Tested: How to Get Grease Out of Instant Pot Fast (2026)

Immediate Action (first 5 minutes)

You just depressurized the pot after making five pounds of fatty pork shoulder. The kitchen smells amazing. But the inside of the lid and the rim of the cooker are coated in a fine mist of atomized pork fat. If you wait until after dinner to clean the lid, that atomized fat turns into a sticky, yellowish resin. Grease hardens fast. Don't rush, but don't delay either.

The first five minutes are absolutely critical for learning how to get grease out of instant pot components without scrubbing for an hour. Unplug the machine immediately. The heating element reaches roughly 240°F during cooking, and the metal rim retains that heat for a good twenty minutes. You don't want to burn your fingers while wiping down the edge. I learned this the hard way when I was rushing to clean up after hosting a dinner party last Thanksgiving.

Next, remove the inner stainless steel pot and set it in the sink. Take a damp paper towel and quickly wipe the inner rim of the outer housing. This stops the grease from migrating down the sides and baking onto the heating element. If you have kids who track mud everywhere and you're rushing to get dinner on the table, it's tempting to skip this. Don't. Baked-on grease on the heating element will smoke up your kitchen the next time you cook. Wipe the rim while the grease is still liquid and warm.

What You'll Need (tools/products)

I've tested dozens of cleaning products on my 6-quart Instant Pot Duo over the last four years. You don't need harsh industrial chemicals to break down cooking oils. In my experience cleaning pressure cookers, a few specific household items work better than expensive specialty cleaners. This isn't the cheapest option for every single item, but investing in the right tools saves you serious elbow grease.

Product	Purpose	Est. Price
Dawn Platinum Powerwash	Cuts through heavy animal fats on the inner pot	$5-7
Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser	Removes baked-on grease from the exterior housing	$4-6
OXO Good Grips Dish Brush	Scrubs the anti-block shield and lid crevices	$8-10
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser	Lifts stubborn oil spots from the brushed steel finish	$4-8

You'll also need a few basic items from your pantry. Baking soda and white vinegar are non-negotiable for dealing with the silicone sealing ring. Silicone is highly porous. It absorbs oils and odors like a sponge. I recommend keeping a dedicated set of microfiber cloths just for kitchen appliances. They trap grease fibers much better than standard cotton dish towels, which just smear the oil around the stainless steel exterior.

Step-by-Step Removal (4-7 steps)

Getting the appliance completely clean requires tackling four distinct zones. The inner pot, the lid assembly, the exterior housing, and the dreaded heating element rim. Here is my exact process.

Step 1: The Inner Pot Degrease

Fill the stainless steel inner pot with hot tap water and add two tablespoons of Dawn Platinum Powerwash. Let it soak for exactly 15 minutes. The surfactants in the Platinum formula break down the lipid bonds in animal fats much faster than standard dish soap. After soaking, dump the water and scrub the bottom with a non-scratch sponge. If you see rainbow-colored heat tints or stubborn oil rings, apply a dime-sized drop of Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser. Scrub in a circular motion. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Step 2: The Lid and Silicone Ring Deep Clean

Flip the lid over and use your fingers to pry out the silicone sealing ring. This ring holds onto grease and smells terribly after cooking fatty foods like bacon or chili. Wash the ring in the sink with hot soapy water. Next, take your OXO Good Grips brush and scrub the underside of the lid. Pay special attention to the steam release valve and the float valve. I'll be honest, this takes elbow grease. The tiny silicone cap on the float valve often falls off, so keep a hand over the drain so you don't lose it.

Step 3: The Anti-Block Shield

Most people ignore the anti-block shield. It's the small, round metal cover on the underside of the lid that prevents food particles from clogging the steam pipe. Use a small flathead screwdriver or your fingernail to pop it off. You'll likely find a disgusting ring of congealed grease underneath. Scrub the shield and the exposed cavity with a soft toothbrush and warm soapy water. Snap it back into place once it's completely dry.

Step 4: The Exterior Housing and Heating Element Rim

The brushed stainless steel exterior traps grease in its microscopic grooves. Spray a microfiber cloth with a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar. Wipe down the outside of the pot, moving in the direction of the brushed grain. Never use abrasive steel wool here. It will permanently scratch the finish. For the heating element rim inside the outer housing, use a barely damp Magic Eraser. Wring it out until it's almost dry. Gently wipe the metal rim to lift any splattered oil. Never let water drip down into the center heating element.

Step 5: The Condensation Collector

Check the small plastic cup attached to the back of the unit. This condensation collector catches liquid that escapes during the pressure release process. If you cook greasy foods, that liquid is often a mix of water and fat. Pop it off, dump the gross liquid, and wash it in the sink. Dry it completely before sliding it back onto the back rail.

Alternative Methods (2-3 backup methods)

Sometimes the standard soap and water routine isn't enough. If you're meal prepping for the week and cooking massive batches of greasy ground beef, the oil can bake onto the exterior or leave lingering odors. Here are three backup methods I rely on when the grease is particularly stubborn.

Method 1: The Vinegar Steam Bath

This is my go-to trick for removing grease odors from the interior chamber without scrubbing. Pour one cup of white vinegar and two cups of water into the inner pot. Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing. Select the 'Steam' function and set the timer for 5 minutes. The acidic steam loosens baked-on oil splatters on the upper rim and neutralizes fatty odors. Once the cycle finishes, do a quick release, open the lid, and wipe the inside with a clean cloth.

Method 2: Dishwasher Tablet Paste

When your landlord inspects next week and you need the kitchen appliances to look brand new, use this trick for the exterior. Crush a Cascade Platinum dishwasher pod into a small bowl. Add a teaspoon of warm water to create a thick, gritty paste. Apply the paste to baked-on grease spots on the outside stainless steel housing using a soft cloth. Let it sit for 10 minutes. The concentrated enzymes and surfactants eat through the carbonized oil. Wipe it away with a damp cloth and buff dry.

Method 3: Baking Soda Poultice for the Lid

If the underside of the lid is coated in a thick layer of yellowed, polymerized grease, make a poultice. Mix three parts baking soda with one part water to form a thick paste. Slather it all over the underside of the lid, avoiding the valves. Let it sit for 30 minutes. The alkaline nature of the baking soda saponifies the fats, turning them into a water-soluble soap. Scrub it off with a damp sponge and rinse thoroughly.

Prevention Tips

Stopping the grease before it bakes onto your appliance is always easier than scrubbing it off later. I've adopted a few habits that keep my Instant Pot Pro looking like it just came out of the box.

• Use a Splatter Screen: When using the 'Sauté' function to brown fatty meats, place a 10-inch silicone splatter screen over the top. It lets steam escape but catches the heavy oil droplets. A good screen costs about $12-15 and saves you 20 minutes of cleanup.
• Line the Drip Tray: If you use the air fryer lid attachment, grease drips down into the main unit. Place a small piece of parchment paper or a silicone liner at the bottom of the inner pot to catch the worst of the dripping fat.
• Buy Extra Sealing Rings: I highly recommend buying a two-pack of silicone rings ($10-15). Keep one exclusively for savory, greasy meals and one for sweet dishes or steaming vegetables. This prevents your cheesecake from tasting like last night's pork roast.
• Wipe the Rim Immediately: Make it a rule to wipe the inner rim of the outer housing with a paper towel the second you remove the inner pot. Don't wait for the pot to cool down.

FAQ

Can I put the Instant Pot base in the dishwasher?

Absolutely not. The base contains the heating element and internal electronics, which will short out if submerged in water. I've seen too many ruined appliances from people trying to shortcut this step. Always wipe the base down by hand with a damp cloth.

Why does my Instant Pot smell like old grease even after washing?

The culprit is almost always the silicone sealing ring hidden inside the lid. Silicone is highly porous and absorbs the oils and odors from fatty foods like bacon or chili. You'll need to bake the ring in the oven at 250°F for 20 minutes or soak it in white vinegar overnight to pull those trapped oils out.

How do I clean the tiny metal anti-block shield on the lid?

You have to physically pop it off the lid using a small flathead screwdriver or your fingernail. Once removed, scrub the shield and the exposed cavity underneath with a soft toothbrush and warm soapy water. If you skip this, old grease will eventually clog the steam release valve and create a dangerous pressure buildup.

Is it safe to use bleach on the stainless steel exterior to remove grease stains?

Never use bleach or chlorine-based cleaners on the brushed stainless steel exterior. The chlorine reacts with the metal, causing permanent pitting and rust spots that you can't buff out. Stick to mild dish soap or a dedicated stainless steel cleaner like Weiman to keep the finish looking pristine.