Instant Pot Cleaning And Care
If you own an Instant Pot, you understand why it has become a favorite kitchen item for many people. This handy appliance makes mealtime quick and easy, and it can do everything from cook rice to bake a cheesecake. Instant Pot forums and websites have popped up across the internet, allowing fans to share recipes and tips and offer jubilant praise for the electric pressure cooker. One of the many wonderful features of the Instant Pot is that it keeps clean-up to a minimum because your entire meal is typically created in one, single pot.
Many Instant Pot owners use their smartcooker often and rely on its simple recipes and quick cooking times for weekday dinners. The Instant Pot is relatively easy to clean, and it should be cleaned regularly and thoroughly to keep it sanitary and working properly. Basic clean-up of the interior pot, lid, and liner are a must after every use. An occasional deep-clean will ensure that your Instant Pot is kept in tip-top condition and that it will be around for a long time to come.
Before cleaning, make sure to unplug your Instant Pot and remove the cord. While many of the cookers components are dishwasher safe, the main heating unit should never be submerged in water. You also need to completely dry all parts of the cooker before reassembling. The Instant Pot is an electric appliance, so always use caution when cleaning and dont allow water to contact any of the electric elements. Check out these instant pot cleaning tips.
Looking For Easy Starter Recipes
Check out these Easy Instant Pot Recipes to get you started.
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Youre Only Using Water
You probably know that you need to add at least 18 fl oz. of liquid for the pressure cook mode to work properly, but you dont have to just use water. Any semi-clear liquid can be used instead. Trading out water for other liquids can add another dimension of flavor to your recipe.
Some good options are:
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Instant Pot Lid Can Go In Dishwasher
Hygiene-conscience people might be happy after knowing that they can put their favorite multicooker lid into the dishwasher to get cleaned thoroughly. BUT, WAIT! Heres one thing! You must follow the prompt steps to wash the lid. Why? Your Instant Pot Lid has sensitive silicon rings and an inner sensitive shield which needs certain cleaning procedures. So! Your lid can definitely go in the dishwasher but with particular exceptions, following
Dont worry! We got you covered. In this article, we have addressed the cleaning issue of Instant Pot Lid along with its step by step cleaning approach. Read on to know HOW!
Steps To Wash Instant Pot Lid:
Before you begin washing, dismantle the parts of the lid before you load it into the dishwasher. Heres how you do it:
1. Remove The Float Valve:
First of all, you would need to remove the float valve. Look up the bottom side of the lid and there you would see a visible partsilicon cap. To remove the float valve, you would need to eliminate this cap by pulling it out. Now, push the float valve towards its opposite side. The float valve would be removed.
2. Remove Sealing Ring:
In this step, simply remove the sealing ring. All you would need to do is peel the ring away from the backside of the sealing ring rack. Note that changing your sealing ring after every 12-18 months is good. You are also recommended to use different rings for savory dishes.
3. Remove Anti-Block Shield:
4. Wash Instant Pot Lid With Warm Soapy Water:
Instant Pot Cooking Time Guides
Also, those time sheets/magnets/charts with cooktimes- ehh. I dont think they are a good resource since every chart Ive seen online doesnt seem accurate to me. Unless it guide comes from a blogger or recipe creator you absolutely trust, I wouldnt spend money on it.
Personally, I would stick with tried and true recipe and methods with researched recipes
Just my two cents!
So what do you think? Do you have some of these accessories? What would you add to the list?
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Dutch Ovens Made Of Enameled Cast Iron
These are the lovely dutch ovens that we use in kitchens on stovetops and in ordinary ovens. They should be handled with care despite the fact that they are cast iron coated in porcelain enamel.
Because of how hefty they might be, this can be challenging at times. However, utilizing oven gloves, wooden cutting boards to set them on, avoiding any tools that may damage the inside of the pot, and careful cleaning can extend the life of your oven. Which, if of high quality, should last a lifetime or more.
Is it OK to put enameled cast iron in the dishwasher?
Generally, NO, despite the fact that practically every enameled cast iron cookware manufacturer states that their enameled cast iron items are dishwasher safe. When you read the tiny print, youll find that handwashing is the ideal practice since dishwashers harsh chemicals harm the enamel to fade and dull over time.
How to Clean Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Ovens
Cleaning should begin as soon as feasible after cooking. Getting to it as soon as possible will prevent particles from drying and clinging to the enamel.
- Clean the Dutch oven with warm soapy water using a sponge, nylon scourer, or nylon scouring brush, including the lid and edges. Completely rinse and dry
- If you wish to thoroughly dry the seasoned Dutch oven, put it in a low-temperature oven. You may also dry your Dutch oven entirely on an electric burner.
- Allow to cool before storing carefully.
- Check out the information below if you have any persistent stains.
Clean Instant Pot Liner
Hand wash the instant stainless steel liner using soapy water or leave the job to the dishwasher as It is dishwasher-safe. The cloudy or rainbow stains on the bottom of the pot can be removed by spraying white vinegar followed by wiping it off after some time.
Use a Bar Keepers Friend cleanser to wipe off the stubborn stains that dogged the white vinegar. If some stains still manage to stay on the pot somehow, you can combine the Bar Keepers Freind with the Magic Eraser Cleaning Sponge.
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Silicone Pressure Cooking Sling
I would use my blue steamer net for pot-in-pot holder for a while, but this tool is specifically made for pot-in-pot cooking to be able to lift things out of the Instant Pot. My MIL gave this to me for Christmas, and I really enjoy it. I also had a photo using this sling featured on OXOs Instagram page! Whaat!
First Lets Address The Lid
The Instant Pots lid is dishwasher safe, and its key that you place it on the top rack, removing the silicone sealing ring and the anti-block shield, in order to give it the optimal washing. Its also important to double check the steam valve to ensure that there is no food stuck in any small crevices. After washing, make sure the lid is completely dry before you place it back on the pot for storage. That said, if placing your lid in the dishwasher makes you nervous, you can wash it by hand with soapy water and a soft dish cloth.
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How To Prepare Jars For Canning In An Instant Pot
You can always wash your jars with hot water to sterilize them either by hand or in the dishwasher. But did you know you can sterilize the jars using your instant pot as well?
Heres how:
Next And Most Importantly Is How You Store Your Instant Pot Lid And Sealing Ring
In my opinion, proper storage is the one thing that will prevent the Instant Pot lid and sealing ring food odors. Instantpot.com thinks so too.
Instantpot.com care and cleaning instructions say to store the lid upside down!
My Instant Pot lid is clean I promise those are just water spots from the dishwasher.
The idea of storing the lid upside down is to allow the silicone sealing ring to air out.
Kind of like airing your dirty laundry.
Haha!
If your lid and sealing ring still has some food odor after being run through your dishwasher, storing it upside down with the sealing ring resting on top will completely get rid of the smell.
It just needs a little time to air out.
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Instant Pot Sealing Rings Odor
Ah! So this is the question we get asked a lot about Instant Pot Cleaning!
How to get rid of the Instant Pot Sealing Ring Odor?!
Easy Solution:White Vinegar many users like to soak the silicone sealing ring in white vinegar, then air dry it to get rid of the stinky smell.
Best Solution: Extra Silicone Sealing Rings we believe the best solution is to have 2 pairs of Sealing Rings 1 for Savory dishes, 1 for Sweet dishes. Then, you wont have to worry about the smell cross-contaminating between savory and sweet dishes!
How Do You Remove Odors And Stains From The Instant Pot
Although the dishwasher can clean most of your Instant Pot, there may still be traces of earlier use that stick around. Were talking specifically here about odors and stains.
Dont worry if the dishwasher isnt able to get rid of those lingering odors and annoying stains. You can still remove them by taking a more hands-on approach.
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Put Instant Pot On The Stovetop And Accidentally Turned The Dial
Mistake: Due to convenience or limited counter space, some users like to place their Instant Pot on the stovetop. Sometimes, things happenand we see melted burnt Instant Pot bottom.
Sorry, we dont have a picture to show you the aftermath, but we see this happen frequently.
Solution: Please dont put the Instant Pot directly on the stovetop. Some users lay a wooden board between the stovetop and Instant Pot to prevent this disaster.
Or, you can get this cart from IKEA, as it fits the Instant Pot perfectly.
*Note: this is not sponsored by IKEA, just that many Instant Pot users find the cart very handy.
How To Deodorize The Instant Pot Lid Sealing Ring
If you’re an avid Instant Pot user, you know that that the silicone sealing ring on the interior of the lid can start to take on the smell of whatever you last cooked . This method uses vinegar and citrus to steam away odors trapped in the sealing ring.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
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Have A Closer Look At The Sealing Ring
The sealing ring is of crucial importance to any Instant Pot, so make sure it is clean and in perfect shape. This means inspecting it for cracks, deformations, or checking if it fits just right back in its place.
If you find any problems, its best to replace it as soon as possible. Replacement rings are not expensive and they are easily available.
Are Rice Cookers Dishwasher Safe
Similar to most electrical cooking appliances, rice cookers are dishwasher safe to some extent. The external housing should never be placed in a dishwasher or cleaned under running water. However, the removable inner pot can be placed in a dishwasher for thorough cleaning.
Remember to use non-abrasive materials like sponges and soft clothing to clean the rice cookers housing. Note that not all rice cooker pots are dishwasher safe, so read the owners manual to know the right way to clean the appliance.
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Are Dutch Ovens Dishwasher Safe
You may clean your enamel Dutch oven in the dishwasher according to the manufacturers recommendations. The dishwasher employs abrasive cleansers, which will eventually degrade the ovens enamel. Hand-washing your cast-iron Dutch oven in soapy water and properly drying it will maintain the surface bright and nonstick.
As previously said, manufacturers recommend that you put your Dutch in the dishwasher. The trouble with this is that the harsh chemicals used to clean glasses, plates, and silverware show up on your Dutch oven after just a few washes.
The dishwashing chemicals degrade the coating on the interior and outside of the Dutch oven. As a result, the cast-iron becomes exposed, and the following events may occur:
- Inside and out, the finish is dull.
- Finished becomes porous, which might cause your cast-iron to rust
- Drying, chipping, and cracking will occur when the protective coating deteriorates.
Is The Instant Pot Dishwasher
Yes, there are parts of the Instant Pot that are dishwasher safe. The stainless steel pot and steam rack can go in the bottom rack of your dishwasher. The lid is dishwasher-safe as long as you only put it on the top rack.
Before you wash the lid in the dishwasher, dont forget to remove the sealing ring and the anti-block shield.
Do not put the cooker base in the dishwasher. This is not dishwasher safe at all.
While the stainless steel inner pot and steam rack are both safe to put in the dishwasher, its still possible that they will get water spots on them.
To prevent the water spots, dry them completely after the dishwasher is finished before you put them away.
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Which Parts Of An Instant Pot Can Go In The Dishwasher
Can instant pot go in the dishwasher? Not all of it, but the inner stainless steel cooking pot can. It can also be cleaned with white vinegar, though that isnt good enough for caked-on food residue.
You can put the steam rack, the lid, and the sealing ring in the dishwasher. The pot and rack may not necessarily need to be hand scrubbed to get them clean, though you can wash them in the sink. I would recommend putting the lid on the top rack of the dishwasher.
How To Deep Clean An Instant Pot
While daily maintenance is important to maintaining your Instant Pot, a well-loved Instant Pot will begin to show signs of use after a while. If you use your Instant Pot frequently, aim to deep clean it at least once a month.
Heres What Youll Need:
- Paper Towel
Instructions:
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Is Your Instant Pot Dishwasher Safe
The Instant Pot multi-cooker has different parts and the good news is that most of them are dishwasher safe. Go ahead and load the inner pot, steam rack, and the sealing ring inside the dishwasher whenever they need to be cleaned.
The cooking base of your Instant Pot is different. You cannot place that part of the multi-cooker inside the dishwasher. Placing the cooking base inside the dishwasher will lead to the microprocessor and heating element malfunctioning.
Cleaning the lid of your Instant Pot is also a bit more complicated. The lid itself is safe to place inside the top rack of the dishwasher, but one part of it is not. To be more specific, the anti-block shield located underneath the lid must be washed separately.
Also, your Instant Pot has a condensation collector that is not dishwasher safe. Its easy to miss the condensation collector so make a point of removing it after every use of your Instant Pot.
