How To Clean An Instant Pot In 4 Easy Steps
Learn how to clean your magical Instant Pot naturally with things like vinegar, baking soda, and other safe and natural cleaners.
Gone are the days of mastering the art of slow cooking â the Instant Pot pressure cooker has changed the rules of the home culinary arts forever. This kitchen staple is space-saving and requires little maintenance beyond post-cooking cleanup.
An Instant Pot has a bunch of parts hidden underneath the lid that can really mess with the applianceâs performance â especially when it comes to its oh-so-important sealing power. But no worries â weâve got the goods on how to clean an Instant Pot â naturally.
Tutorial: Instant Pot Cleaning
Got an Instant Pot? Checkout this helpful guide on Instant Pot Cleaning, with tutorials for first-time users and tips for cleaning after each use.
Now that youve got your Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker, its time to learn how to clean it before using it for the first time and after each use. This handy guide to Instant Pot Cleaning will walk you through each step and answer common questions about cleaning the Instant Pot.
How To Deep Clean The Instant Pot
When you have the time a deep clean of the Instant Pot makes all the difference! To deep clean, the Instant Pot, begin by taking the inner pot out of the base.
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Cleaning Shiny Part Of Instant Pot Lid
When it comes to cleaning the stainless steel lid of the Instant Pot, both inside and outside, you can, again, clean with hot soapy water.
However, if there is some hard water spots, or discolorations, I always recommend Bar Keepers Friend.
The regular can powder will work great, but if you prefer, you can also use the one designed for cleaning pots and pans, or grab the stainless steel cleaner, which will also work great for cleaning the outside of the Instant Pot base.
For more about that, see my last post about cleaning Instant Pots.
I hope you can keep enjoying your instant pot, even more now that it is sparkling clean!
For more great kitchen cleaning tips, check out the following posts:
How To Clean A Burnt Instant Pot
Burned dinner in your Instant Pot? Donât worry â you can fix it, no problem.
Add a dollop of dish soap to the pot, and fill it with hot water. Let it sit for an hour or longer, then have at it with a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloth.
You can also try Grab Green Cookware & Bakeware Cleaner Pods â read all about how these handy pods worked for Grove writer Mackenzie, who used them to tackle her own burnt pots and pans.
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Deep Clean Instant Pot
Every few weeks, or sooner depending on usage, the Instant Pot will need a deeper clean than the every day method.
Lets start with this extremely dirty lid of mine. I cooked pasta in the Instant Pot and upon quick release, a bunch of starchy water started spitting out of the venting knob. It definitely needed a deep clean after this happened.
Ew, so gross and dirty!
And filthy on the bottom of the lid too.
Thoroughly Clean All Lid Components
There are a number of lid components that require cleaning. When everything is clean and dry, reassemble the lid.
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Clean Inside The Instant Pot
You dont want to forget to clean the inside of the Instant Pot machine itself. Liquids and food can slide right down the sides of the machine, if youre not paying attention when youre serving food out of it. Take damp warm washcloth and wipe down the inside. You dont want your washcloth to be saturated with water, just enough to make a little damp. Ring out any extra water. We just want to be able wipe things down inside of it, and remove any kind of debris build up.
Clean The Sealing Ring Anti
Remove the silicone sealing ring, then remove the anti-block shield by gently using your thumb to push it toward the rim of the lid â itâll pop right off.
Hand wash these components in warm, soapy water. Double-check the valves on the lid to make sure theyâre clear of food particles that can prevent the Instant Pot from maintaining pressure. Let the pot and its components air dry or wipe it down with a soft cloth.
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How Do You Clean A Pressure Cooker Whistle
A: To clean a pressure cooker whistle, you must first remove the lid and then fill it with water. Next, place the lid back on and turn the stovetop to high heat. Once the steam starts coming out of the whistle, turn off your stovetop and let it sit for about 20 minutes. After this time has passed, use a dish rag or sponge to wipe away any remaining dirt or residue that may be left behind.
Care & Cleaning Pressure Multicooker
The inner pot of the cooker , the sealing ring, the lid, and the steam rack are all dishwasher safeyet another way in which your cooker makes cooking and cleanup extremely easy. Here is an overview of how best to care for and clean your Instant Pot®.
Prior to cleaning, ensure the cooker is unplugged and has cooled down.
Cooker Base and Heating Element
The cooker base is home to the microprocessor and the heating element essential to cooking.
Do Not Place in the Dishwasher! If the cooker base gets wet, allow it to dry completely. Contact the Customer Care team .
Clean the exterior of the cooker base with a damp cloth. You can use a slightly damp cloth to clean the inside of the cooker. It is however, important that the cooker be kept dry.
If you need to clean the area around the lip of the cooker, use a damp cloth or an old toothbrush to clean the edges.
Stainless Steel Inner Pot & Steam Rack
The inner pot and the steam rack are made of sturdy, food-grade stainless steel and are entirely dishwasher safe. For the most part, you can keep the inner pot cleaned just as you would clean any stainless steel potby hand washing or the dishwasher.
Should the inner pot develop harmless water stains, non-abrasive scouring cleanser, made especially for cooking pots, brings back the original shine.
Removing Bluish Marks from Your Stainless Steel Inner Pot
For White Hard Water stains, they can be removed with a damp sponge soaked in vinegar or lemon.
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How Can You Wash Your Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
Before you was your air fryer lid, you must first disassemble the lid and the heating element, and the fan.
Then place them separately. You can do this with the aid of a screwdriver.
Now get a bowl and pour a cup of vinegar into the bowl, add some squirts of washing liquid soap, and put the heating element, and the fan in it.
Ensure that the heating element and the fan are sited in the vinegar with the vinegar covering them totally and submerging them.
Leave them to soak for 10 minutes.
Afterward, get an old toothbrush or preferably get a soft sponge to wash it thoroughly.
Ensure that you dont apply too much pressure on the heating element or fan because they may have been coated with fine paint and it would hurt to damage or peel them off in the process.
After cleaning with a soft sponge or toothbrush, rinse thoroughly in clean water then get a microfiber cloth to clean them to avoid rust and other chemical buildups.
How To Clean The Instant Pot Liner
Our first instant pot cleaning tip starts with the liner. This is the pot in which all food is cooked. The Instant Pot liner is made of food-grade stainless steel. Its dishwasher safe, and you can hand-wash it with warm water and dish soap. Wash the liner after every use. Do not use any abrasive cleaners, steel wool, or other scrubbers or sponges that could scratch the surface of the liner. If you find that you have a particularly stubborn cleaning situation, such as burnt-on food, you can use Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser and a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth to remove the debris.
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How To Clean The Inner Pot
The inner pot of your Instant Pot is likely the piece that you will need to clean the most frequently. Its the pot that all of your food, liquids, and seasonings are held in while cooking. Just like a regular pot that you would use on the stovetop, your inner pot needs to be cleaned after each meal.
Keep your stainless steel inner pot clean by hand washing or using the dishwasher. For stuck on grime, Id recommend you use a scouring pad or a scrubbing sponge with Barkeepers Friend. I recommend the powder form over the liquid.
Pro Tip: No cleaners on hand? Baking soda and water work well on your inner pot.
Instant Pot Is Taking Too Long To Start The Timer
The instant pot will take at least 15 minutes to pressurize and start the timer. If the recipe says pressure cook in Instant Pot for 5 minutes, add 15 minutes to this time.
However, If It takes longer than 20 minutes to start the timer, check the settings and adjust the mode If needed. Plus the more food you stuff in your pot, the longer It will take to start the timer.
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Cleaning The Condensation Collector
The condensation collector is a small plastic cup that hangs on the outside of the Instant Pot. It is not necessary to wash after every use, as it may not have accumulated much liquid. It may be hand washed or placed on the top rack of the dishwasher.
For more tips on cleaning the Instant Pot, visit the manufacturer’s official website.
How To Naturally Release The Pressure
If a recipe calls for a natural release, youll do nothing when the cooking cycle is complete. For most recipes, it will take 10-15 minutes for the pressure to naturally leave the pot.
I like it when recipes tell you exactly how long to wait for the natural release. In all of my recipes in The Fresh & Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook, I tell you exactly how long to wait and when that time has passed you can move the steam release valve from Sealing to Venting to release any remaining pressure. That way youre not waiting around for an extra 30 minutes or more to eat your dinner!
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How To Deep Clean Your Instant Pot
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Shared by Katie
Step-by-step directions showing you how to deep clean your Instant Pot. Specific ideas for hand-washing Instant Pot parts so theyll last.
How To Clean An Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Cleaning tips for the gadget that does everything but clean.
If you’ve jumped on the Instant Pot bandwagon as of late, you’ve probably been pressure cooking up a storm. For all the work it does for us, the Instant Pot deserves a little TLC, don’t you think? Whether you’re an avid Instant Pot user or you’re hoping to find one under the tree this holiday season use this guide to care for and clean your Instant Pot, remove incessant odors , and make sure you continue to get the proper seal during cooking.
Related: A Beginner’s Guide to Instant Pot Cooking
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Wash Instant Pot Sealing Ring
The Instant Pot Sealing Ring is a critical part of the pressure cooker that directly affects the pressure cooking process. So, remember to be gentle and take great care of the ring.
The Instant Pot Sealing Ring is dishwasher safe.
However, we try our best to minimize the number of times we pull the silicone sealing ring out of the lid to avoid stretching or deforming the sealing ring.
Unless its splattered with food or liquid that requires thorough cleaning, we usually gently rinse and dry the sealing ring while its seated in the lid .
*Caution: Dont use the Sealing Ring if it has cracks, cuts, or any other damages.
Stainless Steel Inner Pot And Rack
The inner pot and the steam rack are made of food-grade stainless steel and are dishwasher safe. For the most part, you can clean the inner pot just as you would clean any stainless steel pot, whether thats in the dishwasher or by hand. If the inner pot develops surface water stains, a non-abrasive scouring cleaner made for cooking pots will bring back its shine.
You can also perform a quick cleaning of the inner pot by pouring in a cup of white vinegar, letting it soak for five minutes and then rinsing it out. Not only will the vinegar get rid of residue, it also helps remove stains. White vinegar is a natural disinfectant, cleaner and deodorizer, and it is an eco-friendly must-have for your kitchen.
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Scrub The Cooking Pot
Instant Pots come with an inner pot made of stainless steel that can handle a lot of cooking methods — even searing and browning meats. The drawback, though, is that bits of food and char can really cling to it. Rice can be particularly stubborn. Here are a couple common scenarios.
Blueish stains. The Instant Pot is like any stainless-steel cookware and can develop blueish stains caused by minerals in water and food. To remove these stains, simply soak the pot in white vinegar for about 5 minutes and rinse away. If there’s more, soak a sponge in vinegar and use a little elbow grease.
Stuck-on food. To get rid of any build-up or food stains, first try soaking the pot with a little dish soap and warm water. The treatment significantly softens stuck-on junk that should then scrub away easily. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to try Bar Keeper’s Friend, which is safe for stainless-steel cookware like the Instant Pot’s pot. Sprinkle a little bit on the affected area, then use a soft, damp sponge to work away the grime. Rinse thoroughly, and you’re set.
The pot is dishwasher-safe, too, so you can pop it in on the bottom rack for deep cleaning.
Instant Pot lids have many parts that can get dirty or clogged.
How To Clean Your Instant Pot Step By Step5 Min Read
If you have an Instant Pot, you know what a workhorse this kitchen appliance can be. From delicious desserts to marvelous main courses and other Instant Pot recipes, this is one go-to cooking essential that makes cooking and cleanup quick and easy. While theres little maintenance involved beyond post-meal cleanup, there are a few key parts under the lid that can make or break that all-important sealing power and your Instant Pots performance.
If you perform a quick post-cooking cleanup every time you use your Instant Pot, youll get ahead of lingering odors, residues and buildup. Washing the inner pot, sealing ring and lid and wiping down the outside is all thats needed for peak performance. The inner stainless steel cooking pot, sealing ring, lid and steam rack are all dishwasher safe. If you use your Instant Pot regularly, give it a good cleaning at least once a month and when you detect odors or arent getting a good seal.
Heres how to clean your Instant Pot and its parts to keep things working smoothly.
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Cleaning Instant Pot Float Valve & Silicone Cap
To remove this, simply pull back the silicone cover from the underside. The metal float valve will then fall right out!
To clean, run under hot soapy water and scrub gently. To get inside the silicone cap, use a Q-tip! It works great to dry it too.
Once clean and dry, stick the metal float valve back in the lid, then put back on the silicone cap.
