If you’re an avid user of the 3-quart Instant Pot, you know the magic it brings to the kitchen. But you also know the frustration of that dreaded “BURN” notice or the arm workout required to scrub stuck-on rice from the standard stainless steel pot. I was constantly battling this, which soured my cooking experience. I knew there had to be a better way, and that’s when I discovered what would become an essential accessory: the Instant Pot 3-Qt Ceramic Non-Stick Inner Cooking Pot.
Before you add a new inner pot to your collection, it’s worth considering why you need one. This accessory category primarily solves two problems: it offers a non-stick alternative to the standard stainless steel pot, and it provides a secondary pot for preparing multiple components of a meal without stopping to wash up. If you frequently cook foods prone to sticking—think oatmeal, thick stews, rice, or cheesy pasta—a non-stick inner pot can be a game-changer, transforming a tedious cleanup into a simple wipe-down. The ideal customer is a regular Instant Pot user who values convenience and wants to eliminate the scraping and soaking associated with stickier recipes.
However, this isn’t for everyone. If you primarily use your Instant Pot for soups, broths, or steaming vegetables where sticking isn’t a concern, the original stainless steel pot is perfectly adequate. Furthermore, if you cherish the ability to get a hard sear on meats using high heat and metal utensils, you’ll be better served by sticking with stainless steel, as non-stick surfaces are more delicate. Before purchasing, confirm compatibility with your model (this one is for 3-quart versions only), weigh the pros and cons of ceramic non-stick versus stainless steel, and be honest about whether you’re willing to follow the specific care instructions, like avoiding metal tools, to preserve the coating.
- NON-STICK INTERIOR: Get to cooking with high quality non-stick coating! Safe for food preparation, this Instant pot inner cooking pot...
- EASY TO CLEAN: You won't need to scrub so hard to get rid of stains. This ceramic cooking pot has a non-stick coating that allows for...
Unveiling the Instant Pot Ceramic Inner Pot
The Instant Pot 3-Qt Ceramic Non-Stick Inner Cooking Pot is an official, brand-verified accessory designed to fit perfectly inside the 3-quart “Mini” models. Its core promise is simple but powerful: to provide a truly non-stick cooking experience that makes food release and cleanup effortless. The pot is made with a ceramic non-stick coating that is free from harmful chemicals like plastic PTFE and PFOA, ensuring your food is safe. When you purchase it, you receive just the inner cooking pot itself, ready to be swapped with your original.
This specific product is tailor-made for the home cook who adores their Mini Instant Pot but is weary of the post-cooking scrub-down. It’s a dream for making perfect rice, creamy yogurt, or slow-cooking a stew without leaving a baked-on mess. It’s not, however, for the user who wants an indestructible pot that can withstand metal whisks and spatulas or those who own larger 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot models.
Pros:
- Superior non-stick performance for sticky foods like rice and oatmeal.
- Significantly reduces cleanup time and effort.
- Official Instant Pot accessory guarantees a perfect and safe fit.
- Serves as an excellent second pot for preparing multi-part meals.
Cons:
- The non-stick coating requires care and can be damaged by metal utensils.
- Some long-term users have reported the coating can wear down or peel over time.
- Not as effective for high-heat searing as the stainless steel pot.
- Easy-to-use programmable digital controls complete with an automatic Keep Warm mode after each cycle
- Perfectly prepares 2 to 6 cups of any variety of cooked rice
- 𝟭𝟴 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿: Choose from different types of white and brown...
A Deep Dive into Features and Performance
After using this pot extensively for over two years, I’ve come to know its strengths and weaknesses intimately. It has become my go-to for certain dishes and has fundamentally improved how I use my Instant Pot.
The Ceramic Non-Stick Coating
The star of the show is, without a doubt, the non-stick surface. The moment I cooked my first batch of oatmeal in it, I knew I could never go back. Where the stainless steel pot would leave a stubborn, gummy film, this pot released the oatmeal with a gentle tilt. Rice, another common culprit for sticking, slides out effortlessly, with every grain intact. This non-stick pot truly shines when making anything with sugar or dairy, like congee or sweetened sauces, which are notorious for triggering the “BURN” notice. The pot-in-pot method is great, but sometimes you need to use the full capacity of the main pot, and this accessory makes that possible without fear.
However, “non-stick” isn’t an invincible shield. I’ve found that when sautéing or browning meat, you still need to use a bit of oil or fat to prevent sticking. If you try to sear something on high heat without enough oil, you will get some food residue. While it’s still easier to clean than stainless steel, it doesn’t just wipe clean in those instances. The most important lesson I learned was to ditch my metal tongs immediately. This pot demands silicone, wood, or nylon utensils. One accidental scrape with a metal spoon can create a scratch, compromising the coating over time.
Compatibility and Fit
As an official Instant Pot accessory, the fit is flawless. It slides into the 3-quart base just like the original, and the lid seals perfectly on top. This is a crucial safety and performance feature, as an improper fit can lead to pressure leakage and inefficient cooking. Having this assurance is why I’d always recommend buying a brand-name accessory over a third-party one. I’ve never had an issue with the pot failing to come to pressure.
That said, I have read accounts from some long-term users who noticed the rim of the pot warping slightly after a couple of years of heavy use, which eventually interfered with the silicone ring’s ability to create a proper seal. While this hasn’t happened to my pot, it’s a reminder that it may not have the same multi-decade durability as its stainless steel counterpart and is something to keep an eye on.
Cleaning and Maintenance
This is where the Instant cooking pot earns its keep. 95% of the time, cleaning is as simple as a quick rinse with warm, soapy water and a gentle swipe with a soft sponge. The days of overnight soaks and aggressive scrubbing are over. It is technically dishwasher safe, but I’ve chosen to exclusively hand-wash it. My experience with all non-stick cookware is that handwashing significantly extends the life of the coating by avoiding the harsh detergents and high heat of a dishwasher cycle. For me, the extra 30 seconds it takes to wash by hand is a worthy investment to protect the pot’s surface. It’s a small change in routine that pays huge dividends in convenience.
Material and Construction
The pot has a reassuring heft to it without being overly heavy. The measurement markings on the interior wall are clear and accurate, which is essential for getting liquid ratios right for pressure cooking. The ceramic cooking pot material seems to distribute heat evenly, which is particularly beneficial for delicate tasks like making yogurt or cooking grains without hot spots.
The long-term durability of the coating is the main disadvantage to consider. After two years of regular, albeit careful, use, my pot is still in great condition. However, I have seen photos from others showing the coating beginning to peel or bubble at the bottom after extensive use or accidental scratches. This is a common issue with most non-stick cookware and highlights the trade-off: you gain incredible convenience but sacrifice the near-indestructible nature of stainless steel.
Versatility in Cooking
Owning a second inner pot, especially one with different properties, unlocks a new level of efficiency. I can make a chili in my stainless steel pot, and while it’s resting, I can swap in the Instant Pot 3-Qt Ceramic Non-Stick Inner Cooking Pot to quickly cook a side of rice. This workflow is fantastic for meal prep or getting dinner on the table faster. It has become my dedicated pot for breakfast foods (oatmeal, grits, congee) and any recipe with a thick sauce. This specialization allows me to use each pot for what it does best: the stainless steel for high-heat searing and durability, and the ceramic non-stick for delicate items and easy cleanup.
What Other Users Are Saying
After browsing through online communities and reviews, I found that my experience is quite common. The vast majority of users praise this pot for making cleanup incredibly easy, especially for rice, and many call it an essential accessory for their 3-quart Instant Pot. People love having a second pot to streamline their cooking process. However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect. A recurring critique involves the long-term durability of the non-stick coating, with some users reporting scratches and peeling despite careful use. A smaller number have also mentioned the warping and sealing issues after a few years.
The Final Verdict on This Instant Pot Accessory
The daily frustration of scraping and scrubbing stuck-on food can take the joy out of using an otherwise brilliant kitchen appliance like the Instant Pot. This is the core problem that this non-stick inner pot solves so effectively. It’s a fantastic upgrade for any 3-quart Instant Pot owner for two main reasons: it makes cooking sticky foods practically foolproof and turns a difficult cleanup into a trivial task. Furthermore, its role as a secondary pot enhances the versatility of your machine, making meal preparation more efficient. If you’re tired of the scrub, this accessory is a worthwhile investment that will make you fall in love with your Instant Pot all over again.
Click here to check the product out and say goodbye to stuck-on messes.
Last update on 2025-10-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API