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Healthy Slow Cooking

November 25, 2017 · 57 Comments

My Favorite Instant Pot Accessories

Instant Pot· The Ultimate Vegan Instant Pot

Table of Contents show
1 Why Use Electric Pressure Cooker Accessories?
2 Buy It All At Once Instant Pot Accessories
3 Protect Your Hands from Getting Burned!
4 Cook More Than One Recipe at a Time!
5 Stackable Stainless Steel Pans for Your Instant Pot
6 Steamer Baskets Are Great to Have
7 Instant Pot Cake and Springform Pans
8 Use Ramekins and Mini Dishes You Already Have
9 Your Instant Pot Needs Silicone Bands
10 Get an Extra Instant Pot Silicone Sealing Ring!
11 Vegan Instant Pot Cookbooks
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Now that you have an Instant Pot you want to use it for everything you can. Instant Pot Accessories are the key to cooking in layers, steaming tamales, and even slow cooking right in your Instant Pot.

Instant Pot IP-DUO60 7-in-1 Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker

Why Use Electric Pressure Cooker Accessories?

You can do a lot in your Instant Pot with just the rack it comes with. But what if you want to make layered recipes, little muffins, or tofu egg bites? Not to mention vegan cheesecakes and oil-free carrot cake.

Buy It All At Once Instant Pot Accessories

You can even buy a variety pack of accessories, just make sure that they fit the size Instant Pot that you have.

  .  

In my book, The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook for Your Instant Pot, I use different Instant Pot accessories to extend what I can do in my Instant Pot, or just to make a few tasks easier.

Protect Your Hands from Getting Burned!

Some dragons breath fire, but these little steam venters breath steam redirected away from you and your cabinets! There’s a dragon and a wolf from Games of Thrones.

Game of Thrones Wolf Instant Pot dragon head steam vent cover    Dragon Instant Pot dragon head steam vent cover

Little pot holders and pot grippers will make it easier to remove pans and ramekins from your Instant Pot. 

Cook More Than One Recipe at a Time!

One thing I love to do is to cook multiple dishes at the same time. Think about cooking rice and a veggie curry all at the same time! The key to that is cooking in layers.

You can do this as simply as stacking Pyrex containers on top of the rack that comes with your Instant Pot.  I use these 3-cup Pyrex rectangle dishes.

Instead of using the lids, I covered the tops with foil and stacked them like plus signs. I was able to fit 3 in at a time.

My Favorite Instant Pot Accessories

3-cup Pyrex rectangle dishes

Stackable Stainless Steel Pans for Your Instant Pot

I was able to get some stackable stainless steel containers that even had an insert rack. At first there was only one, but now Amazon has a few.

My Favorite Instant Pot Accessories

Their are many stainless steel stackables for your Instant Pot and right now the Ekovana is my favorite for the 6 quart. But honestly, all the ones I’ve tried are made well, heavy, and seem like they will last a long time.

There are a few that are specially for 3 -quart electric multi-cookers: 3 quart Ekovana, Swish Abode, or Stack and Cook are the ones I’ve tried so far. I would recommend any of them to you.

Steamer Baskets Are Great to Have

Steamers you can use in your Instant Pot

Steamers are great to use in your IP. A topless bamboo steamer will cook up some great dumplings.

A silicone steamer with handles is an easy way to remove hot veggies. I like the deeper metal ones to steam tamales in. 

Instant Pot Cake and Springform Pans

Everyone is excited about making a vegan cheesecake or baking something moist and delicious, like a Pear Cranberry Cake,  in their IP.

You will be placing a smaller pan on top of the rack that came with your Instant Pot, so you will need a smaller pan than one you would typically use in your oven.

If it’s not a springform pan, you can go up to 8 inches to fit in your IP, but if it’s a springform don’t go past 7 inches to leave room for the closure.

You can use Pyrex or pottery dishes that fit as well. I love my 5 inch pottery bundt and you can get one similar here. Be sure to look at your local thrift store for cool pottery that you can use, too.

Instant Pot Baking Dishes

Use Ramekins and Mini Dishes You Already Have

Don’t forget that you probably have some ramekins or mini baking dishes in your cabinet that you can use. Also tea cups work great too if they are oven-safe.

Instant Pot Ramekins

Your Instant Pot Needs Silicone Bands

Silicone bands to use in your Instant Pot

When you use odd shaped dishes you may need to use a plate retriever or use silicone bands or aluminum foil to be able to remove some of these dishes easily.

Get an Extra Instant Pot Silicone Sealing Ring!

You will probably want to have more than one Instant Pot Silicone Sealing Ring because they tend to hold smells. I’ve noticed that recently you can even buy them in different colors to make it easier to tell them apart.

Be sure to check the size to make sure they fit in the size IP that you have. Here’s a link for 3-quart sealing rings, 6-quart sealing rings, and 8-quart sealing rings.

You may want to grab an extra Inner Cooking Pot, Stainless Steel Rack, or even prefer to use a Ceramic Non-Stick Instant Pot Inner Pot instead of the stainless steel. With that said, I love the stainless and find that even burned on food wipes out easily if you let it soak overnight.

If you plan on doing some slow cooking in your 6-quart IP you could get this lid or even this one that also doubles as a spoon holder.  So far I haven’t seen them for other sizes.

Vegan Instant Pot Cookbooks

Sometimes the best accessory is a good vegan Instant Pot cookbook to help you learn how to cook in your new appliances. 

Previous Post: « Vegan Slow Cooker White Bean Quinoa Gumbo
Next Post: Quick and Easy Weeknight Autumn Vegan Menu Plan »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ruth Rehak says

    December 12, 2016 at 12:12 pm

    Thanks for the tips, Kathy! Just got my InstantPot a couple days ago and have a lot to learn.

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      December 12, 2016 at 12:16 pm

      You are going to love it, Ruth!

      Reply
      • Donna Boles says

        October 10, 2017 at 4:02 am

        Clean the sealing ring with baking soda every time you use it and it get the smells absorbed in it.

        Reply
    • Jean says

      December 21, 2017 at 10:39 am

      Hi yall…i just fot my ip pc 8qt…..it is surely intimadating but i will learn from u guys….first thing is to learn water….the. ive been asked to make hard boiled eggs…hope i dont blow the roof off my house!

      Reply
      • Kathy Hester says

        December 21, 2017 at 10:44 am

        You are going to do fine! There will be a learning curve, but I bet you’re going to love using it!

        Reply
  2. Dee diS. says

    December 12, 2016 at 12:36 pm

    In your photo of your thrift store finds, there are at least two that set off my “safety alarm.” There are two that have horizontal handles that might have lead-based glazes. I agree that they’re cute annd quirky, but NOT for food!!! Always, ALWAYS get a lead test kit (any paint store or hardware store will have them). Test ANY and ALL pots, plates, ceramics that come in contact with food, unless you are certain that they are new enough, made in a first world country, (yes, I know that sounds elitist, but third world countries don’t have the environmental and safety standards that we have, and they can’t afford the enforcement if they did have adequate standards.) There are good reasons to be extra careful – your children.

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      December 12, 2016 at 12:44 pm

      Just to let you know those 2 are completely food safe and were bought new, but they will probably start showing up in thrift stores in a year or so. Where I am there are tons of potters, so in my thrift stores I am able to score some great high-quality food safe pottery.

      But you should be careful and always look for a not safe for food label. I see many of those even at thrift stores.

      Reply
  3. Dianne's Vegan Kitchen says

    December 12, 2016 at 1:58 pm

    I need to add a few of these to my wishlist!

    Reply
  4. Sarah says

    December 12, 2016 at 2:19 pm

    My husband just got me an instant pot for my birthday a few weeks ago. Looks like I need to send him your accessory guide!!! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Becky Striepe says

    December 12, 2016 at 2:50 pm

    Oh my gosh, there are so many things on this list that I want!

    Reply
  6. Marcy says

    December 12, 2016 at 3:00 pm

    How do you know which containers are HEAT safe?

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      December 12, 2016 at 3:25 pm

      I start with what can I use in my oven. That would be Pyrex type containers, stainless steel, and oven-safe ceramics. If you are buying new it should tell you, if you are buying used look for types and brands you are already familiar with.

      Reply
  7. Ann Secord. says

    December 12, 2016 at 6:37 pm

    This is fabulous information as I’ve been wondering if I could use alternative inserts in my pressure cookers. I have an older one with a non stick insert pan and I prefer stainless but have not swapped out the pans. My new Insta pot has the stainless pan and I’m thrilled but now I intend to use an alternative in my other cooker in the future. You are the best.

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      December 12, 2016 at 6:38 pm

      No, you are! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Ricki says

    December 12, 2016 at 9:46 pm

    Who knew there were so many ways you could jazz up an Instant Pot? I’m so behind the curve–just got my very first slow cooker last year! But you have me thinking. . . . 😉

    Reply
  9. Cadry says

    December 13, 2016 at 12:06 pm

    Such great tips! I didn’t realize that you could cook multiple things at once in an Instant Pot. I have loads of Pyrex that would be perfect for that. That said, I don’t have an Instant Pot yet, but I have an inkling that Santa will deliver this year.

    Reply
  10. Ka11iope says

    January 6, 2017 at 1:38 am

    Great suggestions! I bought the Pyrex rectangular containers but can fit only 2 in my 6-quart Instant Pot at one time. Are you using the 8-quart model?

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      January 6, 2017 at 3:13 pm

      I am using the 6 quart. I usually cook one dish (the one that needs the longest cooking time)in the bottom, like brown rice and make 2 other dished on top of that in the Pyrex

      Reply
      • Monica says

        January 14, 2017 at 10:49 am

        Is there a recipe, especially if it’s Indian food, that shows you how to cook several delicious at once? I’d like to try this but I’m an Instant Pot virgin, so some guidance would help.

        Reply
        • Kathy Hester says

          January 15, 2017 at 1:11 pm

          You can see one of the layered recipes from my new book here:

          Reply
      • Jan Barosh says

        June 23, 2017 at 10:43 pm

        I’ve heard that the newer pyrex dishes are not oven safe because they are made differently. Is that true? Or can you use any glass dish that says pyrex.

        Reply
        • Kathy Hester says

          June 23, 2017 at 11:00 pm

          Here’s what snopes.com has to say about that:

          Reply
  11. Nora says

    January 26, 2017 at 4:43 pm

    Can you tell me where you purchased your bundt pan for your holiday spice cake on p. 200 of your Ultimate Vegan Cookbook for Your Instant Pot? I am having difficulty finding a 6 or 7-inch bundt pan.

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      January 28, 2017 at 12:29 pm

      I got mine in a thrift store and it’s pottery. However, you can get one on Amazon here that’s metal:

      Reply
    • Maryanne says

      June 3, 2019 at 8:18 pm

      Try amazon

      Reply
  12. Cathy Spina says

    January 27, 2017 at 11:56 am

    I purchased your cookbook (before even owning an Instant Pot) and sat down and read it like a novel! You inspired me and I immediately ordered an Instant Pot. I received it yesterday and cannot wait to use it! Your book is ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!!! Congrats and much success!!

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      January 28, 2017 at 12:28 pm

      Thank you so much <3

      Reply
      • Chery says

        January 8, 2019 at 9:32 am

        Where can I purchase your cook book for the instant pot?

        Reply
        • Kathy Hester says

          January 9, 2019 at 12:33 pm

          You can get it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2RkpHPs or you can order it from your local bookstore.

          Reply
  13. Doug Weathers says

    February 21, 2017 at 8:29 pm

    Hi, new Instant Pot owner here. I just received my set of four 3-cup Pyrex rectangular dishes, purchased from your link above, and to my dismay they don’t quite fit into my IP – one end is about an inch above the bottom of the pot. I have the 6-quart IP DUO.

    Any idea what might have happened?

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      February 21, 2017 at 9:12 pm

      When you use them it will either be above the rack that came with the instant pot or on top of rice or beans cooking. So it will never sit at the bottom of your pot.

      Reply
      • Doug Weathers says

        February 22, 2017 at 8:52 am

        Thanks for the reply.

        I can only get the dish to touch the bottom (or the trivet) if I put it in with one end tilted down. If I heep it level, it only goes down about an inch.

        You can see the trivet at the bottom, waiting in vain for the dish to reach it.

        All four of the dishes are about the same. They can only get inside the pot if they’re tilted. Then my food would spill out.

        What kind of Instant Pot do you use these dishes with? I love your idea of stacking rectangular dishes inside the IP in a plus shape, and I’d like to make it work, or figure out why it doesn’t.

        Reply
        • Kathy Hester says

          February 22, 2017 at 9:18 am

          I have the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 7-in-1 Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker, 6Qt/1000W which I think is the same as you. I just tested placing them in and they go to the bottom of mine.

          The only thing I can think of is I bought mine about 2 years ago, I have 2. I’m shocked that the pot size would change, but that’s the only thing I can think of unless Pyrex changed the length of the 3 cup rectangle. I did buy a new set of them to go with an older one I had early last year and they were all the same size.

          The only thing I could suggest is maybe taking your pot into the store and try some other ones. If you use 3 cup round ones they may work, but I worry about the food getting squeezed out of the bottom one as it cooks.

          Reply
  14. Doug Weathers says

    February 22, 2017 at 10:08 am

    I think we’ll be taking the inner pot to Target soon.

    Yes, round dishes wouldn’t stack well – but square ones could be rotated 45 degrees and still stack OK.

    Let’s see if the Pyrex dishes have changed. These are 7 -15/32 inches long and and 5-15/32 inches wide according to my tape measure. Text on the bottom of the dish reads:

    pyrex (R)

    7210 .. 11
    3 CUP -750 ml
    7 x 5 x 1.5 IN
    NO RANGETOP
    NO BROILER
    MADE IN USA
    16

    Does that match what you have?

    Meanwhile, the inside diameter of my IP is 8-5/8 in at the top. According to the label on the back, it’s an IP-DUO60 V2. Hmmm… V2?

    Reply
  15. Anita says

    March 19, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    What are the size of your silicone holders? If possible a link? I hate to put foil in to lift things out and would rather have these holders for that purpose. Thanks

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      March 19, 2017 at 10:57 pm

      I have a link below it that goes to a variety pack on Amazon. I like the assortment because I’ll have the right size for the pan I’m using.

      Reply
  16. Linda says

    October 11, 2017 at 11:46 pm

    I was wondering if you could help me with PIP cooking? For the most part, I want to use a smaller pot inside the Instant Pot to do small amounts of rice. I’m thinking a 3 qt. would suffice. I only want to make use a 1/2 cup (uncooked) rice for my and hubby. So can I use a pot in pot and do you know where I can find the size I would need? Or can I use glass pyrex for that too? And do I have to put water in the first pot before adding the second pot and/or do I have to raise the pot that will have the rice in it on a trivet? I’m new at the Instant Pot and like it so far, but I don’t want to have this and a rice cooker taking up space. Oh, last thought, I have a small non-stick pot from my old mini rice cooker that broke, can I maybe use that? Just a thought. And thanks for any help you or any of your readers can be.

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      October 12, 2017 at 10:20 am

      I make 1 cup of rice in my 6-quart IP all the time. I bet you could just cook 1/2 cup as is? I’ll give it a try later today.

      Reply
      • Millie says

        December 11, 2017 at 9:58 pm

        Kathy, did you test cooking 1/2 cup of rice directly in the IP pan? I took a chance and cooked 3/4 cup white jasmine rice with a bit over 3/4 cup water today, and it came out cooked but very dry and stuck to the pan. Thanks!

        Reply
        • Kathy Hester says

          December 13, 2017 at 7:59 pm

          I haven’t cooked less than 1 cup of rice in my IP, but I do cook 1/2 cup steel cut oats at a time and haven’t had an issue. Was it on warm for long?

          Reply
  17. JoAnn M Lakes says

    December 18, 2017 at 7:39 pm

    Ordered a couple of inner non-stick pots for my 6 and 8 quarts. I used your links. Thanks for all the work you do for us.

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      December 18, 2017 at 8:08 pm

      So glad I can help <3

      Reply
  18. PJ Mac says

    January 25, 2018 at 9:32 pm

    Whoops…bought an 8 quart steamer basket for my new 6 quart InstaPot….it fits….I could remove the handle so the lid closes…are there reasons I shouldn’t use it? Thanks (PS So far, I can’t find the receipt.)

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      January 28, 2018 at 12:24 pm

      If it fits and the lid securely fits it should be fine. Make sure that it doesn’t block the valve in any way.

      Reply
  19. Brita says

    February 12, 2018 at 11:46 pm

    I’ve just discovered Instant Pots – not sure why it took me so long, as it seems perfect for the two of us, and some occasional larger dinner get-togethers. My questions is: I live at just under 8,000 feet altitude. I noticed that only the 8qt pot seems to come with altitude adjustment (only really important for baking and pulses in my case). Does the 6qt have that feature, or does your introductory cookbook cover this consideration? I think the 8qt would be too big for our needs…. Thanks, looking forward to my first forays into IP cooking!

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      February 15, 2018 at 2:02 pm

      There is a 6-quart in the ultra – . Also here are 2 articles on altitude: and

      Reply
      • Brita says

        February 15, 2018 at 2:38 pm

        Great, thank you Kathy – this is a super service you provide. I’m off to Amazon to put in my order!

        Reply
  20. Len says

    February 25, 2018 at 12:10 pm

    Just need some reassurance: I have the 6qt ultra and every site I see says to use a 7″ (spring-form) cake pan yet the inside diameter is a bit over 8″ Fat Daddio’s makes an 8″ pan that does not use a spring.

    Will that provide enough air flow around the sides when the handles of the trivet are raised?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      March 8, 2018 at 5:20 pm

      It should.

      Reply
  21. Ruth Orner says

    March 24, 2018 at 4:44 pm

    I am looking for a loaf pan to make bread in for the instant pot and a rack with handles for making a roast. Any ideas?

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      April 7, 2018 at 8:22 pm

      There’s an IP brand silicone loaf pan here: , and this steam rack might work for what you want: .

      Reply
  22. Gail says

    January 13, 2019 at 12:27 pm

    Can you recommend a tall steam rack (trivet) for the instant pot duo 60?
    I’d like the tall rack to be about 3 inches tall, so I could cook beans in the bottom of the IP and steam a grain in a bowl above that. (sitting on the rack.

    And made of a good quality stainless steel (304)

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      February 7, 2019 at 12:15 pm

      I found this one on Amazon and it seems like it would work. Please note that I haven’t tried it yet. My affiliate link: https://amzn.to/2DkY26Y

      Reply
  23. Karen Madden says

    January 24, 2019 at 11:48 am

    So,I just ordered my Instant pot and I noticed that there a ton of accessories on Amazon, which is all well and good, but I’m trying to keep things “budget friendly” and so I was intrigued and happy to see some of the things in your list. I was wondering though about silicone baking pans, I have a round pan and want to know are all silicone products that I would use in a conventional oven,ok to use in IP. Of course I understand they need to fit. 🙂 and thanks so much for your welcomed knowledge, I will certainly be looking more at all you have to share.

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      January 24, 2019 at 12:23 pm

      They would work for sure!

      Reply
  24. Maryanne says

    June 4, 2019 at 7:28 am

    I have a stainless steel bowl with a silicone non slip bottom. Would this work with my instant pot?

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      June 18, 2019 at 12:00 pm

      If it’s truly a silicone bottom and can be in an oven or on the stovetop it should work in your Instant Pot!

      Reply

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