This Cleaning Hack Leaves Your Instant Pot Sparkling In Just A Few Steps!

A common pet peeve that comes with using instant pots is the transfer of certain food smells onto other meals. For example, picture having your boiled rice stink of onions and curry from the previous day's cooking. That is unpalatable and unfortunately, it can happen very often and last for very long if you don't learn the proper way to deep clean your instant pot.

First, here's a 4-step guide to clean your Instant Pot:

1. Clean The Inner Pot

It is best advised that you clean the inner pot after every use. If that isn't possible, make sure to wash it the next day, with soap and water. If you prefer to use your dishwasher, simply place the inner pot in the bottom rack of the dishwasher and run the load.

2. Cleaning The Lid

Never overlook the importance of cleaning the kid of your instant pot. Although it may look clean after every use, there is no doubt that the smell and splashes from cooking will continuously condense and accumulate over time of use.

To clean:

first, wash the lid, steam valve, and anti-block shield with water.Remove the sealing ring and also wash using soap and water.Next, clean the float valve. Begin by removing the silicone cap located on the inner side of the lid. The float valve will fall off when you remove this so be sure to have your hand under the lid when you remove the cap. Wash it with soap and water.Wipe down the parts and reassemble the lid.

Note: before washing the lid in a dishwasher, make sure to remove the anti-block seal and the sealing ring.

3. Wiping down the exterior pot

This can be a rather tricky task as the exterior pot should never be immersed in water. Instead, give it a wipe down with a damp washcloth.

WARNING: avoid spraying the exterior pot with liquids to prevent damage to its functions.

4. Cleaning The Accessories

The final step is cleaning the accessories of the instant pot. These are just as important as cleaning the inner pot if you want yours to continue functioning optimally.

First is cleaning the condensation collector with soap solution and then letting it dry. Pay attention to this particular step as this accessory is located in the back of the instant pot and thus, may be forgotten quickly.Next is washing the steam rack used to hold steamer baskets, bowls, and others with soap and water. These can also be cleaned in a dishwasher.

HOW TO DEEP CLEAN YOUR INSTANT POT

Deep cleaning is required when you observe that mere washing with soap and water doesn't get rid of the lingering smells of food.

1. Deep clean the external pot

Begin by removing the inner pot from the base. Wet a damp microfiber cloth and use it to wipe down the outside of the pressure cooker as well as the inside and the base of the Instant Pot.

2. Deep clean the base of the pot

Next, clean the area where the pot attaches to the base by pushing the cloth into the groove around the ring of the pot which commonly harbors food spills.

Tip: You can use a Q tip to clean hard to reach areas.

3. Deep clean the inner pot

Clean the inner pot by buffing off smudges on the inside and outside using a microfiber cloth. If you notice discoloration or a rainbow appearance, do the following:

Clean the inner pot with vinegar: pour about ¼th cup vinegar to cover the base of the pot. Let it sit for about 5 minutes then, wash with soap and water.Clean the inner pot with Bar Keepers Friend: wet the inner pot with water then add some Bar Keepers on the sponge and scrub it in the inner pot. Let it sit for a minute before washing with hot water and soap.

4. Deep clean the lid/sealing ring

The sealing ring of the instant pot requires special attention as the porous material of the ring typically harbors the smells of the previous meal cooked in the pressure cooker. To get rid of such smells:

Wash the sealing ring in your dishwasher regularly and allow it to dry before reattach ing it to the lid.Deodorize the sealing ring. Simply pour 2 cups of water into the inner pot and add half of a lime. Close the lid and run the steam program for 2 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally before removing the sealing ring and letting it air dry.

Other than giving the sealing ring a thorough clean after every use, follow these tips religiously:

Keep two packs of sealing rings, one for savory and one for sweet.Store the lid upside down so that the sealing ring can air out.

HOW TO GET RID OF BURNT OFF INSTANT POT

Burning happens frequently when using an instant pot leaving it with unsightly scorch marks. To get rid of such tough stains:

Pour 4 cups of water in the base of the inner pot and stir in 3 tablespoons of baking soda.Replace the lid and pressure cook for 5 minutes.Let the pressure release naturally.Remove the inner pot and wash it with soap and water.Rinse and let it dry completely.

Now, your Instant Pot will look — and smell — good as new again!