The Instant Pot Sealing Ring is a pretty important part of your Instant Pot. Without it, the Instant pot will never build pressure and cook your food! Cleaning and replacing your seal is important to ensure the Instant Pot works effectively.
When Do I Change My Instant Pot Sealing Ring?
Typically, you will know that your sealing ring needs to be changed because you will notice that the Instant Pot is not coming to pressure. Additionally, you may notice that there’s a lot of steam coming from the sides of your lid when you try to cook something. It can be a struggle to know when to change your Instant Pot sealing ring, because it may work one day, and just simply not work the next day.
To prevent a catastrophe, check your Instant Pot sealing ring on a regular basis for the following:
- Discoloration
- Stretching
- Debris
- Small tears or cracks
If you have any of the above, you should consider buying a replacement sealing ring before the one you’re using stops working. Depending on your level of usage and when your ring shows signs of wear and tear, it should be replaced every 6 to 18 months. Instant Pot recommends replacing it closer to every 6 to 12 months.
Although your Instant Pot not coming to pressure can mean the sealing ring needs replaced, there are other reasons this function may not be working. Check out my Instant Pot Troubleshooting Guide to find out more!
Where Can I Buy Replacement Sealing Rings?
You can buy Instant Pot sealing rings wherever Instant Pot’s are sold including Walmart, Target, Kohls, or Williams Sonoma. But, my top recommendation is to buy them on Amazon. On Amazon, you can easily find whatever size you need, buy them in bulk, and choose different colors so you can use different rings for different dishes. If you need a new sealing ring now, here are my top recommendations from Amazon:
- 6 Quart 4-Pack Silicone Sealing Rings
- 8 Quart 3-Pack Silicone Sealing Rings
- 3 Quart 3-Pack Silicone Sealing Rings
How To Clean The Instant Pot Sealing Ring
If you want your Instant Pot sealing ring to last longer than 6-months, it’s imperative that you clean it and inspect it after each use. If you are having issues with a funky order, follow the steps below to clean the sealing ring:
- First, fill the inner pot with two cups of white vinegar and 2 cups of water, and a lemon rind.
- Close your Instant Pot lid and put your steam release valve into the sealing position.
- Then, hit the “steam” button on your Instant Pot and set the time for 2-minutes.
- Once it’s done, release the pressure. Then, remove the sealing ring from the lid and let it air dry completely.
Should I Have an Extra Sealing Ring?
We recommend always having a replacement ring on hand in case the one you are using goes bad without notice. Additionally, no matter how well you clean it, it may still hold onto odors. For that reason, we recommend having a sealing ring for savory dishes and for sweet dishes so the odors do not transfer between the two types of dishes.
Many potheads (Instant Pot users) have different colored rings for different flavored foods. Blue sealing rings are for savory foods such as chicken, tikka masala, and curry. Red sealing rings are for sweet foods such as cakes, desserts, or orange chicken. And, many people also use a third clear sealing ring for common uses like cooking hard boiled eggs. Having different colored sealing rings is totally optional, but a good way to make sure you always have one on hand.
More Instant Pot Tips and Tricks
- How to Clean an Instant Pot Super Good
- Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid: How to Use It
- What is the Pot-in-Pot Method
- Instant Pot Troubleshooting Guide
If you have any other Instant Pot questions head on over to the Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners Facebook group for assistance. We’d love to help you use your Instant Pot like a pro.
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