My pressure cooker smells of the last dish I cooked. How do I remove the odor?

Question

Learn effective methods to deodorize your pressure cooker and remove lingering food smells.

Answer 1

To remove odors from your pressure cooker, try boiling water with lemon juice or white vinegar inside for a few minutes. This will help neutralize and eliminate lingering smells.

Detailed Explanation:

A pressure cooker can absorb odors from the food cooked inside, especially if it has a silicone sealing ring. Here's a step-by-step guide to removing those unwanted smells:

1. Inspect and Clean: First, disassemble all removable parts of your pressure cooker, including the sealing ring, steam valve, and any other components. Wash them thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Pay close attention to the sealing ring, as it's often the main culprit for trapping odors.
2. Lemon Juice Method: Fill the pressure cooker with water, leaving a few inches of space at the top. Add the juice of one or two lemons (or about 1/4 cup of bottled lemon juice). Close the lid and bring the water to a boil under pressure for about 5 minutes. Carefully release the pressure and discard the lemon water. Rinse the cooker thoroughly.
3. Vinegar Method: Alternatively, use white vinegar. Fill the pressure cooker with water and add about 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Follow the same boiling procedure as with the lemon juice method: close the lid, bring to a boil under pressure for 5 minutes, carefully release the pressure, and discard the vinegar water. Rinse well.
4. Baking Soda Paste: For stubborn odors, make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the inside of the pressure cooker and the sealing ring. Let it sit for several hours or overnight. Then, scrub the paste off and rinse thoroughly.
5. Air Dry: After cleaning, allow all parts of the pressure cooker to air dry completely before reassembling. This helps prevent mold and further odor buildup. You can even leave the sealing ring in a sunny spot to help air it out.

Pro Tip:

Consider purchasing a separate sealing ring specifically for cooking sweet dishes. This will prevent savory flavors from transferring to desserts and vice versa, minimizing odor issues.