What Is An Instant Pot
An instant pot is the crusader of kitchen appliances. Its our go-to gadget for flogging up quick-and-easy meals and delightful desserts in recorded time. It can make yogurt, cook eggs, and perform a list of other surprising tricks that make our lives easier. This multitasking appliance can do it all, but it needs regular maintenance to continue cooking at its best. Lucky for you, cleaning an Instant Pot is a fairly simple process. Because most of the componentsincluding the inner cooking pot, sealing ring, and lidare easily removable and washable, clean-up is easy.
What About Baking Soda In My Instant Pot
As with dish soap, baking soda is best avoided when cleaning your Instant Pot under pressureespecially if you mix the baking soda with vinegar! Just like with the dish soap, baking soda creates a foamy mixture under pressure, that upon quick release, may only serve to clog your sealing valve, rather than clean it.
Cleaning The Instant Pot Lid
The lid on your Instant Pot is top-rack dishwasher safe. Remove the sealing ring and the anti-block shield for a more thorough lid cleaning. Verify the steam release valve and float valve are working properly and there is no food or other debris that would block them and decrease pressure. When youre storing your freshly cleaned Instant Pot, keep the lid upside down to minimize the chance of trapping moisture that can cause odors.
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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.
Saving Time And Effort With Pressure Cookers
The Instant Pot is a great kitchen tool that may help you save a lot of time and effort when preparing home-cooked and healthy meals, but it does need a teeny bit of care and maintenance to function at its best.
Today Ill help you with just that. Keep reading to discover my how to clean Instant Pot tips.
*I use affiliate links in this post. If you buy anything from my links I will earn a small commission*
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Instant Pot Valve Cleaning Tips
Is your Instant Pot float valve getting stuck? Sometimes, you might also find that the float valve starts sticking due to the grime that may have accumulated in from not cleaning the pot often.
To minimize or remove food odours from your device, you can remove the silicone ring and soak it for a while in vinegar.
In fact, you can also use vinegar to renew the finish on the outer and inner pots and give them back the shine and lustre that goes away after long time use.
If you dont have vinegar, you can also rub a lemon half around the entire pot!
Always keep checking the silicone ring occasionally- it should not develop any cracks or deformations- if it does, it is time to get it changed.
I hope these tips are useful in helping you keep your Instant Pot clean.
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How To Clean An Instant Pot Including The Small Parts You Might Be Skipping
Keep your pressure cooker performing at its best with these easy cleaning tips.
The pressure cooker is the superhero of kitchen appliances. It’s our go-to gadget for whipping up quick-and-easy weeknight meals and delicious desserts in record time. It can make yogurt, cook eggs, and perform a list of other surprising tricks that make our lives easier. This multifunctional appliance can pretty much do it all, but it needs regular upkeep to continue cooking at its best. Lucky for you, cleaning an Instant Pot is a fairly simple process. Because most of the componentsincluding the inner cooking pot, sealing ring, and lidare easily removable and washable, cleanup is easy. See our step-by-step instructions on the best way to clean an Instant Pot.
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More Instant Pot Videos
Now that you have a clean Instant Pot, use it to make these foolproof Instant Pot recipesIncluding How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot The Right Way! And then with the leftover chicken carcass, you can make Chicken Bone Broth in 2 hours in your Instant Pot!
- Visit my Shopping Guide pageLearn where I buy my Beef Bones, Wild-Caught Fish, Sprouted Grains, and moreand learn about Special Discounts for Marys Nest visitors, including from US Wellness Meats, Vital Choice, Masontops, and Breadsmart.
*Affiliates note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My videos and blog posts may contain affiliate links to products and services. If you click through and make a purchase, Ill receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay.
Put That Ring Through The Ringer
Smells lurking in the Instant Pot’s silicone ring are tough to eliminate. Trips through the dishwasher help, but you might still notice a lingering sweet or savory smell. If that’s the case, try this.
Add 2 cups of water or white vinegar to the Instant Pot plus a roughly chopped lemon rind. Next run the steam program for 2 minutes. Then, remove the ring and air-dry it. If that doesn’t work, try soaking the ring overnight in vinegar, which is a natural odor eliminator. Just remember to run the ring through the dishwasher or thoroughly hand-wash before using.
Some home cooks don’t bother with eliminating the odor and opt to buy an additional silicone ring. One ring is used for sweet dishes and the other for savory dishes. In any case, Instant Pot recommends that you swap in a new ring at minimum every 6 to 12 months.
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Clean Your Instant Pot Sealing Ring
The sealing ring is made of durable, heat-resistant silicone that provides the air-tight seal thats critical for your Instant Pot to work properly. You can hand wash the sealing ring with warm, soapy water or run it through the dishwasher. Wait until the sealing ring is dry before replacing it in the correct position.
Another option is to steam clean the sealing ring while its still attached to your Instant Pot. Add one cup of water, a cup of white vinegar and one cut up lemon rind. Run the Steam program for two minutes, then remove the sealing ring and let it air dry.
The sealing ring is critical for maintaining the right pressure in your Instant Pot. Scrutinize it for cracking or tears after each wash. If you see any damage, you should install a new sealing ring. The manufacturer suggests using only genuine Instant Pot sealing rings, as using those from other brands may void your warranty.
Since silicone can pick up food odors and discolorations during cooking, you may want to use one sealing ring for spicy foods and another for sweet foods. An easy solution for getting rid of sealing ring odor is to soak the ring in white vinegar and let it air dry.
How To Polish Your Inner Pot
One other thing you might want to do for your Instant Pot once in a while is to remove any water spots or stains that have adhered to it over time. This technique returns the pot to looking practically new.
I like to do this extra cleaning about once a month to remove any stains and return the pot to looking new. It takes just a minute and its very worth it.
For this, youre going to need some Barkeepers Friend. I keep this cleanser in my cabinet to use for this purpose and Im so glad I got it. Its also a great cleaner for your stainless steel fixtures and appliances.
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Every Day Cleaning Instant Pot
Its recommended to clean the Instant Pot after each use.
- Unplug the Instant Pot.
- Wash the inner pot by hand with hot water and soap, or wash in the dishwasher.
- Remove the silicone ring and either wash by hand using hot water and soap or place on the top rack of the dishwasher to clean.
- Wash the under side of the Instant Pot lid and drain/shake any excess water.
- Dry all parts.
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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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Clean Exterior Housing With Damp Cloth
First, wet a clean damp cloth to wipe off any food residual or stains on Instant Pots exterior housing. We prefer to use Microfiber Cleaning Cloth for our magic pot.
If Microfiber Cleaning Cloths are good enough for cars paint, its good enough for the Instant Pot.
*Caution: Never immerse the exterior housing in water or any other liquid.
How Often Should You Clean Your Instant Pot Air Fryer
As often as you can. Since you clean your pots and dishes immediately after use, then you should clean your air fryer immediately after use as well.
Because neglecting it, and pushing it until another time, can cause a huge buildup in the air fryer which can pretty difficult to clean up most times.
So take out time to do a thorough job so you can enjoy your appliance.
In conclusion, cleaning an instant pot air fryer isnt difficult.
All you have to do is to adhere to the instructions, use the right cleaning tools and products, avoid using the wrong cleaning tools like knife, fork, hard sponges, hard brushes, etc, anything coarse and hard will damage the non-stick surface of the air fryer.
Finally, always read the manual for more understanding of how to clean your air fryer.
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Dont Forget The Inside Of The Lid
Weve already said it, but well repeat it: dont neglect the inside of your Instant Pot lid. Food splatters as its cooking, and this area gets quite dirty.
Its not necessary to stick it in the dishwasher after every use but do take a moment to get rid of the residue or food splatter once youre done. All you have to do is take a damp cloth to the lid so that it will be spotless and ready for the next time you need your Instant Pot.
Deep Clean The Inner Pot And Steaming Rack
The inner stainless steel pot and racks can become discolored from excessive heat or have water spots. You can remove the problems by scrubbing with a baking soda paste or by pouring one cup of distilled white vinegar in the pot and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes. Use a sponge to distribute the vinegar to the sides of the pot. Finish by rinsing the pot with fresh water and drying it well with a soft cloth.
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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.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- Paper Towel
Instructions:
Wash The Interior Cooking Vessel
Allow the stainless steel inner chamber to cool to room temperature. Use a plastic or rubber spatula to remove any excess food. Either hand-wash with hot water and dishwashing liquid or place it in an automatic dishwasher. You should also wash the steaming rack if you have used it during food preparation.
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Goodbye Stains And Burnt
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
While one of the main selling points of the Instant Pot is the reduced cooking time, there are other advantages, including easy cleaning. For many recipes, the inner pot is the only pan you’ll need to scrub down, making cleanup a breeze. Whether you use your Instant Pot electric pressure cooker every day or only occasionally, here’s what you need to know about keeping it clean and working properly.
Most parts of the Instant Pot can be washed in the dishwasher. The inner pot, sealing ring, and trivet are all dishwasher safe, and the lid is top-rack dishwasher safe. Use a clean, damp cloth to clean the outside of the Instant Pot base. Always unplug the Instant Pot before cleaning.
Do not wash the base. If it does happen to get wet, let it dry thoroughly before using.
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
Clean the inner pot with warm, soapy water or wash it in the dishwasher. For stuck-on pieces of food, try scrubbing with baking soda or a non-abrasive stainless steel cleaner, such as Bar Keepers Friend. If the pot has some light staining or discoloration, wipe it down with some vinegar. Always dry parts thoroughly before returning to the Instant Pot. Store the pot with the lid upside-down.
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
Periodically remove the steam release valve and check it for debris. Wash it with warm soapy water and rinse it thoroughly. When it’s dry, place it back on the lid.
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
Tips For Keeping Your Instant Pot Clean
If your Instant Pot gets a lot of use, try these tips to keep your Instant Pot clean and working at its best.
- Dry the inner liner, the lid, and the smaller parts after every use.
- Dry all parts thoroughly after cleaning to avoid rust and water stains.
- Wipe down the exterior after each use, making sure to give the rim a good wipe-down.
- Lightly coat the Instant Pot liner with vegetable oil before each use to keep food from sticking.
- Always unplug your Instant Pot after each use, leaving it unplugged until youre ready to use it again. Keep the cord clean and dry.
How often do you use your Instant Pot? Whats your favorite dish to make using it? Let us know in the comments below!
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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.
How To Clean Your Instant Pot And Keep It Sparkling Like New
If youre the proud owner of an Instant Pot, congrats! Hopefully youre enjoying it as much as I do!
Its a real kitchen MVP in my household. Once you have one, you cant imagine life without it.
But if its been a while since the day you unwrapped yours, its probably time for a deep clean.
You may be unsure exactly how to clean your Instant Pot and the good news is that returning yours to tip-top shape is pretty easy. Im going to go over all the key things you need to know to get your beloved Instant Pot in pristine condition and back in action.
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How To Clean Your Instant Pot Base:
Make sure that the inside of the base is clean and free of dirt, dust, or liquid. The processor, heating element, and other electronic parts on the inner pot are not safe to be wet or dirty.
The whole outer part of the pot should never be placed into water or into the dishwasher. The outer part of the pot should be wiped clean with a soft damp cloth. Microfiber cleaning cloths work awesome and leave behind very little lintthey keep your pot looking brand new.
If you need to clean the rim around to the top of your pot, you can use the same damp cloth and a butter knife to get into the edges. An old toothbrush or cotton swab would work well too.
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