How to clean a multi-cooker and keep your appliance in top condition

If you're lucky enough to have a multi-cooker in your kitchen appliance range, you're probably wondering how to keep this handy cooking device in tip-top condition. Multi-cookers are an investment, so it is essential to know how to clean a multi-cooker properly to keep it working effectively.

The best multi-cookers are wonderfully diverse in their capabilities. Whether you want to cook rice, stew, meat, or make some sort of tasty dessert, many of these devices can do it all. And if you know how much a multi-cooker costs to run, you'll know they're energy efficient as well.

But the caveat is that often there can be leftover food stains and lingering smells that can hamper our multi-cooker experience going forward. If you don't know how to clean a multi-cooker, not only will it not look and smell as good, it won't cook the food as well, as the parts need to be free of leftovers to be able to do a proper job. 

So you can stop this from happening and make sure your multi-cooker lasts a lifetime, we've asked the experts to share their top tips for cleaning a multi-cooker.

How to clean a multi-cooker 

Our step by step guide will talk you through how to clean a multi-cooker. It's a job that is best done regularly, each time the multi-cooker has been used, to prevent any tough stains from building up. 

What you need to clean a multi-cooker

• A soft bristle brush or non-abrasive sponge
• Washing up liquid
• White vinegar or a lemon
• Disinfectant spray
• A clean towel for drying

Step-by-step

1. Prepare for cleaning

The first step for how to clean a multi-cooker is to unplug the device and let it cool down. Once enough time has passed since using it, remove all of the separate parts included in your multi-cooker. The basket, rack, cooking pot and lid should all be taken out of the main body and placed to one side.

2. Clean the cooking pot and lid

'We recommend cleaning both the cooking pot and lid from the unit each time after use, either by placing in the dishwasher if it is dishwasher safe, or by hand washing in warm soapy water,' says Cira Jones, Marketing Manager, Russell Hobbs. 'Ensure all food and crumbs are removed, which can burn if not cleaned properly and can taint the taste of the food you are cooking.'

Don't assume that your cooking pot can be put in the dishwasher - the Fast Slow Go Multi-cooker from Sage for example doesn't have a dishwasher-friendly pot, so it's always worth checking. 

If cleaning the cooking pot by hand, use non-abrasive cleaners so you don't damage the non-stick surface. A soft-bristle brush and warm soapy water will do the job for lighter cleans.

3. Use lemon or vinegar to banish odours

The silicone ring on a multi-cooker can sometimes retain food residue and lingering odours. To get rid of this, fill the inner pot with 250ml of water, plus 250ml of white vinegar or half a lemon. Cleaning with vinegar or lemon is an effective method for decomposing stubborn food stains and banishing unwanted smells.

Use the pressure cook or steam setting and let the lemon or vinegar work its magic. 'Leave to steam for 10 minutes before emptying the pot, rinsing, and drying,' says Zoe McClean, Home Economist, Crockpot. 'This leaves the multi-cooker smelling fresh and new, making it ready for you to prepare some seriously sweet baked goods such as cheesecakes or steamed puddings without any remaining savoury food residue.'

You can use a scented white vinegar spray if you don't want your pot to carry that strong vinegar smell afterwards. Pour this into the pot alongside the water. Alternatively, add a cap of some concentrated disinfectant with the vinegar too.

4. Clean the exterior

Knowing how to clean a multi-cooker should keep the appliance looking newer for longer, so it's important to regularly wipe down the exterior of the appliance after cleaning the inner pot and parts. You can use any multi-purpose cleaner for this and a sponge - again, a non-scratch sponge is best, we like these Spontex sponges from Amazon.

5. Dry off so it gleams

Lastly, dry off your multi-cooker with a clean tea towel. It's better to do this rather than leaving it to air dry so there isn't any water droplets leftover. 

And that's it! You've learnt how to clean a multi-cooker, and you can continue to use your appliance as though it's brand new.

FAQ

• Disconnect it from the power source: Unplug the rice cooker and allow it to cool down before cleaning.
• Clean the inside: Pour some warm water into the cooking pot, along with a small amount of dish soap. Use a soft sponge or cloth to gently scrub the interior of the pot, paying special attention to any areas with stubborn food residue.
• Rinse with warm water: Rinse the pot thoroughly with clean water, making sure not to pour water onto the electrical components or immerse the base of the rice cooker in water or any other liquids. Also, make sure to remove all traces of soap.
• Dry it well: Wipe the interior of the pot dry with a clean towel.
• Clean the exterior: Use a damp cloth and mild soap if necessary. Again, don’t immerse the base of the rice cooker in water.
• Clean the steam vent: If your rice cooker has a removable steam vent, remove it and clean it separately with warm soapy water and a soft sponge or cloth. Rinse it thoroughly and dry it completely before reattaching it to the cooker.
• You are ready: Reassemble the rice cooker and store it in a cool, dry place.'