How To Clean Every Part Of Your Instant Pot
Because todays Instant Pot cheesecake shouldnt taste like last nights curry.
Have you fallen for the Instant Pot?
The multi-tasking, multi-function, magical gadget cooks a fragrant pot of chicken tikka masala just as well as an airy cheesecake. But Ive quickly learned that cleanup is nearly as important as the cooking, unless youre into cumin and garlic-scented sweets.
Instant Pot has made things pretty simple. The inner pot, sealing ring, lid and steam rack are all dishwasher safe basically, everything but the cooker base. However, as Rick Martinez, our resident Instant Pot expert and host of Food Networks Pressure Point, notes, sometimes it takes a little extra care to keep the bad odors at bay.
To help out fellow fans, heres a list of Instant Pot cleaning tips based on personal experience and expert input that will keep your cheesecakes tasting like cheesecake and curries like curry.
Food Network Instant Pot Article
Matt Armendariz
Ways To Clean Instant Pot Liner Stains
Level 1 Minor Discoloring White Vinegar
White Vinegar you can easily remove the usual discoloring with simple white vinegar. Check out the photos below. They work like a charm!
Level 2 Stronger Stains Bar Keepers Friend
For stronger stains that white vinegar couldnt take out. You might want to invest in some Bar Keepers Friend.
They remove rust and hard water stains for Copper, Tile, Brass, Stainless Steel, Porcelain, Plastics and Glass surfaces.
They work miracle! You can easily revive your stained stainless steel liner to the shiny and fresh look. As good as new!
Level 3 Tough Stains Bar Keepers Friend + Magic Eraser
For tough old stains, youll need to kick it up a notch combining Bar Keepers Friend with Magic Eraser Cleaning Sponge.
*Note: This skillet has only been washed with warm soapy water for the past few years. Look at what Bar Keepers Friend + Magic Eraser Cleaning Sponge can do in about 5 minutes.
Jacky said he can probably make this looks almost brand new with more elbow grease.
With this combination and elbow grease, you will be able to clean off 99% of stains.
How To Clean An Instant Pot
- Working Time: 30 – 45 mins
- Total Time: 1 – 2 hrs
- Skill Level: Beginner
Instant Pot, Crockpot, and other brands of similar multi-functional countertop cookers can be found in many households. The appliance combines the actions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, rice cooker, and warmer into one programmable, versatile unit. Ranging in size from 3 quarts to 8 quarts, some models even have inserts so you can bake cupcakes, coddle an egg, or steam fish and vegetables.
Once you’ve mastered all the settings and recipes, you’ll also need to clean the cooker properly to keep it in top shape for years of cooking.
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Lid Sealing Ring And Anti
Rick is quick to admit “I HATE cleaning the lid.” Its also the most crucial part of the cleanup when it comes to odor prevention. Ricks advice is to always remove the sealing ring and anti-block shield after every use. Clean both thoroughly with warm soapy water, as the silicon ring is quick to absorb flavors and odors and the anti-block shield can trap food particles. The lid itself can go into the top rack of the dishwasher. Be sure that all parts are completely dry before reassembling.
Periodically Rinse The Instant Pot Parts
*Note: We rarely take out the parts on the lid for cleaning. But if your Instant Pot needs a deep cleaning, here are the steps.
a. Anti-Block Shield you can push it on the side to lift it up to check for food residual or liquid. After rinsing and drying, press it down in position to install it back in.
b. Instant Pot Steam Release Valve remove it for washing by pulling it straight out.
c. Condensation Collector simply slide it out, pour out the liquid , and give it a quick rinse.
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How To Deep Clean Instant Pot
Every once in a while your instant pot needs to be tenderly taken care of. You must have known by now the context Im referring to here, yes you got that right? Its time for some deep cleaning!
If you regularly cook in your instant pot, then apart from everyday cleaning you must deep clean it every few weeks too. Lets jump on the steps to perform deep cleaning.
How To Clean Outside Of Instant Pot
The outside of the Instant Pot, and the Instant Pot base, should not be submerged in water or cleaned using running water.
A damp cloth is all Instant Pot recommends for cleaning them.
I definitely recommend that for the inside of the Instant Pot too.
But for the lip and the outside, there are some additional ways to get it really clean, without having to use water. This time well use Bar Keepers Friend Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish. .
It works amazing at removing smudges, dirt, fingerprints, and more without using any water! I use it when cleaning stainless steel appliances in my kitchen. You just need the spray and a microfiber cleaning cloth.
Instructions on How to Clean Instant Pot Outside
1. Spray a small amount of Bar Keepers Friend Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish onto the outside of your Instant Pot. A little goes a long way.
2. Fold your microfiber cloth in quarters, and begin wiping the spray with the grain of your stainless steel, scrubbing gently as you go along the entire outside.
3. Flip your microfiber cloth over to a dry side, and then buff the cleaner away, again, cleaning with the grain.
Thats it! Its fast, easy, and safe for your Instant Pot! And works amazing!
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What Happens If You Get The Cooker Base Wet
Katie says, Since all but one of the Instant Pot parts are dishwasher safe, its not uncommon for people to assume the whole model can be placed in the dishwasher, but that is not the case. The cooker base should never be submerged in water. However if the cooker base gets wet, just make sure to let it dry completely before using again.
How To Clean The Lid
Its easy for an Instant Pot lid to harbor bacteria and foul an entire storage cabinet with unpleasant odors if washed improperly.
Clean your lid as follows:
- The anti-block shield looks like a thimble on the underside of the pot. Press it forward with both thumbs until it detaches.
- To the left of the anti-block shield is a rubber or silicone stopper that holds the float valve in place. Remove the rubber stopper, and pull the float valve out from the top of the lid.
- Finally, remove the sealing ring from the underside of the lid.
- Wash the shield, valve, and ring in warm, soapy water.
- With the shield, valve, and ring removed, the lid itself is now top-rack dishwasher safe.
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How To Clean Your Instant Pot
1. Clean the inner cooking pot
The inner cooking pot is usually dishwasher safe, whether its stainless steel or has a nonstick finish. Place it upside down in the dishwasher on the bottom rack to clean. If using a dishwasher is not an option, wash it in hot soapy water, using a good degreasing dish detergent and a soft-bristled bottle brush to protect the finish, then rinse well and dry.
To remove burned-on food residue in the stainless steel pot, soak it in hot soapy water, and give it an extra scrub with a delicate non-scratch scrub pad. Dont use abrasive cleaners, or steel wool, which can scratch and damage the finish.
If the inside of the pot has discolored from minerals or salt in the food, to remove the blueish tinge, cover the bottom of the pot with white vinegar and leave it for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly and dry.
2. Remove and wash the parts from your lid
Remove the parts from the exterior of the lid depending on the model of your Instant Pot, these can include the steam release cover and the steam release valve . Some models also have a Quick Cool cover, which easily unclips.
Next, remove the small parts from the interior of the lid these can include the anti-block shield and the silicone cap covering the float valve. Gently push the anti-block shield towards the outer edge of the lid and lift it straight up, pop off the little silicone cap, and slide out the float valve.
3. Wash the lid
4. Clean the sealing ring
Check Other Small Parts
The Instant Pot includes many small parts that need periodic cleaning. Three specific ones require your attention.
Start with the quick release valve, located on the lid, which needs to be removed so you can properly clean it. All you need to do is pull up on it to remove and wash with warm soapy water.
Next is the shield that covers the steam valve, which you can also find inside the lid. The steam valve can get blocked if too much residue builds up, so its important to check this part periodically. Depending on which model you have, the steam valve either screws off or pops out. Give it a good wash and put it back on the lid.
The last small part you should check is the condensation collection cup. This part often collects food residue, so take a look to see if it needs cleaning. If it does, hand wash it and replace.
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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.
How To Clean Instant Pot Lid
When it comes to cleaning the lip on the top of the Instant Pot base, you should again avoid using water, or only use a damp cloth.
I found that a microfiber cloth, dry or damp, does a great job.
However, because the lip of the base has an overhang at multiple points, it can be hard to clean in the crevices around it.
Thus clean the Instant Pot lid base part, I used some small handheld pan scrapers I had, and put them inside the microfiber cloth to shove in those tight spaces.
It worked really well!
You could use a spatula or knife, or another long thin object in your kitchen.
When it comes to cleaning Instant Pot lids themselves, there are multiple parts that need attention:
- Sealing Ring
- Anti-Block Shield
- Steam Release Handle
- Lid itself
Thankfully, the entire lid can be placed into the dishwasher no problem.
However, it is recommended you remove the Instant Pot sealing ring and anti-block shield from the lid for better cleaning.
You can also wash Instant Pots by hand with just warm soapy water.
But, for more detailed instructions head over to my full posts on how to clean Instant Pot Lids and my other one specifically on how to clean Instant Pot sealing rings.
And that should do it! Now you can keep using your Instant Pot and have it look brand new!
For more great kitchen cleaning tutorials, check out the following posts:
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Different Parts Of An Instant Pot:
The Instant Pot are comprised of about four main parts. The lid, the sealing ring, the inner pot , where you cook the food, and the base/outer pot. There is a way to clean all of these parts.
If you want to learn how to correctly clean an Instant Pot keep reading for more information on how to properly clean and sanitize all of the parts of your beloved pressure cooker!
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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.
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How To Clean Instant Pot Inner Pots
For households with a dishwasher, cleaning the inner pot is as easy as putting it in it with your other dishes another way the Instant Pot lives up to its name. For those without a dishwasher, who plan on manually washing their pot, make sure to use a soft pad to rinse clean the stainless steel inner surface. Never use an abrasive scourer for washing your inner pot, as it may mark the steel finish irreversibly.
To ensure its longevity, you should take steps to deep clean your inner pot once every month or so. Instant Pot recommends placing one cup of white vinegar in the bottom of the inner pot to rest for five minutes before giving it a further rinse. This will leave the surface looking nice and shiny and will eradicate any rainbow stains, a persistent discoloration issue for Instant Pot users. Tougher stains, those caused by hard water, can alternatively be eradicated by scrubbing with a damp sponge soaked in vinegar or lemon juice.
Get Rid Of The Smell From The Silicon Sealing Ring
The silicone ring at the bottom of the Instant Pot lid is a favorite spot for smells and food particles build-up.
Thus, it will need a thorough clean.
Although the part is dishwasher safe, the smell may still linger even after dishwashing.
To deep clean the sealing ring, put a cup of water, a cup of white vinegar, and a chopped lemon rind in the pot.
Seal the pot, run the steam setting for at least two minutes, and let the pressure release naturally.
When its safe, open the lid, remove the ring, and air-dry it before replacing it.
If the silicon ring is worn out, replace it before using the pot.
To remove any water stains, quickly wipe over the Instant Pot with a dry microfiber cleaning cloth.
Follow the guide above to deep clean your Instant Pot and keep it cooking your favorite recipes!
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Give The Inner Ring Some Tlc
The inner ring gets neglected during peoples cleaning regimen because its not incredibly obvious that you need to clean it. I already explained how important the inner ring is to the proper functioning of your Instant Pot, so make sure to clean it regularly.
You can put it in the dishwasher along with the inner pot, or at the very least make sure to wash it with soap and water. Doing so will help prevent those unpleasant odors from building up and discoloration from forming.
Pro Tip: Moisture can cause smells, so I recommend storing the lid upside down so that the ring can air out.
Your Instant Pot Sealing Ring Is Surprisingly Easy To Keep Fresh And Clean Here’s What To Do
My absolute favorite recipe to cook in my Instant Pot is Indian butter chicken. I spoon up the saucy, spicy mixture over rice and serve garlic naan on the side for a delicious dinner.
But after the plates are wiped clean, my Instant Pot sealing ring still bears the distinct aroma of all the spices that went into the butter chicken. Heres how to freshen up Instant Pot sealing rings!
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Clean The Base And The Rim
The cooker base, also known as the housing unit, is the outside covering or exterior pot of the Instant Pot. This part isnt dishwasher safe.
The base holds the microprocessor and the cooking heating element inside. Therefore, youll need to unplug it for your safety and that of the appliance.
Once its unplugged, remove the inner cooking pot and put it aside. Using a damp microfiber cleaning cloth and a cleaning solution, wipe the inside and outside of the housing unit. Dont use a dripping wet cloth too much water may damage the inside of the pot if the appliance is plugged in while still wet.
Food spills and food residue often get lodged in the exterior recessed rim.
Removing the debris using a damp cloth may be difficult. You can use a foam paintbrush or a pastry brush to clean the nooks and crannies of the rim.
When done, wipe the inside of the housing unit and the rim with a dry cloth. This will keep the unit dry and the rim rust-free.
How To Get Rid Of Burnt Off Instant Pot
Burning happens frequently when using an instant pot leaving it with unsightly scorch marks. To get rid of such tough stains:
Pour 4 cups of water in the base of the inner pot and stir in 3 tablespoons of baking soda.Replace the lid and pressure cook for 5 minutes.Let the pressure release naturally.Remove the inner pot and wash it with soap and water.Rinse and let it dry completely.
Now, your Instant Pot will look and smell good as new again!
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