The Instant Pot, also nicknamed instapot, is quite a relatively new kitchen appliance today; however, it is slowly gaining worldwide popularity. An Instant Pot is a multicooker, which, as its name suggests, can allow you to cook dishes in an instant! Many have sworn their love to the Instant Pot because of its versatility and speed and because you can cut down on the number of dishes to clean. Like any other appliance, the key to keeping it with you for a long time is to put a premium on its maintenance.
Here are tips and tricks for you to maintain your Instant Pot:
1. Unplug your Instant Pot
Before you do any form of cleaning to your instapots, even if it only involves a quick wipe, always remember to first unplug the appliance. Unplugging any device before cleaning it avoids any damage, not just to the machine but also to you.
A lot of Instant Pot users also advice to unplug the appliance every time you’re not using it. Doing so makes it easier for you to remember to store it properly, which can preserve, if not prolong, its life.
2. Study and get to know your Instant Pot well
If your Instant Pot is still new to you, take time to study it carefully before you prepare any dish with it. It’s crucial that you know its parts by heart, so you can use it effectively and maintain it well. If you fail to get to know your Instant Pot thoroughly, you might end up destroying some of its delicate parts.
3. Give it a good clean after every meal
Don’t take for granted one of the easiest ways for you to maintain your Instant Pot: always clean it after every meal or recipe that you made. A deep clean is always highly recommended after every meal, but if you don’t have the time to do it on some days, basic cleaning would suffice. Basic cleaning involves doing the following:
- Washing the inner pot and placing it upside down to dry first before putting it back
- Wiping the Instant Pot unit itself
4. Remove the silicone ring
The silicone ring is an essential part of your Instant Pot: it seals the pot tightly to make any cooking process or method successful. When cleaning your Instant Pot, remember to remove the silicone ring and clean it up of any residue. For the ring to seal your pot correctly, it must be spotless and free of grime.
5. Keep the “housing unit” clean
The “housing unit” of your Instant Pot refers to the main cooker part of the Instant Pot. Because this is where the cooking happens, it is imperative for you to make sure you keep it clean at all times. Maintaining the “housing unit” is not difficult. Here’ what you can do:
- Wipe the inside and the outside with a wet cloth.
- To clean the bottom part, you can use a small slender brush so you can clean through every little area of your Instant Pot.
- Cleaning your pot regularly also removes any unpleasant odor from your pot.
6. Hand wash the lid of your Instant Pot
The lid of your Instant Pot is just as important as all the other parts, as this is where food particles stick. If left dirty, the lid can also affect the overall quality of your dish. To ensure the cleanliness of your Instant Pot’s lid, wash it with warm, soapy water. To preserve the quality of your cover, allow your Instant Pot to cool naturally by just leaving it open for some time to let it cool down.
7. Take care of the smaller parts
Your Instant Pot also has small parts that you have to pay attention to. These small parts can be blocked with small food particles and residue. The smaller pieces of your Instant Pot are the following:
- Steam-release handle, which you can maintain by simply checking it for any food particles
- Anti-block shield and steam valve, which you can clean by wiping them down with a damp cloth
- Float valve, which you simply remove, wash, and dry
To avoid any damage to your Instant Pot, always remember that the steam valve of your Instant Pot should not ever be removed.
Conclusion
Keep these tips in mind so that you can preserve the overall quality of your Instant Pot. Generally, the upkeep and maintenance of your Instant Pot are not difficult. However, you have to remember to take care of the small interior parts, too, as they’re critical to the good functioning of your Instant Pot. When you properly maintain your Instant Pot, you can enjoy cooking and eating easy and delicious meals for a long time.
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