There are many advantages to owning an electric multi-cooker, including not having to stir your food while it cooks and having the ability to cook multiple dishes simultaneously.
However, your electric pressure cooker may become less effective at cooking as food residue builds up over time. Therefore, it’s critical to regularly clean the appliance thoroughly to maintain its performance and ensure that you can always make excellent dishes with it.
And, if you don’t clean your appliance properly, you could get in trouble. Here’s how to clean an electric multi cooker to run efficiently and effectively when you use it next time in preparing delicious meals.
Safety First
Before you get started cleaning your electric pressure cooker, make sure to unplug electric pressure cookers and turn them off. There are several ways to clean it, but no matter what you do, avoid getting water or moisture near any electrical parts of your cooker.
While there are a variety of specialised cleaners available for cleaning multi-cookers, it is best to start by unplugging and making sure it is cold. After that, you can wipe down anything you can reach with a clean cloth or sponge and make sure all removable pieces are removed from your pressure cooker. Then, allow it to air dry completely before plugging it back in.
Doing the steps above allows any grease or food residue inside to cool down and solidify, so you don’t accidentally burn yourself. You may also notice that burnt food or cooking oil leaves brown residue on your electric pressure cooker, which will be easier to remove after letting everything cool off.
How to Clean an Electric Multi Cooker: Easy Clean Method
Before we get started, it’s important to note that a multi-cooker can be made of stainless steel or aluminium outer casing, with non-stick coating on both. Nonstick-coated electric pressure cookers are designed for easy clean-up and tend to be more expensive than their counterparts.
If you opt for a stainless-steel pressure cooker, you will want to make sure that it is dishwasher safe, but it is recommended that you hand wash your electric cooker. Let’s get started!
Supplies
- A small dishwashing brush or old toothbrush
- Microfiber soft sponge
- Microfiber towels
- Mild dishwashing liquid soap
- Warm water
- White distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle
Step 1: Spraying the Vinegar and Cleaning
Once you have unplugged your electric pressure cooker and allowed it to cool down, use the brush to scrape off any caked-on food inside and outside the cooker.
Spray the distilled vinegar on the microfiber sponge and use it to wipe down the interior and exterior of the pressure cooker and any stubborn smells. Once everything is thoroughly wiped down and cleaned, use the damp cloth to wipe down any leftover food residue and vinegar.
Step 2: Wash and Dry the Lid, Inserts, and Pots
Add the dish soap to the warm water in the kitchen sink to make soapy water. Next, add the cooker lid, inserts, and pots. Wash down these items with the scrubbing brush to eliminate any leftover food residue and oil. The wet lid, inserts, and inner pot should be air-dried in a dish rack layout. However, if you do not have the time, you can always use the dry microfiber cloth to dry everything before reassembling the cooker.
How to Clean an Electric Multi Cooker: Deep Clean Method
Supplies
- A shallow pan
- Distilled white vinegar
- Microfiber cloths
- Mild dishwashing liquid
- Warm water
Step 1: Perform a General Cleaning
The first step to deep cleaning an electric cooker is completing all the processes indicated above for the general cleaning. Make sure you thoroughly clean the pressure cooker lid, inner pot, and inserts. With the detachable parts detached and cleaned, fill your sink with warm water, and to the water, add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap.
Step 2: Clean the Valve
Carefully remove the float valve from the cooker and wash it by hand in the sink with soapy water. Then, use a dry microfiber towel to dry the valve thoroughly before putting it back in the cooker. When putting the valve back, ensure the float valve is free and can easily move up and down.
Step 3: Clean the Anti-block Shield
With the steam valve clean and in place, remove the anti-block shield from the cooker’s lid. For this step, make sure not to remove the steam valve. Instead, wipe the steam valve and the anti-block shield with a microfiber cloth before returning the latter to place.
Step 4: Remove the Sealing Ring
With a lot of care, remove the cooker’s sealing ring inside. Inspect the sealing ring to ensure it is intact and firmly fits the electric pressure cooker. If it is cracked, chipping away, or even loose, it is time to get a replacement. The replacement should be firm and fitting for the cooker to work properly.
Step 5: Soak the Sealing Ring in Vinegar
Pour the vinegar into a shallow pan. The cookware should be deep enough to fit the sealing ring. Place the sealing ring and allow it to sit for five minutes.
Once the time is up, remove the sealing ring from the shallow pan and wash it with warm water and mild dishwashing liquid soap.
Step 6: Dry Thoroughly
Dry the sealing ring/silicone ring with a dry microfiber cloth and put it back in the electric pressure cooker. Make sure also to wipe down the heating element. Now you can mark deep cleaning the electric multi-cooker done in your chore list with that done.
General Tip
Over time, cooking oil builds up in your electric pressure cooker and the instant pot. If you do not thoroughly clean it after each use, you will have a sticky mess on your hands. Use a natural or homemade degreaser to eliminate residue accumulated during your last meal prep.
We recommend making an all-purpose kitchen cleaner using essential oils and baking soda for a fresh scent for your instant pot. Let it sit for approximately 10-15 minutes before scrubbing it with a toothbrush and then rinse it with warm water.
If you have an old multi-cooker, use paper towels or an old toothbrush and spray some all-purpose cleaner to loosen dirt, food residue, and grease buildup from inside the machine’s components before submerging them in water.
Cleaning Your Multi-Cooker Is Now Easy!
Now you’ve learnt how to clean an electric multi-cooker, remember to clean it after each use. It will give it a much longer lifespan and extend its life. A multi-cooker should last around ten years if cleaned regularly, so it’s worth cleaning well.
Follow these steps on how to clean electric pressure cookers, and you’ll be able to get your cooker back in top condition in no time at all!
