What is Instant Pot Stainless Steel Inner Pot made of?

Instant Pot Stainless Steel Inner Pot is made of: 18/8 stainless steel interior, No non-stick coating.

What are the main concerns with Instant Pot Stainless Steel Inner Pot?

Key concerns for Instant Pot Stainless Steel Inner Pot include: Some models offer non-stick inner pots as accessories — avoid those and stick with the stainless insert; Gasket/seals are silicone; replace per manufacturer schedule.

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Instant Pot Stainless Steel Inner Pot

Best

Pressure cooking, slow cooking, and steaming

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Materials Used

18/8 stainless steel interior
No non-stick coating

Common Marketing Claims

Food-grade stainless steel
Multi-function cooker
No PTFE coating

Editor's Note

The standard stainless insert is one of the cleanest cooking vessel options. Avoid the optional non-stick insert accessories if PFAS avoidance is a priority.

Safety Guide: Instant Pot Stainless Steel Inner Pot

The standard Instant Pot inner pot is 18/8 stainless steel with no non-stick coating. Food contacts only stainless steel during cooking — completely PFAS-free, non-reactive, and dishwasher safe. For a pressure cooker or multi-cooker, this is the ideal interior material: it can handle the high temperatures and pressure cycling without any coating degradation concerns, and the stainless surface is easy to inspect and clean.

The silicone sealing ring (gasket) deserves attention. It's made from food-grade silicone and is considered safe for food contact. However, silicone absorbs odors from strongly flavored dishes (curries, garlic, tomato-based sauces), and these odors can transfer to subsequent dishes. Many Instant Pot owners keep two rings — one for savory dishes, one for neutral or sweet recipes. The manufacturer recommends replacing the sealing ring periodically; a ring that has visible cracks, distortion, or a persistent strong odor even after washing should be replaced.

The non-stick inner pot sold as an optional accessory for some Instant Pot models uses a PTFE coating. In a pressure cooker environment — where temperatures can reach 240°F (116°C) under pressure — PTFE is operating within its safe temperature range. However, for households trying to eliminate fluoropolymers, the accessory non-stick pot is unnecessary when the stainless standard insert performs well for all pressure-cooking tasks.

Some condensation from the lid drips back into food; the lid is stainless steel and poses no concern. The outer housing is plastic but food does not contact it during cooking.

Is Instant Pot Stainless Steel Inner Pot safe?

Instant Pot Stainless Steel Inner Pot is rated Best — one of our top-recommended options for a low-tox home. The materials are considered among the safest available for this use case.

Key concerns at a glance:

Some models offer non-stick inner pots as accessories — avoid those and stick with the stainless insert
Gasket/seals are silicone; replace per manufacturer schedule

Cleaner Alternatives to Consider

Compare Instant Pot Stainless Steel Inner Pot

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