Instant Pot · $25–75

Duo Multi-Cooker

Silicone only

Food-grade 304 stainless inner pot with a stainless lid underside and steel anti-block shield - the only food/steam-contact non-metal is the silicone sealing ring, landing it at silicone-only.

Plastic-free verdict: Silicone only

The inner cooking pot is uncoated food-grade 304 stainless, and the underside of the lid that faces the food and catches condensation is stainless too, with a 304 steel anti-block shield over the steam pipe. The one non-metal part in the sealed food/steam path is the silicone sealing ring (plus a small silicone float-valve cap). The plastic on the unit - outer lid housing, control panel, steam-release handle - sits outside the sealed cooking chamber. So contact-wise this is silicone, not plastic.

Verification: Manufacturer confirmed · reviewed 2026-07-05

What it's made of

PartMaterialFood contact
inner cooking pot
food-grade 304 (18/8), no chemical coating
Stainless Steel (304 / 18-8) Yes
lid underside (food-facing)
stainless; steam condenses on this surface inside the sealed chamber
Stainless Steel (304 / 18-8) Yes
anti-block shield
304 steel shield over the steam release pipe
Stainless Steel (304 / 18-8) Yes
sealing ring
silicone gasket seating the lid; the main non-metal contact part, replaceable
Silicone Yes
float valve cap
small silicone cap on the float valve
Silicone Yes
steam release valve / handle
food-grade PP + steel; sits above the sealed chamber
Polypropylene (PP, No
outer lid housing / control panel / handles Plastic (other / unspecified) No

The mainstream electric pressure cooker, and a reasonable plastic-free-leaning rice option because the parts that actually touch food and steam are metal: a 304 stainless inner pot with no coating, a stainless lid underside, and a steel anti-block shield. The sealing ring is silicone - unavoidable for a pressure seal - which is why this lands at silicone-only rather than plastic-free. The bulk of the plastic (outer lid shell, controls, steam handle) never enters the sealed cooking chamber. Note that the silicone ring absorbs odors over time and is a wear part; genuine replacements are cheap.

Pros

  • Uncoated 304 stainless inner pot and stainless lid underside
  • Steel anti-block shield; food/steam path is metal except the seal
  • Silicone sealing ring is replaceable (and swappable for a fresh one)
  • Doubles as pressure cooker, sauté pan, yogurt maker, steamer

Cons

  • Silicone sealing ring is required and absorbs food odors
  • Plastic outer lid, control panel, and steam handle (out of food path)
  • Not fully plastic-free; strict silicone-avoiders should use a stovetop pot
  • Electronic unit is not as repairable/long-lived as a bare pot

Categories: Rice Cookers

Sources

Every material claim above is backed by these. This is the scattered info we centralized.