When I purchased my first Instant Pot back in December 2017, even though I was deep in the Facebook groups, accessories were not something I was thinking about. And then I didn’t know what would fit into my 3 quart Instant Pot Mini.
To help home chefs find their way through the accessory possibilities, here is a list of the top things to consider buying to expand your pressure cooking options. For each item, how and why you might want to purchase is included.
Make sure you know which Instant Pot size you have as not all accessories are interchangeable. Accessories sized for the 6 quart model won’t likely fit into the small 3 quart model.
If you previously owned a slow cooker, you may not have had any accessories. You simply tossed all the ingredients into the crock and turned it on. While electric pressure cooking can be the same, it also opens up a whole new set of possibilities.
Accessories are part of the fun and a way to expand the different dishes you can cook in your Instant Pot Duo Nova.
And one more note: this post contains affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission if you buy through my link. You won’t pay any more if you use this link.
Accessories that come in the Instant Pot Duo Nova Box
The Duo Nova comes with a few things in box. When you buy a Duo Nova you’ll receive:
- 2 sealing rings,
- a measuring cup,
- a steam rack (sometimes referred to as a trivet)
- instruction booklet
- small recipe book
Most of the previous Instant Pot models included only 1 sealing ring so this is a nice upgrade. But you’ll likely want to have another sealing ring or two on hand.
The instruction booklet will help you learn how to use your new electric pressure cooker along with the small recipe book.
Instant Pot Duo Nova Accessories Checklist
Once you decide you want to stock up on accessories, you may have trouble finding things that fit your Instant Pot. Items can be only so wide or tall in order to fit safely (or at all) in the inner pot.
Tip: Do you know someone that just purchased their first Instant Pot? Accessories make great gifts, especially for people new to this method of cooking. You can use this as inspiration to put together a gift package!
Tempered Glass Lid
The Instant Pot Glass Lid helps keep the splatters down while searing. This lid can be used for slow cooking as well as making yogurt.
Instant Pot Tempered Glass Lid is specifically sized by quart size. Make sure you buy the right one for the Duo Nova you own
It’s also a useful thing to have on hand to keep the heat in while “staying warm” or serving without using the full pressure lid.
Instant Pot Sealing Rings
Extra Instant Pot Sealing Rings are at the top of your must-have Instant Pot Duo Nova accessories list. One thing you’ll notice is the silicone rings become infused with the flavors of what you cook, especially onion and garlic.
For cooking both savory and sweet dishes, consider having extra sealing rings will save yourself from weird tasting results. There are tricks for getting the smell mostly out of the rings, but it always seems to linger. No one likes a garlic-flavored cheesecake!
Instant Pot Sealing Rings are specifically sized by quart size. Make sure you buy the right one for the Duo Nova you own
Tip: The sealing rings are available in both clear and colors. And having different color sealing rings makes it much easier for choosing the right for your next dish.
Stainless Steel Inner Cooking Pot
Extra inner cooking pots are another must-have accessory. If you are going to cook multiple dishes back to back in your Instant Pot, having to stop to wash the liner will slow you down.
If you’re batch cooking for meal prep, having extra liners ready to go will make your cooking chores go faster.
Instant Pot Stainless Steel Inner Cooking Pots are specifically sized by quart size. Make sure you buy the right one for the Duo Nova you own
Aluminum Cheesecake Push Pan
Cheesecake is one of the top desserts to make with an Instant Pot. If you don’t want to miss out, you’ll need either Fat Daddio round push pan or similar dish.
Even if you don’t like cheesecake, you can use the pan bottom to bottom to steady a meatloaf. You can also make an Instant Pot lasagna using this pan or something similar.
Below is the pan size that fits the 3, 6, and 8 quart models. One thing to note is most cheesecake recipes are written for the 7 inch pan. Double check the recipe for the recommended pan size as you may need to adjust the cooking time. And you can of course use the 7 inch pan in an 8 quart Instant Pot as well.
Fat Daddio’s Anodized Aluminum Round Cheesecake Pan
Silicone Egg Bite Molds
Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites, sometimes referred to as sous vide egg bites, are an interesting Instant Pot meal to cook. Blend eggs, cream (or milk), cottage cheese, grated cheese, and a few additional mix-ins to steam your own version of egg bites either in silicone egg bite molds or silicone muffin cups.
For the Instant Pot Mini, ULEE has two sizes available: a 4 cup 2 oz mold set and 7 cup 1 oz mold set. The 1 oz cups stack a little better in the 3 quart Instant Pot than the 2 oz cups.
The ULEE egg bite mold has a silicone top so you don’t have to cover your mold with aluminum foil. If you decide to buy a different egg bite mold, double check what the lid is made of. Don’t use a plastic lid for cooking in an Instant Pot.
Egg bite molds can be used for other bite-sized dishes. Look for recipes to create pancake bites, cheesecake bites, and even meatloaf bites. You don’t need to worry this will be a single-purpose accessory, but if you’re an egg bite fan, that’s a good usage regardless.
Joie Silicone Devil Oven and Toaster Rack Puller
Aside from being adorable, the silicone puller is fun to use with your Duo Nova. It makes a nice stocking stuffer gift and can be put to work with your Instant Pot creations.
Stick the puller through the lid handle to press the pressure release button on the Duo Nova. You can use a big stirring spoon with an oven mitt. With this puller, your hand is further away from the steam spray.
It allows you to use a slow quick-release safely.
If you’d prefer to not fold an aluminum sling for a pot-in-pot dish, you can also use this puller to lift out pans by their handle. Or for a tray of egg bites, try tying them with butcher string. It works really well and can be lifted out using this devil puller too.
Tip: Use a spatular under the dish as soon as it’s high enough for more stability and keep it balanced.
Steamer Basket (stainless steel)
Streamer baskets are great for steaming vegetables and cooking chicken wings. It both keeps the food from soaking in the cooking water as well as making it easier to take out the finished dish. Depending on what you’re cooking, this stainless steel version can be easier to clean than a mesh basket.
House Again Original Stainless Steel Steamer Basket with Silicone Covered Handle and Feet. Use for Steaming Vegetables, Eggs, and even cooking meat
Can you use glass dishes in your Instant Pot?
If you spend any time in Instant Pot Facebook groups you’ll see questions about glass and Pyrex as a possible dish for pot-in-pot cooking.
Typically the guidance is that anything that’s considered oven safe is ok to use an Instant Pot.
Except for glass.
While these dishes are oven safe AND many people will comment they haven’t had issues with cooking in glass, it can break. The fast change of heat and pressure can cause micro invisible fissures to crack. Glass canning jars should work but sometimes these even break, again because of a crack you can’t see.
Basically, do not risk your favorite family heirloom dish in a pressure cooker, because sometimes they crack even when they’re considered oven safe.
For as much as you may prefer to use glass whenever possible, it’s not really worth the risk of losing either your favorite glass dish or having to throw out the food because it’s filled with shattered glass.
A quick note about 10 Quart Duo Nova Accessories
As the Duo Nova 10 quart is the largest Instant Pot currently available, specific accessories are currently limited. If you need extra sealing rings or cooking pots, try contacting Instant Pot directly.
For other cooking accessories such as egg bite molds and push pans, you can use the ones that fit the 8 quart model or possibly find a larger pan as you have more space to cook in.
Over to you, what are your favorite Instant Pot Duo Nova Accessories?
Have you started collecting accessories for your Duo Nova Instant Pot? Besides the usual accessories, are there others that you’re considering buying? Or is an accessory you can’t find?
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