When Do I Change My Instant Pot Sealing Ring
Typically, you will know that your sealing ring needs to be changed because you will notice that the Instant Pot is not coming to pressure. Additionally, you may notice that theres a lot of steam coming from the sides of your lid when you try to cook something. It can be a struggle to know when to change your Instant Pot sealing ring, because it may work one day, and just simply not work the next day.
To prevent a catastrophe, check your Instant Pot sealing ring on a regular basis for the following:
- Discoloration
- Small tears or cracks
If you have any of the above, you should consider buying a replacement sealing ring before the one youre using stops working. Depending on your level of usage and when your ring shows signs of wear and tear, it should be replaced every 6 to 18 months. Instant Pot recommends replacing it closer to every 6 to 12 months.
Although your Instant Pot not coming to pressure can mean the sealing ring needs replaced, there are other reasons this function may not be working. Check out my Instant Pot Troubleshooting Guide to find out more!
Instant Pot Sealing Ring How To Install Instant Pot Seal
To clean or replace the pressure cooker sealing ring is very simple. All you do is grab the sealing ring and pull on it. It should remove very easily regardless of the pressure cooker sealing ring sizes.
When you replace the sealing ring, it doesnt matter whether it has just been cleaned or you are replacing it, you simply place it in the track. They are the same both sides so it is irrelevant which way you put it in they are identical both sides.
You need to place it inside the track. The only thing you need to make sure is that the sealing rack fits inside the track of the sealing ring. Follow the circumference of the sealing ring, continuing to press in the sealing ring.
Make sure it is sitting well inside the track. You will know that it is sitting well inside the track because if you take a hold of the sealing ring, you will be able to spin it a little. If you can, you will know that it is seated properly.
So, the only real things you need to remember aside from cleaning it, is to remember to check it before you use itto see if it is properly inside the track.
Pressure Cooker Sealing Ring Sizes For Instant Pot
As you will know, Instant Pot have a number of models on the market at any given point. Do not let this confuse you, it is actually quite simple. The models are broken down by size so when you are looking to buy a replacement sealing ring, you are essentially looking at the quart size of the pressure cooker.
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How To Clean The Instant Pot Sealing Ring
If you want your Instant Pot sealing ring to last longer than 6-months, its imperative that you clean it and inspect it after each use. If you are having issues with a funky order, follow the steps below to clean the sealing ring:
Where Do I Buy Pressure Cooker Sealing Rings
You need to be careful here and the choice you make will change things.
If you buy an after-market brand that is not authorized by the manufacturer, then you may void the warranty if something goes wrong. Lets take the case of Instant Pot. They tell their customers that if they do not use an official after-market sealing ring, their warranty is voided.
They are keen to ensure that their customers buy the rings from them because they say that the strength and size has been tested to their standards. Since you need to be careful with a pressure cooker, you can see why Instant Pot are keen to limit any dangerous outcomes.
Having said that, there are plenty of companies that offer replacement seal without any issueand they can be significantly cheaper than the official ones.
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How Do I Find My Pressure Cooker Sealing Ring Sizes
The important thing is that you get it right. If you fail to buy the correct size, your pressure cooker will not work.
The recommended way of finding pressure cooker sealing ring sizes is to look at the manual it came with. In it, it will detail the sizes and the one you need. If it doesnt, make sure you know the model name and size you have in terms of quarts. This will be enough information to track down the size you need.
Should I Have An Extra Sealing Ring
We recommend always having a replacement ring on hand in case the one you are using goes bad without notice. Additionally, no matter how well you clean it, it may still hold onto odors. For that reason, we recommend having a sealing ring for savory dishes and for sweet dishes so the odors do not transfer between the two types of dishes.
Many potheads have different colored rings for different flavored foods. Blue sealing rings are for savory foods such as chicken, tikka masala, and curry. Red sealing rings are for sweet foods such as cakes, desserts, or orange chicken. And, many people also use a third clear sealing ring for common uses like cooking hard boiled eggs. Having different colored sealing rings is totally optional, but a good way to make sure you always have one on hand.
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What To Do If Instant Pot Seal Doesnt Seem Tight
You need to return it to the seller in that case. Your seal needs to fit perfectly in order to operate. If there is a small size difference, you can try putting it into the freezer for a few minutes. This should shrink the rubber for a better fit. If the instant pot seal doesnt seem tight enough still, then it may just be a manufacturing problem with the seal. Get it replaced.
Why Do I Need To Replace My Pressure Cooker Sealing Ring
Pressure cookers need a tight seal to help them raise to the required levels of pressure. If your seal is damaged in any way, you need to replace it immediately with the correct size sealing ring. Failure to do so may mean that your pressure cooker becomes dangerous or that it will not work.
It is recommended that you change your sealing ring every couple of years. However, you should always have a spare in case it failsthey can fail at the worst possible moment.
I always have a couple for my pressure cookers. Since they can take on the smell of food, I swap them out depending on whether I am cooking a sweet or savory. I recommend that you do the same.
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Steam Clean With White Vinegar Or Lemon
The quickest, easiest, and most foolproof way to clean the silicone sealing ring requires no more than your choice of white vinegar or water and a lemon rind.
Fill the Instant Pot insert with two cups of white vinegar or the same amount of water and a lemon rind, seal the lid, and run the appliance on the steam setting for two minutes. Remove the ring from the lid and let it air dry completely. It should be clean and smell as good as new.
If you use your Instant Pot regularly, removing the silicone ring periodically isnt important just for cleaning, but also to check for damage. If you notice cracking, leaking, or deformation of the sealing ring, its time to replace it.
A Note on Extra Silicone Rings
Kitchn does suggest having more than one silicone ring. No matter how much or how well you clean it, it still may hold onto odors. We suggest having one for savory dishes and one for sweet ones.
Where Can I Buy Replacement Sealing Rings
You can buy Instant Pot sealing rings wherever Instant Pots are sold including Walmart, Target, Kohls, or Williams Sonoma. But, my top recommendation is to buy them on Amazon. On Amazon, you can easily find whatever size you need, buy them in bulk, and choose different colors so you can use different rings for different dishes. If you need a new sealing ring now, here are my top recommendations from Amazon:
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Calificacin De Silicone Sealing Ring For 6 Qt Replacement Seal Gasket For Instant Pot 6 Quart Model Food
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Cleaning In The Dishwasher
While the sealing ring is dishwasher-safe, your best bet is to use the steaming method outlined above regularly to keep the ring clean and odor-free. If its been a while since you last cleaned the sealing ring , the dishwasher will certainly give it a good cleaning, but it might not completely get the odor out.
More About the Instant Pot
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What Do I Do If I Cant Find The Right Size
This is sometimes the case if you have a very old model that hasnt been sold in a few years. Your first step would be to contact the manufacturer. They normally keep stocks of old partsespecially sealing rings as they know they have a limited lifespan.
Failing this, I have known people to post on Facebook groups or forums to find out if anybody else has a sparethis is actually a very good way of finding something very specific.
Pressure Cooker Sealing Ring Sizes What You Need To Know
- 4 minute read
Pressure cooker sealing ring sizes are specific to manufacturers and the models they produce. Therefore, when you are looking to replace one, you need to ensure that you are buying one that fits your model and brand.
Since these sealing rings are commonly replaced, there is no shortage of them available on the market. The important thing is that the pressure cooker sealing ring sizes are the same.
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What Is The Pressure Cooker Sealing Ring Made From
The Instant Pot sealing ring is made from silicone rubber compound which is more durable than natural rubber-based products.
These sealing rings can be used for two to three years without any problems at all. The sealing ring expands at high temperatures which seals the gap between the lid and the inner pot.
When the pressure cooker lid is opened after cooking, you will see that the sealing ring is noticeably loose. When it cools downor after it is washed, it will return to fitting snugly again.
