Is An Instant Pot Lid Dishwasher Safe? (Find Out Now!)

Instant Pot’s multi-cookers have grown more and more popular over the years. More homeowners have started turning to them as they have sought faster, more versatile, and more convenient cooking appliances. Does that convenience extend to maintenance though? Can you count on your dishwasher to handle your Instant Pot or do you have to hand wash it?

Most parts of an Instant Pot multi-cooker can be placed inside the dishwasher. The only exceptions are the electronic cooking base, condensation collector, and the anti-block shield positioned underneath the lid. Those three parts of the Instant Pot must be cleaned separately and more carefully to protect them from significant damage.

Caring for an Instant Pot multi-cooker is easy as long as you know what to avoid. Find out more about how to use and maintain the aforementioned kitchen appliance by reading on.

Just to make sure everyone’s on the same page, let’s take some time to talk about what the Instant Pot is. You can kind of think of an Instant Pot as a modernized pressure cooker.

One of the main reasons why home cooks are hesitant to use pressure cookers is safety. Handle a pressure cooker the wrong way and its contents could explode.

You’ll be lucky if the result of that is just a messy kitchen floor. The Instant Pot addresses that concern by adding numerous safety features. As long as you follow the clear instructions, you should have no trouble successfully using this cooking device.

The name of the cooking device itself also hints at one of its most notable features. Instant Pots significantly speed up the cooking process for all kinds of meals. The faster cooking speed comes in really handy if you have to prepare a meal for your family after work.

Instant Pots are also prized for their versatility. You can set it to different modes to properly cook specific dishes.

The convenience the Instant Pot presents also cannot be overlooked. It does a lot of the work for you after you turn it on. The convenience also extends to the required maintenance of the Instant Pot.

The Instant Pot multi-cooker has different parts and the good news is that most of them are dishwasher safe. Go ahead and load the inner pot, steam rack, and the sealing ring inside the dishwasher whenever they need to be cleaned.

The cooking base of your Instant Pot is different. You cannot place that part of the multi-cooker inside the dishwasher. Placing the cooking base inside the dishwasher will lead to the microprocessor and heating element malfunctioning.

Your Instant Pot’s anti-block shield requires more attention during cleaning time. To clean it properly, start by detaching it from the lid. Remove the anti-block shield by pressing it up against the side of the lid then lift it up. It should pop out of place easily if you apply enough force.

All you need to wash the anti-block shield is some soapy water and a clean piece of cloth. Use the cloth to wash the shield then rinse it clean. Wipe away the moisture you can using the cloth then allow it to air dry.

Also note that the anti-block shield must be cleaned after each use of the Instant Pot. Bits of food could get stuck in the shield so remove them right away by cleaning it.

Even though the cooking base cannot be placed inside the dishwasher, it’s still easy to clean. Start by getting a piece of cloth and run that under some water. Wring that piece of cloth dry until it feels damp instead of wet.

You can now use the damp cloth to wipe the exterior of the cooking base clean. Use the same cloth to work on the interior of the cooking base too.

Go ahead and use the cloth to gently clear out the edges of the cooking base’s brim. If you’re having a tough time dislodging the dirt in some hard-to-reach spots, use a brush with soft bristles instead.

The two parts of the Instant Pot that often develop funky odors are the lid and the sealing ring. Preventative measures will help limit any odors those two items produce.

Making a habit of checking the lid thoroughly after each use is a good idea. Open up the valves and see if there are any bits of food stuck in them. You should also allow the lid to rest upside down after washing it. Doing that prevents any water from getting stuck inside the lid and potentially causing problems.

Keeping the sealing ring odor-free is a bit tougher. The smells from your cooking tend to cling to that ring longer.

Non-abrasive stainless steel cleaners can also work wonders on your Instant Pot. Put some of that cleaner on a piece of cloth then use that to scrub the inner pot. After a good rinse with some water, the stains should be removed.

You don’t have to purchase a non-abrasive stainless steel cleaner, but it does present an added benefit. The advantage of using stainless steel cleaner is that it restores the luster of the pot while also removing the stains.

All the stain removal tips for the inner pot work just as well for the steam rack. Feel free to clean that part of your Instant Pot in the same manner should it present any unsightly stains.

Related Questions

How often do you have to clean the Instant Pot?

A lot of people dread having to clean up after cooking, but that’s a necessity if you’re an Instant Pot owner. Even if the Instant Pot looks relatively clean, there may still be bits of food hiding in there. The best way to clear them out is to wash your Instant Pot.The only part of the Instant Pot that does not have to be cleaned after every use is the condensation collector. You’ll be able to tell if the condensation collector has to be cleaned by looking at it.

Can you purchase replacement lids for your Instant Pot?

Yes, just like with the sealing rings, you can also purchase replacement lids for your Instant Pot. Replacement lids are available in different sizes for different Instant Pot models. You can order them online via Instant Pot’s website or through your preferred marketplace.