The Best Instant Pot for Busy Moms and How to Use It

Do you want to make life easier for yourself this summer and autumn? Then you need an Instant Pot! Capable of making everything from yogurt to soup, with rice, casseroles and everything else in between, the Instant Pot is the must-have kitchen gadget of the moment.

What is an Instant Pot?

An Instant Pot can cook both fast and slow, and can be programmed to perform all manner of kitchen tasks, such as sauteeing, steaming, simmering and more. You can use it just like a '70s-style pressure cooker enabling you to cook meals up to 6 times faster than on the stove, or use it as a slow cooker to make sure supper is ready exactly when you need it. They can even make yogurt and delicious desserts, such as the creamy strawberry cheesecake below.

Available in a range of sizes and specifications, there is an Instant Pot out there for every size of family, however much cooking you do. Some people use theirs every day, some a couple of times a week. But don't worry, it's not necessary to invest a fortune only to find you fit into the twice a week category with the amazing Instant Pot deals that are around at the moment.

The key benefits of an Instant Pot are:

Ease of use
Space saving
Safe way to cook
Saves cooking time
Cuts energy use

The Best Instant Pot to Buy

If you've been thinking about getting one of these popular kitchen appliances but are not sure where to start, this is the one we use and recommend. I love the mid-size 5.5 litre Instant Pot Duo which offers a mighty 7 functions in 1 including pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer and yogurt maker.

And it's now available at the lowest price ever - I spent way more than this!

The Best Accessories to Make the Most of Your Instant Pot

Have you got an Instant Pot already and wonder if you are really making the most of it? These are the best accessories you need to really make the most of your Instant Pot pressure cooker. Whether you're just starting out or have been using your Instant Pot for a while, these extras will really make the most of your favourite kitchen gadget.

As much as you already love your Instant Pot, there are so many more things you could be doing with it! Here are 4 Instant Pot extras that will make the most of your machine, and up your cooking skills too.

Steamer Basket

This stainless steel Instant Pot steamer basket with silicone-covered handle is perfect for steaming vegetables to retain all their vitamins and flavour, or for cooking rice

I prefer this design to the sieve kind as it is much easier to clean, plus it makes amazing rice - even getting rid of the soggy white kind!

Instant Pot Sealing Rings

It sounds crazy, but these are actually the best Instant Pot accessory you can buy, and the most important thing to have on hand for your Instant Pot.

Not only will your seal stretch over time, making food cook unevenly and take longer to cook, but you really don't want your yogurt tasting of chilli (yuck)! Silicone does absorb odours and flavours so having multiple seals on hand means that you can use different ones for different types of cooking.

I recommend buying a few spare Instant Pot sealing rings when you first buy your Instant Pot for this very reason.

Springform Cake Tin

If you want to make cakes and desserts such as cheesecakes in your Instant Pot, and I highly recommend that you do, then you need a springform cake tin that will fit.

This 7-inch springform cake pan is made from premium carbon steel and has a non-stick coating for turning out cakes and puddings with ease. It's a great price too.

Egg Steamer

If, like me, you are hopeless at getting eggs perfectly done - there's always some distraction! - then this Instant Pot egg steamer rack is the perfect solution. The rack makes perfect boiled or hard-boiled eggs in the Instant Pot and is so easy even I get them perfect now!

Added Extras

Here are 5 more Instant Pot accessories that are not essential but will serve to make your life, and cooking, easier. Plus a couple of things for safety.

To Get the Pot Out

Getting the Instant Pot Inner Pot out is an ordeal when it's hot and likely to lead to burnt fingers or worse (ask me how I know!). Invest in either or both of these gadgets for getting the inner pot out of your Instant Pot and you'll be set - and unburnt!

These ingenious Instant Pot inner pot retrieval tongs have non-slip silicone pads and a strong stainless steel frame which enable you to remove the inner pot, cake tin or steamer pan safely and easily.

Or try the Instant Pot mini mitts which make it super easy to grab that piping hot bowl out without burning yourself. Their strong non-slip grip makes them very safe and easy to use. They can be washed in the dishwasher too, very handy!

Nice to Have

By no means essential, but very nice to have are a spare ceramic inner pot for the Instant Pot and an Instant Pot glass lid.

The Instant Pot ceramic non stick inner pot is useful for foods that stick to the bottom of the regular inner pot, making it perfect for browning when you are making a soup or casserole for example.

The Instant Pot tempered glass lid makes cooking so much easier as you can see exactly what is going on inside your Instant Pot. No more guessing when your onion is perfectly sauteed and ready for the next stage!

Last butt not least, there really is nothing uglier than a worktop covered in appliances. If you want to keep your Instant Pot shiny and dust-free while also looking great on the counter, this gorgeous grey Instant Pot dust cover is perfect. (Hint to husband: A great stocking filler for anyone who already has an Instant Pot too.)

Instant Pot Recipes

If you are feeling inspired to start making the most of your Instant Pot, try some of these delicious recipes.

Instant Pot Soup Recipes You Must Try