How to deep clean your Instant Pot (and get the smell out of your sealing ring)

[@monicas3690]

I've checked several places on how to get the smell out of sealing rings, and many have the same tip of water, vinegar and lemon peel. BUT, NONE of them say whether to use the steam cycle with or without pressure! But YOURS DOES! Thanks so much for being thorough in your approach. I'm trying your de-stinkyfying technique as we speak. I am doing it under pressure with your "recipe" and the smell of the sealing ring is filling the house. I guess that must mean it is departing the ring! Yay!

[@kathleenzimmerman8227]

LOVE your cleaning tips! Thanks for taking the time to show us. I love the lemon in the water to neutralize the smell of seal. I don't think I ever would have thought of that. Good job!!! Blessings

[@toniromero2914]

I just got an Instant Pot, plus some accessories (including 2 sealing rings) and found this video very helpful. I've only used mine twice so far, but like the idea of the vinegar/lemon/water solution. I know my mom used to use vinegar/water to clean her coffee maker, so it makes total sense. Thanks for your informative videos...from one of your newbies.

[@evanyd18]

I watch a couple of videos on how to clean Instant Pot and you teach the easiest. Thank you!

[@lauradeck8975]

The first step I did was the vinegar + water inside the pot and set on pressure cook for 3 minutes with quick release ...that way all the valves and the ring were steam cleaned with warm vinegar first to soften any gunk and remove odours. Also I use a Q tip to clean around the top and under the rim so as not to scratch any surfaces. Thanks for showing that you can put the whole lid under soapy water to clean...I had no idea that was an option and will give the lid a good rinse too. 🌻

[@bengalkat]

I've never purchased Bar Keeper's Friend but when I need to shine up my pot I sprinkle some coarse salt and baking soda in and then add a little water to make a paste. Then I scrub with a no-scratch dish scrubber. Works wonderfully! Thanks for the video. I didn't realize a couple of those little things came apart. ;)

[@karenvancehammond1583]

I use a q-tip to clean the crumbs in the nooks!! Works like a charm!!!

[@marycasperson7628]

You are the best on this important way to clean ones intstant pot -- every time i use mine i do it. I love your teaching everyone because so many don't. I love to hear it over and over, one little addition - using a spongy paint brush at hardware store and use it to clean the crack in the pot that is on top. I also use my Tiger Rice cooker for the best easy rice - yum!! only if not using the pot if preferred for dishes or soups and can do it there. Thank for this again and enjoy the holiday Karen and family :)

[@applegal3058]

I'm very particular with my equipment in general. My seeling ring might smell of onions, but I know it's been scrubbed and nothing to worry about. I always remove and wash it very well by hand and dry it immediately. I hang it to be sure it's fully dry, and prop the lid up in the pot handle to dry out very well also. I don't normally take out the shield and pin unless I had food foam out through during the release. I use lots of soapy water to immerse the lid and scrub and swish the water on all surfaces. In saying that, I'll definitely be trying some of your techniques to more easily clean my machine. I love the cloth and butter knife trick...I always just wiggle the edge of the cloth in that groove.

[@lindap.p.1337]

Great cleaning trick with the butter knife! Thx. Glad you told us about the top ring retaining scents. Have had that problem. I have been using baking soda but some scent lingers.

[@marge201]

Super interesting video. Thank you! I'd like to see exactly how you took each part off (you showed that once for each part; I need to see it again) and how exactly you put the parts back on. Same with the sealing ring. I'm afraid to take mine off because I don't think I'll be able to put it back in. You showed us quickly how you took it off but I need to see part 2 and see again taking it off.

[@doriskenner5411]

These are great tips! I am a new owner of my instant pot and still learning lol thank you so much for these cleaning tips. I really enjoy your videos! Look forward for more thank you!

[@darlenedrayton8036]

Thank you I love your channel. I would also love if you mentioned something about the condensation cup. I have watched many clips on KZbin about the instant pot but nothing about the cup. Would love your input.

[@kathibrowneyes6222]

Did the vinegar thing. (Forgot about using vinegar, even though I clean my coffee pots often with it). Glad to get the spaghetti smell gone. Thanks alot!

[@LadyMaltese]

SUBSCRIBED! What great advice for how to clean the Instant Pot. Thank you! I will be checking your channel regularly.

[@jenniferc6868]

Thank you, I was just using vinegar, but the lemon really seems to help. Also, after I’d cleaned my pot, I added that vinegar/lemon mix to bit of water and damp- mopped my ceramic floors with it. Smelled awesome!, think I’ll use it on all my cupboards next time!

[@kimlongley3300]

Amazing! I just got an Instapot because I went all plant based cooking, (Vegan). I would like to learn more about cooking whole foods in the insta pot!

[@doraleeanderson1203]

Thanks for sharing your tips! Kristen from Six Sisters Stuff recommended your channel, and I am really enjoying watching it.

[@navyretired230]

Our kitchen always smelled like beef stew until we did the deep clean you shared in the video. Thank you

[@guywest4567]

You can also use a q tip or a small brush like a little paint or a soft tooth brush to clean round the top part of your cooker.

[@94GApeach]

Super help ful! I spilled food on the interior of the pot, and no matter how much I wipe it down it still smells burnt/smokey when I turn it on! Anyway to see if I can it apart and really clean it ?

[@arlenemurphy804]

I sometimes use a craft sponge for that hard to clean area. Thank you.

[@arlenemurphy804]

Love your videos😍😍

[@nani2two]

@@karenbellessapeterse i do the same and it works great!

[@marissashelley2362]

I use a foam paint brush to clean around the sealing area. It absorbs any moisture right after cooking & it will clean out any crumbs also. I soak my rings in a 50/50 solution of vinegar & hot water, let it sit overnight & then wash with soapy water the next morning. I also soak my stainless inner pot in vinegar & then wash in hot, soapy water.

[@Vjaynd88]

Thanks for this tip! So I did an Instant Pot no no and forgot to clean the sealing ring after the meal. It was really late at night and I made lamb ribs in it. LAMB! You can imagine how that that ring smelled the next day. So nasty. After trying this tip I can now smell lemon, vinegar, and a hint of lamb still. However, it is considerably a lot less strong of a lamb smell. I hope this lamb smell will leave if I repeat this process a few times. Thanks a bunch and I have now subscribed.

[@redoak3809]

I've been making this for my Labrador and she is doing better with her food sensitivies. My mother has an older IP without the yogurt button, can she make it with that one?

[@annekeel2694]

love your channel and all the tips. Thank you !

[@singingtick]

I never leave a removable gasket in something when washing, you get mold that way. Always remove the ring when washing my pressure cooker ring.

[@bestinvestorcraig]

Thanks Karen, another informative and needed video, you are great.

[@manny-perez]

Great tips, and really informative.

[@gerryschipper9778]

After washing and letting my sealing ring dry, I just lay it on top of the lid, which is on the base, and let it sit there til I use the pot again and I have not had odor issues. I think just keeping it aired good is what helps.

[@Cutie4Coins]

Great video!!! Thank you so much for being very detailed about the cleaning process!!!!🙂

[@stefaniestaniak4329]

Great info, thanks.

[@debreynard7164]

Another tip is to clean the cracks around the lid and at the bottom of the outside pot is to get a small foam paint brush, spray with vinegar and wipe those tiny areas. Then I spray the rings with pure lemon and let it soak for 30 min

[@debifritzsd]

This is an essential video. Thank you. (I'm a newbee!)

[@marycasperson7628]

You are so welcome Karen.

[@missjewells5063]

If you spray vinegar onto the inner surface, and then sprinkle baking soda, and spray on more vinegar, it’ll start bubbling and release anything stuck to it. Gently wipe and rinse out. It’s like brand new. Also, a sponge paint crafting brush gets into the tight areas well to scrub clean ($1 store has packs of them).

[@shaunabowen8689]

Thank you for the idea of purchasing a second ring . I would have never thought of it

[@judyjudyjudy9593]

It is amazing to me how clean the inside of your instant pot is. I don't mean the stainless steel insert bowl, I am talking about the burner in the bottom! My burner is all stained up & has food items that have burned into the burner rings. I have no clue how to clean that burner. I have tried with NO results. My I. P. can't be the only Pot stained like this. This has gotten stained through no fault of anything I have done, it has just gotten that way after using the I. P. as much as I do! It is not from having the pot too full, I am very careful not to do that. I have no idea how the stains have gotten there. Any suggestions for cleaning these stains off?

[@sandravella3198]

These are great tips!! Thank you!!

[@brendadodd1075]

I keep extra toothbrushes for guest or emergencies and i found using one of these go in the lip area,

[@Fruitarian.]

How bout the seams on that thick metal pot?

[@DweezilBubbadown]

This is the second video that I have watched about deep cleaning and instant pot. The last video I watched, they used steel wool to clean the film and whatever residue is left at the bottom of your inner liner. This video says do not. I need a tiebreaker! Do you or don’t you use steel wool?

[@davidh9844]

I've been washing the ring with soap and water after each use, and then it gets popped into the dishwasher. You really have to do some major, deep sniffing to catch any hint of odor after the dishwasher wash.

[@HAPPYHEARTPARADE4]

I used my insta pot twice and the smell made my food taste gross. I used vinegar to try to remove the smell I’m wait and see if it works.

[@stormwulf117]

How about boiling a few cups of water, a bit of lemon juice, and some whole cloves under pressure? That not only will help deodorize the pot but the cloves would also help sanitize it.

[@elizabethmiller7884]

I use hot soapy water with baking soda n let things soak up to 24 hrs n it takes all smells away. Could I soak the ring like this too ?

[@Vjaynd88]

Someone reply and confirm this method

[@barbarajohnson4937]

1 cup water and did you say 1/2 a cup of vinegar or 1 cup vinegar? I couldn't hear the vinegar part

[@3rd-Wave_Rebel]

So you can't clean the burn marks off of the heating element?

[@varshinisenthilkumaran3075]

After removing the silicone tip the nob is not coming out...what to do?

[@gif24gt60]

Soo many parts to remove , clean, and replace. Ugh😞 Wish instant pot had a deep cleaning option on the presets to set it and forget it.

[@RhondaBatesStallings]

I didn't know you can submerse the lid in water

[@garystump1776]

where are the instant pots made

[@JimN5QL]

I've had my pot for 2 years and I have never taken the sealing ring out. I've never cleaned the lid the only thing I clean is the inner liner. I don't think I want my pot smelling like vinegar. I don't get stuff caked in everything especially don't get stuff down underneath the inner pot. An easier way to get that ridge under that locking ring is to use a bristle paintbrush. My pot has the lid holders on the sides and that is where I put the lid when I take it off. Later I will just lay it upside down on the pot. I never have smells on my sealing ring. If I get any blotches in the bottom of the inner pot I just use a little Bar Keepers but I rarely have to do that. I take the inner liner out to load it with food . I take the inner liner out when the food is done that way I do not have any spills in that rim or on the outside or inside of the pot. Just don't let the pot run dry and you won't have any stains. Don't quick release any foamy things and you won't have any problems with the mechanisms in the lid. Just remember if it ain't broke don't fix it! Just my 2 cents worth. Okay maybe 3 cents.

[@Tsch6373]

There's really no need to do anything to the sealing ring. So what if it smells! It's not going to affect the food being cooked. No need to wash the lid - only condensation - water droplets are in the lid. Waste of time washing something that's already clean!

[@higgystattoo]

i clean my pot like that after every time i use it

[@nadinesmith6217]

Great detailed video., a big help for cleaning Instant Pot.Could do without the numerous 'Go ahead'' phrases.

[@garryleegriffith1573]

Yes! You probably don't notice it, but you said, "Go ahead," 25 times during that video. You should "go ahead" and check yourself. Get with it, Gurl!

[@kewlztertc5386]

Wow a person who knows not to mix vinegar and baking soda. So many other videos make this mistake.

[@houngandave]

You've got some really hard water there. I can tell by the limescale.

[@houngandave]

@@karenbellessapeterse As you already know, that's why you're using so much vinegar in cleaning your instant pot. It may be worth your while to use cheap purified water instead of tap. Part of how I look at it, is 'If that's what my water is doing/leaving behind on my pots and pans, that can't be good for my gut/kids' guts'. I pay 37¢/gallon to refill the water I drink/make tea/sometimes cook with, and my current tap water isn't as bad as yours seems. I have lived where it's been worse. In Cortland, NY, it was so bad, I had to regularly break up the limescale in my toilet or it would clog. And my landlady had a softener. BTW, I couldn't agree more with you about the Barkeeper's Friend. It may require some elbow grease on occasion, but it does a great job!

[@SIDEKICKONYOUTUBE]

not exactly what i was hoping to see. wanted to know if there is a way to clean the inside of the unit itself ( without the pot and lid ) you are not supposed to clean it with water there are electronics in there. but THERE IS THIS AWFUL SMELL like a smelly FEET in there. i wanted to clean it. i think it maybe because we cook a lot of PORK and BEEF STEW and perhaps some of the oil or steam accumulated in there somehow. anyway, my mom washed the unit because of the smell -_- ... i had to rescue it and open the underside, fortunately the board is covered upside down so its not wet. but some of those cables with some sort of wrapping may have been wet, hopefully they have insulation inside. had to try it for a couple of days.

[@mariahjohnson5017]

I would just throw it away and buy a new pot! $20 on Amazon! Ok, so you can put the lid in soapy dishwater!

[@DS-nv8bi]

i am tired of the smell at each use and the labor intensive cleaning of the ring. this product can be called instant smell. i do not suggest getting this poorly made item.

[@ArthriticBabe]

I really like how they cook, but they're a pain in the a$$ to clean!

[@piggnant]

"go ahead" is spoken too many times