Food, Grease, and Bacteria Hide Here in Your Instant Pot—Clean It Like This

The Instant Pot allows you to slash your cooking time by more than half thanks to its pressure-cooking powers. But as impressive as the Instant Pot is, it won’t clean itself (much like your fridge water dispenser, glass oven door and cooktop, and stainless steel appliances). If you want your pressure cooker to continue working its magic, you’ll need to clean it properly after each use and give it a good deep clean every now and then. Ahead, we break down how to clean an Instant Pot, what cleaning products are safe to use, and what pieces you can and can’t put in the dishwasher, with help from Derek Christian, chief cleaning officer at Fort Collins, Colorado-based All Star Cleaning. 

How to Clean an Instant Pot After Cooking with It

• Step 1: Start by unplugging your Instant Pot and allowing it to cool down. Next, remove the lid, inner pot, and rubber seal ring.
  
• Step 2: Place the inner pot in the sink, fill it with warm soapy water, and scrub. “Soak with warm water if needed to loosen hardened food,” Christian says. “If you have stubborn areas, use a mixture of water and vinegar to remove it.” Don’t forget to also scrub the removable rack. If you’re not up for handwashing, the inner pot and rack are dishwasher safe.
  
• Step 3: To clean the exterior, put a small amount of dish soap on a wet microfiber cloth and wipe any grease or food off. “For stubborn spots, make a paste of baking soda and water and let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe clean,” Christian says. Make sure to work around the edges of the control panel, and wipe down the inside of the pot. Use a wet cloth, not one that's sopping wet, as Instant Pot specifies that the cooker should remain dry.
  
• Step 4: Next, spray the exterior with a little vinegar and use a dry, soft cloth to buff it, giving the stainless steel a good shine. You can also use a stainless steel cleaner, such as Weiman’s Stainless Steel Cleaner or Bar Keepers Friend.
  
• Step 5: Your Instant Pot’s lid has several pieces you’ll need to disassemble. “You’ll want to remove the sealing ring, shield, and steam release valve,” Christian says. “Wash them in warm, soapy water or place them on the top rack of the dishwasher.” Don’t skip this. Food, grease, and water can get trapped between these pieces and the lid, where bacteria can grow.
  
• Step 6: The groove where the locking mechanism on the lid fits into the pot can get grease and food build-up. Spray all-purpose cleaner into the groove and use an old toothbrush to scrub it out.
  
• Step 7: Spray the inside of the lid with some all-purpose cleaner. You can also add a  sprinkle of baking soda to work off any greasy food residue. Rinse the lid, then dry it with a dishcloth.

How Do I Get the Smell Out of My Instant Pot's Silicone Sealing Ring?

Use a steam method to remove odors from the sealing ring. “Soak it in white vinegar or run a steam cycle with one cup of water, one cup of white vinegar, and lemon peels for three minutes,” Christian says. He also recommends replacing the silicone ring every eight to 12 months. 

Related: This Forgotten Household Item Is Up to 20 Times Dirtier Than Toilet Seats. Here's How to Clean It

Can I put my Instant Pot in the Dishwasher? 

The only part you can’t put in the dishwasher is the base unit. “You can put the inner pot on the bottom rack. The sealing ring and trivet are top-rack safe in the dishwasher,” Christian says. If you put the lid in the dishwasher, make sure you remove the shield, valve, and sealing ring first. While the dishwasher is convenient, Christian says hand washing is less harsh. “Frequent dishwasher use can degrade the silicone ring faster and cause plastic parts on the lid to fade,” he says. “For this reason I usually try to hand wash unless you specifically need to sanitize.”

How Often Should I Clean My Instant Pot?

While you should clean your Instant Pot after every use, Christian recommends deep cleaning your it about once every one to three months depending on how often you use it.