12 Rules for Perfect Instant Pot Indian Cooking

2. Gather Essential Accessories

A few simple accessories will make Instant Pot Indian cooking consistent and less stressful. Start with a sturdy trivet and stainless-steel mixing bowls sized to fit inside your pot for pot-in-pot (PIP) cooking; use tight-fitting lids or foil to protect rice from steam. A heatproof steamer basket is handy for idlis and dumplings. A silicone spatula and a long-handled ladle help with stirring and serving without scratching the pot. Keep a small frying pan or tadka ladle for tempering ghee and spices outside the Instant Pot when you want a crisp, aromatic tadka. These tools reduce cleanup and increase accuracy: measuring cups and a digital kitchen scale help you preserve the liquid ratios that determine dal thickness, and a simple thermometer helps with sauté temperatures if you’re testing new techniques. Investing in these accessories keeps your workflow close to how a traditional kitchen operates—separate pots for tadka, fitted bowls for PIP, and the right utensils to protect both food and equipment.