How To Clean An Instant Pot (Step By Step)

If you own an Instant Pot, you probably love how it can cook delicious and nutritious meals, drinks, and snacks, with minimal effort and time. But do you know how to clean an Instant Pot properly and easily?

Cleaning your Instant Pot is important to maintain its performance, safety, and hygiene. It can also prevent food odors, stains, and residues from building up, and extend the lifespan of your Instant Pot.

Fortunately, cleaning an Instant Pot is not a difficult or complicated task. You just need to follow some simple steps and use some common household items. In this post, I will show you how to clean an Instant Pot, step by step. You will learn how to clean the inner pot, the lid, the sealing ring, the steam release valve, the anti-block shield, the exterior, and the accessories.

You will also learn some tips and tricks to make cleaning an Instant Pot easier and faster.

So, let’s get started!

How To Clean the Inner Pot

The inner pot is the stainless steel pot that you use to cook your food in the Instant Pot. It is dishwasher-safe, so you can simply put it in the dishwasher after each use. However, if you want to hand-wash it, you can follow these steps:

1. Remove the inner pot from the Instant Pot base and rinse it with warm water.
2. Fill the inner pot with warm water and add some dish soap. You can also add some vinegar or baking soda to remove any stains or odors.
3. Use a sponge or a soft cloth to scrub the inner pot gently. Pay attention to the bottom and the sides, where food residues may stick.
4. Rinse the inner pot with clean water and dry it with a towel.
5. Store the inner pot in a dry and cool place, or put it back in the Instant Pot base.

How To Clean the Lid

The lid is the part that covers the inner pot and seals the pressure inside the Instant Pot. It is also dishwasher-safe, so you can simply put it in the dishwasher after each use. However, if you want to hand-wash it, you can follow these steps:

1. Remove the lid from the Instant Pot base and rinse it with warm water.
2. Fill a sink or a large bowl with warm water and add some dish soap. You can also add some vinegar or baking soda to remove any stains or odors.
3. Submerge the lid in the water and use a sponge or a soft cloth to scrub the lid gently. Pay attention to the rim, the locking pin, the float valve, and the steam release handle, where food residues may accumulate.
4. Rinse the lid with clean water and dry it with a towel.
5. Store the lid in a dry and cool place, or put it back on the Instant Pot base.

How To Clean the Sealing Ring

The sealing ring is the silicone ring that fits inside the lid and creates an airtight seal between the lid and the inner pot. It is not dishwasher-safe, so you need to hand-wash it after each use. You can follow these steps:

1. Remove the sealing ring from the lid by pulling it out from the wire rack.
2. Rinse the sealing ring with warm water and rub it with your fingers to remove any food residues.
3. Fill a sink or a large bowl with warm water and add some dish soap. You can also add some vinegar or baking soda to remove any stains or odors.
4. Submerge the sealing ring in the water and use a sponge or a soft cloth to scrub the sealing ring gently.
5. Rinse the sealing ring with clean water and dry it with a towel.
6. Store the sealing ring in a dry and cool place, or put it back in the lid.

Note: The sealing ring may absorb food odors over time, which can affect the flavor of your food. To prevent this, you can have separate sealing rings for different types of food, such as savory, sweet, or spicy. You can also soak the sealing ring in vinegar or lemon juice for a few hours to remove the odors.

How To Clean the Steam Release Valve

The steam release valve is the part that controls the release of steam and pressure from the Instant Pot. It is not dishwasher-safe, so you need to hand-wash it after each use. You can follow these steps:

1. Remove the steam release valve from the lid by pulling it out from the steam release pipe.
2. Rinse the steam release valve with warm water and rub it with your fingers to remove any food residues.
3. Fill a sink or a large bowl with warm water and add some dish soap. You can also add some vinegar or baking soda to remove any stains or odors.
4. Submerge the steam release valve in the water and use a sponge or a soft cloth to scrub the steam release valve gently.
5. Rinse the steam release valve with clean water and dry it with a towel.
6. Store the steam release valve in a dry and cool place, or put it back in the lid.

How To Clean the Anti-Block Shield

The anti-block shield is the part that prevents food particles from blocking the steam release pipe. It is not dishwasher-safe, so you need to hand-wash it after each use. You can follow these steps:

1. Remove the anti-block shield from the lid by pulling it out from the steam release pipe.
2. Rinse the anti-block shield with warm water and rub it with your fingers to remove any food residues.
3. Fill a sink or a large bowl with warm water and add some dish soap. You can also add some vinegar or baking soda to remove any stains or odors.
4. Submerge the anti-block shield in the water and use a sponge or a soft cloth to scrub the anti-block shield gently.
5. Rinse the anti-block shield with clean water and dry it with a towel.
6. Store the anti-block shield in a dry and cool place, or put it back in the lid.

How To Clean the Exterior

The exterior is the part that includes the base, the control panel, and the power cord of the Instant Pot. It is not dishwasher-safe, and you should never submerge it in water or use abrasive cleaners. You can follow these steps:

1. Unplug the Instant Pot and let it cool down completely.
2. Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth or a sponge. You can also use a mild cleaner or a vinegar solution to remove any stains or fingerprints.
3. Wipe the exterior with a dry cloth or a towel.
4. Store the Instant Pot in a dry and cool place, or leave it on the counter.

How To Clean the Accessories

The accessories are the parts that include the steam rack, the measuring cup, the rice paddle, the soup spoon, and the silicone mitts. They are all dishwasher-safe, so you can simply put them in the dishwasher after each use. However, if you want to hand-wash them, you can follow these steps:

1. Rinse the accessories with warm water and rub them with your fingers to remove any food residues.
2. Fill a sink or a large bowl with warm water and add some dish soap. You can also add some vinegar or baking soda to remove any stains or odors.
3. Submerge the accessories in the water and use a sponge or a soft cloth to scrub the accessories gently.
4. Rinse the accessories with clean water and dry them with a towel.
5. Store the accessories in a dry and cool place, or put them back in the Instant Pot.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks that can make cleaning an Instant Pot easier and faster:

• Clean your Instant Pot as soon as possible after each use, to prevent food residues from hardening and sticking.
• Use hot water and dish soap to loosen and dissolve any food residues, stains, and odors.
• Use vinegar or baking soda to remove any stubborn stains or odors, and to disinfect and deodorize your Instant Pot.
• Use a toothbrush, a cotton swab, or a pipe cleaner to clean any hard-to-reach areas, such as the steam release pipe, the float valve, and the locking pin.
• Use a damp cloth or a sponge to wipe the control panel and the power cord, and avoid using any harsh cleaners or abrasive materials.
• Let your Instant Pot and its parts dry completely before storing them, to prevent any mold or bacteria growth.
• Check your Instant Pot and its parts regularly for any signs of wear and tear, and replace them if needed.

Conclusion

Cleaning an Instant Pot is not a hard or complicated task, if you follow some simple steps and use some common household items. By cleaning your Instant Pot properly and regularly, you can keep it in good condition, and enjoy its benefits for a long time.

You can also prevent any food odors, stains, and residues from affecting the flavor and quality of your food. Cleaning an Instant Pot can be a fun, easy, and satisfying activity, and a great way to take care of your kitchen appliance.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your Instant Pot and start cleaning today!

But wait, there’s more! If you want to learn more about Instant Pot, you can also check out some of these resources:

• Instant Pot Official Website: This is the official website of Instant Pot, where you can find information about the different models, features, and functions of Instant Pot. You can also find recipes, tips, and support for your Instant Pot. Visit Instant Pot Official Website here. It’s like having an Instant Pot manual on your screen!

• Instant Pot Community: This is a Facebook group of Instant Pot users, where you can share your experiences, questions, and ideas with other Instant Pot enthusiasts. You can also find recipes, tips, and inspiration for your Instant Pot. Visit Instant Pot Community here. It’s like having an Instant Pot club on your screen!

• Instant Pot Cookbooks: These are some of the best-selling and most popular cookbooks for Instant Pot, where you can find hundreds of recipes, tips, and tricks for your Instant Pot. You can also learn how to use your Instant Pot for different types of cuisines, dishes, and occasions. Visit Instant Pot Cookbooks here. It’s like having an Instant Pot chef on your screen!

As you can see, there are plenty of resources that can help you learn more about Instant Pot, and make cooking more enjoyable, easy, and convenient. Whether you want to stay informed, connected, or creative with Instant Pot, you can find something that suits your needs and interests. Instant Pot can be a fun, rewarding, and versatile kitchen appliance, and a great way to express yourself and connect with others. So, don’t be afraid to try new things, experiment, and have fun with Instant Pot. Happy cooking!