You bought an Instant Pot — one of the smartest kitchen investments you can make. But the accessories that ship in the box are barely the beginning. The right add-ons transform a capable appliance into a full cooking system that handles everything from yogurt to cheesecake without a fuss.
This guide cuts through the noise. These are the ten accessories that actually get used, tested by home cooks who pressure cook multiple times a week.
Why Instant Pot Accessories Are Worth It
The Instant Pot's magic is versatility — but the stock setup limits that versatility. A second sealing ring means you stop getting curry flavor in your rice pudding. A proper steamer basket means vegetables come out perfectly tender instead of swimming in condensation. A glass lid turns your IP into a slow cooker you can monitor.
These aren't gimmicks. They're tools that solve real problems you'll encounter on week two of Instant Pot ownership.
A quick note on sizing: most accessories come in 6-quart and 8-quart variants. Double-check your model before buying. The 6-quart is by far the most common, and that's what most recommendations below default to.
The 10 Best Instant Pot Accessories in 2026
1. Extra Silicone Sealing Rings (2-Pack)
The single most important accessory. The silicone gasket that seals your Instant Pot absorbs odors from savory dishes — curry, chili, stock — and that smell transfers to your next batch of rice or oatmeal. A dedicated "savory" ring and a "sweet" ring ends this problem entirely.
OXO and the official Instant Pot brand both make reliable options. Genuine Instant Pot sealing rings are inexpensive and fit perfectly without any leakage concerns.
→ Shop Instant Pot Sealing Rings on Amazon
Pro tip: Color-code them. Red for savory, blue for sweet. You'll thank yourself in six months.
2. Tempered Glass Lid
The Instant Pot lid locks into pressure-cook mode — you can't leave it cracked for slow cooking or sautéing without a proper vented lid. A tempered glass lid (with steam vent) solves this. Use it for slow cooker mode, sautéing with a splash guard, or keeping food warm without drying it out.
The official Instant Pot glass lid fits the 6-quart and 8-quart versions and includes a steam release vent. It's inexpensive and dramatically expands how you use the pot day-to-day.
→ Shop Instant Pot Glass Lid on Amazon
3. Silicone Steamer Basket with Handles
A metal steamer basket works, but the silicone version with long folding handles is far more practical. You can lift a full load of vegetables or eggs directly out of the pot without burning your hands or fumbling with tongs.
The OXO Good Grips Silicone Steamer has become a kitchen staple for good reason — it folds flat for storage and holds up to high heat without warping. Look for a model with handles long enough to grip over the pot rim.
→ Shop Silicone Steamer Basket on Amazon
Perfect for: hard-boiled eggs, broccoli, cauliflower, fish fillets, and reheating tamales.
4. Springform Pan (7-Inch)
One of the most popular Instant Pot "hacks" is pressure-cooker cheesecake — and it genuinely produces the creamiest, crack-free results. But you need a 7-inch springform pan to fit inside a 6-quart Instant Pot. Standard 9-inch pans won't clear the lid.
Hiware and Fat Daddio's both make quality 7-inch pans that fit perfectly. This same pan also works for layered cakes, quiches, and savory tarts.
→ Shop 7-Inch Springform Pan on Amazon
5. Silicone Egg Bites Mold
Starbucks egg bites have a massive cult following, and the Instant Pot replicates them perfectly. All you need is a silicone egg bites mold — typically a 7-cavity tray that fits on the trivet.
These molds are also great for mini cheesecakes, chocolate lava cakes, and small portions of banana bread. Stack two trays using a sling for double capacity.
→ Shop Silicone Egg Bites Mold on Amazon
6. Stackable Stainless Steel Insert Pans
One of the most underused Instant Pot capabilities: cooking two dishes simultaneously using stackable pans. A set of two stainless steel insert pans with lids lets you cook rice in one tier and protein in another at the same time.
Look for a set specifically marketed as "pot-in-pot" (PIP) cooking compatible. The Fat Daddio's 2-pack and the Steamer Insert Pans from Instant Pot both fit standard 6-quart and 8-quart models.
→ Shop Stackable Insert Pans on Amazon
This is a game-changer for meal prep. Rice + chicken thighs. Mac and cheese + broccoli. One pressure cook cycle, two dishes ready simultaneously.
7. Instant Pot Trivet with Handles
The basic trivet that ships with the Instant Pot has no handles. It's fine for most uses, but lifting a roast or a loaded springform pan out of a hot pot without handles is unnecessarily difficult.
An upgraded trivet with long stainless steel handles makes the "pot-in-pot" method dramatically easier and safer. The trivet from Impresa Products and similar brands includes handles long enough to grip without burning your fingers.
→ Shop Instant Pot Trivet with Handles on Amazon
8. Silicone Mini Mitts
Standard oven mitts are too bulky for grabbing the inner pot and moving it to the table. Silicone mini mitts — essentially just the fingertip and palm section — give you precise grip without the bulk.
They're also great for removing the egg bites mold, the springform pan, and insert trays. A $10 purchase that gets used constantly.
→ Shop Silicone Mini Mitts on Amazon
9. Magnetic Cheat Sheet Cheet Set
This sounds frivolous until you're on week two and blanking on whether broccoli needs 0 or 1 minute of pressure. A magnetic cook-time reference sheet on the side of the Instant Pot saves constant Googling and eliminates the "is this overcooked?" spiral.
Look for a set that covers vegetables, grains, meat, and beans with quick-release vs. natural-release guidance included.
→ Shop Instant Pot Magnetic Cheat Sheets on Amazon
10. Inner Pot Replacement (Stainless Steel)
A second inner pot is the biggest quality-of-life upgrade for regular Instant Pot users. When you're meal prepping or cooking multiple dishes in sequence, you don't want to stop and wash the pot between batches.
The official Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot is the safest bet for compatibility. Avoid non-stick coated alternatives — the stainless steel sears better, handles acidic ingredients without issue, and is dishwasher safe without concerns.
→ Shop Instant Pot Inner Pot Replacement on Amazon
Quick Comparison: Best Instant Pot Accessories at a Glance
| Accessory | Best For | Price Range | Rating | |---|---|---|---| | Extra Sealing Rings (2-pack) | Odor control between dishes | $8–$15 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Glass Lid | Slow cooking, sautéing | $12–$18 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | | Silicone Steamer Basket | Vegetables, eggs, fish | $15–$25 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | 7-Inch Springform Pan | Cheesecake, cakes, quiche | $10–$16 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | | Silicone Egg Bites Mold | Egg bites, mini desserts | $8–$14 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Stackable Insert Pans | Pot-in-pot meal prep | $18–$30 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Trivet with Handles | Safer pot-in-pot cooking | $10–$18 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
What to Look For When Buying Instant Pot Accessories
Size compatibility first. Always verify whether an accessory fits a 6-quart, 8-quart, or 3-quart model. The 6-quart is the most common household size, but the 8-quart requires slightly larger inserts.
Food-safe materials only. Silicone accessories should be rated food-safe and heat-tolerant to at least 450°F. Stainless steel inserts should be 18/8 food-grade steel.
Brand-name reliability. For sealing rings and lids, the official Instant Pot brand accessories guarantee fit. For cooking inserts and molds, OXO, Fat Daddio's, and Hiware are consistent quality.
Avoid the gimmicks. There are entire bundles of 20+ accessories marketed as "starter kits" that include things you'll use once — or never. Focus on the accessories above, which solve real cooking problems.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do Instant Pot accessories fit all models?
Not always. Most accessories specify which size they fit — 3-quart, 6-quart, or 8-quart. The 6-quart is the most common household model and has the widest accessory compatibility. The Instant Pot Duo, Duo Plus, Pro, and Ultra all share the same 6-quart footprint, so most accessories labeled "6-quart" will fit across those models.
How often should I replace my Instant Pot sealing ring?
Instant Pot recommends replacing sealing rings every 12–18 months with regular use. Signs it's time to replace: visible cracking or deformation, persistent strong odor even after thorough washing, or pressure not building normally. Many regular users replace them annually just as routine maintenance.
Can I put Instant Pot accessories in the dishwasher?
Most silicone accessories (sealing rings, egg bites molds, steamer baskets) are dishwasher safe — top rack recommended. Stainless steel inner pots and trivets are generally dishwasher safe. Tempered glass lids should be hand-washed to preserve the seal around the rim. Always check the manufacturer's care instructions.
Is the pot-in-pot (PIP) method worth learning?
Yes — especially for meal prep. Pot-in-pot lets you cook two separate dishes simultaneously using the same steam environment. Classic combo: rice in the lower pot, chicken thighs or vegetables in the insert above. It cuts your total cooking sessions in half once you're comfortable with the technique.
What's the single best Instant Pot accessory for beginners?
The extra sealing ring set. It costs under $15, solves an annoying problem that virtually every Instant Pot owner hits within the first two weeks, and immediately improves the quality of everything you cook. Buy it the same day you buy your Instant Pot if you can.
The Bottom Line
You don't need all ten accessories at once. Start with the extras that address the problems you're already encountering: odor transfer (sealing rings), slow cooker functionality (glass lid), and versatile cooking (steamer basket and trivet with handles).
Once you're cooking with the Instant Pot three or four times a week, the springform pan, egg bites mold, and stackable insert pans become obvious next steps. They unlock the parts of pressure cooking that genuinely feel like kitchen magic.
The Instant Pot is one of those purchases where the accessories pay for themselves in time saved and meals improved.