Over time, your Instant Pot (and any pressure cooker) is bound to get dirty enough to warrant more than a standard, daily cleaning. If you're noticing more grime than usual, here's how to deep-clean each piece of your cooker, including the inner pot and steam rack, the lid, and the base.
How to clean your Instant Pot’s inner pot and steam rack
Sure, you can put the inner pot and steam rack into the dishwasher (unlike the base of the device), according to the manufacturer, but you might start to notice water stains on the stainless steel over time. You can remove these with a cleanser like Bar Keepers Friend; make sure the cleaner you select is non-abrasive and, ideally, designed for pots and pans. If you want a more natural alternative, scrub at the water stains with a sponge dipped in lemon juice, but make sure the sponge is soft. Don’t use any hard scrubbers or steel wool, since these can damage stainless steel.
If you notice any bluish or rainbow-looking blemishes inside the pot, which are the result of minerals or salt from food and water, fill it with white vinegar. Let it sit for five minutes, dump it out, and rinse out the pot.
How to clean your Instant Pot’s lid
The lid is also dishwasher safe, but there’s a catch: Remove the sealing ring and shield first. The shield and ring themselves are dishwasher safe, too, so add them in separately (or just wash them by hand with warm, soapy water), but don’t put them back into the lid until they’re fully dry.
While the lid is washing, you can clean the lip of the pot with a damp sponge or cloth. For anything really stuck-on or to get into tiny grooves, use an old toothbrush to gently remove debris.
How to clean the base of your Instant Pot
The base, or big outer shell, is the only part of the Instant Pot that can’t go in the dishwasher. To clean it, first unplug it and remove all the components, including the lid, steam rack, and inner pot.
Wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth, taking care not to get too much water near any buttons or electrical parts. If there are splatters or other messes on the interior, use the same method, but make sure you completely dry it with a fresh cloth when you’re done and don’t put anything back together until it’s dry.
When everything is completely dry, you can reassemble the machine, but double check the release and float valves for any debris that might have gotten stuck in there during the wash, as a blockage could affect the pressure of the cooker the next time you’re using it.
Finally, when not in use, try to keep the Instant Pot’s lid upside down on top of it so the components—especially the sealing ring—don’t retain any odors. After use, always let the lid dry like that, too. The ring is made of porous silicone, so it is bound to pick up some smells over time. Having a few on hand and using each for certain kinds of food—like savory and sweet—is a good idea, but no matter what, you should replace each ring every 18 to 24 months or if you notice any cracks or deformations.