Is it safe to use an Instant Pot with stainless steel insert?
Yes, with normal care. Stainless steel avoids plastic food contact, but long acidic cooks still deserve common sense.
What's actually in it
An Instant Pot stainless steel insert is usually 18/8 stainless steel. That means the main food-contact surface is steel, not plastic or nonstick coating.
The insert is a better choice for soups, beans, rice, broth, and most family meals. The silicone sealing ring is the part to watch. Replace it when it gets sticky, cracked, or strongly stained with food smells.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Int J Environ Health Res boiled acidic, alkaline, and drinking-water solutions in common cookware. Metal release varied by material, brand, and solution, and stainless steel released more metals under some test conditions than plain drinking water.
A 2025 study in J Hazard Mater found that silicone bakeware released cyclic siloxanes into a fatty food simulant and indoor air during baking. An Instant Pot sealing ring is not bakeware, but the study is a good reminder to replace worn silicone parts.
Use the stainless insert for cooking. Do not use it as long-term storage for tomato sauce, citrus marinades, or other acidic foods. Move leftovers to glass once the food cools.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy metal transitions from cooking utensils to different solutions. | Int J Environ Health Res | 2025 |
| Silicone bakeware as a source of human exposure to cyclic siloxanes via inhalation and baked food consumption. | J Hazard Mater | 2025 |