The Instant Pot has changed how millions of us approach weeknight dinners and weekend meal prep. While this multifunctional marvel handles the heavy lifting, we've discovered several under-the-radar brands crafting products that can enhance the entire cooking process – from prep work to plating. Here's our collection of kitchen gear that works in harmony with your pressure cooker.
Food Waste Bags: Making Food Prep More Planet-Friendly
When the vegetable scraps start piling up during meal prep, most home cooks reach for plastic bags. If You Care offers a different path with their compostable food waste bags, made from potato starch rather than petroleum products. These bags break down completely in composting conditions, creating a closed-loop system that keeps organic waste out of landfills.
The company's environmental credentials run deep – they pioneered unbleached coffee filters in North America and maintain strict standards for their packaging materials. Even the cardboard box these bags come in tells a sustainability story, crafted from unbleached recycled materials that can start the recycling journey anew.
Why we like If You Care
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Eco-Conscious Materials
Uses potato starch instead of petroleum-based plastics
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Complete Biodegradability
Bags break down fully in composting conditions
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Sustainable Packaging
Even the box is made from unbleached recycled materials
Peeler: Where Rocket Science Meets Root Vegetables
Who knew peeling carrots could benefit from aerospace engineering? The team at GIR consulted with rocket scientists to perfect the materials in their premium peeler, resulting in a tool that feels like it dropped in from the future. The ultra-sharp blade creates whisper-thin peels while the ergonomic handle reduces hand fatigue during marathon prep sessions.
This attention to microscopic details mirrors what we appreciate about the Instant Pot – thoughtful engineering that makes cooking more enjoyable. The peeler's precision becomes particularly important when preparing vegetables for pressure cooking, where uniform sizes help ensure even cooking times.
Why we like GIR
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Aerospace Engineering
Developed with input from rocket scientists
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Ergonomic Design
Reduces hand fatigue during extended use
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Precision Performance
Ultra-sharp blade for consistent, thin peels
Astrik Mega Bundle: Earth-Friendly Prep Bowls with Style to Spare
Mixing bowls usually fall into two categories: utilitarian but ugly, or beautiful but impractical. Bamboozle's Astrik collection throws out that old dichotomy, offering prep vessels that combine head-turning aesthetics with genuine functionality. These biodegradable bamboo fiber bowls come in sophisticated colorways that wouldn't look out of place in a design magazine.
The included measuring tools nest efficiently within the set, while the lids transform these bowls into food storage containers. We appreciate how the different sizes accommodate everything from small batches of spice blends to family-sized portions of chopped vegetables, all while maintaining a cohesive look that elevates the kitchen workspace.
Why we like Bamboozle
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Sustainable Materials
Made from biodegradable bamboo fiber
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Versatile Design
Functions as both prep and storage containers
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Space Efficiency
Nesting design with integrated measuring tools
Stackware Separates Pan: The Space-Saving Searing Solution
Kitchen storage often feels like a game of Tetris, especially after adding an Instant Pot to the mix. Ensembl tackles this challenge head-on with their innovative stacking system. Their fully-clad stainless steel frying pan delivers professional-grade performance while playing nice with other cookware in cramped cabinets.
The pan's tri-ply construction ensures even heating – crucial for developing those complex flavors through searing before ingredients make their way into the pressure cooker. Its clever design represents a fresh approach to the age-old problem of cookware storage, proving that performance and practicality aren't mutually exclusive.
Why we like Ensembl
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Space-Efficient Design
Innovative stacking system for compact storage
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Professional Performance
Tri-ply construction for even heating
3
Versatile Usage
Perfect for pre-pressure cooking searing
12-Inch Skillet: No-Nonsense Performance for Serious Cooks
Some kitchen tools try too hard to reinvent the wheel. The Goldilocks skillet takes the opposite approach, focusing on executing the fundamentals flawlessly. This stainless steel pan handles high-heat searing with confidence, creating the perfect foundation for dishes destined for your Instant Pot.
The skillet's responsive heating properties and balanced weight distribution reflect a deep understanding of what matters in the kitchen. We're drawn to its straightforward design philosophy – no gimmicks, just reliable performance that complements pressure cooking's versatility.
Why we like Goldilocks
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Fundamental Focus
Executes basic functions flawlessly
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Balanced Design
Optimal weight distribution for control
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Reliable Performance
Consistent results for high-heat searing
Olive Wood Tools: Italian Craftsmanship Meets Modern Cooking
There's something deeply satisfying about using wooden utensils that carry centuries of tradition in their grain. Sardel's olive wood collection brings that old-world charm to contemporary cooking, with each piece hand-crafted by Italian artisans. These tools are gentle enough for use with your Instant Pot's inner pot while maintaining the durability needed for daily use.
The natural properties of olive wood give these utensils an edge over synthetic alternatives – they're naturally antibacterial and develop a beautiful patina over time. Each piece tells a story of traditional craftsmanship adapted for modern kitchens, creating a bridge between time-honored techniques and contemporary cooking methods.
Why we like Sardel
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Traditional Craftsmanship
Hand-crafted by Italian artisans
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Natural Properties
Antibacterial olive wood material
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Gentle Performance
Safe for use with non-stick surfaces
Sfoglini Pasta Sampler: Hudson Valley's Answer to Italian Classics
Creating amazing sauces in your Instant Pot deserves pasta of equal caliber. The Great Jones collaboration with Sfoglini brings organic, small-batch pasta making to American shores. These shapes are crafted in the Hudson Valley using traditional bronze dies and slow-drying techniques that create the perfect texture for sauce adhesion.
Each variety in the sampler showcases the possibilities of American-grown organic grains transformed through Italian methods. The resulting pasta provides an ideal canvas for those rich sauces and stews that emerge from your pressure cooker, proving that great ingredients don't necessarily need a passport stamp.
Why we like Great Jones
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Artisanal Process
Traditional bronze die extrusion
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Local Ingredients
American-grown organic grains
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Texture Excellence
Optimal surface for sauce adhesion
Looking Ahead: The Evolution of Kitchen Essentials
These brands represent a new wave of kitchen innovation, each approaching familiar tools and materials from fresh angles. From sustainable waste management to space-saving cookware designs, they're addressing real challenges faced by home cooks while maintaining high standards for quality and functionality. As we continue exploring the possibilities of pressure cooking, these thoughtfully designed companions help create a more complete cooking experience.