How to Clean Your Instant Pot After Every Use
The Instant Pot has earned a permanent place in many kitchens because it makes preparing soups, stews, beans, rice, and one-pot meals faster and easier.
Like any frequently used appliance, however, it performs best when it’s cleaned and maintained regularly.
While washing the stainless steel inner pot is straightforward, food residue, mineral deposits, lingering odors, and moisture can collect in other areas of the cooker if they’re overlooked.
Fortunately, keeping your Instant Pot clean doesn’t require harsh chemicals or complicated techniques.
A few simple household ingredients, such as white vinegar and baking soda, are often all that’s needed.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to clean every part of your Instant Pot, remove burnt-on food, eliminate odors from the sealing ring, tackle hard water stains, and keep your pressure cooker performing like new.
How To Clean the Stainless Steel Inner Pot of Stubborn Stains and Burnt Food
The stainless steel inner pot is the easiest part of the Instant Pot to clean and is designed for everyday use.
Wash it by hand using warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge or dishcloth. If you prefer, the stainless steel inner pot is also completely dishwasher safe.
Even with regular cleaning, the inner pot may occasionally develop burnt-on food, cloudy white mineral spots, or stubborn discoloration.
Fortunately, these are usually easy to remove without damaging the stainless steel.
Avoid steel wool, metal scouring pads, or abrasive scrubbers. While they may remove burnt food quickly, they can permanently scratch the stainless steel surface.
Burnt Food
For lightly burnt food, add:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
Select Sauté and bring the mixture to a gentle boil for about 5 minutes. Turn off the Instant Pot and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
Most of the burnt food should release easily with a wooden spoon or non-abrasive plastic spatula. Finish by washing the pot with warm, soapy water.
For heavier burnt-on residue, combine:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
Lock the lid, set the steam release valve to Sealing, and cook on Pressure Cook (High) for 5 minutes. Perform a Quick Release, carefully remove the lid, and wash the pot as usual. The pressurized steam helps soften stubborn residue, making it much easier to remove.
White Mineral Spots
Cloudy white spots are usually harmless mineral deposits left behind by hard water. They won’t affect cooking performance, but they can make the stainless steel look dull.
For light mineral buildup, pour about 1 cup white vinegar into the empty inner pot and swirl it around to coat the affected areas. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
For heavier mineral deposits, combine:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup white vinegar
Using the Sauté function, bring the mixture to a boil. Turn off the Instant Pot and allow it to soak for about 15 minutes, then discard the liquid, rinse well, and dry completely.
Fresh lemon juice also works well for light mineral stains. Rub a cut lemon over the affected areas, allow the juice to sit for about 5 minutes, then rinse and dry.
Cook Plate Fork Tip
In my own kitchen, I use bottled drinking water in the Instant Pot rather than tap water.
I’ve found that it leaves little to no white mineral spotting inside the stainless steel inner pot, reducing the need for vinegar cleanings.
If your tap water is hard, using filtered or bottled water may help minimize mineral deposits over time.
If stains remain after using baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice, a paste made with Bar Keepers Friend is usually enough to restore the stainless steel finish without scratching it.
Dry the inner pot with a clean towel instead of allowing it to air dry. This simple habit helps reduce future mineral spotting, especially if you have hard water.
Wash the Lid and Removable Parts
The Instant Pot lid contains several removable components that should be cleaned regularly to keep the pressure system working properly.
Remove the:
- Steam release valve
- Silicone sealing ring
- Anti-block shield
- Float valve and silicone cap
Wash each piece, along with the lid itself, in warm, soapy water. Most removable parts can also be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher.
Before reassembling the lid, allow every component to dry completely. Reinstall each piece securely so your Instant Pot seals properly during the next use.
Wipe the Base and Empty the Condensation Collector
Always unplug the Instant Pot before cleaning the exterior.
Wipe the outside housing with a damp microfiber cloth and dry with a clean towel. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scouring pads that could damage the finish.
The heating element should never be immersed in water. If food spills into the base, allow the cooker to cool completely, then wipe the heating plate with a damp cloth. Be sure the area is completely dry before using the appliance again.
Don’t forget the condensation collector located on the back of the cooker. Remove it, empty any collected water, wash it with warm, soapy water, and allow it to dry completely before snapping it securely back into place.
Before replacing the stainless steel inner pot, check the heating plate and surrounding well for stray grains of rice, food crumbs, or spilled liquid.
Keeping this area clean helps ensure even heating and protects the cooker from unnecessary wear.
How to Remove Odors from the Silicone Sealing Ring
The silicone sealing ring naturally absorbs odors over time, especially after cooking foods containing garlic, onions, curry, or other strongly seasoned dishes.
To help minimize lingering odors:
- Wash the sealing ring after every use with warm, soapy water.
- Allow it to dry completely before reinstalling it.
- Store the Instant Pot with the lid upside down or slightly ajar to improve airflow.
- Consider keeping separate sealing rings for savory and sweet recipes.
- Store spare silicone sealing rings in the freezer. Many Instant Pot users find that freezing unused rings helps reduce lingering food odors while they’re not in use.
Replacing the sealing ring every 12 to 18 months, or sooner if it becomes cracked, stretched, or permanently retains odors, helps maintain a proper pressure seal and keeps your Instant Pot performing its best.
Cook Plate Fork Tip
Even after thorough cleaning, silicone naturally absorbs food aromas over time.
Keeping one sealing ring for savory dishes and another for desserts is one of the easiest ways to prevent flavors from carrying over between recipes.
If you keep extra rings on hand, storing the spares in the freezer is another simple trick many Instant Pot owners use to help keep them smelling fresh.
There are several other easy ways to freshen the ring.
Vinegar Steam Method
Add 2 cups of white vinegar, 1 cup of water, and a few lemon peels to the inner pot.
Install the sealing ring, lock the lid, and cook on Pressure Cook (High) for 5 minutes.
Allow a 10-minute Natural Release before venting any remaining pressure.
Remove the sealing ring, wash it with warm, soapy water, and allow it to dry completely.
Baking Soda Soak
Fill a bowl or sink with warm water and stir in about 4 tablespoons of baking soda.
Submerge the sealing ring for at least one hour, or overnight for stronger odors.
Rinse well and dry thoroughly before reinstalling.
Let Sunshine Do the Work
After washing the sealing ring, place it outdoors in direct sunlight for a few hours.
Ultraviolet light naturally helps break down many odor-causing compounds and is surprisingly effective for lingering smells.
For routine maintenance, running the sealing ring through the top rack of the dishwasher every so often can also help remove oils and lingering food aromas.
Final Thoughts
Regular cleaning does more than keep your Instant Pot looking its best—it helps the appliance seal properly, cook efficiently, and last for years of dependable service.
By cleaning the lid and removable parts after each use, removing mineral deposits when they appear, and freshening the silicone sealing ring as needed, you’ll prevent many of the most common problems Instant Pot owners encounter.
A few minutes of routine maintenance after cooking is far easier than dealing with stubborn buildup later, and it helps ensure every meal tastes exactly as intended.
Continue Learning
If you’re building your Instant Pot confidence, these guides are a great next read:
- Instant Pot Basics: Everything You Need to Know Before You Start Cooking
- Why We Use the Instant Pot Guide
Then explore the growing collection of Cook Plate Fork Instant Pot recipes and put your freshly cleaned cooker to work.
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