Cooking at home has become easier and more convenient thanks to the wealth of innovative appliances available today. Chief among these are electric cookers, such as slow cookers and multi-cookers (also known as “Instant Pots” or pressure cookers). These useful devices allow us to simmer, sear, roast, and steam meals with the press of a button, eliminating the hassle of working over a hot stove. Unfortunately, the fact that these appliances are typically used to cook and warm food over long periods of time also means they’re a magnet for stuck-on (or worse, burnt-on) debris.
In this guide, we’ll break down the easiest way to clean a cooker, so you can maximize the efficiency of these versatile appliances. And, for further assistance battling stubborn grime in the kitchen, you can contact our Louisville maids for house cleaning services.
How to Clean a Cooker in 4 Easy Steps
First, to prevent unnecessary scrubbing, make sure your cooker is among the things you clean every day. Cleaning your cooker after each use will prevent food debris from drying out and becoming stuck to the inside of the appliance. Ideally, you should clean your cooker no later than an hour after you finish cooking, using the methods outlined below:
Step One: Wipe Off the Exterior
Start by cleaning the outside of the cooker: Unplug the appliance, then wipe off the exterior with a moist microfiber cloth. While you work, be careful to avoid getting the display panel or the electrical components of the cooker damp; doing so could potentially damage your appliance. To clean those areas, you should use a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
Step Two: Clean the Interior
Most slohat you should never use harsh cleaning products or abrasive scrubbers inside your cooker, even if you’re trying to get rid of burnt-on food.
To clean your cooker properly, you have a few options:
- For multi-cookers, check to see if the stainless-steel insert and trivet are dishwasher-safe. If they are, use a soft spatula to scrape excess food debris into the garbage can; then, place the insert and trivet upside-down on the bottom rack of the dishwasher and wash them along with your other dishes. Because items on the bottom rack receive the full power (and heat) of the dishwasher’s water jets, this is usually all that’s required to remove cooked-on grime.
- If you’re cleaning a slow cooker (or using a dishwasher isn’t an option), fill the insert with warm, soapy water and let it sit for 20-30 minutes to loosen and lift debris. Then, use a cleaning rag or sponge to finish cleaning the inside of the pot.
- Try vinegar and baking soda for tough messes. When used in combination, vinegar and baking soda create a chemical reaction that literally dissolves grease and stuck-on grime. At the same time, these natural compounds are gentle enough to be safe for use on coated cookware and ceramic.
- To remove burnt-on grime from the interior of your multi-cooker, start by soaking the insert in warm, soapy water, as outlined above. Then, create a paste of equal parts baking soda and white vinegar. Apply the paste to a non-scratch scrub pad and work it into grimy areas, scrubbing in a firm circular motion. Rinse the insert with cool water and dry it with a clean cloth when you’re done.
- With slow cookers, you can skip scrubbing altogether. Instead, use the cooker’s built-in features to do the work for you: Fill the cooker with water until the “food line” is completely submerged. Add half a cup of white vinegar and half a cup of baking soda for a standard three-quart slow cooker, or a full cup of each ingredient for a large six-quart model. Put the lid on the cooker and set it to “low.” Let the mixture simmer for at least one hour, then remove the lid and allow it to cool. Finish by dumping out the liquid and wiping down the interior with a damp microfiber cloth. Rinse the cooker thoroughly with cool water before drying to ensure no vinegar scent remains.
Step Three: Take Care of the Lid
To clean the lid of your slow cooker or multi-cooker, remove the silicone or rubber sealing ring around the edge of the pot lid and set it aside. Then, immerse the lid and sealing ring in a sink full of hot, soapy water and use a cleaning sponge or cloth to wipe them down. Or, if you would prefer to use your dishwasher, place the lid and sealing ring on the top rack and run them through a full cycle.
Step Four: Occasionally Freshen Up the Sealing Ring
Because sealing rings are made from soft, porous materials (typically silicone or rubber), they’re prone to absorbing cooking smells over time. To keep the sealing ring of your electric cooker clean and odor-free, we recommend immersing it in a basin filled with white vinegar and a few drops of dish soap at least once a week. Let the sealing ring soak for one to three hours, then remove it, rinse it in cold water, and allow it to thoroughly air-dry.
Get Kitchen Cleaning Help from Super Cleaning Service Louisville
Electric cookers and other time-saving appliances are popular for a reason: With most Americans resuming their pre-pandemic routines, we’re busier than ever as we rebuild our social and professional lives.
If you’re finding it increasingly difficult to fit housekeeping into your schedule, our flexible, affordable Louisville maid services can help you keep your life manageable – and make your home a more welcoming, comfortable place. Better still, our cleaners can clean when you aren’t home, so you won’t have to worry about accommodating extra commitments. Just book your first no-obligation appointment online and we’ll do the rest!
