How to Clean an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
The Instant pot doesn’t just cook quickly, it’s super easy to clean too!
- June 25, 2020
The Instant pot pressure cooker is 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.
While there’s little maintenance involved beyond post-cooking cleanup, a few key parts hidden under the lid can make or break the appliance’s oh-so-important sealing power.
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.
What’s great is that the inner pot of the cooker (the stainless steel cooking pot), the sealing ring, the lid, and the steam rack are all dishwasher safe—yet another way in which your cooker makes cooking and cleanup extremely easy.
How to Clean an Instant Pot
Everyday Cleaning (After Each Use, Post Dinner)
Wash the inner pot. It’s dishwasher safe, so just toss it in with the rest of your dishes after dinner.
Wipe it down. Use a wet dishcloth to wipe down the inside and the outside of the cooker.
Clean the sealing ring. You should wash the silicone ring on the inside of the lid after each use to prevent it from absorbing food odors or colors. You can safely wash it in the top rack of your dishwasher.
Wipe the inside of the lid. It’s easy to forget about the lid when cleaning your Instant Pot, but it’s often one of the surfaces that gets the dirtiest.
Deep Cleaning (Every Few Weeks)
What You”ll Need
- Warm, soapy water
- Dish Towel or microfiber cloth
- Soft-bristled brush or toothbrush
- Dishwasher (optional)
- White distilled vinegar
Instructions
Unplug and Disassemble
Make sure your Instant Pot is unplugged and cooled down before you begin cleaning. Remove the lid, steam rack, and inner stainless-steel pot from the exterior cooker base. Take these pieces apart so that you can hit every area that needs it.
Clean the Exterior
Wipe exterior of housing to remove crumbs and tough stains. Remember: The housing has electronic components and should never be immersed in water.
Use a small brush to remove any dried food residue from the bottom of the unit. Make sure to get your brush into all those nooks and crannies.
Also Read
Wash Inner Pot and Steam Rack
The inner bowl and steam rack are made of stainless steel, so these can be washed by hand in warm, soapy water or placed in the dishwasher on either rack for tougher-to-tackle food stains or remains. Over time, you might notice water stains or discoloration on the bottom of the inner pot, which can be easily removed with vinegar. To renew the finish, pour 1 cup white vinegar into the stainless-steel bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes before pouring it out and rinsing with water.
Clean the Anti-block Shield
Remove the anti-block shield from the underside of the lid to wipe the steam valve clean. The anti-block shield on the inside can get clogged with food, especially when cooking starchy ingredients like oatmeal or grains or sauces that splatter. Check after each use and, if needed, clean with soapy water and dry thoroughly.
To remove the anti-block shield, use your thumb to gently push the piece toward the lid rim and lift up to pop it off.
Clean Silicone Sealing Ring
The sealing ring is made of high-quality, heat-resistant silicone. It can be hand-washed with
soapy water or placed in the dishwasher. Allow the ring to dry completely before inserting back into the lid. Ensure the sealing ring is positioned in the lid after every wash, and that it is securely in place before you start cooking.
The sealing ring is critical in the functioning of your cooker. Inspect it carefully after it is washed. Any sign of cracking or other damage, replace the sealing ring.
Wash the Instant Pot Lid
With the anti-block shield and sealing ring removed, wash the Instant Pot lid in warm, soapy water or place it on the top rack of the dishwasher.
Once clean, check the lid’s steam release valve and float valve to ensure they’re clear of food particles that could prevent the cooker from maintaining pressure.
Remove and Clean the Condensation Collector
The condensation collector is to be removed and hand washed periodically. Allow to dry before replacing.
Reassemble
The final step is to put all of the pieces of your Instant Pot back together. Make sure you don’t forget about the smaller parts, like the sealing ring, valve shield, or the Quick Release handle.
