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

Immediate Action (First 5 Minutes)

I've burned my fingers more times than I can count rushing to clean my 6-quart Instant Pot Duo right after cooking. Don't do that. When you finish sautéing fatty meats or pressure cooking rich stews, oil pools in the crevices. Your first five minutes are critical. Grab a paper towel. Wipe the inner stainless steel pot while it's still warm. Warm oil lifts easily. Cold oil turns into a sticky, polymerized nightmare that requires serious scraping.

Next, pop out the silicone sealing ring immediately. If you leave it seated in the lid, that orange grease bakes right into the porous rubber. I always keep a dedicated microfiber cloth near my cooker. Wipe the lid's underside and the anti-block shield right away. This quick triage stops the oil from setting. After hosting a dinner party where I made a massive batch of chili, this exact 5-minute routine saved me an hour of scrubbing later.

What You'll Need (Tools and Products)

I'll be honest, generic dish soap just doesn't cut it for heavy poultry fat or bacon grease. You need heavy-duty degreasers. Over the last three years testing dozens of kitchen cleaners, I've narrowed down my arsenal. Here is exactly what I keep under my sink for this job. This isn't the cheapest setup, but it saves your appliance.

Product	Price Range	Best Used For
Dawn Platinum Powerwash	$5 - $7	Cutting fresh grease on the inner pot
Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser	$4 - $6	Removing baked-on oil stains from steel
OXO Good Grips Bottle Brush	$12 - $15	Scrubbing the anti-block shield and valves

You'll also need a few basic household items. Grab some white vinegar and baking soda. I recommend keeping a cheap toothbrush dedicated solely to cleaning the float valve. The bristles fit perfectly into the tiny metal cage. Finally, get a pack of Ziploc gallon bags. You'll use these for soaking the silicone ring.

Step-by-Step Removal

Step 1: The Inner Pot Degrease

Fill your sink with hot water. Aim for about 120°F to 140°F. Add two squirts of Dawn Platinum Powerwash. Submerge the stainless steel inner pot. Let it soak for exactly 15 minutes. The hot water melts the fat. The surfactants in the Dawn lift it away. After 15 minutes, use a non-scratch sponge to wipe it down. Rinse thoroughly. If you see rainbow-colored heat tints or stubborn brown oil rings, apply a dime-sized drop of Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser. Rub it in circles. Watch the stains vanish.

Step 2: Disassemble and Scrub the Lid

Oil loves to hide in the lid assembly. Turn the lid upside down. Push the silicone sealing ring out from the back. Next, remove the anti-block shield. It's the little metal cap on the underside. Pry it off gently with a butter knife. Wash both pieces in hot soapy water. Take your dedicated toothbrush and scrub the float valve. Make sure the metal pin moves up and down freely. If oil clogs this valve, your pot won't pressurize. I learned this the hard way when my roast beef dinner was delayed by an hour.

Step 3: The Silicone Ring Deep Clean

This is where most people fail. Silicone absorbs oil and odors like a sponge. Place the smelly ring inside a gallon Ziploc bag. Add two cups of warm water and one cup of white vinegar. Seal it tight. Let it soak overnight on your counter. The acidity of the vinegar breaks down the fatty acid bonds. In the morning, pull it out and wash it in the dishwasher. If it still smells like yesterday's cumin-heavy curry, make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Coat the entire ring. Let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing.

Step 4: Wipe the Exterior Housing

Never submerge the main cooker base. It houses the heating element and electronics. Dampen a microfiber cloth with warm water and a tiny drop of dish soap. Wipe down the exterior stainless steel or plastic housing. Pay special attention to the rim where the inner pot sits. Grease drips down the side during sautéing. Dry it immediately with a clean towel.

Step 5: Dry and Reassemble

Moisture causes mold. Dry every single component completely. I like to leave the parts on a dish rack for an hour. Once dry, stretch the silicone ring back into the lid groove. Ensure it sits flat without any twists. Snap the anti-block shield back into place. Your Instant Pot is now ready for its next meal.

Alternative Methods

The Lemon-Vinegar Steam Clean

If your pot smells intensely of fried food, use the machine to clean itself. Pour two cups of water into the inner pot. Add one cup of white vinegar. Toss in three or four thick lemon wedges. Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing. Run the 'Steam' function for exactly 2 minutes. Once the timer beeps, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. The hot, acidic steam loosens baked-on oil from the lid and the pot's upper rim. Carefully open the lid away from your face. Wipe the inside with a paper towel. The grease will slide right off.

Enzyme-Based Cleaners

For stubborn, rancid oil smells, I turn to enzyme cleaners. Puracy Natural Multi-Surface Cleaner is my go-to. It costs around $14 for a large bottle. Spray it directly onto the silicone ring and the underside of the lid. Let it sit for 15 minutes. The natural enzymes literally eat the organic oil molecules. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth. This method is fantastic if you have kids who track mud everywhere and you're already using enzyme cleaners for laundry. It's a great multi-purpose hack.

The Baking Soda Boil

Sometimes you just need heavy abrasion without scratching. Fill the inner pot halfway with water. Add three tablespoons of baking soda. Turn on the 'Sauté' function. Let the water come to a rolling boil for 10 minutes. The alkaline baking soda reacts with the acidic fatty acids. It turns the stubborn oil into a mild soap. Dump the water and wipe the pot clean. I'll be honest, this takes a bit of time, but it works wonders on neglected cookers.

Prevention Tips

Stopping the mess before it happens saves so much frustration. Here are the exact strategies I use in my own kitchen to keep the grease at bay.

• Use a Splatter Guard: I use the 9-inch stainless steel model from OXO. It costs about $18. Place it over the pot when using the 'Sauté' function. It lets steam escape while catching flying grease.
• Adopt the Two-Ring System: Buy a multi-pack of silicone sealing rings. Keep one strictly for savory, oily dishes like chili and pulled pork. Use the other exclusively for sweet things like yogurt, cheesecake, or steamed veggies. Store them in separate labeled containers. This completely eliminates the dreaded taco-flavored oatmeal problem.
• Respect the Max Fill Lines: Never fill the pot past the 'PC MAX 2/3' line. If you're cooking foods that expand or foam, stay below the '1/2' line. Overfilling causes starchy, oily liquid to sputter up into the valve assembly. Keeping the liquid level down keeps the lid clean.
• Pre-Trim Your Meats: When making bone broth or stews, trim the excess hard fat from pork shoulders or beef chuck before browning. Less rendered fat means less oily residue to clean up later.

FAQ

Can I put the whole Instant Pot in the dishwasher?

Absolutely not. The main cooker base contains sensitive electronic components and the heating element. Submerging it in water or putting it in a dishwasher will permanently ruin the appliance and void your warranty. Only the inner stainless steel pot, the lid, the silicone ring, and the anti-block shield are dishwasher safe.

Why does my silicone ring still smell like old oil after washing?

Silicone is highly porous and absorbs fat molecules deeply during high-pressure cooking. Standard dish soap only cleans the surface. You need an acidic soak, like the vinegar method I mentioned above, or a baking soda paste to draw the oils out of the microscopic pores. If it still stinks after two deep cleans, just buy a replacement ring for $10.

How do I clean the heating element if oil dripped down inside?

Unplug the unit and let it cool completely. Dampen a soft cloth or a cotton swab with a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol. Gently wipe the heating element to dissolve the grease. Never use dripping wet cloths or spray cleaners directly into the base, as liquid pooling inside can cause a short circuit.

Is it safe to use bleach on the stainless steel inner pot?

Never use bleach on stainless steel. The chlorine in bleach reacts with the chromium in the steel, causing severe pitting and rust. Stick to oxygen-based cleaners, baking soda, or specialized stainless steel polishes like Bar Keepers Friend to remove oil stains without damaging the metal's protective layer.