Cleaning dishes by hand is our pesky obligation that is gradually fading away! And who’s not glad?
Nowadays, when we have dirty Yeti ramblers, we break down the assembly and put them on the top rack of the dishwasher to clean.
Likewise dirty pots and pans as well as fridge shelves and air fryer baskets. Even bleach has now found it’s way into the dishwasher appliance — as a sanitizing agent to get rid of mold and bacteria!
But instant pots? Can we really rely on dishwashers to clean them, with no problems at all? The base, the inner pot and the lid?
Instant pot lids as well as inner pots are safe to put inside the dishwasher to clean, but avoid submerging the multicooker base as it contains the circuitry that is prone to damage. Prior to dishwashing, ensure all the removable parts of the lid are detached and placed only on the top rack of the dishwasher. Wash the inner pot on the bottom rack if there’s not enough space for accommodation on the top rack.
Cleaning an instant pot by hand or machine is quite easy, and we’ll be showing you exactly how it’s done in the rest of this article.
How To Wash An Instant Pot In The Dishwasher
Instant pots are dishwasher safe, but not in their whole packaging! Anything that contains electrical components is absolutely banned from entering the dishwasher, according to instant pot manufacturers, and also according to any sane person’s intuition.
This means you cannot put the multicooker base inside the dishwasher as well as the cord that supplies power, because doing so will put you at risk of shock and fire.
You MUST at all times, ensure that the cooker base remains dry and no water gets into the “head” or connector of the power cords.
That aside, we’re left with the lid and inner pot which are perfectly safe to put inside the dishwasher for cleaning. And here’s how.
How to clean the instant pot lid and other accessories
First, ensure the pot is completely cool, then remove all the detachables from the lid. This is so that we achieve a deep cleaning and not because there might be a problem with using water on them.
In this case, you’re detaching the:
- Float valve and Silicone cap: Press on the float valve then remove the silicone cap on the other side of the lif to release both the valve and the cap.
- Condensation Collector: Pull away the condensation collector located at the back of the multicooker base to remove it.
- Silicone sealing ring: Pull away the silicone sealing ring from the ring rack. This is easily accomplished when it’s soapy and wet, and the same applies for installing it back.
- Steam release assembly: Remove the steam release cover, then pull the steam release valve up, and then off the steam release pipe.
- Anti-block shield: Grab the lid like a steering wheel and use your thumb to press against the side of the shield until it pops off. Install it back by placing it over the prongs and press until you hear a clicking sound.
- Cool cover: Push and pull it up towards you and off.
Notice how you detached each component as that is how they should go back into the assembly.
For clear instructions on how to properly detach and attach components on the lid, consult the owners manual of your product.
After removing all these parts, particularly the steam release valve, now is the right time to clean the interior of the release pipe and rid it off any build up that can cause clogging. You can use a pipe cleaner for this.
For cleaning the detached parts in the dishwasher, place them on the top rack and run a normal wash cycle.
If your dishwasher comes with additional accessories or you purchased them later on, for example the steel rack that holds food above water, silicone lids for inner pots and silicone steamer basket and baking pan, feel free to clean them on the top rack as well.
It’s good to note that consistent washing in the dishwasher may result in discoloration of these parts, but that in no way impairs the performance or affects the functionality of the electronic. It also doesn’t make it less safe.
After cleaning, you want to make sure no water persist on the lid, and the easiest way to ensure that happens is to hold the handle so the lid is now vertical, then rotate in a 360 degree fashion left and right.
If you dried in the instant pot lid, only few amount of water should come out, but if some still manage to do so, continue roating the lid to and fro in a 360 fashion until it eventually seize bringing out water.
You want to store lid upside down, with all dry components assembled back on it, on the multicooker base for proper air drying.
If odor persist on the silicone sealing even after dishwashing, create a solution of 1 cup water and 1 cup white vinegar and pour inside the inner pot, then run the instant pot (pressure cook) with the seal back on the lid for 5 to 10 minutes and then quick release the pressure.
Tip:
- Never allow build up in the condensation collector as it may harbor bacteria growth.
How to wash the inner pot of the Instant pot
Whether you have the stainless steel or ceramic coated instant pot variant, cleaning them inside the dishwasher is all the same!
First, make sure the device is cooled completely, then remove the lid and take out the inner pot. Place in the top or bottom rack of the dishwasher and run a normal cycle with a dry cycle.
Ensure the pot is completely dry before inserting it back into the base.
For hard to remove stuck on bits, pour hot (or even boiling) soapy water into the pot and let sit for a while before discarding and putting inside the dishwasher.
How To Clean The Base And Other Parts Of The Instant Pot
Cleaning the base is quite easy, you want to make sure you wipe and wipe only! Too much water and your appliance might run into a catastrophic failure and present health risks to you!
Here’s how to wipe the main housing of an instant pot.
Moisten a soft cloth or sponge with water and wring untill only damp. Wipe inside, outside and the control panel with it. Allow to dry completely before putting back the inner pot.
To clean the cord, remove any dust particles from the connector by blowing air into it, then use the same soft cloth to wipe the body of the cord clean! Also blow air into the connector on the body of the main housing to release dust particles.
How To Wash Instant Pot By Hand
Washing the lid (and it’s parts) and inner pot by hand is another option.
For this, you want to avoid metallic scouring pads, sponge and abrasive powders which can leave marks on them. You also want to avoid harsh cleaners that can cause fading of the materials with time.
So using warm soapy water, gently clean the parts making sure to put the trap on your sink to avoid loosing the valve.
Use nylon brush if you have to. Rinse and dry properly. Shake the lid using the 360 degrees technique to remove as much water from it.
Assemble the lid parts and dry upside down on the main housing unit.
What Other Items Can You Put In The Dishwasher?
Instant pot lids and inner pots aren’t the only things you can put inside a dishwasher. You can clean Yeti drinkwares, air fryer baskets and other accessories, pots and pans made from stainless steel or ceramic, or those coated with enamel or made non-stick, and even fridge shelves.
You can also put bleach in a dishwasher to disinfect it and sponge to properly clean and disinfect it, as in IT: the sponge!
Above are few things you can put inside the dishwasher with no problems at all, what you should avoid putting in the dishwasher however, include, drano drain cleaner for times when you have clogging, dish soap for times when you run out of dishwasher detergents, and also cast iron pans when you feel they’re heavily soiled.
Final Thoughts
Intant pot lid, inner pot and other accessories like the rack, plastic scoops and silicone moulds are all safe to put inside the dishwasher for cleaning. The outer pot however, is not safe to put inside the dishwasher as it holds the circuitry which can get damaged.
