do or check comes out fine. They don’t know why my condensation is not draining off. The issue – if you are baking cornbread, or cooking a frittata in a pyrex bowl – when lifting the lid, a lot of water drops on to whatever you’ve just cooked. Anyone else having this happen? Suggestions?
Hi, Karen,
Yes, this is common here. I carefully lift the lid so it doesn’t drain into the food. I don’t expect the condensation cup to catch all the condensation. Some are still bound to stay inside. I expect the condensation cup to catch any that want to leave the pot.
~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team
I have a 3 QT instapot do you know which of the Pyrex size will fit in it? I have the other 4 accessories you said to have! Thanks for your help!
Hi Melanie,
I have a 1 quart Anchor Hocking dish that fits nicely in the 3 quart Instant Pot. 🙂
~ Vicki, TCS Customer Success Team
I have not put another bowl or pan inside my Instant Pot yet as I’m afraid I’d burn myself getting it out. Oven mitts would likely be too bulky to get between the bowls. How do you handle that?
Hi, Yabut,
Wardee shows you how she does it in the AskWardee episode:
https://traditionalcookingschool.com/food-preparation/reheat-food-instant-pot-aw047/
~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team
Hi I just bought a silicone sling by oxo for my instant pot.
i inherited a 6 qt instant pot but do not have any accessories – how do i get them?
Hi, Sharon.
We have links listed in the post above for the accessories we recommend. 🙂
~Danielle, TCS Customer Success Team
Where can I find a pot that fits inside the pot that came with my Ultra 6 qt.cooker?
Hi, Julie,
You can find all of Wardee’s recommendations and resources for pressure cooking here: https://traditionalcookingschool.com/tools/pressure-cooking-resources/
In the list, you will see the stainless steel stackable pans that may work for you.
~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team
I just tried to purchase the 7-cup Pyrex bowl from Amazon. In the reviews the manufacturer does not recommend using it in an Instant Pot or Airfryer.
Hi, Rose.
To be safe you may not want to use it however Wardee and I have not had any issues.
~Danielle, TCS Customer Success Team
I’m making lasagna using a silicone springform pan in my Instant Pot. I don’t use foil in my kitchen and wonder if I could use a glass cover for my recipe? I’m curious why foil is used in lot of Instant Pot recipes–appreciate your input!
Thanks,
Rhonda
Hi, Rhonda.
As long as it is oven-safe, you can use a glass lid on your springform pan.
Foil is an easy, inexpensive option. We recommend when using foil that you place a layer of parchment paper between the foil and the food. 🙂
~Danielle, TCS Customer Success Team
I was ready to buy the 7-cup Pyrex bowl using your link, but then noticed someone posted that the company recommends that their bowls not be used in pressure cookers. I know they had some issues with Pyrex explosions – NOT in IPs. Maybe they’re being overly cautious? Thoughts? And thanks in advance; I trust your answers.
Hi, Beth.
To be safe you may not want to use it however Wardee and I have not had any issues. We use the Pyrex bowl in our Instant Pots frequently. 🙂
~Danielle, TCS Customer Success Team
Do you know if any stainless steel bowls that fit in a 8qt IP (to do the pot in pot method for frozen meat)?
Thank you!
Hi! We don’t know of any specific stainless steel bowls that fit in an 8-quart IP. You would have to look at dimensions of different pots to know for sure. —Sonya, TCS Customer Success Team
I’d say get the ceramic coated nonstick liner, no PTFE/PTOA and no headaches ?
Can I use the instant pot egg bite tray accessory’s silicone lid to cover the tray when cooking in the IP?
Hi, Melissa! I’m not sure which specific egg bite tray you are referring to, but if the lid is made of silicone that is intended to be used during the cooking process, it should be fine. I would just check the manufacturer’s instructions. —Sonya, TCS Customer Success Team
Can you recommend a 7 cup stainless steel bowl that can be used for pot in pot cooking in the 6 quart instant pot. Since the manufacture of Pyrex does not recommend using their products in the instant pot, I don’t think that it should be recommended on this website. I understand that corning ware products are supported by the manufacture but they do not seem to have a 7 cup dish.
HI, Tami.
We do not have an additional recommendation. To be safe you may not want to use it however Wardee and I have not had any issues. We use the Pyrex bowl in our Instant Pots frequently.
~Daneille, TCS Customer Success Team