How To Sterilize Instant Pot

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How To Sterilize Jars In Instant Pot Cleaning Tips For You

In typical, middle-class households, an instant pot max or pressurized rice cooker is a must-have product for cooking and boiling food.

With the compact size, high efficiency, and versatility, a pressure cooker is preferred in all situations, from boiling, steaming to frying and sauteing.

However, many people still dont know that the instant pot can clean kitchen appliances like baby bottles, canning jars, etc. Well, for instance, you can pasteurize the canning jars after cooking by using instant pots.

Thus, in this article, lets dive deep into the proper way of how to sterilize jars in instant pot. No need to wait any longer lets jump right in!

Tips For Sterilizing Jars

Even though the sterilization process seems to be quite simple, there are some tips that you should know if you want to optimize the effect. Who else doesnt want to work less with higher results, right? Here is the list of tips for you, based on our experience:

  • Wash your jars beforehand: Before putting the jars into the instant pot , wash them under fresh soapy water beforehand. Then, dry the jars with a big clean towel. This step works well on removing dirt and partly getting rid of bacteria, not thoroughly but about 20 to 30 percent. So, you can shorten the sterilization later.
  • If you dont have a big enough pressurized cooker, use a slow cooker instead.
  • Never let the jar touch the bottom of the pot: At the bottom of the pressurized cooker, there are waterproof, metal electrical cords that provide heat to the instant pot. Hence, we have to remind you not to touch these cords by putting the jar on a steaming rack.
  • Its unnecessary to sterilize the lids over jars or any part that doesnt directly interact with the jam later.
  • After sterilizing the jar, immediately pour jam into these jars in less than an hour. The longer you wait, the more bacteria and germs multiply back on the jar, and jars arent sterile anymore, so you have to repeat the boil cycle.

Read Also: What Do I Do If My Instant Pot Says Burn

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.

No Need To Run A Full Dishwasher Load

How To Clean an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

For those of us who have dishwashers at home, we can definitely save ourselves from having to purchase a separate tool to sterilize.

Your dishwasher can do the same thing, due to the high heat, and some even have a sterilize function. As long as the bottles and other feeding equipment is labeled as dishwasher safe.

But, if it doesnt have enough items to run a load, it seems like a waste to run a full wash to clean and sterilize a few items. It also takes an hour or two sometimes to run the dishwasher, whereas the Instant Pot takes only a few minutes to sterilize.

Read Also: How To Defrost Ground Beef In Instant Pot

When To Quick Release Instant Pot

As most foods require a quick release of the instant pot, I dont want to list 200 different instant pot recipes here, as otherwise you will feel like you are being spammed.

But what I will share with you, is foods that if you dont do an instant pot quick pressure release immediately will be ruined.

Instant Pot Frozen Broccoli This is because zero minutes is just enough for the broccoli. Any longer and your broccoli will turn to mush.

Instant Pot Soft Boiled Eggs If you want to make instant pot dippy eggs and serve them with soldiers then you need them at that perfect time to crack the tops off and enjoy. One extra minute and your eggs will start to go hard boiled.

Instant Pot Butternut Squash I find that a minute over and your butternut squash becomes mash.

There are of course some foods, like soup, that if you forget about the instant pot, it will survive if you are late doing your quick pressure release.

Recommended Reading: How Long To Reheat Tamales In Instant Pot

No Extra Sterilizing Equipment

We all want whats best for our children, this is why many of us would probably buy whatever we feel is necessary to provide optimal health. Although not all parents will purchase a separate device to sterilize, many parents across America feel that it is essential!

Whether were purchasing a simple rack that produces hot water and steam. Or, an actual sterilizing machine, these products take up quite a bit of space on our kitchen counter.

Rather than having a separate unit to sterilize your baby essential feeding equipment. You can own one pretty decent looking kitchen appliance that can do that as well as assist in making you dinner.

Using an Instant pot as your primary sterilizer will save you from spending money on an independent sterilizing device.

These independent sterilizing devices are typically used for a short period in your childs life, then discarded or given away.

Having one multifunction device is great, especially if you dont want your kids items to take over your home.

Read Also: How To Cook Frozen Tamales In Instant Pot

Deodorizing The Sealing Ring

If your sealing ring has taken on any funky food smells, you can deodorize it by doing a vinegar steam clean right in your Instant Pot. Fill the inner pot with 1 cup of water, 1 cup of vinegar, and a few lemon peels. Run the Instant Pot on the Steam setting for 2 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally. When the Instant Pot unlocks, remove the sealing ring from the lid and let it air dry.

The vinegar and lemon oils will help steam away the odors that get trapped in the silicone ring. This helps to keep odors from transferring to other foods you cook in the future!

By following these cleaning tips, you can help ensure that your Instant Pot lives a long and productive life! 🙂 If youre interested in learning more about the Instant Pot, be sure to check out my eBook Everything Instant Pot! You can buy it in my shop, or download it for free if youre an OGT Plus member!

I may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on this website. I always offer my own genuine recommendation.

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How To Sterilize And Clean Your Instant Pot

Sterilizing in the Instant Pot || Baby Bottles, Sippy Cups & Breast Pump Parts

This article is meant for all of you that own an Instant Pot. If you own an Instant Pot, it is important that you clean it and sanitize it so that it lasts longer. By cleaning and sanitizing your Instant Pot, you are ensuring that it stays good for the maximum amount of time without mold of bacteria growing inside.

If you own an Instant Pot, the odds are that you use it a lot. With this amount of use, you must clean it and sanitize it on a regular basis. To help you out, we have compiled a list of steps that you need to take in order to ensure that your Instant Pot is clean and sanitary before using it again.

Tips For Cleaning Your Instant Pot

  • Remember that the inner pot is dishwasher safe so you can wash it that way.
  • Always wipe down the inside and outside of the pot after using it.
  • Never forget to clean the silicone ring that is located on the inside of the lid. By doing so, you are ensuring that your pot doesnt absorb food and liquids without your knowledge.
  • Dont forget to wipe down the inside of your lid. It can be easily missed.

Steps To Deep Clean Your Instant Pot

1. Unplug Your Pot: Because you are going to be dealing with water, you want to be sure that you first unplug the unit to prevent any accidents from occurring.

2. Clean the Housing Unit: For the housing unit, you will want to wipe the inside and outside of the main cooker. You can even use a brush to wipe away anything that may have dried on the unit.

Also Check: What To Do If Your Instant Pot Says Burn

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.

How To Sterilize Jars In A Canner

Start the process by placing the jars in the canner. Pour warm water over the jars until theyre fully submerged and have an inch of water over the top of each jar.

Turn your stove on high and bring the water to a boil. Allow the jars to boil in the water for 10-16 minutes. The time will depend upon your elevation level. When the time is up, turn the stove off, and allow the jars to sit in the water until youre ready to fill them.

Be sure to remove them using jar grabbers because theyll be extremely hot to the touch.

You May Like: How To Make Yogurt In Electric Pressure Cooker

How To Make Instant Pot Yogurt In 5 Steps:

  • Heat Milk to 180°F 200°F
  • Cool Milk to 105°F 114°F
  • Add Yogurt Starter to Milk
  • Wait for Yogurt to set
  • Plain Yogurt is done refrigerate and strain if desired
  • Sounds easy right?

    Yogurt starters can make or break your yogurt making game.

    So beware that not all yogurt works as yogurt starters!

    Its critical for you to check the ingredients list of the store-bought yogurt when youre shopping for a yogurt starter. It must have active bacterial cultures for it to work as the yogurt starter.

    A live culture usually contains at least 2 types of bacteria .

    *Pro Tip: The homemade yogurts consistency and taste will change depending on the type of bacteria cultures in the yogurt starter. Sometimes, it does make a big difference! So, choose the brand you like best for the most consistent result.

    A Quick Review Of Important Terms

    How to Clean Instant Pot 101

    Since were focusing on the Instant Pot, there are few parts youll need to be able to identify in order for the information in this post to make sense. So lets quickly review a few of the most important parts of the Instant Pot that pertain to pressure release:

    • Pressure Release Handle The big knob on the lid used to manually release pressure from the pot. Can be set to Sealing or Venting.
    • Float Valve This is the round metal bit next to the pressure release handle. When it is level with the lid, the pot is pressurized when the float valve drops down, the pot is no longer pressurized and can be opened safely.
    • Pressure Release Button Newer Instant Pot models dont have a pressure release handle, but rather a pressure release valve and a new pressure release button. Pressing the button triggers the release valve to open and release steam, just like turning the pressure release handle on an older model does.

    Note: Other electric pressure cookers may have slightly different parts, but they all work in pretty much the same way. So if you have a pressure cooker that isnt from the Instant Pot brand, the information in this post should still be useful and applicable to you, even if the parts on your pressure cooker have slightly different names. ð

    Recommended Reading: How To Cook Frozen Tamales In Instant Pot

    Clean Instant Pot Base

    Much like a slow cooker, the base of your pressure cooker contains the heating element and electronic components, so this part should never be submerged in water or placed in the dishwasher. To clean the Instant Pot base, wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth to remove crumbs or food splatters. If you need to clean the inside of the cooking base, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe it down and dry the interior immediately. Clean the recessed area around the lip of the base with a small scrubbing brush or toothbrush to remove any stuck-on food.

    Hybrid Or Shortened Pressure Release

    I tend to use this a lot. I usually allow the pot to rest undisturbed for 10 minutes. Then I release all remaining pressure. You will see this method used most often in my pressure cooker recipes.

    Many of my recipes ask you to NPR for 10 minutes and then release all remaining pressure. So you leave the pot alone for 10 minutes, and then you turn the valve from sealing to venting and allow the rest of the pressure to be released quickly.

    Recommended Reading: Food Burn Instant Pot

    Choosing Type Of Milk

    Choosing the right type of milk is one of the most critical steps to succeed in making homemade yogurt because the type of milk will determine the thickness and creaminess of your homemade yogurt.

    After testing the Instant Pot Yogurt Recipe with 2% Milk, 3.25% Milk and 3.8% Milk, 3.8% Whole Milk with the highest milk fat content produced the thickest and creamiest homemade yogurt.

    For reference, we used the above Whole Foods 365 Organic 3.8% Whole Milk for this Instant Pot Yogurt Recipe.

    What Is Quick Release Instant Pot

    Sterilizing with Instant Pot

    A quick release instant pot will release the pressure in no time. If you want to cook food quickly, go with this method.

    As soon as the instant pot beeps, you turn the pressure release valve to open or the quick release valve to venting. Doing so will release the steam from the instant pot in no time.

    However, be cautious while depressurizing the instant pot with a quick release method. Stay away from the steam release valve and consider using a potholder or a silicon glove to protect yourself from burns.

    When you see or hear the float valve drop down, it means the quick pressure release process is over. It is now safe to open your Instant pot.

    Read Also: Turkey Breast Tenderloin Instant Pot

    Tools For Instant Pot Yogurt Recipe #12

    Option 1 Sterilize with Instant Pot:

    • Place 2 cups of cold water and a trivet in the Instant Pot.
    • Place silicone spatula, Pyrex glass measuring cup, and tablespoon measuring spoon in the Instant Pot.
    • Close the lid and move the Venting Knob to Sealing Position.
    • Sterilize everything at High Pressure for 3 minutes + Natural Release.

    Option 2 Sterilize on Stovetop:

    • Sterilize the equipment on stovetop by boiling them for 10 minutes.

    After sterilizing the equipment, air dry them on a clean rack.

    *Plastic Tools or Equipment: Do not sterilize any tools or equipment with plastic or wooden handles.

    My Instant Pot Isnt Searing Very Well

    Sautéing with your Instant Pot is convenient, but it can be challenging to get a decent sear on specific cuts of meat. We recommend opting for a different appliance entirely to sear most larger-cut foods, like steak, because your Instant Pot wont get hot enough to execute a deep sear. Smaller cuts of meat may prove to be successful, but we cant promise that the meat wont become chewy or soggy. Searing is not the Instant Pots strong suit, so you should leave that job up to your trusted frying pan.

    Editorsâ Recommendations

    Recommended Reading: Instant Pot Bread Recipes

    Heating Jars For Canning

    Its still recommended to heat canning jars before filling them with your recipes or before you add them to a canner.

    The reason being is if you introduce a jar to water or other contents which are heated to higher temperatures, it can cause the jar to break.

    Ive been canning for many years now, and Ive learned the hard way about how drastically temperatures can impact a jar.

    One example is if youre canning late at night, and you run out of energy before you get all of your jars processed.

    Its normal to put them in the fridge for the night and resume canning the next morning. Be sure you allow the jars to reach room temperature again before processing them.

    Also, be sure to add fresh water to the canner because this will help to keep the jars from cracking as the fresh water heats in the canner.

    Ive added cold jars to a canner in the past and have been devastated after they finished processing. When I went to pull them from my pressure canner, the jars had cracked in the middle, and the bottoms would be left in the canner as I used jar grabbers to pull the top of the jar out.

    I learned a hard lesson this year when it came to water temperature and jars. My family and I were in the kitchen canning this summer, and my husband asked our teenaged son to put water in the canner.

    We were using multiple canners, and at the time my husband made his request, he was emptying one hot canner which had recently finished processing.

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