How to Get Honey Out of Instant Pot: Proven 2026 Method

Immediate Action (First 5 Minutes)

Spilling honey inside or around your Instant Pot is a sticky nightmare. I've tested this exact scenario on my own Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart after a disastrous attempt at making honey garlic salmon. The glass jar slipped from my greasy fingers. Honey went absolutely everywhere. If you're currently staring at a gooey, golden mess, don't panic. Your first five minutes dictate whether this is a quick ten-minute wipe-down or a grueling two-hour scrubbing session.

First, immediately unplug the base unit from the wall. Safety is non-negotiable when liquids and electricity mix. Next, carefully lift the inner stainless steel or ceramic-coated pot out of the base. Set it directly in your sink. Grab a damp microfiber cloth and wipe the exterior heating element right away. The heating element on the Instant Pot Pro Plus reaches temperatures up to 450°F during sauté mode. If honey hits that hot metal, it carbonizes in roughly 14 seconds. Honey hardens into a cement-like shell as it cools. If you catch it while it's still warm and viscous, you'll save yourself a massive headache later. Don't use paper towels. They just shred and stick to the honey, creating an even bigger, fuzzier mess.

What You'll Need (Tools & Products)

Over my 10 years of testing kitchen cleaning hacks, I've found that using the wrong tools makes honey removal twice as hard. You need specific degreasers that break down complex sugars without damaging the appliance's sensitive electronics or delicate non-stick surfaces. I've spent over $200 testing different commercial cleaners over the last decade. Cheap dish soaps just smear the fructose around. Here is my exact, proven toolkit for this job.

Tool/Product	Purpose	Estimated Price
Dawn Platinum Powerwash	Cuts through sticky sugar residue fast	$5 - $7
Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser	Removes caramelized burns on the pot	$4 - $6
OXO Good Grips Silicone Spatula	Scrapes honey without scratching coatings	$8 - $12
Amazon Basics Microfiber Cloths	Wipes base unit without leaving lint	$10 - $15 (pack)
Distilled White Vinegar	Neutralizes odors in the silicone ring	$3 - $5

I highly recommend the OXO Good Grips silicone spatula. Metal utensils will permanently scratch the ceramic coating on models like the Instant Pot Duo Crisp. Scratches harbor bacteria and make future cleanups infinitely worse. The Dawn Powerwash is a total game-changer because the spray nozzle gets into the tight crevices around the rim. It contains specialized enzymes that actually break down the sticky bonds rather than just lubricating them.

Step-by-Step Removal

Let's break down the exact process. I've refined these steps through extensive trial and error in my own kitchen. Follow them in order for the absolute best results.

Step 1: The Hot Water Soak (Inner Pot)

Fill your sink or the Instant Pot inner pot itself with exactly 120°F water. Add two tablespoons of Dawn dish soap. Let the pot soak for 15 minutes. Hot water dissolves the fructose and glucose bonds in the honey. If the honey is baked onto the bottom from a dreaded "Burn" error during cooking, extend this soak to 30 minutes.

Step 2: Scrubbing the Non-Stick/Ceramic Coating

After soaking, dump the soapy water. Take your silicone spatula and gently scrape the bottom. The honey should peel away in satisfying, thick sheets. For stubborn, caramelized spots, apply a quarter-sized drop of Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser. Scrub in circular motions with a non-scratch sponge. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. I'll be honest, this takes a bit of elbow grease if you let it burn, but the BKF soft cleanser does the heavy lifting.

Step 3: Cleaning the Heating Element (Base Unit)

This is where people ruin their expensive appliances. Never submerge the base unit in water. Unplug it. Dampen a microfiber cloth with warm water and a single drop of dish soap. Wring it out until it's barely damp. Wipe the interior walls and the heating element. When you wipe the heating element, use a flashlight. I keep a small $5 LED pen light in my cleaning caddy specifically for this. It illuminates the dark corners near the temperature sensor. If honey dripped into the tiny gap between the heating element and the metal rim, use a wooden skewer wrapped in a thin cloth to fish it out. If you notice any lingering stickiness after the first wipe, repeat the process with a fresh cloth. Do not just smear the existing cloth around, as you'll just redistribute the dissolved sugar. Dry everything immediately with a clean towel.

Step 4: Tackling the Sealing Ring

Honey loves to hide under the silicone sealing ring. Pop the ring out of the lid. Wash it in the sink with hot soapy water. If the honey has seeped into the microscopic pores of the silicone, it will feel tacky even after washing. Rub the ring with a paste made of baking soda and water. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse.

Step 5: The Anti-Block Shield

Remove the anti-block shield (the little metal cap on the underside of the lid). Wash it in warm soapy water. Check the steam release valve. If honey splattered up into the valve, use a pipe cleaner dipped in vinegar to clear the tiny holes. A clogged valve is a major safety hazard that can cause pressure buildup.

Step 6: Final Rinse and Dry

Rinse all removable parts one last time under running water. Leave the lid upside down on a drying rack. Leave the base unit open and unplugged for at least 2 hours to ensure any hidden moisture evaporates completely before your next cook.

Alternative Methods

Sometimes the standard soap-and-water route doesn't cut it. Maybe the honey sat for a week, or maybe it baked onto the exterior during a high-pressure run. Here are three backup methods I keep in my arsenal.

Method 1: The Vinegar Steam Clean (For the Base Interior)

If honey splattered high up on the interior walls of the base unit where your hand can't reach, use steam. Pour one cup of white vinegar and one cup of water into the inner pot. Place it in the base. Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing. Run the "Steam" function for 5 minutes. Let it naturally release for 10 minutes. The acidic steam softens the hardened honey. Wipe the interior walls with a dry cloth afterward. It works like magic.

Method 2: Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide Paste (For Exterior Burns)

If honey boiled over and baked onto the shiny stainless steel exterior of the base, soap won't touch it. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with enough 3% hydrogen peroxide to form a thick paste. Smear it over the burnt honey. Let it sit for 20 minutes. Scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush. The mild abrasion lifts the carbonized sugar without scratching the brushed steel finish.

Method 3: Enzyme Cleaners (For Hidden Residue)

If your Instant Pot still attracts ants days after cleaning, you missed a spot. Enzyme cleaners like Puracy Natural Multi-Surface Cleaner break down organic matter at a molecular level. Spray it into the crevices of the lid. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Wipe clean. This is especially useful if you have kids who track mud everywhere and you're trying to keep the kitchen entirely pest-free. When your landlord inspects next week, this method guarantees a spotless, ant-free appliance.

Prevention Tips

Cleaning up honey is incredibly annoying. Preventing the mess in the first place is much smarter. After hosting a dinner party where I served honey-glazed carrots, I realized my prep method was fundamentally flawed. Here is how I avoid sticky disasters now.

First, never pour honey directly from a large glass jar over the open Instant Pot. Pre-measure your honey in a small glass prep bowl or a silicone squeeze bottle. If you meal prep on Sundays and use honey in your marinades, buy a dedicated honey bear or a silicone squeeze bottle from Amazon. They cost about $8 for a two-pack and give you precise control.

Second, use a silicone splatter guard. When cooking high-sugar recipes on the "Sauté" setting, sugar bubbles and pops aggressively. A $12 silicone splatter guard catches those sticky droplets before they hit the heating element.

Finally, always wipe the rim of the inner pot before sealing the lid. A single drop of honey on the rim will get smashed into the silicone sealing ring when you lock the lid, creating a stubborn, hidden mess that takes days to fully eradicate. I also recommend keeping a dedicated damp sponge right next to your Instant Pot station. Wiping up a stray drop of honey immediately takes two seconds. Waiting until after dinner means it hardens into a stubborn crust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put the Instant Pot base in the dishwasher if honey spills inside?

Absolutely not. The base unit contains sensitive electronic components and the heating element. Submerging it in water or putting it in a dishwasher will permanently short-circuit the motherboard and void your warranty.

Will caramelized honey ruin the non-stick coating of my inner pot?

It certainly can if you use the wrong tools to remove it. Scraping burnt honey with a metal spoon or steel wool will strip the ceramic or Teflon coating right off. Always soak the pot first and use silicone or wooden utensils to gently lift the caramelized sugar.

How do I get the sticky honey smell out of the silicone sealing ring?

Silicone is highly porous and absorbs strong odors, including sweet, fermented honey smells. Bake the clean, dry silicone ring in your oven at 250°F for 20 minutes to open the pores and release the trapped scent molecules. Alternatively, soak it overnight in a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water.

Is it safe to use a metal spoon to scrape hardened honey off the heating element?

No, you should never use metal tools on the heating element or the interior walls of the base unit. Metal can easily scratch the protective coating or puncture the thin metal housing, leading to rust or electrical hazards. Stick to wooden skewers, plastic scrapers, or your fingernail wrapped in a cloth.