Everything on How to Clean your instant pot.Only things that Work!
Instant Pot is a life saviour but for one issue- Cleaning is not so easy.There are a lot of creases, little parts, odour absorbing parts which can really make the pot stink.
Everyday Instant Pot Cleaning
On an everyday basis, I wash my lid and and inner pot after cooking.
How to Wash the Lid
The lid of the instant pot is dishwasher safe.You can hand wash the lid under running water or you could pop it in the top rack of the dishwasher.
I usually wash the lid with hot water in between two dishes. More so the flavors and smells don't inter mingle.
How to Wash the Inner Pot
The inner pot is made with stainless steel and is dishwasher safe.
You can hand wash it or pop it in the dishwasher. If it is very dirty, I soak it in water mixed with dishwasher liquid for 1-2 hours before rinsing and hand washing it.
Instant Pot Deep Cleaning
Every once in a while, it's important to deep clean your instant pot especially if your sealing ring has started to smell and the inner ridge is dirty with particles.
DO NOT wash the pressure cooker base.(Where the heating element is).Read more about Do's and Don'ts of Instant Pot here.
How to Deodorise the Sealing Ring
This is my pet peeve with instant pots.I hate this bit.
You could just buy two colour coded rings.It's easier and you don't have to soak it etc.
Two things you can do on a dialy basis to avoid smelly instant pot ring is to first keep the lid upside down and second, Keep the silicon ring in sun for a few hours.
If the smell is really persistent or if you are cooking desserts, I soak the ring in a ½ Cup of Vinegar and Juice of 1 lemon.
How to Clean the Inner Ridge of Instant Pot
Have you ever seen little pieces of rice and beans settle in the inner ridge of the instant pot?
This drives me crazy! Especially so cause I take videos and photographs of the instant pot.I have tried a lot of tricks but the sponge works the best according to me.
Just use your normal sponge in the way shown in the picture and take it around the ridge.
Any residual dirt it collected in the larger area, from where you can just scoop it out.
How to clean instant pot heating element
This is tricky.I wouldn't clean it but for some reason, if the heating element has become dirty, use a damp soft cloth and wipe it off.
Here are some FAQs on cleaning the instant pot
How to clean burnt instant Pot
We have all been here! Ha Ha..Experimenting with heavy sauces and getting the BURN message..AGGRRRRHH...
Usually, I just soak the instant pot with some dish washer liquid and water.Leave it overnight and wash in the morning.
If the stains persist, then sprinkle a tablespoon of baking soda, Pour over ½ cup of vinegar.All the burnt bits will come right off!
How to Get rid of blueish stains from instant pot
The steel Inner pot gets this blueish rainbow stain at times.I wouldnt bother with it.It's harmless but if it bothers you too much then wipe the pot with some vinegar.
Here are more articles on instant pot
Shankar says
Thank you so much for your very helpful hints - i loved the one on cleaning the inner ridge of the IP which has been my pet peeve all this time only to find your solution so simple that I adopted it just now and finished the job too!! Both my instant pots look as good as before : ) - thanks to you.
chhavi says
welcome!:)