Instant Pot · Pressure Cookers
Instant Pot Duo Plus Pressure Cooker
Low risk likely, but vague inner-pot coating represents a gap.
The Duo Plus is built from stainless steel, a lower-concern material. However, Instant Pot doesn't publicly disclose the inner cooking pot's non-stick coating composition, which may contain Teflon-family coating.
The better-graded swap
Presto
Presto 23 Quart Induction Pressure Canner
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
stainless steel body; inner cooking pot coating unspecified
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Marketed as non-stick without stating the coating chemistry.
Aluminum leaching (if inner pot is aluminum)
Inner pot composition is not disclosed; if it is aluminum, cooking acidic foods could cause trace metal migration, though risk is low under normal pressure-cooking conditions and short residence times.
Coating degradation and unknown coating composition
The inner pot coating material is not specified by Instant Pot. Over years of use, scratches or wear could expose underlying metal; without knowing the coating type, long-term safety cannot be fully assessed.
What’s reassuring
Gasket and seal material off-gassing
The silicone sealing ring can absorb odors and flavors but has not been reported to leach harmful compounds; replacement gaskets are readily available and recommended every 12-24 months of heavy use.
Thermal stress and material failure
No recalls or documented failure modes related to the stainless steel body or sealing integrity under rated pressure; proper maintenance and adherence to pressure limits mitigates this risk.
Heavy metals
Stainless steel used in food-contact cookware is food-grade and does not migrate detectable quantities of chromium or nickel into food under normal cooking conditions; this is an established safety standard.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Instant Pot Duo Plus has a stainless steel outer body and heating base, both chemically inert under normal cooking temperatures. The inner cooking pot material and its coating are not publicly detailed by Instant Pot, which creates a transparency gap. Stainless steel pots themselves do not leach lead, cadmium, or problematic metals under typical food cooking conditions. The unspecified inner coating is the primary concern area for this model, though no chemical migration incidents have been documented in available public records.
The brand's record and disclosure
Instant Pot has maintained a stable consumer safety reputation since market entry and does not face major product liability cases related to chemical leaching. The company does not publicly disclose the composition of the inner cooking pot coating, which limits independent verification of safety claims. No formal certifications (NSF, FDA material compliance statements) are publicly highlighted for this model. The brand has not faced significant regulatory action or recalls tied to cookware material composition.
How it compares in its category
Pressure cookers in this price range (budget to mid-market) typically use stainless steel or aluminum with unspecified non-stick or protective coatings. The Instant Pot Duo Plus competes well on build durability and has a longer consumer track record than many competitors. Higher-end models sometimes include explicit ceramic or bare stainless inner surfaces with published food-contact certifications. The Duo Plus sits in the middle ground, solid stainless exterior but with a coating transparency issue shared by many mainstream brands.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged storage of acidic foods (tomato sauce, vinegar, citrus) in the cooker after cooking; transfer to glass or ceramic containers. Do not exceed the pressure-rated limits or use it on very high heat settings outside normal pressure-cooking operation. Inspect the inner pot sealing ring annually and replace if discolored, cracked, or loses flexibility. Avoid abrasive scrubbers on the inner coating; hand-wash gently or use the dishwasher-safe setting if the manual confirms the inner pot can tolerate dishwasher cleaning.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 62% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Instant Pot has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Pressure Cookers
Instant Pot
Mini Chef Series 4QT Multi-Cooker
Stainless steel pot/bowl, no nonstick coating disclosed
Sealing ring degradation and odor absorption
Limited concern
Stainless steel surface pitting and corrosion
Limited concern
Pressure release valve clogging
Limited concern
Thermal injury from steam or pressure release
Limited concern
Lower concern. Stainless steel pot with no nonstick coating on record.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
T-fal
6qt Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker with Straining Basket
Stainless steel body and lid
Gasket and sealing ring degradation
Moderate concern
Stainless steel minor pitting and corrosion
Limited concern
Pressure release valve blockage or malfunction
Limited concern
Low risk. Stainless steel pressure cooker with no nonstick coating or known treatments.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
T-fal
Secure Trendy Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
stainless steel body, no nonstick coating
Silicone gasket degradation and odor
Limited concern
Stainless steel corrosion and pitting
Limited concern
Pressure release valve blockage
Limited concern
Low risk. Stainless steel pressure cookers carry minimal Teflon-family coating risk, though T-fal offers no transparency.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
More pressure cookers grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.