electric pressure cooker accessories

The electric pressure cooker is revolutionizing the way people cook at home, allowing them to whip up restaurant-style dishes with ease. Brands such as Instant Pot, Mealthy and Ninja have brought pressure cooking within the reach of all, but there's magic in a pressure cooker when you add the correct accessories. From the essentials to the extras, this guide provides you with a complete list of the accessories you'll need to take your pressure cooking experience from ordinary to extraordinary.

What Are the Most Essential Electric Pressure Cooker Accessories?

Some of the most fundamental electric pressure cooker accessories are: a steamer basket, a trivet or rack, heat-proof containers, silicone molds, and special pans for special recipes. These items allow you to enjoy professional results with your cooker such as perfect steamed vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, cheesecakes, flans, and more.

1. Air Fryer Conversion Lid: The Ultimate Multi-Function Tool

The Mealthy CrispLid is the newest addition to the pressure cooker accessory marketplace, with the power to turn your 6 or 8-quart pressure cooker into a full-fledged air fryer. This add-on enables you to cook your food under pressure in the cooker and then crisp it to a delicious state all in one. Its dual operation makes it perfect for making crisp chicken wings, roasted vegetables or reheating leftovers the way they were just out of the oven.

2. Steamer Baskets: Essential for Healthy Cooking

One of the essential items for pressure cooking is a quality steamer basket. Flexible, space saving storage basket for vegetables, corn, lobster tails and more with OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer. If you need to separate different foods in the steamer, a divided steamer basket rack will help keep them organized and will prevent flavors from transferring.

3. Specialized Baking and Cooking Pans

Fat Daddio Push Pan: This versatile pan excels at lasagna, casseroles, and cheesecakes with its push-up bottom for easy removal
Springform Pans: Perfect for cheesecakes and layered dishes that need clean presentation
Flan Mold: Specifically designed for perfect pressure cooker flans every time with sturdy construction and proper cover
Mini Bundt Pans: Fit perfectly in pressure cookers for individual desserts (note: hand-wash only for longevity)

4. Egg Cooking Accessories

Stackable Egg Racks: Create perfectly centered hard-boiled eggs ideal for deviled eggs
OXO Sling and Trivet: Doubles as both a trivet with sling and an egg rack, eliminating the need for foil slings
Egg Bite Molds: Silicone molds perfect for breakfast egg bites and small portion desserts

5. Food Separation and Organization Tools

Silicone Dividers: Essential for pot-in-pot cooking, allowing you to prepare multiple dishes simultaneously without flavor mixing
Parchment Paper Rounds: Pre-cut to exact sizes for lining pans without the mess of cutting your own

6. Safety and Handling Accessories

Mini Mitts: Heat-resistant gloves designed specifically for pressure cooker handling, providing better grip and protection than regular oven mitts
Kitchen Torch: Perfect for finishing touches like browning crème brûlée or melting cheese on individual portions

7. Storage and Transport Solutions

Quick & Carry Bags: Sturry transport bags with ample space for your pressure cooker and accessories, available in sizes for both 6-quart and 8-quart models
Mini Pressure Cooker Containers: Adorable storage containers shaped like mini pressure cookers, perfect for leftovers and meal prep

How to Choose the Right Accessories for Your Needs

When choosing up pressure cooker accessories, take into account your cooking habits, usage, and storage area. Beginners are advised to use a steamer basket and trivet, while more advanced users may want to purchase special pans and conversion lids. Test compatibility with your pressure cooker type, as in air fryer lids which may need particular dimensions.

Top Pressure Cooker Brands and Their Compatible Accessories

Instant Pot: The DUO series is still popular for its reliability and wide range of accessory options. Most of the 6-quart and 8-quart accessories are compatible with Instant Pot models.

Mealthy: With some creative extras like their CrispLid, Mealthy has special tools that make pressure cooking even cooler.

Ninja Foodi: Pressure cooker and air fryer combination includes special accessories to suit its unique crisping capabilities but many regular accessories will work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pressure Cooker Accessories

Q: Do I really need special accessories for my pressure cooker?

A: Yes, you do need some special accessories for your pressure cooker.

You can use only the standard pressure cooker but accessories offer a lot of possibilities in making you cook. They provide for special techniques such as pot-in-pot cooking, steaming, baking and air frying, which are not possible with the standard equipment.

Q: Are pressure cooker accessories interchangeable between brands?

A: Most accessories are compatible with 6/8 quart cookers, but for special ones like the air fryer lid and particular cookware, check dimensions.

Q: What's the most versatile pressure cooker accessory?

A: A quality steamer basket is the most versatile one you can find, so you can steam vegetables, seafood and even reheat food without touching the water. The OXO sling/trivet combination also provides multiple functions in one tool.

Q: How do I clean and maintain my pressure cooker accessories?

A: Be sure to read and use manufacturer's instructions carefully. Most silicone and stainless steel products are dishwasher friendly, but some special pans such as mini bundt pans may need to be hand washed. Do not use abrasive cleaners on non-stick surfaces.

Q: Can I use regular kitchen tools in my pressure cooker?

A: Only use materials that can withstand heat and pressure. Do not use standard plastic, thin glass or non-high pressure and high temperature rated materials. Use only pressure cooking accessories that are made for pressure cooking.

Maximizing Your Investment: Tips for Accessory Care

Good care will prolong the life of pressure cooker accessories. Keep things tidy, clean products as per material requirements, and regularly check for wear. Think about how often you cook when buying; if you cook sparingly, you may want to get a tool that can be used for more than just cooking, but if you cook on an almost daily basis, you may find some special-purpose tools more useful.

Your electric pressure cooker becomes a full-fledged kitchen system with the right add-on. Investing in these key pieces will open up the door to the full benefits of pressure cooking, save time and increase your cooking abilities. Use these add-ons for dazzling vegetables in the kitchen for weekdays, or for great desserts that look professionally finished and taste just as good when served at a special event.