How to Deep Clean Your Instant Pot
If you love your Instant Pot as much as I do, you also know it can hold onto smells like it’s collecting memories.
Don’t want the scent of shredded beef from last week or Instant Pot chicken tacos from three meals ago getting into your homemade Instant Pot yogurt?
Don’t worry, a deep clean can completely reset your Instant Pot and knock out stubborn odors, especially in the lid and sealing ring.
Here’s a simple, effective way to get your Instant Pot looking clean and smelling fresh again.
Why Instant Pots Hold Onto Odors
Because the Instant Pot cooks under pressure, steam, oils, and food aromas get trapped inside—especially in the silicone sealing ring.
Regular washing helps, but every so often you need a deeper clean to break down residue and neutralize smells.
How to Deep Clean the Inside of Your Instant Pot
Start with the inner pot. Pour 2 cups of white distilled vinegar directly into the pot. Put the pot into the Instant Pot. Place the lid on, make sure the vent is turned to sealing, then press the Steam button and set it to 2 minutes.
It will take about 5 minutes to come up to pressure, then it will steam for 2 minutes. After the cycle finishes, let the pressure naturally release for about 5 minutes. Once that time is up, carefully turn the vent to venting to release any remaining pressure.
Remove the lid and carefully pour out the hot vinegar—the pot will be very hot. Rinse the inner pot thoroughly with warm water and dry it completely. This vinegar steam does an amazing job loosening buildup and deodorizing the interior.
Next, remove the silicone sealing ring from the lid and let it air dry completely.
Removing Stubborn Odors from the Silicone Sealing Ring
If the silicone sealing ring still is holding on to odor after the steam cycle, it’s time for a longer deodorizing soak.
To help remove stubborn odors from the silicone sealing ring, first place the ring in a shallow dish (like a casserole dish) and add:
- A couple squirts of mild dish soap
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1 cup vinegar
Carefully pour in boiling water until the ring is covered by a couple inches. Let it soak for a couple of hours. This combo helps neutralize odors instead of just masking them.
After soaking, rinse the ring very well with fresh water and let it air dry completely before putting it back on the lid.
Cleaning the Outside of the Instant Pot
Don’t forget the exterior. Spray the outside of the Instant Pot with a degreaser (like this homemade one), then wipe it down with a clean, damp cloth. For stubborn spots, apply a little extra pressure and scrub gently.
Finish by drying everything thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth.
Final Thoughts
Doing this deep clean every few months—or after especially fragrant meals—will keep your Instant Pot fresh, clean, and ready for anything from yogurt to pulled pork.1
A little vinegar and baking soda go a long way, and your future recipes will thank you!
How to Deep Clean Your Instant Pot
Equipment
- 1 Stinky Instant Pot
Materials
- 2 cups white distilled vinegar
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 2 tsp mild dish soap
Instructions
- Pour 2 cups of white distilled vinegar directly into the pot. Put the pot into the Instant Pot. Place the lid on, make sure the vent is turned to sealing, then press the Steam button and set it to 2 minutes.
- It will take about 5 minutes to come up to pressure, then it will steam for 2 minutes. After the cycle finishes, let the pressure naturally release for about 5 minutes. Once that time is up, carefully turn the vent to venting to release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the lid and carefully pour out the hot vinegar—the pot will be very hot. Rinse the inner pot thoroughly with warm water and dry it completely.
- Remove the silicone sealing ring from the lid and let it air dry completely.
- However, if the sealing ring is still holding on to odor after the steam cycle, it’s time for a longer deodorizing soak.
- To help remove stubborn odors from the silicone sealing ring, place the ring in a shallow dish (like a casserole dish) and add a couple squirts of mild dish soap, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1 cup vinegar.
- Carefully pour in boiling water until the ring is covered by a couple inches of water. Let it soak for a couple of hours.
- After soaking, rinse the ring very well with fresh water and let it air dry completely before putting it back on the lid.
- Don’t forget the exterior of the Instant Pot! Spray the outside of the Instant Pot with a degreaser (like this homemade one), then wipe it down with a clean, damp cloth.
- Finish by drying everything thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth.
