How to Clean an Instant Pot

Thanks to all the different functions, having an Instant Pot can be a terrific experience. But it's a device with a number of small parts and lots of crevices where food can get stuck. That's why proper maintenance is key if you want this appliance to last. Make sure you get the most out of it by learning how to give your Instant Pot a thorough cleaning, one part at a time.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Cleaning the Cooker Base

1. Unplug the appliance and let it cool down. Make sure it's cool to the touch before you get started. This is important because the cooker base is the main part of the Instant Pot that contains the device's microprocessor. That's why it's highly sensitive to getting wet and should never be cleaned while still hot.^[1]
   
2. Use a clean cloth to remove stains. You can use a damp cloth for cleaning the exterior. To clean the interior, make sure the cloth is only slightly damp. If at any point you get the cooker base wet, try to dry it as quickly as possible.^[2]
   
3. Use a toothbrush to reach into the crevices of the cooker base. There's a narrow opening between the heating element and the housing of your Instant Pot. That's where food can get stuck while you use the appliance to prepare meals. A toothbrush can reach into that opening and clean out any possible build-up, so you can just wipe it off with a cloth once it's out.^[3]
   

[Edit]Cleaning the Inner Pot and Anti-Block Shield

1. Take out and wash the inner pot. This part of your Instant Pot is dishwasher safe. That means you can just toss it in there along with the dirty dishes. If you don't have a dishwasher, wash the inner pot by hand, using warm water and dish soap.^[4]
   
   • Use baking soda to remove burnt food. Fill the inner pot with water and add of baking soda. Cook this on low heat for a couple of hours. Leave the solution to cool, pour it down the drain, and then use some more baking soda to gently scrub off the remaining burnt food.^[5]
   • If you've noticed bluish marks or rainbow colors appearing on the surface of the inner pot, remove them with white vinegar. Pour it in and let it sit for 5 minutes. Rinse out the pot and let it dry.^[6]
2. Remove and wash the anti-block shield. The shield is a round, metal cap that you'll find on the inner side of the lid. Remove it by pushing it toward the rim and then lifting it up. Use warm water and dish soap to wash it, but you can also put it in the dishwasher. ^[7]
   
3. Wipe the anti-block shield dry and put it back in place. This is a small part that you can easily misplace, and your Instant Pot can't work properly without it. That's why you should put it back onto the lid right away. Use a clean cloth to dry it and then push it back into its original position. ^[8]
   

[Edit]Cleaning the Remaining Parts

1. Take out the sealing ring and wash the lid. You can put it in the dishwasher if you use one. But make sure to use the top rack only. If you don't have a dishwasher, simply give the lid a more thorough washing-up using hot water and dish soap.^[9]
   
   • Before you wash the lid, check its valves for dirt and food residues. If you find any, rinse the valves thoroughly using hot water.^[10]
2. Wash the sealing ring separately. You can either toss it in the dishwasher or use warm water and dish soap to wash it by hand. Either way, you should do this regularly since silicone retains smells. When putting it back in place, make sure it sits right. ^[11]
   
   • Do a vinegar steam to remove bad smells. Put equal parts water and white vinegar into the inner pot. Toss in a couple of lemon peels and close the lid. Select the Steam function and set it to 2 minutes, after which the Instant Pot should smell nice and fresh.^[12]
   • If you'd like to avoid bad smells, you can always do it by switching between 2 different sealing rings. Simply use one for making sweet food and another for savory dishes.^[13]
3. Wash the steam rack and condensation collector. The steam rack is dishwasher safe, but you can wash it using warm water and dish soap as well. You might want to use a brush to avoid getting sponge fibers caught on the edges of the rack. The condensation collector should only be washed by hand, also using dish soap.^[14]
   

[Edit]References

_PARTS_

1. ↑ https://instantpot.com/care-use/
2. ↑ [v161113_b03]. 8 May 2020.
3. ↑ [v161113_b03]. 8 May 2020.
4. ↑ https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/cleaning-your-instant-pot
5. ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/5-easy-ways-to-remove-burnt-food-and-black-stains-from-your-pressure-cooker-1693827
6. ↑ https://instantpot.com/care-use/
7. ↑ https://instantpot.com/care-use/
8. ↑ https://instantpot.com/care-use/
9. ↑ https://instantpot.com/care-use/
10. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-clean-instant-pot-smell-new/
11. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-an-instant-pot-pressure-cooker-229334
12. ↑ [v161113_b03]. 8 May 2020.
13. ↑ https://instantpot.com/care-use/
14. ↑ https://instantpot.com/care-use/