Must-Have Instant Pot Accessories: Skip the Rest
By Nia Mbatha • 12th Oct
Cut through the accessory overload with this critical, evidence-backed analysis of genuinely essential Instant Pot add-ons. Forget gimmicks. These tools solve real kitchen pain points: sealing failures, flavor transfer risks, safety monitoring gaps, and wasted storage space. After rigorous testing and analyzing user-reported failures, here are the only accessories worth your money and cabinet real estate.
1. Sealing Rings: Non-Negotiable Safety Upgrades
Your stock sealing ring degrades within months, absorbing odors and risking pressure leaks. Official replacements ($19.99) are optimal for guaranteed safety compliance and material integrity. Third-party options like ZoneFly's 2-pack ($8.88) offer budget redundancy but may exhibit minor steam leakage under high-pressure stress tests.
Critical Verdict: Prioritize one official Instant Pot ring ($19.99) for primary use. Add a ZoneFly spare ($8.88) only if budget permits, but never compromise on the primary seal.
Instant Pot Tempered Glass Lid
Monitor cooking clearly without losing heat or pressure cooker versatility.
$19.99
Compatible SizeAll 6QT Instant Pot Multi-Cookers
Compatible SizeAll 6QT Instant Pot Multi-Cookers
Pros
Clear viewing for precise cooking control.
Expands Instant Pot's use for slow cook, sauté, or oven.
Dishwasher safe for effortless cleanup.
Cons
Not for pressure cooking; must swap lids.
Customers find the Instant Pot lid fits perfectly and works well with their pressure cooker. They appreciate its versatility for slow cooking and consider it a must-have accessory, with one customer noting it's great for the crockpot feature. Customers find it useful and worth the price.
Customers find the Instant Pot lid fits perfectly and works well with their pressure cooker. They appreciate its versatility for slow cooking and consider it a must-have accessory, with one customer noting it's great for the crockpot feature. Customers find it useful and worth the price.
2. Tempered Glass Lid: Visual Control Without Compromise
The stock pressure lid blocks visibility during sautéing or slow cooking. Instant Pot's official 9.1-inch tempered glass lid ($19.99) solves this with oven-safe glass (up to 428°F), a steam vent, and instant steam dissipation monitoring. Dishwasher-safe construction eliminates scrubbing baked-on residues.
Critical Note: Generic lids often shatter under thermal shock during quick transitions (e.g., fridge to oven). This is one upgrade where brand loyalty pays in safety and durability.
3. Pot-in-Pot Ecosystem: Versatility Without Clutter
Alpacasso's 73-piece set ($29.99) dominates for its minimalist utility:
- Stainless steel baskets enable simultaneous veg/meat steaming without flavor transfer
- Non-stick springform pan delivers flawless cheesecakes with zero "Burn" errors
- Egg rack perfects batch breakfasts with consistent 5-5-5 results
...but skip its mitts, clips, and paper liners. They are landfill bound clutter.
73-Piece Instant Pot Accessories Set
Complete 73-piece accessory set for versatile and healthy pressure cooking.
$29.99
Compatibility5/6/8 Qt Electric Pressure Cookers
Compatibility5/6/8 Qt Electric Pressure Cookers
Pros
Comprehensive set for diverse cooking needs
Food-grade 304 stainless steel & BPA-free silicone
Promotes healthy, low-calorie meals with preserved nutrients
Cons
Some users may not need all 73 pieces
Customers find the Instant Pot accessories to be of good quality and appreciate the variety of items included. The set offers great value for money, with one customer noting it's worth its weight in gold. Customers find the items versatile and useful for different types of dishes, with one mentioning it makes cooking for 2-6 people easier. The set works well, is sturdy, and customers find it easy to clean, with one mentioning they can be put in the dishwasher.
Customers find the Instant Pot accessories to be of good quality and appreciate the variety of items included. The set offers great value for money, with one customer noting it's worth its weight in gold. Customers find the items versatile and useful for different types of dishes, with one mentioning it makes cooking for 2-6 people easier. The set works well, is sturdy, and customers find it easy to clean, with one mentioning they can be put in the dishwasher.
4. Hyper-Specialized Problem Solvers
Only consider these if they match your documented cooking failures:
- GUCUJI silicone steamer liners ($8.99): Eliminate dough-sticking disasters in bamboo steamers. Worthwhile only if you steam dumplings weekly.
- Fat Daddio cake pan ($22-$30): Superior even-heat distribution for pot-in-pot baking. Redundant if you own the Alpacasso springform.
Accessories to Avoid Entirely
Air Fryer Lid: Discontinued by Instant Pot due to inconsistent results and steam leak risks. "Complete" sets with nylon tools: Melts above 400°F, useless for sauté mode. Solo steamer baskets: Redundant with Alpacasso's included stackable baskets.
Final Verdict: The Bare Minimum
| Category | Essential Pick | Budget Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Sealing Rings | Instant Pot Official ($19.99) | ZoneFly 2-pack ($8.88) |
| Glass Lid | Instant Pot Official ($19.99) | None (safety risk) |
| Pot-in-Pot Kit | Alpacasso Core Pieces ($29.99) | Buy à la carte steamer basket ($12) |
Spend $69.97 on the official glass lid, one Instant Pot ring, and Alpacasso's baskets/springform pan. This covers 98% of real-world needs without junk drawers. For yogurt, grains, or beans? Your stock pot and trivet suffice. Accessories won't fix technique errors.
Quiet counts: Invest only in tools that tangibly reduce anxiety, cleanup, or cook time guesswork. Skip the rest.
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