If you use your Instant Pot as much as I do it can get a little messy. Today I’m sharing how to deep clean your Instant Pot in just 3 easy steps. Plus I will share with you how to get rid of the smell from your silicone sealing ring.
How To Deep Clean Your Instant Pot (Video)
My every day routine: Before I tell you how I deep clean my Instant Pot I’ll run through my every day cleaning routine. After dinner is over, I either hand wash the stainless steel pot or I throw it into the dishwasher. I choose not to wash my lid in the dishwasher. The official word from Instant Pot is that “The inner pot of the cooker (the stainless steel cooking pot), the sealing ring, the lid, and the steam rack are all dishwasher safe.” I, however, choose to hand wash my lid with soapy water in the sink. Usually I don’t remove the sealing ring but sometimes I do. Then I wipe off any messes on the outside of the pot. And that’s it.
Today I’m going to share with you a much more in-depth routine of cleaning the Instant Pot. I don’t do this often but if you’re a clean freak or if you use your pot a lot you may want to do this every month or so.
3 Steps to Deep Cleaning Your Instant Pot
- Wipe down the outside of the Instant Pot. Use a damp rag to wipe down the outside of the Instant Pot. I like to use a microfiber cleaning rag. Sometimes crumbs get caught in the lip on the top of the Instant Pot. I like to use a butter knife with a wet rag wrapped around it to clean it. I slide the covered knife around the lip to get any crumbs or spills cleaned up. Remember the inside of the housing unit is home to the microprocessor and the heating element essential to cooking. So if you must clean it then “use a slightly damp cloth to clean the inside of the cooker. It is however, important that the cooker be kept dry” (from the Instant Pot website).
- Clean your stainless steel pot. If you want your stainless steel Instant Pot liner to look shiny and new just wipe it down with a rag that has a little white vinegar on it. Or you can use a spray bottle to spray vinegar into the pot and then wipe it clean. To make is shiny I like to use Bar Keepers Friend. I just put a little of the cleanser into the bottom and then rub it around the pot with a damp rag. Then I wash the pot with soapy water.
- Clean the lid and the lid parts. (Watch the video above for a visual peek at what this looks like). Take apart the lid. Remove the steam release handle by pulling straight up. Remove the silicone sealing ring. Pop off the anti block shield by pressing on it sideways with your thumb. Remove the little silicone plug on the bottom of the float valve. Clean all these parts thoroughly in warm soapy water and then let them dry completely before putting the lid back together.
How to get the smell out of your silicone sealing ring
Let’s be honest the worst part of the Instant Pot is that the silicone sealing ring can get a little smelly. The smells with never totally go away but you can do a couple things to help.
- Get an extra sealing ring. I like to use one for savory foods and one for sweet foods. I bought at extra set of rings on Amazon*. Make sure to discard your sealing ring if it becomes damaged in any way.
- Clean your sealing ring by adding 1 cup of water, 1 cup of vinegar and some lemon rind to your Instant Pot. Cover the pot and secure the lid. Make sure the valve is set to sealing. Set the steam setting to 3 minutes and then let the pressure release naturally. Remove the sealing ring and let it air dry.
- Store your pot with the lid upside down which will allow it to air out.
Thanks for reading! What are your favorite Instant Pot tips? I’d love to know!
You might also like…
9 Things You Didn’t Know About the Instant Pot
3 Suggestions to Enhance Your Instant Pot Experience
What Instant Pot Do You Use?
I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. I love this Instant Pot because it has the yogurt making function which I use almost weekly. It has two pressure settings (high and low), and there are also little slots in the handles so that you can rest the lid there instead of putting it down on your counter-top.
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Henri Geier says
April 21, 2019 at 4:08 pmIf my sealing ring is smelly I add a small amount of bleach to the dish water before I wash dishes. I wash the ring first then the rest of the dishes. Use rubber gloves and your hands won’t smell of bleach also protects your hands. The bleach cleans the sink also. The bleach removes any odors.
Karen says
April 22, 2019 at 8:16 amThanks for the tip!
Kathie says
April 16, 2019 at 6:43 pmloved your instructions on how to clean IP .
Karen says
April 17, 2019 at 8:48 amThanks Kathie!
Kathie says
April 16, 2019 at 6:41 pmjust made the smoked sausage and orzo in my IP. husband really liked it. he even wants leftovers for lunch tomorrow and he’s not a fan of leftovers!!!!!
Karen says
April 17, 2019 at 8:47 amHooray! Glad he liked it!
Sharon says
April 15, 2019 at 10:48 amfor cleaning the spot that the lid fits in and turns, but some small foam paint brushes. Wet one and it just fits right in and cleans! Works great.
Karen says
April 15, 2019 at 10:55 amGreat tip!
Sam says
February 25, 2019 at 4:11 pmThank you Karen! Love your blog!
Karen says
February 25, 2019 at 5:03 pmThanks!!
Melanie says
February 24, 2019 at 6:37 amI’m not sure if all models have this or not but the Ultra has a little plastic container that attaches to the back of the instant pot. It’s very important to remove it and clean it thoroughly too.
Thanks for all the great recipes you share!
Karen says
February 25, 2019 at 10:05 amOh yes, I forgot that! Thanks!
Lynnette says
February 23, 2019 at 8:03 pmHi Karen
Another trick I found if I have something burnt in the liner of my pot is to add some dish soap and fill the pot with some water and set the button to saute and let it boil for a few minutes…………Let it cool and then scrub it with little effort!
Thanks again for all the tips you send.
Karen says
February 25, 2019 at 10:05 amGood idea! thanks Lynnette.
Lynnette says
February 22, 2019 at 10:36 pmI really enjoyed how to clean your instant pot! But what’s the best way to keep ones heating element clean? I have a few stains and I can’t get rid of them. Even though I wipe the element,
Karen says
February 25, 2019 at 10:14 amGood question. I would suggest a slightly damp magic eraser to wipe the inside.
jordan says
February 22, 2019 at 6:05 pmHey Karen,
Great stuff, I would have never thought of using a different sealing ring for savory vs sweet foods!
BTW, what would you recommend for cleaning all the stuck on rice more effectively? Would love you input!
Anyways, just wanted to reach out and say hello. Keep up the great work!
Regards,
Jordan
Karen says
February 25, 2019 at 10:16 amI suggest putting in 2 cups of water, 1 Tbsp baking soda and a few drops of dish soap. Pressure cook for 4 minutes and then letting it release naturally. Then scrape the bottom of the pot with a silicone scraper. Everything should come right off.
Joan Cockrill says
February 20, 2019 at 6:58 amThis is so funny – just last night I was wondering if there was a way to get the smell out of the ring and voila you post a remedy like you read my mind! Thanks for all the great information about instant pots – I use mine pretty much every day and sometimes twice a day!
Karen says
February 20, 2019 at 7:26 amHaha me too Joan!!
Sherry L. says
February 20, 2019 at 4:24 amVinegar and baking soda gets rid of those white stains that sometimes occur inside the steel pot. Let it set after it fizzes for a minute or two and do a light scrubbing with a non scratch pad. The pot looks brand new
Karen says
February 20, 2019 at 7:26 amThanks for the tip Sherry!
Rita R Kauer says
February 19, 2019 at 6:17 pmI have taken the ring off and put it through a dishwasher cycle. Doesn’t totally get the smell out but much better than it was. But I have bought extra rings too and will change them out if this ones gets to be uncleanable. Love your your website. Recipes are so great! My hubby LOVES the sausage soup. Only thing I do different is I add mushrooms, cut up carrots and broccoli. The broccoli just disapears and make the best broth. I love my IP!
Karen says
February 19, 2019 at 6:56 pmThanks Rita!
Jennie says
February 19, 2019 at 6:05 pmSuper helpful as usual. Thanks, Karen.
Any thoughts regarding how to deal with a little staining on the round heating element in the body of the cooker? I’ve been hesitant to do much about it in mine, and notice in your video that yours had it too. Safer to leave it alone, or?
Karen says
February 19, 2019 at 6:57 pmI’m hesitant too. The only thing you can really do is wipe it with a barely damp cloth.
Wendy Cone says
February 19, 2019 at 5:47 pmI leave my ring outside sitting in the sun. It sucks out all the odor. I do live in Texas and the sun shines a lot.
Karen says
February 19, 2019 at 6:57 pmGreat idea! I could use some of that sunshine.
Jeni says
February 19, 2019 at 5:13 pmLove this, thank you!
Karen says
February 19, 2019 at 6:58 pmYou’re welcome!