The meal? Glorious. The cleanup? Ugh. You’re standing there, staring at your Instant Pot like, “Okay buddy, are we going to make this easy or what?” The thought hits you: Can I just toss this thing into the dishwasher and call it a night? Totally fair question. And you’re definitely not the only one who’s asked it.
Let’s dig into it (not literally) and figure out what’s dishwasher safe and what absolutely is not when it comes to your trusty Instant Pot.
What Parts Can Go in the Dishwasher?
Alright, so here’s the good news—you’re not on your own for everything. Most Instant Pot models come with a few removable parts, and spoiler alert: some of them are dishwasher safe.
Here’s the quick list of what can usually handle the dishwasher:
The inner stainless steel pot – This guy is a champ. Toss it in the bottom rack.
The sealing ring – Yep, pop it off and give it a good scrub in the top rack.
The lid – Technically dishwasher safe, but there’s a small catch (we’ll get to that).
The steam rack/trivet – No issues here—throw it in.
Sounds simple enough, right? But here’s where folks get tripped up…
What You Shouldn’t Put in the Dishwasher
The Instant Pot base (aka the actual cooker)? Absolutely, positively NOT. It has electrical components. You don’t wanna mess with that. Water and wires? Never a good mix.
Also, while the lid can technically go in the dishwasher, it’s a bit of a diva. There are small moving parts inside—like the float valve and anti-block shield—that can get clogged or fall out during a rough cycle. You don’t want to find yourself halfway through making stew with a missing piece, right?
So if you’re feeling lazy, fine, dishwash the lid—but do it carefully. Or better yet, hand wash it. It only takes a minute.
Quick Tip: Smelly Sealing Ring? Try This.
You know that weird smell your sealing ring holds onto after chili night? Yeah, it’s real. Dishwasher not cutting it? Try soaking the ring in a bowl of white vinegar and baking soda. Game changer. It doesn’t just clean—it de-smells. (That’s a word now.)
Pro tip: Some Instant Pot fans even buy a second sealing ring for sweet vs. savory meals. Yep, people take this stuff seriously.
Final Verdict: Dishwasher-Friendly? Kinda.
✅ Inner pot? Yes.
✅ Sealing ring? Yup.
✅ Lid? Yes, but carefully.
✅ Steam rack? For sure.
❌ Base? No way.
So yeah—while you can’t chuck the whole Instant Pot into your dishwasher and walk away like it’s magic, cleanup isn’t all that painful.
And hey, if you’re still unsure, check the user manual for your specific model. (I know, no one reads those—but maybe just this once.)
Imagine This…
Next time you’re cleaning up, imagine just pulling that inner pot out, tossing it in the dishwasher, and kicking back while it does the work for you. Sounds good, right?
So go ahead—clean smarter, not harder. And remember, a happy Instant Pot = a happy dinner routine.
Want more tips like this? Bookmark this page or share it with your fellow kitchen warriors. You’ve earned it.
