How To Clean Instant Pot Components A Simple Guide for Busy People
The Instant Pot like the Air fryer was a major game-changer for busy families looking to eat better and save money. The instant pot allows you to whip up healthy meals in a matter of minutes so there is no need to swing by the drive-through or stop and get some frozen convenience food from the order store. One thing you do need to consider is how to clean Instant Pot components to help keep your machine running in tip-top shape.
How to clean your Instant Pot
Cleaning your Instant Pot should be done in several steps. Some tasks like cleaning the insert and lid need to be done with every use. Other things like cleaning the main housing body of your Instant Pot can be done less often.
Take apart an instant lid for easy cleaning
Taking apart the lid of your Instant Pot and giving it a good wipe down is vital to help prevent mold from growing when your Instant Pot is not in use and to stop the flavors and odors of one dish from affecting the next.
Make sure that, when you take apart the lid, the silicone seal is removed. This seal is important to the function of your Instant Pot, but can quickly take on odors from the foods you cook lowering the quality of your food.
Keep your silicone rings clean to prevent this. Buy extra replacement rings to swap them out between dishes. You can even get color-coded for sweet and savory dishes so you don’t have to worry about flavors mixing up. Be sure to check your sealing ring for cracks or warping and replace it if necessary.On a regular basis, you should remove the release valve on the inside of the lid, as well as the valve shield to clean them thoroughly. It is important to make sure that your Instant Pot is able to easily release pressure so that you can use the device safely.
How to clean Instant Pot inserts
The insert should be cleaned inside and out every time it is used. It is important to make sure that grease does not stick to the outside of the insert. If the grease is not removed completely from the insert of the Instant Pot, it will bake onto the insert, just like it does on your favorite well-used cookie sheets.
It is a great product to use for non-sticking cookie sheets and other cookware, however, it is not recommended for use on the outside of your pot insert or inside your Instant Pot’s housing body. This build-up could lead to overheating or smoking.
How to clean the instant pot body
Dust and food can get stuck in the crevices of your Instant Pot, decreasing its effectiveness as well as lowering the quality of the food you cook.
It is very important that you pay attention to the condensation collection cup on the side of your Instant Pot. Bacteria and mold can grow in this container very easily. It can also attract and be a breeding place for fruit flies in your kitchen.
Remove and wash the collection cup regularly, ensuring it is fully dried to help keep bacteria and mold from growing in this tiny wet environment. If you plan on storing your Instant Pot unused for an extended period of time, then this is really important.
The main housing of your Instant Pot needs a good clean regularly as well. Unplug your Instant Pot before you begin. Once cooled use a damp cloth to wipe out food that has spilled over the edges of the pot and worked its way into the main housing. This should be done after each use to prevent build-up.
Make sure to clean along the rim of the inner chamber under the lip between the inner chamber and the outer body of your Instant Pot housing with a brush. There are some areas in the Instant Pot that are hard to reach and can be covered with a lot of dirt and food accumulated from spills.
If you use a stainless steel cleaner to wipe down the entire outer body of the Instant Pot, you’ll be able to leave behind a gorgeous shine that everyone can admire while it sits on your counter.
The best cleaners for your Instant Pot
For the most part, all you will need to clean your Instant Pot is some Dawn Dish Detergent. This will clean the main components and even allow you to shine the outer part of your Instant Pot.
Magic Erasers are a great tool for cleaning stuck-on messes both in and on your Instant Pot. If you make a big mess when cooking and send food down the side that dries on you can use a Magic Eraser to remove it.
A great way to clean and deodorize your entire instant pot is to mix 1 cup water with 1 cup vinegar and run a cycle bringing it up to pressure and releasing. This will ensure that every nook of your instant pot is fresh and clean.
Is an Instant Pot Dish Washer Safe?
One common question people have is if their Instant Pot is dishwasher safe. The good news is that the parts of your Instant pot that touch food like your insert and the prices to the slide are dishwasher safe.
The only part of the Instant Pot that can not enter your dishwasher is the base that contains electrical compone
