Let me show you stress-free Instant Pot cooking with these time-saving and must-have accessories. Plus a few tips to help in using the IP.

The Instant Pot has made my kitchen life so much easier. But over the past few years, I have realized I need extra accessories to help make the IP experience even more enjoyable. I am also looking for new accessories to use and the list below are items I use now and wishlist of items for the future.

But before I talk accessories, let’s talk a bit about the Instant Pot. Truly, the best small appliance I have invested in for my kitchen in years and with over 33,000 positive reviews on Amazon, it’s a favorite in many kitchens. I loved my slow cooker, but the IP has put a whole new meaning on cooking in a short period of time. Who has hours to spend in the kitchen anymore cooking? 

There are several versions and sizes of the Instant Pot (3qt, 6qt, and 8qt), but the one I have been using for about 3 years now is the 6qt Instant Pot. It has everything I need to cook many different meals. Sauté, Manual and Yogurt are the settings I use the most. My Homemade Tangy Sloppy Joe recipe shows how easy it is to use the IP.

The good news is the majority of these accessories will work in most pressure cookers. So if you have a different brand or size, check to see any of these items will work for you too.

Silicone Accessories:

• Silicone Lids – I use this lid when making yogurt and on other pots as well.
• Instant Pot Mini Mitts – Perfect for lifting the IP pot out of the pressure cooker.
• Pressure Cooker Sling – I use this when I make casseroles by putting it under the dish for easy lifting.
• Silicone Steamer – Perfect for steaming veggies and it folds up nicely.
• Steam Diverter – I used this when I first started using the IP. It’s also great if you have small children around who are curious.
• Strainer – Makes draining liquid out of the inner pot so easy.

Metal Accessories:

• Larger Steamer Basket – Perfect for large amounts of veggies.
• Steamer Rack with Handles – I use this to make yogurt in jars. It holds the jars up off the bottom of the pan so the steam will heat the milk up safely.
• Trivet Tall Stand – Perfect for steaming or holding small pans.
• Divided Steamer -Steaming different veggies at the same time is easily done with this steamer.
• Egg Steamer – I much prefer this to the metal steamer I used in the past. Keeps the eggs from knocking against each other while cooking.
• Glass Lid – Keeps your meal warm and for making your IP a slow cooker. Make this your number one purchase.
• Spring Form Pan – Love making lasagna in this pan.
• Stackable Pans – Cook two different recipes with this pan.

Replacement Parts:

These items are a must to have an extra or two stored. Having company over and your IP ring breaks isn’t something to experience at the last minute.

• Instant Pot Sealing Rings
• Release Handle
• Float Valve
• Stainless Steel Inner Pot
• Condensation Cup
• 5 ft Power Cord

Just Because Accessories:

• Cheat Sheet Magnets – I have these on my IP and reference them all the time. Keeps me from having to search for the IP book.
• Instant Pot Tote – I have taken my IP a couple of times to parties and this is the perfect accessory for that and will hold mitts and glass lids. Great for camping too.
• Instant Pot Cover – If you keep your IP on your counter, you gotta get one of these.

My Instant Pot Tips:

• You need at least 1 cup of liquid to use the IP safely. Steam must form to cause the float to go up. If your sauce is too thick, steam won’t form and the pressure cooker won’t start.
• When making hard-boiled eggs, examine the eggs carefully. If they have any kind of hairline crack, the egg white will ooze or blow out of the crack in the shell during the cooking process and that egg usually doesn’t work for Deviled Eggs.
• When making yogurt, start early in the morning to make sure to give yourself enough time for the yogurt to set. The whole process takes about 8 hours total even though 6 hours is the yogurt mixture firming up in the IP. I make my yogurt in jars instead of in the pot. Seems to firm up better and less cleaning up to do.
• Learn to cook the whole meal in the pot and using the Saute feature for quicker cleanup. Pasta also does well in the instant pot.
• When using Saute mode to cook, wait until the pot says HOT before you spray cooking spray or add oil. It will burn heating up and isn’t pleasant.
• When planning a meal and you are on a time frame, add 10 – 15 minutes for the IP to heat up before the actual cooking time starts. 
• Be prepared to thicken any gravy you make. EX: Pot roast – After I remove the meat and veggies, I will add a slurry of water and flour to the liquid to thicken it up. Turn on Saute and the liquid will turn into a nice gravy. A slurry is the same amount of water to flour. You don’t need much to make the liquid thicken. I usually use 2 tbsp each of water and flour.
• Learn how to convert your favorite recipes for the Instant Pot. Diary, except for making yogurt, doesn’t do well in the IP since the pot gets really hot and will curdle dairy. If you use milk in a gravy, wait and put that in after the IP has cooked your recipe and use the Saute setting.
• You can easily cook frozen meat by adding about 10 minutes more on cooking time. 
• To control smells, I store my IP without the ring in it and that seems to help. But there are times when the smells get pretty bad, so I will steam clean my Instant Pot with some cut up lemons and 2 cups of water. Steam for 2 minutes and let it naturally steam release. 
• You can use your IP as a slow cooker buy purchasing the glass lid. One less small appliance in the kitchen to store.