How to Deep Clean Your Instant Pot

If you, like a lot of other people, recently acquired an Instant Pot, you’re probably discovering many of its finer points already. Quick dinners, holiday cooking, and more have you enjoying your new kitchen friend. But all that use means your Instant Pot might be taking a beating and getting downright dirty. Sure, you can put the interior pot in the dishwasher. But what about the rest of it? Here’s how to deep clean your Instant Pot.

1. Everyday Upkeep

For everyday upkeep, your interior pot is dishwasher safe, so that part is easy. Aside from that, you can use a damp cloth to wipe down the outside (and even the inside) of the cooker itself. On the outside, a little 50-50 vinegar-water solution will shine it right up and remove any fingerprints. As for the lid, you should remove the sealing ring after every use and wipe it down. Then wipe down the underside of your lid with a damp cloth.

2. Deep Cleaning

Every few weeks of regular use, you’ll want to do a deeper cleaning of your Instant Pot. Before you do any of this, make sure you unplug the cord from the bottom of the unit. Wipe down the inside and outside of your housing unit (the part that heats up) with a damp rag — not wet. Then use a small paintbrush to dislodge any food particles or residue. The brush will help you reach those tough-to-reach places.Your next step is to take your lild and put it in a sink of hot, soapy water for a good scrub. Remove your release valve and make sure there is nothing wedged in there underneath. Give your valve piece a good wash, too. Also remove the two little round pieces you see here and wash those. You want to keep an eye on them to make sure their holes don’t get clogged. These can be tough to take off, but you can usually pry them upward with your thumb.

Your condensation cup is meant to catch any moisture that condenses so it doesn’t drip down the side of your Instant Pot. Confidentially, I never use mine (come to think of it, I’m not even sure where it is). I haven’t had any problem not using it, but if you do use yours, take it off now and wash it in the sink with your lid.

While you’re cleaning, you’ll also want to inspect your sealing ring for any cracks or damage. If you find any issues, get another one as soon as possible. Wash your ring by hand, or even put it in the top rack of your dishwasher — it’s totally safe.

3. The Dreaded Rim

This part deserves it’s own section. There are a couple of ways you can clean that upper rim of your Instant Pot. The first is to use a disposable foam craft paintbrush. Dip it in some soapy water or gentle, all-purpose cleaner. Stick it down in that rim and work your way around, removing the brush and rinsing often. The other method is to use a chopstick or skewer wrapped in a microfiber cloth. Wet it with some cleaner and work your way around.