TL;DR
Not all Instant Pot accessories are created equal. Start with an extra sealing ring and trivet — these two items dramatically improve your Instant Pot experience. Everything else can wait.
Essential Accessories (Buy First)
1. Extra Sealing Ring
Instant Pot Sealing Ring - 2 Pack — ~$10
Every Instant Pot comes with one sealing ring. You need a second. Why?
- Flavor transfer — Aromatic foods (curry, garlic, fish) leave lasting smells
- Replacement — Rings wear out over time
- Color coding — Get different colors for savory vs sweet (yogurt)
Buy two: one for savory cooking, one for yogurt/baking.
2. Stainless Steel Trivet
Instant Pot Universal Steamer Basket — ~$15
The trivet is essential for:
- Steaming — Vegetables, fish, dumplings
- Stacking — Cook meat below + vegetables above
- Lifting — Remove hot food from the pot safely
- Pot-in-pot cooking — Rice or beans above another dish
This is the most versatile accessory after the sealing ring.
Important Accessories (Buy Soon After)
3. Glass Lid
Instant Pot Glass Lid for 6Qt — ~$15
The Instant Pot lid doesn’t fit when stored — the glass lid solves this:
- Sauté mode — Use instead of the pressure lid
- Slow cooking — Cover while slow cooking
- Storage — Cover finished dishes in the pot
- Countertop display — Looks better than foil
4. Extra Inner Pot
Instant Pot Inner Pot Stainless Steel — ~$40
Useful when:
- Speed switching — Swap between rice and soup without washing
- Worn pot replacement — The original eventually shows wear
- Larger quantities — Sometimes you need more than one
5. Silicone Portion Molds
Instant Pot Silicone Egg Bite Molds — ~$15
Perfect for:
- Meal prep — Portioned protein cubes
- Egg bites — The famous keto breakfast hack
- Frozen portions — Freeze soups and sauces in single servings
Nice-to-Have Accessories
6. Steam Basket
Instant Pot Steam Basket — ~$12
Better than the trivet for:
- Large quantities — More surface area than a trivet
- Fish — Holds delicate fish fillets
- Dumplings — Steam multiple dumplings at once
7. Spring Form Pan
Instant Pot Spring Form Pan — ~$15
For the cake function (Duo Plus/Pro):
- Cheesecake — The most popular Instant Pot dessert
- Cakes — Chocolate cake, carrot cake
- Mains — Lasagna, pot pie
8. Magnetic Quick Guide
Instant Pot Magnetic Cheat Sheet — ~$10
Attaches to your fridge — instant reference for:
- Cook times for common foods
- Pressure release methods
- Function conversions
Accessories to Skip
Lazy Lids
Plastic covers that sit on the pot — unnecessary when you have the glass lid.
Extra Accessories That Come Free
Many Instant Pots include a:
- Steam rack (trivet equivalent)
- Rice paddle
- Soup ladle
Check what’s in your box before buying duplicates.
Budget Starter Kit
If you’re buying fresh, here’s the recommended order:
- Sealing ring ($10) — Essential from day one
- Trivet ($15) — Enables steaming and stacking
- Glass lid ($15) — Complete the pot
- Egg bite molds ($15) — Popular feature
- Steam basket ($12) — Better steaming
Total: ~$67 for a complete starter kit
Brand Compatibility
Instant Pot accessories are model-specific:
- Duo/Duo Plus — Standard 6/8 quart accessories fit
- Duo Mini — 3 quart specific
- Duo Nova 10 — 10 quart specific
- Pro — Pro series specific
Always verify compatibility before ordering.
Bottom Line
Start with these two:
- Extra Sealing Ring — $10
- Stainless Steel Trivet — $15
These two accessories transform your Instant Pot from a single-function appliance into a true multi-cooker.
Ready to Choose Your Instant Pot?
Check out our top recommendations above and find the perfect match for your kitchen.