The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is an incredibly versatile kitchen appliance that can pressure cook, air fry, bake, broil, dehydrate, and more. With so many cooking functions, it’s important to know how to properly clean the Instant Pot Duo Crisp after each use to keep it in top working condition.
Proper cleaning will remove any food residues and oils, prevent bacterial growth, and make sure your next meal doesn’t take on funny flavors from the last. A clean Instant Pot will also cook more efficiently and evenly.
While the inner pot and accessories can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher, the air fryer lid and cooking chamber should only be wiped out by hand. Regular cleaning and maintenance is easy to do and will extend the life of your Instant Pot Duo Crisp.
Supplies Needed
Before you start cleaning your Instant Pot Duo Crisp air fryer, gather the following supplies:
- Dish soap or mild detergent
- Non-abrasive sponge or cloth
- Instant Pot cleaning tools (included with your device)
- Toothbrush or other small brush
- Paper towels or soft cloth
- Baking soda and distilled white vinegar (optional)
The Instant Pot cleaning tools will help you reach into all the corners and crevices. Avoid using abrasive scrubbers or cleaners, as these can damage the nonstick surfaces.
Disassembling the Instant Pot Duo Crisp
Before cleaning, you’ll need to take the Instant Pot Duo Crisp apart into its main components:
- Inner pot
- Air fryer lid
- Crisping lid
- Protective pad
- Cooking chamber
- Inner pot base
Make sure the Instant Pot is unplugged and completely cooled first. Then remove the lids, crisping lid, protective pad, and inner pot.
You don’t need to disassemble the air fryer lid any further than removing it from the cooking chamber.
Cleaning the Inner Pot
The stainless steel inner pot can be washed by hand or placed in the dishwasher.
To hand wash, fill the inner pot with hot water and a small amount of dish soap. Use a sponge or soft cloth to scrub the inside. Pay special attention to any cooked-on food residue on the bottom. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes if needed to loosen food.
Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth or paper towels. Avoid using abrasive scouring pads or cleaners, steel wool, or metal utensils, as these can damage the pot’s finish.
Cleaning the Air Fryer Lid
The air fryer lid contains electrical components and should never be submerged in water. Always wipe this piece by hand.
Use a slightly damp cloth or paper towel to wipe away any oil splatter or food debris from the lid housing and around the heating element.
For stuck on grime, dip your cloth in a diluted vinegar solution or baking soda paste, then scrub gently.
Pay special attention to the grooves and vents along the top and sides of the lid. Use a toothbrush or Instant Pot cleaning brush to reach into these areas if needed.
Thoroughly dry all surfaces of the air fryer lid before replacing onto the Instant Pot.
Cleaning the Crisping Lid
The crisping lid can be washed by hand or placed in the top rack of your dishwasher.
If washing by hand, soak in warm soapy water to loosen any burnt on food debris. Use a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth to gently scrub the entire lid clean.
Rinse and dry thoroughly before replacing in the Instant Pot.
Cleaning the Protective Pad
The protective pad fits between the crisping lid and the inner pot. It can also be hand washed or dishwasher cleaned.
Rinse under hot water and use a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth to wipe away any oil or food that may have splattered on the pad during cooking.
Let it air dry completely before placing back in the Instant Pot.
Cleaning the Cooking Chamber
The cooking chamber houses all of the Instant Pot’s electronics and heating elements. It should only be wiped down by hand to prevent damage.
Use a slightly damp cloth or paper towel to wipe out any grease or food debris from the heating coil, temperature sensor, and inner walls.
For stubborn areas of grime, dip your cloth in an all-natural cleaner like diluted vinegar or baking soda paste. Apply to the area, let sit briefly, then scrub and rinse away.
Be very careful not to get any liquid into the heating coil or temperature sensor openings. Thoroughly dry the chamber before replacing lids.
Cleaning the Inner Pot Base
The stainless steel base that the inner pot sits in is another area prone to oil drips and splatters.
Wipe this piece down with hot soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth. Use a toothbrush to reach grooves if needed.
Rinse and dry thoroughly. Avoid getting water into the inner electrical workings of the Instant Pot.
Cleaning Tough Baked-On Residue
Over time, ingredients like beans, oatmeal, or pasta can leave a tough film baked onto the inner pot.
For these cleaning challenges, try one of these methods:
- Baking soda paste – Sprinkle baking soda generously over stained areas, then drizzle on just enough vinegar to make a thick paste. Let paste sit for 5-10 minutes, then scrub and rinse away.
- Vinegar rinse – Fill inner pot with enough warm water to cover stained areas. Add 1 cup distilled white vinegar and let soak 30-60 minutes. Scrub and rinse clean.
- Dishwasher cleaning – Place inner pot on bottom rack of dishwasher. Run a rinse cycle with 2 cups distilled white vinegar added to the detergent cup (no dishes). Pots will come out fresh and residue-free.
Repeat cleaning processes as needed for badly stained pots. Avoid using highly abrasive scrubbers that could scratch the cooking surface.
Cleaning the Exterior Housing
Finally, give the entire exterior of the Instant Pot a good wipe down with a soft damp cloth. Use a mild detergent if needed to cut through grease.
Pay special attention to the rims of the lids and base, where drips can collect. Rinse and thoroughly dry.
Your Instant Pot Duo Crisp air fryer is now squeaky clean! Proper care and regular cleaning will help your Instant Pot last for years of cooking enjoyment.
Tips to Prevent Messy Cleanups
While cleaning the Instant Pot Duo Crisp is simple when you know how, some additional care while using your appliance can prevent messes in the first place:
- Use the protective pad – This catches any food splatter and prevents debris from getting into the cooking chamber.
- Watch overflow – Don’t fill inner pot past max fill lines to avoid boil overs.
- Adjust steam release – Switch to slow steam release for messy dishes like oatmeal or stew to prevent splatter.
- Line crisping basket – Cover basket with parchment when air frying. Oil and crumbs lift right off.
- Cool and disassemble – Always allow the Instant Pot to cool fully before taking pieces apart to clean.
- Deglaze the pot – After sautéing or browning meat, deglaze inner pot with a little water or broth and scrape up any browned bits.
- Clean after each meal – Don’t allow food debris or oils to sit and get crusty.
Maintenance Between Cleanings
To keep your Instant Pot Duo Crisp performing optimally, follow these maintenance tips:
- Check silicone gaskets – Make sure sealing ring and steam release valve are clear of debris or cracks.
- Descale regularly – Use descaling solution per manufacturer instructions to remove mineral deposits.
- Update software – Keep programming up to date so all functions will work properly.
- Contact support – If any error messages appear, contact Instant Pot support for troubleshooting help.
- Store properly – When not in use, store Instant Pot with lid open so moisture won’t collect inside.
With proper usage and cleaning care, your Instant Pot Duo Crisp can handle even the messiest cooking jobs while staying sparkling clean!
Common Troubleshooting Questions
Why does my Instant Pot smell bad when cooking?
An off smell or food residue getting transferred to a new dish usually means your pot needs a thorough cleaning. Try one of the degreasing methods above, especially baking soda or vinegar rinses, to tackle oders and tastes that linger between recipes.
How can I clean burn or scorch stains inside the pot?
Burned on stains happen, especially if food gets stuck to the bottom. Try letting the pot soak for an hour in hot water with dissolved denture cleaning tablets. Use a soft cloth to gently scrub the tablets over the stain.
For tough scorch marks, Bar Keepers Friend or Bon Ami powder and a non-abrasive sponge also work well. Avoid super abrasive scouring pads.
Why is my steam release valve hard to turn or stuck?
Food debris and mineral deposits can make the valve hard to turn or stuck in place. Check for any obstructions, then clean by wiping with a vinegar-dampened cloth and rinsing under hot water. If still sticking, descale the steam release valve by soaking in a diluted vinegar solution for 30 minutes.
How do I clean mold or mildew from the silicone gaskets?
First discard and replace any gaskets with excessive mold or mildew, which can harbor bacteria. For regular cleaning, wash gaskets in hot soapy water, rinse, then soak in undiluted white vinegar for 30 minutes. Dry thoroughly before replacing in the lid.
Conclusion
Keeping your Instant Pot Duo Crisp clean is easy with some simple maintenance practices. By regularly disassembling components, washing properly, and wiping exterior surfaces, you can prevent grime buildup and odor transfer. Don’t forget to descale and check gaskets as well.
With the proper care, your Instant Pot will function like new for many years of cooking. Just be sure to never submerge the air fryer lid and use only non-abrasive cleaners on delicate surfaces. With a few minutes of cleaning after each use, you’ll get delicious, mess-free meals every time.