How to Clean and Care for Your Instant Pot
In this post I share some information that I recently learned on how to care for your Instant Pot. These steps will ensure that it works well for a long time.
I Just Didn’t Know
I got on the Instant Pot Bandwagon last summer. My first Instant Pot post was about whether or not I found it to be a good investment, you can find that post here. Needless to say, I have found it to be a good investment for our family. So much so that I have since purchased a second one. I also got my mom one for Christmas.
Even with all my enthusiasm for the Instant Pot, there were a few things that I didn’t know. When my mom came to help me after our last baby was born, she informed me of a few necessary maintenance procedures. Ones that I had no idea about! Here’s a few tips for how to clean your instant pot.
Well, That Explains it!
After owning and using the Instant Pot for over six months, we started noticing that it wasn’t getting up to pressure very quickly. Another problem we were having was that there were times when it wasn’t getting up to full pressure at all. My husband had several instances where he would put a frozen chicken in the pot, and after the full time, it wasn’t done! In the back of my mind I kept thinking, “I need to call about this, it probably has a warranty, and I need to complain.” Thankfully my mom saved the day. It turns out if you are not regularly cleaning the Instant Pot properly it will start to underperform. Well…I guess that explains the problems!
The Lid and all its Parts
The Rubber Seal
This needs to be cleaned every time you use your Instant Pot. I actually figured this one out on my own after about the fifth use. I had cooked a pork roast and used liquid smoke. That sure made for a smelly Instant Pot! The rubber ring can be easily removed and cleaned in soapy water. They do tend to hold onto the smell of whatever was last cooked. Soaking it in baking soda and water does seem to help. I submerge mine in baking soda water and let it soak for a bit to clean it. The actual lid can be washed in the dishwasher, but honestly who has room for it in there? It’s just as easy to hand wash it anyway. Use plenty of dishwashing soap and give it a good scrub.
Removing the ring is not necessary every time you use the IP. Some people say that removing it too frequently is hard on it. It may be sufficient to wash it while it is still in the lid. I would just make sure everything gets completely dry before putting it away.
Many people also recommend keeping two rings on hand. One for when you are cooking something smelly, like a roast or chili. Then keeping one for things like sweets or yogurt. Here are some colored rings to help keep track.
The Steam Release Valve-The Venting Knob
This pulls off on the top, and then on the back there is a little cage looking thingy called the anti-block shield. This just pops off, but it does take a bit of pressure, you just sort of push it from the side to pop it off. This is where the steam releases, so it is possible that bits and particles could get stuck in there. It is important to clean that regularly so that your Instant Pot can continue to work as it should. I just soak these in the same bowl of soapy water and rinse.
Float Valve
This little part is intimidating to remove, but don’t worry, it goes back in easily. It is a good idea to remove this and give it a good soak and rinse from time to time as well.
The Housing
A little cleaning brush, toothbrush or even a paint brush is a great tool for cleaning the little crevice around the outside of the housing. The main offender on mine is rice, I can’t seem to use the thing without dropping rice in there!
Vinegar
Vinegar is your cleaning friend. Using vinegar to clean the inside will remove any stains or discoloring on the inside of the pot. Most of the time just soap and water does the trick, however, if something is really stuck on, Bar Keeper’s Friend does a great job cleaning up stainless steel.
Did I miss anything?
Leave a comment below if you have any tips for how to clean your Instant Pot and keeping it running like new!
This is the Instant Pot that I use. Here are a couple of Instant Pot Posts. Here and Here
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This is such a great post! I don’t have an instapot—but maybe I need one!
karianne
Jennifer, very good explanation on cleaning the instant pot. 😊
I need to find a little brush for cleaning the top of the housing. I also like cleaning with vinegar, it’s cheap and great for getting water spots off of stainless steel.
Mom
I owe it to you! Thanks!
Great tips! I have a stovetop pressure cooker but it still has most of these parts and it for sure needs a good scrub down with bar keepers friend
Isn’t that stuff the best? It works so well!
Oooh I need to try these- definitely noticed mine getting pokey and picky! Thanks for sharing!
I hope this gets you back up and running!
Thank you for sharing this Jenn. I have had my Insta pot for almost a year and have used it just a handful of times because I am quite intimidated about the controls. It’s not exactly user-friendly. I have managed a few good meals but not sure how I did it. I just keep hitting the buttons til I think I have it right. The booklet that came with it is useless. Would love for you to share more of your recipes.
Hi there Aunt Janice! I am terrible at sharing recipes…I rarely use them, I am kind of an eyeball it and dump it in kind of cook. I will work on a round up of some great recipes though! I do think that would be helpful! Honestly as far as all the different settings go on the thing, I don’t think it really matters too much. For example, I have cooked a frozen chicken using the poultry setting and adjusting the time for the weight. It’s 10 minutes per pound for a frozen chicken. I have also just pressed pressure cook and set the time. I see absolutely no difference between the two settings. I think companies just add a lot of different “features” to make it sound like it can do more!
Great post. ❤️ I actually purchased colored rings that makes it a little easy to segregate foods. Before the instant pot I used an old fashion pressure cooker, the kind you put on the stove, wait for the weight to jiggle, lower the heat and set the timer. 😂 I did that for a few decades.
Yes! Colored rings that’s a great idea to help keep them straight. Off to look for some!
Great post Jenn! I haven’t purchased an Insta Pot yet, but I do have an electric pressure cooker (so similar idea) and these tips and tricks are perfect!
Thank you Jen!
This is a fantastic post!! I need to check mine and give it a good scrub!!
I know, it’s one of those things!
This is a wonderful post, Jenn! I STILL haven’t put my Instant Pot to good use, but not you’re really making me think about it. And at least now I know how to care for it!
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Richella, thank you so much! I appreciate the feature! I will be working on a round up of good IP recipes, maybe that will help you to get started!
I’ve had my Instant Pot for more than a year and I’ve never cleaned a couple of these things. Thanks for the information! I found your post featured over at Imparting Grace.
Thank you for visiting! That is a great link up! I’m glad you found this helpful!
These are great tips for cleaning an instant pot. Saved to my IP board! We’d love you to share over at Tuesday Turn About, too!
Thank you Julie! I will be over!
Great to know tips!!