How To Clean, Sanitize And Deodorize Your Instant Pot
So…
You’ve had your Instant Pot for a couple of months now…
And you’ve been cooking up a storm, trying to master meats, fish, soups, eggs and veggies.
You are feeling confident…a pro even, and now you’re thinking “I’m getting pretty good at this instapotting thing, I’m feeling ready to take on a yogurt recipe, a dessert or maybe even a cheesecake!
I can do this!”
But then it hits you, right in the nostrils…a funky, rather putrid smell coming from your seal ring! Yuuuk!
Amazon is waiting for u…it’s but a click away, surely you can get a new ring delivered by tomorrow.
Or you can use the power of the Instant Pot to your benefit and get that smell out with some heavy duty steam action.
This is super easy to accomplish. The method works well to eliminate gross smells in your pot, lid or seal ring. (yes the ring might still have a slight odor, but nothing strong enough that it would transfer to the taste of your food).
How you ask? With the basics of course…water, vinegar and lemon!
Clean, Sanitize and Deodorize your Instant Pot
You will need:
1 cup water
1 cup white vinegar
Half a used lemon
Directions:
Add water + vinegar + lemon to the pot
Lock on lid and turn pressure valve to sealing
Choose steam mode and set timer for 3 minutes
When done allow natural release for 10 min, release remaining pressure if any is left, and open lid
Remove seal ring, rinse both lid and ring with water and let them dry completely
Remove the inner pot, rinse it and let it dry
Your pot is now deodorized and much fresher smelling, ready for your next cooking adventure!
How to Clean, Sanitize + Deodorize your Instant Pot
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 used lemon
Instructions
- Add water + vinegar + lemon to the pot.Lock on lid and turn pressure valve to SEALING.Choose STEAM function and set timer for 3 minutes.
- When done allow natural release for 10 min, release remaining pressure if any is left, and open lid.Remove seal ring, rinse both lid and ring with water and let them dry completely.Remove the inner pot, rinse it and let it dry.Your pot is now deodorized and much fresher smelling, ready for your next cooking adventure!
Did you know…
You can also wash the sealing ring on the top rack of your dishwasher, along with the inner pot which can go on the bottom rack.
Also, that little condensation cup that you snapped on the back of your pot when you first got it…it needs a wash once in a while, even if it seems empty and clean.
And it goes without saying…but I’m saying it anyways…
The actual Instant Pot should never be submerged in water, just wipe the surfaces with a wet sponge or spot clean where necessary.
For stuck or burnt food replace the vinegar and lemon with a tablespoon of baking soda and a small squirt of dish soap, then follow the method for deodorizing (I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s good to know).
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10 Comments
Lucy Atkinson
Your Blog is absolutely wonderful! Santa gave me an IP for Christmas and I love it to bits! Your blog is entertaining and informative Mary!! Thanks for all the great tips and mouth watering recipes!
Mary
Thanks Lucy! Great to hear you’re enjoying it. I’m learning and sharing since there’s so many of us with this magical pot in our kitchens now☺️😊 I am loving it too!
Rita
IP rules – thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday! Sharing to my group on facebook.
frugal hausfrau
Always good to know! My Instant Pot gets a LOT of use!
Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday this week!
Mollie
Swoopadoop
Made a batch of pinto beans, I was hoping I would not have to run lid through the dishwasher. Did per instructions, lid still smelled like beans. I used a already clean pot, so the lid was the only thing needing cleaning. Failure.
My 3qt, which is exclusively used for oatmeal in a bowl, came out nice, getting rid of the haze. Success
Mary
Sometimes you definitely need to use a combination of methods. I haven’t cooked beans in my pot yet (not a huge bean fan haha) had no idea they were so stubborn LOL
Swoopadoop
Dishwasher. Most important tool in the kitchen. “Everyone wants to come to the party, but no one wants to stay and clean up”
Robert DeNiro
Mary
Haha how true! Thanks for dropping in and taking the time to comment
Lauren
It’s amazing what a little vinegar, water and lemon juice can do!
Kim Carberry
A lemon and white vinegar is so good for cleaning so many things.