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.
What Is An Instant Pot?
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.
Allows For Fast Cooking
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.
Is Your Instant Pot Dishwasher Safe?
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.
Putting The Instant Pot Lid In The Dishwasher
Cleaning the lid of your Instant Pot is also a bit more complicated. The lid itself is safe to place inside the top rack of the dishwasher, but one part of it is not. To be more specific, the anti-block shield located underneath the lid must be washed separately.
Also, your Instant Pot has a condensation collector that is not dishwasher safe. It’s easy to miss the condensation collector so make a point of removing it after every use of your Instant Pot.
Cleaning The Anti-Block Shield
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.
How To Clean The Instant Pot Cooking Base
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.
Cleaning The Condensation Collector
Handwashing with warm soapy water will suffice for the Instant Pot’s condensation collector. Let it air dry after washing to prevent any bacterial buildup.
Remove Odors And Stains From The Instant Pot
Although the dishwasher can clean most of your Instant Pot, there may still be traces of earlier use that stick around. We’re talking specifically here about odors and stains.
Don’t worry if the dishwasher isn’t able to get rid of those lingering odors and annoying stains. You can still remove them by taking a more hands-on approach.
Removing The Odors
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.
Get An Extra Sealing Ring
You can purchase an extra sealing ring and be more careful about how you use what you have. Reserve one ring for savory dishes and the other for sweet treats. Differentiating their usage means any odors that do stick will not leave an off-putting smell behind on your dishes.
Also consider replacing the sealing rings completely if you don’t want to deal with lingering odors. Replacing the rings after every six months or so should be enough to keep them odor-free.
Removing The Stains From Your Instant Pot
Inevitably, stains will start to form inside your Instant Pot’s inner pot. The emergence of stains is no big deal, especially since they can be easily removed.
Vinegar works well for cleaning hard water stains and other stains that form as byproducts of cooking. Soak a piece of cloth in some vinegar then use that to scrub the stains away. You can also let the stains soak in some vinegar to soften them up.
Use Non-Abrasive Stainless Steel Cleaners
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.
Gary Evans is passionate about home improvement. He loves finding out how to make improvements in the easiest, most practical, and most affordable ways. Upgrading his home kitchen is one of his ongoing hobbies. Gary is also a long-time content creator and enjoys spending his free time tending to his hydroponic vegetable garden.
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