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The best Instant Pot accessories are the ones you will use every week: a spare sealing ring, a steamer basket, a silicone sling, and a pan that fits your pot. Everything else is optional.
We share new Instant Pot recipes on this site all the time, so this list sticks to accessories that make those recipes easier. Before you buy, check your pot size (3, 6 or 8 quart). Most mistakes happen when a pan or basket is the wrong size.
Quick Picks: Best Instant Pot Accessories
| Accessory | Best for | Priority | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Pot sealing rings (2-pack) | Keeping sweet and savory flavors apart | Must have | Check price on Amazon |
| Instant Pot mesh steamer basket | Vegetables, eggs, potatoes | Must have | Check price on Amazon |
| Silicone pressure cooker sling | Lifting pans out safely | Must have | Check price on Amazon |
| HIWARE 7-inch springform pan | Cheesecake in a 6 qt pot | Highly useful | Check price on Amazon |
| Silicone egg bites mold set | Egg bites and meal prep | Highly useful | Check price on Amazon |
| Instant Pot tempered glass lid | Slow cook and keep warm modes | Useful | Check price on Amazon |
| Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot | Cooking two dishes back to back | Useful | Check price on Amazon |
| Silicone storage lid | Storing leftovers in the inner pot | Useful | Check price on Amazon |
| Silicone pinch mitts | Grabbing a hot inner pot | Useful | Check price on Amazon |
1. Instant Pot Sealing Rings (Sweet and Savory 2-Pack)
The silicone sealing ring soaks up smells. After one batch of chili, your next dessert can taste like garlic. This official Instant Pot 2-pack comes in red and blue, so you can keep one ring for savory food and one for sweet.
- Why you need it: No smell transfer, and a backup if one ring tears.
- Fits: 5 and 6 quart models. An 8 quart pot needs an 8 quart ring.
- When to replace: When it cracks, stretches or the lid stops sealing.
👉 See the Instant Pot sealing rings on Amazon
2. Instant Pot Official Mesh Steamer Basket
The trivet that comes with the pot works, but small food falls through it. A mesh basket with a handle holds broccoli, eggs and baby potatoes and lifts out in one move. It also works as a strainer for pasta.
- Why you need it: Steamed vegetables in 0 to 2 minutes and easy-peel hard boiled eggs.
- Look for: Stainless steel, a sturdy handle, and a size that fits your pot.
👉 See the steamer basket on Amazon
3. Silicone Pressure Cooker Sling
Lowering a hot pan into a deep pot is the hardest part of pot-in-pot cooking. A silicone sling has two handles, so you lift the pan straight up without burning your fingers. This one fits 6 and 8 quart pots.
- Why you need it: Safer than a homemade foil sling, and reusable.
- Best for: Cheesecake, lasagna, pot-in-pot rice and casseroles.
👉 See the silicone sling on Amazon
4. HIWARE 7-Inch Springform Pan
Instant Pot cheesecake is one of the most popular pressure cooker desserts. A 7-inch springform pan fits a 6 quart pot with room for the sling. For a 3 quart pot, go with a 6-inch pan instead.
- Look for: A leakproof base and nonstick coating.
- Also great for: Small cakes, frittatas and quiche.
👉 See the 7-inch springform pan on Amazon
5. Silicone Egg Bites Mold Set
This mold makes coffee shop style egg bites at home. The set includes a steamer rack, so you can stack molds and cook more at once. It also works for freezing baby food, brownie bites and small portions of soup.
- Why you need it: Meal prep a week of breakfasts in one cook.
- Fits: 6 and 8 quart pots.
👉 See the egg bites mold set on Amazon
6. Instant Pot Tempered Glass Lid
The pressure lid is heavy and you cannot see through it. A glass lid is better for slow cook, sauté and keep warm modes, and for serving straight from the pot. Choose your size (3, 6 or 8 quart) on the product page.
- Why you need it: Watch food without opening the lid.
- Watch out for: Never use a glass lid for pressure cooking.
👉 See the Instant Pot glass lid on Amazon
7. Instant Pot Stainless Steel Inner Pot (6 Quart)
A second inner pot lets you cook rice, then start a curry right away without washing up. It is handy for recipes like this Instant Pot chicken alfredo, where you can cook the pasta dish while the first pot soaks.
- Why you need it: Two dishes in a row, and leftovers can go straight into the fridge.
- Fits: 6 quart models. Check your model before buying.
👉 See the stainless steel inner pot on Amazon
8. Silicone Storage Lid for the Inner Pot
If you have a spare inner pot, a silicone lid turns it into a storage container. Make a big batch of Instant Pot tomato soup, cover the pot, and put it in the fridge.
- Fits: 5 and 6 quart inner pots.
- Bonus: Less plastic wrap and fewer containers to wash.
👉 See the silicone storage lid on Amazon
9. Silicone Pinch Mitts
The inner pot and the steam it releases get very hot. Small silicone pinch mitts grip the pot edge better than a cloth towel, and they are waterproof, so steam will not soak through.
👉 See the silicone pinch mitts on Amazon
Which Size Fits Your Instant Pot?
Match the accessory to your pot size first. Your pot size is printed on the label at the back of the base.
| Pot size | Springform or cake pan | Sealing ring | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 qt (Mini) | 6 inch | 3 qt ring only | 1 to 2 people |
| 6 qt | 7 inch | 5/6 qt ring only | 3 to 5 people |
| 8 qt | 7 or 8 inch | 8 qt ring only | 6+ people, meal prep |
Tip: Measure the inside of your inner pot before buying any pan. Leave about 1 inch of space around the sides so the sling fits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Instant Pot accessories do I really need?
Start with a spare sealing ring, a steamer basket and a silicone sling. Add a springform pan or egg bites mold if you make desserts or meal prep breakfasts.
Can I use regular oven pans in an Instant Pot?
Yes, if they are oven safe and fit with space around them. Metal, silicone and oven-safe glass all work. Cooking time may be longer with thick glass.
Do accessories for the 6 quart fit the 8 quart?
Pans and baskets made for a 6 quart usually fit inside an 8 quart. Sealing rings and lids do not. Those must match your exact size.
Why does my Instant Pot sealing ring smell?
Silicone absorbs odors from strong foods. Wash it on the top rack of the dishwasher, or soak it in vinegar and water. Using separate rings for sweet and savory food solves the problem.
Are third-party Instant Pot accessories safe?
Look for food-grade silicone or stainless steel and a clear size match. Be careful with off-brand sealing rings that have poor reviews, because the ring controls the pressure seal.
Final Thoughts
If you buy only three accessories, get a spare sealing ring, a steamer basket and a silicone sling. They cost little and make almost every Instant Pot recipe easier. Add a 7-inch springform pan next if you want to try cheesecake.
Looking for something to cook first? Try this easy Instant Pot Tuscan chicken or browse all our Instant Pot recipes.
