Before we further read this pressure cooker cleaning guide, let’s make sure you know the importance of keeping your pressure cooker clean. Pressure cookers are incredible kitchenware that allows you to cook food in less time.
But because they rely on steam and water to operate, they can make the food relatively fast. This can lead to safety issues and cause the kitchenware to break down sooner.
One must clean a pressure cooker after each use and when any signs of grime appear outside your kitchenware. If you see any build-up on the inside of your pressure cooker, you must clean it at least twice with gentle soap and water.
Why We Use A Pressure Cooker?
Pressure cookers are basically used for cooking food quickly. They save energy, time, and water compared to traditional cooking methods. Pressure cookers are basically time-saving kitchen wares. The food cooked in a pressure cooker is healthier as it retains all its nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. The aroma of the food does not escape as it does when cooking in an open pan or pot. Pressure cookers also help to reduce oil consumption during cooking by using less oil for frying purposes.
How To Clean A Pressure Cooker? – Proper Guide
You can use some of the below ways to clean your pressure cooker.
Take Out the Safety Plug
The safety plug is the most important component of your pressure cooker. It’s the only thing that will save you from a potential accident if you forget to take it out before cleaning. So, make sure it is plugged out before you start cleaning it. Please take out the safety plug and use mild soap to clean it using warm water to eliminate any grease or food residues that may have collected there with time. After cleaning it, reinsert it into its place and start cooking again!
Fill It with Water
- Fill the pressure cooker with water.
- How much water one uses depends on the size of your pressure cooker. The general rule of thumb is to fill it with enough water to cover the bottom plus 1.5 inches deep. This is necessary as it stops food from sticking and burning during cooking time, but also because any leftover food that might stick on will fall when you’re cleaning after removing all of the food from the insides.
Put in Some Cooking Soda
If you have a burnt pressure cooker, you must use cooking soda to clean the pressure cooker. It works fine with acidic foods like tomatoes and other vegetables that might stain the pot.
When you put some baking soda inside your pressure cooker, it will help in absorbing any leftover food or oil while also cleaning it at the same time. Also, baking soda will not affect the taste or aroma of food cooked in the cooker.
Shake It well
You should now shake the pressure cooker vigorously. If you’re using a manual pressure cooker, try turning it upside down and shaking it till the water goes down into the base. If your model has an automated sealing mechanism, make sure the lid is firmly closed before shaking; otherwise, you risk destroying or harming the appliance’s functionality and setting yourself on fire!
Remove the cover of your pressure cooker once all of the excess water has been released (this may take a few shakes), and examine for any leftover moisture by drying with a clean cloth or paper towel. If there’s any remaining standing liquid, repeat until everything appears to be dry.
Repeat if Needed
This method will work if you have a pressure cooker that is only lightly unclean. If you find that your pressure cooker is still dirty even after repeating the steps, it may be time to give in and send it in for expert cleaning.
Check for Water Releasing Issues
There are a few things to look for when you spot a leak. The first and most critical step is to double-check that the safety valve isn’t open and discharging steam. The pressure cooker will need to be changed if this happens.
Remove the rubber seal from inside your pressure cooker and check it thoroughly to see whether this is the case. When it reaches high temperatures, look for any cracks or splits that might cause water to leak out of your cooker.
If your rubber gasket doesn’t have any visible fractures, it’s time to replace it! Replacing parts like these might help avoid such leaks in the future, so have a spare set on hand just in case. The second thing you should check would be whether all of your pieces are put on securely enough; if they aren’t, tighten them till they are secure without causing harm by over-tightening!
Pressure Cooker Needs To Be Clean Very Often
You must clean pressure cookers regularly. It’s preferable to clean the pressure cooker after each use, but if that’s not possible, make sure it’s clean before using it again.
- Wash the inside and outside of the pressure cooker with hot soapy water or detergent. Rinse well until there are no more signs of soap (you may need to repeat this step).
- Wipe down any outside surfaces and dry the inside with a clean cloth until no dampness remains on the surface.
How To Clean A Burnt Pressure Cooker?
Whether you have a crumb of burnt food or a full-fledged smoky mess, it’s essential to clean up the dirt ASAP. Soak your pressure cooker in hot water before using a rough sponge to scrape away any dried-on residue. If any sticky stains remain, try removing them with some lube and a steel wool pad—but be cautious not to destroy the interior!
After taking out any burned bits and chunks, rinse it all again with hot water before cleaning off the inside of your pressure cooker with a clean cloth or paper towel. This will help eliminate any residual food or filth that might re-burn while cooking in the future. We hope that now you are aware of how to clean a pressure cooker even if it’s burnt.
How To Maintain Your Pressure Cooker?
- Make sure the base of your pressure cooker is clean. If you have a stainless-steel or aluminum pressure cooker, clean any burnt particles off the bottom with a metal brush.
- Clean the inside of your pressure cooker of any food residue. After cooking, food that stays within might emit an unpleasant odor and produce mineral deposits. Remove stubborn food stains and mineral deposits within the pot with a soft sponge or cloth soaked in hot soapy water before washing it with warm water and vinegar solution (1:1 ratio).
- After you’ve finished using your pressure cooker, rinse it well. If kept wet for too long, this will minimize corrosion, which is more frequent in stainless steel than in other metals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it necessary to wash your cooker after use?
Yes, you must wash your pressure cooker before using it and after emptying it every time. If you don’t do so, it’ll make it hard to clean, and you cannot make food in it.
How often should we wash the pressure cooker?
It is best to wash it before every use and after you’ve made your food in it.
What is the most important step in cleaning a pressure cooker?
We think you must unplug it or else it’ll cause serious damage. Washing is necessary, but this is an essential step. You don’t want to put your life in danger by not unplugging it.