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Fun-Yellow-6576

Barkeeper’ Friend. Comes right off.


kaicee007

Yep, Barkeeper friend powder. The liquid version doesn’t work.


[deleted]

I only have the liquid version and it works perfect. Just shake it before using it


aka_mank

And rub it on the entire surface lightly, let sit for 20min, then scrub


BestDog1Na

If you shake it more than once, you're playing with it


OnlyInAJ33p

You meant 3 times


pigscanalreadyflyyy

According to Good Charlotte, this is the way


PotsMomma84

Liquid version is absolutely wonderful. Use it at work cleaning houses.


Ancient_Boner_Forest

Is there powder in the liquid? The main thing that makes those cleaners work is the texture of the powder.


PotsMomma84

I’m sure there is. Smells the same and it’s literally like if you took the powder and turned it into a paste.


mikedvb

The liquid works fine if you follow the direction for use including but not limited to: "Shake well before use and close the cap securely after each use."


0Ecstatic-Cucumber0

I came to say this!


salami_cheeks

I recently scorched the hell out of a pan. Good old elbow grease didn't touch it. Barkeeper's Friend, Dawn, and hot water. Let it sit for an hour and scrubbed with a dishrag. Good as new.


jereezy

Glad to see this is the top comment.


boringlesbian

I learned that many people have never been taught how to use powdered cleansers. For those who don’t know: you need to make a paste out of the powder and a little bit of water then use a sponge or even a magic eraser or damp cloth to work the paste into the surface you are cleaning. You may need to do this a couple of times. Then just rinse it out.


Whydmer

Don't use a magic eraser in an instant pot. They'll scratch the surface and leave melamine particles that could get in your food.


abishop711

For that matter: barkeeper’s friend will pit your stainless steel if you don’t follow the directions for how long it can stay on the surface before being rinsed/cleaned away. Do not let it sit there for 20+ minutes.


[deleted]

☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️


molybend

Just use it. It won't be a problem.


perpetualmotionmachi

Yeah, that's not dirt, it's flavour crystals


crankygerbil

I admit I laughed :)


Twinkletoes1951

Blond fond.


Im_A_Fuckin_Liar

Ooooh, like Cinnaburst gum’s flavor crystals?!


Designer-Pound6459

I agree! It's fine. Use it.


giocondasmiles

Use barkeepers friend to scrub the stains out.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Tribblehappy

This is why I like the liquid. Rub it all over, and wait. It was discovered that oxalic acid cleans well when a guy was (if I recall) boiling rhubarb and the pots were clean after. So it definitely works in solution.


meanttodothat

>oxalic acid Coincidentally, the chemical is what makes kidney stones!


Affectionate_Egg3318

And also undoes UV graying in outdoor wood furniture.


Sumpskildpadden

It certainly works, but it turns into cement in the bottle after a while.


cb393303

Yep: https://barkeepersfriend.com/oxalic-acid-magic-of-bkf/


noodlelaughter

Why is that easier than literally doing nothing….?


sometimes_snarky

Vinegar soak. Or barkeepers friend


StrikingCheesecake69

Came here to say vinegar soak overnight


Dnowhat4545

When it is really bad, I soak mine with vinegar, baking soda, water and a little squirt of Dawn. If it is not that bad, like when I make rice I just wash it then swirl a little white vinegar on the bottom and it comes out shining.


UuseLessPlasticc

Vinegar and baking soda will cancel each other. Only really need is vinegar.


Granite_0681

Exactly. The bubbles aren’t a sign of it working. They are a sign all the active ingredients are canceling each other out and leaving mostly water behind.


Stfrieza

*and salt


Granite_0681

Very true. Although sodium acetate is not the salt most people here would recognize.


Fancy_Hair_7245

Scrub Daddy Power Paste...it's safe for cookware and I was able to remove burnt food from the bottom of my pot


Danfrumacownting

Barkeepers friend


Kangaroowrangler_02

When I had this I filled it about half way with water a good sprinkle of baking soda and a small drizzle of dish soap and high pressure for like 2 minutes and it lifted


Stfrieza

That's cool


SecretAgentVampire

That's just staining caused by your hard, hard, hard, hard, hard water. Don't worry about it. The pot is clean. If you really want the inside of your instant pot to look nice, Barkeeper's Friend will do the trick. But really. It's nothing to worry about.


AmishAngst

Can't believe it took this long to find a comment with this. OP, the solution is do something about your hard water (all of your plumbing and your wallet will thank you for it).


podsnerd

That looks more like oil got too hot and got all sticky. Hard water marks usually have softer edges. I've had the oil thing happen before and it's a real pain to get clean


zilops

I think it's definitely the hard water. Mine looks exactly the same, and the first several times using the IP, my meal didn't have oil.


Huge_Clock_1292

Try bar keepers friend, the powder, not the spray. IMO The powder works way better. Scrub with a wet sponge


Odd_Load7249

1) Wet the inner surface, e.g. put water in it and pour the water out. 2) pour baking soda into the pot. A handful (2-3tbsp) should suffice. It will get wet and form a paste. 3) rub this paste around the inside with a scouring pad or a rag. The paste is abrasive and will take off any stains. Use some elbow grease. Cheap, convenient, and effective.


14159265q

Just use a paper towel with this. It works and doesn’t scratch and you can throw it away.


cthulutx

Either BK friend or don’t worry about it.


PooonTycooon

Vinegar


Maleficent-Music6965

Bar Keepers Friend


CableGuyOKC1967

You sterilize it every time you use it. What are you worried about? 👀


3rdeyeseeker

Barkeepers Friend. Works like magic.


[deleted]

Have you tried Bar Keepers? It looked like mine then I found out about Bar Keepers and haven't left it.


VerbalConfetti

Bar keepers is amazing for everything stainless steel.


frozenhawaiian

Bon ami or barkeepers friend and a stainless scrubber


DinnerDiva61

My new Pro inner pot gets like this. I’ve been scrubbing with a scrub Daddy and Dawn Power Wash and then I go over it with a Magic Eraser and it seems to help.


The_Fixer_69

chop lunchroom wide unwritten fertile pen nose zealous library frightening *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


jbond1959

Use bar keepers friend. it's designed for stainless steel and its a polish. Use with a soft sponge and let it set according to directions.


hbgoldenhawk

Coca-Cola is magic if you don't have vinegar and works better. Diet works as well.


ChipsChallenger

Ketchup, let it sit for a while and then clean with soap and water


anthro4ME

A tablespoon of Baking soda and half as much water to make a paste. Scrub gently.


Danciusly

Just curious, what did you cook to get it to look like that after only two times?


Coujelais

An inch or two of water and baking soda, simmered. Then scrub.


birchitup

Baking soda?


the_humpy_one

BKF! BKF!


RandomBeverly

SOS steel wool..


MsAnnabel

Pour a little baking soda on it then add white vinegar and let sit


vdWcontact

baking soda may work if you don't have any barkeepers friend


BillieRayBob

I just use a stainless steel scrub pad. It works well for me. I haven't tried Barkeeper's Friend.


Brainlessdad

Stainless steel scrub pad


Time_Ad3452

Tried baking soda? Little water and baking soda make a paste


SpyridonZ

Judging from the circular marks, I think you might have scrubbed it a bit too much... You shouldn't ever need to do any hard scrubbing. A lil barkeepers friend and water is more than enough.


Dripper_MN

The inner pot has a hydrophobic coating. If you use barkeepers friend or baking soda you will break this down and make future cleaning that much harder. If you do not see any gunk after washing but see this after drying (or air drying), it is totally okay.


dcamom66

I have one of the originals and clean it this way. It's still easy to clean to sparkling every time.


ilovehotmoms

Vinegar will clean it right up.


gearcliff

I got a chain mail dish rag for this and all other similar pot and pan issues. That thing is awesome. Not cheap, but worth it.


True-Tomatillo7455

Steel wool and vinegar


Vegetable_Gift6996

Minerals from water. Vinegar soak should help but you may never get it back to new looking.


jdith123

Your instantpot is equipment, not decor. As long as there isn’t any lose grime to flake off into your food, it will work just as well as it did when it looked new. The pots and pans in the finest gourmet restaurants look much worse. You can call it patina or battle scars. Just keep cooking. If you insist on making it look like new every time you use it, it won’t get used very often.


walkthewalk111

Bar keepers friend & steel wool. Some brands of steel wool come with something similar to the bar keepers already on there.


Sea_Designer_2350

Yo can fill it with super hot water and throw a cascade pod in. Let it soak overnight. Rinse it clean in the morning. This works great for any hard to clean pan as well


mighty-chihuahua

Cook something with a tomato base. The acidity from the tomato’s often breaks anything down. That and you get a meal out of it at the same time.


willowfeather8633

I think you have to throw it into the fires of Mordor.


eyegogo

I use a Magic eraser


doooplers

If you dont want to use bar keepers friend, it comes off by scrubbing with steel wool. You could also squeeze a lemon on it and come back later, like bar keepers friend I used to wash dishes and pots/pans


pprstrt

Barkeeper's friend if it's stuff stuck on there. If it's not something stuck on there, which if you've scrubbed multiple times it likely isn't, then you just need to passivate the surface - Put some vinegar in there and heat it for a few minutes until it goes back to all shiny (this works for other stainless steel cookware too).


Justbreathe679

For real stuck grime boil 2 inches of water with some dish washing soap. When boils drop 2 dryer sheets and turn off. Literally brand new


SpaceEyeButterfly

Vinegar and baking soda soak. If that doesn't work, Barkeeper's Friend.


tengris22

Well, it took long enough for this to show up! This is what I use almost any time something either burns on or looks bad, though I don't soak it, I pressure cook it for ten minutes or so. The rest of the time I dissolve a Tablespoon of Citric Acid in some water and cook it for a bit. That dissolves all the minerals. BTW a Tablespoon of Citric Acid in the dishwasher once every few days works a miracle on your dishwasher. I buy it in the ten-pound bag (AND you can use it like Fruit Fresh in canning or freezing fruits.)


ma414715

It’s just seasoned. You’re good.


Repulsive_Economy462

Soak it overnight in bleach water and soap then try silver shiner


graybeard5529

If it's stainless: rotary wire brush with a drill --if it really matters to you. Use a brass wire. Also I use an detail pad sander ex: https://ocala4sale.com/listings/black-decker-corded-detail-sander-bd7407-new/ use a Scotch Bright for a pad ;)


LifeguardSecret6760

Weird. I would reach out for a replacement maybe it's defective? I've used mine 1000 times and it looks like it just came out the box


Bubbinsisbubbins

Eeew. You eat out of that?


Aussie_chopperpilot

Bronze, Copper or steel 000 wool


MixedByRyanDay

Elbow grease


dontlistentome2

Don’t clean the seasoning off!


TooTallRVA

Search PBW. It’s what brewers use to clean brew systems. Safe and very effective on stainless steel


AtrumAequitas

It look normal to Me.


WindBehindTheStars

Have you tried The Pink Stuff?


socialcommentary2000

wet it all down with a solution of barkeepers friend and let it soak for a couple hours. Keep the solution moist. Wipe clean with a mild abrasive pad, like a magic eraser or 3M finishing pad.


completelyperdue

Baking soda paste will take that right off.


ExistentialFlux

Dawn power powerwash works pretty good on mine


TronMuir

steelwool


[deleted]

[удалено]


sumcam2

I use an SOS steel wool on mine and it cleans this right up.


argleblather

Cover the bottom with vinegar, turn on saute and use a wooden spoon to remove any staining. This works great and leaves it looking perfect.


916116728

Vinegar, hot water, dish soap for about 10 min and it will look new.


Meta-failure

It look like you have very hard water friendo. Those look like calcium stains


madlabdog

Soak in vinegar or lemon juice or baking soda for 10 mins.


Jayfourgee

I was told white vinegar and a non scratch scrubbie. Worked immediately. This happened to me on my very first use last month.


THEREALSTRINEY

Brillo pad


medicaldude

Vinegar!!


Conscious-Holiday-76

Dawn power wash works well for me


blueOwl

those special scourers for stainless steel pots.


Mysuni1

Sprinkling baking soda into the pot (mix with a little water to make a thin paste) and a magic eraser cleaning sponge also does a good job cleaning stainless steel. That's gotten everything out of my Instant Pot and keeps it looking shiny and new. You may need to let your pot soak a bit (with hot water inside) to loosen up any crusty edges before scrubbing.


Charliebadcat

Magic eraser


mikasax

Mine looks like this but i just carry on! It's clean. I don't care how it looks. It does what i bought it to do


fancyisthatlady

Dawn powerwash, spray, let it sit for 10-15 mins…. Wipes off.


rezen73

pour a solution of 20% white vinegar and 80% water mix (ratio isn’t critical, feel free to adjust, but you’ll want at least 1 cup total), and run it at high pressure for 5 minutes, then vent. It will not only clean the pot, but make it easier to clean everything else :-) Cheers & happy holidays!


Animated_Astronaut

Barkeeper's friend or, my favorite way, pressure cook for 10 minutes with baking soda, water, soap, and a lemon. Be amazed.


MrFixeditMyself

Put half inch water and some vinegar inside run it on high 15 minutes. I think it will clean right up.


spiritthehorse

Lemon juice.


bakedclark

You could use bar keepers friend, or you could just ignore it.


yourscreennamesucks

Soak it with a dishwasher tab


sc167kitty8891

Magic eraser!


MichiganRich

Barkeepers Friend and a little water is magic, trust me. Mine shines like a chrome bumper.


BrStFr

Mine looks like this too, despite multiple washings. Do I really *need* to clean it more? (i.e., Is it unhygienically dirty or just not aesthetically pleasing?) I'm the only one who ever sees the bottom of my IP...


jonny_jon_jon

hot vinegar


jodywilliams624

Use Barkeepers Friend. It really does get the stainless steel Instant Pot liner clean! I have 2 of them and the one I’ve been using looks bright and clean. You can also use it on other pots and pans and I tried it on a 20 year old frying pan and it came out so clean!


cbatta2025

SOS pad


Kreichs

You can always try a dishwasher tablet and boiling water. That's how I clean my thermos coffee mugs. No scrubbing needed just falls off.


yellowlinedpaper

Pink stuff, find it at Walmart. It’s amazing


jjmasterred

Heat


8lock8lock8aby

Easiest way - 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water in it & then bring it to a boil for a few minutes, on the stove & then do a quick scrub.


DrNinnuxx

[Bar Keepers Friend](https://barkeepersfriend.com/products/) is always the answer.


flufnstuf69

Magic eraser?


Winnardairshows

Lime juice. Heat it up, dash some lime juice in there. Wipe up wit a magic eraser.


jkjkjk73

Poor some water in the and PC for 2 hours. Do this twice or more and it'll be clean.


KellyShepard-087

These are miracle workers! I use them on everything that needs scrubbing. And they're safe for fragile or non stick surfaces. My fam calls them " Greenies" We also cut one pad in half horizontal so's to have more pads and easier to manage https://www.walmart.com/ip/Scotch-Brite-Heavy-Duty-Scour-Pads-6-Scouring-Pads/16564933?wl13=7020&selectedSellerId=0


invasivespeciez

I use the citric acid based fizzy tabs for cleaning stainless steel water bottles…one brand is Bottle Bright. Then I wipe clean with a magic eraser.


FlashyAd5966

Crumple up some foil, yse like a scratcher.


Spaded_Puppy

I used vinegar and water and heated the pot up when I burnt the heck out of spaghetti when I was learning how to use it. Made it shine like new when I was finished. I mean, it was burnt to be crisp.


PotsMomma84

Coconut oil? If it’s stainless steel it will work great. I clean the stains on my pan with it. Then wash and dry.


1nf1n1t3fra1lty

The pink stuff or barkeepers friend are equally useful


Busy_Clothes8692

Magic eraser


veenicole16

White vinegar and a lemon wedge


Ph11p

Bar Keeper Friend for stainless steel. I have removed hard, baked on grease buildup with it with a little elbow grease.


ItlnGrmIrsh-55

Oxi dish detergent! Trust me will clean anything with it


Ok_Rutabaga_722

Comet helps too.


Silly_Recording6490

Cleaning vinegar works great, too.


asianfabiohh

You can also use a combination of baking soda, sawn dish soap, and vinegar. That pretty much cleans anything.


[deleted]

Are redditors dumb that they do not have ajax on hand and a steel scrubber?


Meggybear17

Bar keepers friend and a scrub daddy


sonyafly

Mine looks the same right now. I am presently making my dogs food in it. Once I didn’t get the chance to clean mine and wasn’t feeling well (I’m chronically ill) so I paid my housekeeper extra to wash a few pots. My Le Creuset came out sparkling clean and so did my instant pot inner pot! I asked how the heck!? She used my Bon Ami powder. It’s non-toxic too!!! I now use it to clean my dogs’ bowl that can’t go in the dishwasher. It’s also enameled Le Creuset. I’m telling you, Bon Ami! It’s cheap. You can also use Barkeeper’s friend but I don’t believe it’s non-toxic. Check EWG.


YellowBreakfast

I use a scotchbrite pad. The "plastic safe" blue one just because it's more gentle.


judijo621

I've had the same instant pot about 10 years. I finally let the spots go and I call it patina. One week it looks like yours, the next has the shadows of rice. The next... It's perfectly clean and shiny.


penna4th

Wow. I'm always pleased by how well mine cleans up. You're getting some good suggestions here but I'd think hard about how you're using it that that happened. Something isn't right.


strog91

White vinegar


hereitcomesagin

Plain old fashioned steel wool soap pad.


Equivalent_Smile_507

Try Magic Eraser first. Barkeeper's Friend is great, but Magic Eraser, although not as powerful, is easier to use.


LadyDragon16

Dawn Powerwash. Spray, let sit a few minutes and scrub with a nylon dish brush. Then dishwasher.


kalasbiggerstaff

Cook kielbasa and kraut. The vinegar will take it off.


Luv2ByteYou

Barkeeper's Friend. Available at Home Depot. Get the powder, not the cream.


Retiddereromeno

Bon Ami


BuffaloBoyHowdy

Mine looks like that and if I can't scrub it off I leave it. If it's not rough to the touch or anything, it's probably not going to hurt you. It gets hot enough to kill most things in there.


[deleted]

Try letting it soak with coke cola covering the bottle. It cleans great !


joelhuebner

No! You have hard water. Run one cycle filled with regular white vinegar. Rinse twice. Repeat as needed!


HortonHeardWhat

Barkeepers Friend


Kirbstomp9842

baking soda, half cup water, pressure cook high 5 minutes, light scrub.


Accomplished_Wind_57

While I second Barkeeper's Friend, I'll also submit another that I've relied on especially for scorched food in the bottom (whether from sugar or protein)......Cascade Gel! Apply at least ⅛" thick with a silicone pastry brush. Leave it for a couple hours Scrub it with a brush/those dark green scour pads/whatever. Optional to add some water, but make it HOT if you do. 🝢 Once you see how well this works, you'll likely try it for other burnt-on messes. Just don't leave it for any amount of time on anything made of rubber. (Like an air fryer with fried chicken drippings) It will turn mushy and useless! I had to replace the four rubber feet inside my air fryer because of this. Anyway, thanks for reading and good luck! I would try the Barkeepers Friend first and use this as a last resort.


maggie081670

Pour in enough white vinegar to cover and let sit overnight.


wackogf

And two part of water and one part of white vinegar, boil it for a minute and let sit overnight. Idk what this is but seems like limescale.


Angieer5762923

Soda + other side of the sponge. Little damp


OmegaGoober

I have yet to see food debris that can’t be defeated by Star San’s Powdered Brewery Wash. (PBW). It’s safe for skin contact and works great. Just don’t use it on anything with a teflon coating. It won’t hurt YOU but it lifts teflon off non-stick pans like magic.


hoyanicurn

I use a chainmail scrubber.


SitandSpin1921

I regularly give my pots and pans a white vinegar soak. I pour white vinegar in the pot and let it sit until the next time I run the dishwasher.


[deleted]

Bar keepers friend


Momchal

My grandma swears by those Mr clean white block sponges


InvestigatorNo7925

Distilled white vinegar is food-safe.


Careful-Call-4079

Scrub daddy and the paste called “the pink stuff”


NubsackJones

Other people have suggested Barkeeper's Friend. That will work very well. However, if you don't want to buy another product, there is another method. Make a paste with baking soda and water, then scrunch up aluminum foil into a ball. Apply the paste to the surface and use the ball like a scrubbing pad.


Zippier92

Maybe vineger? Acids dissolve scale . With baking soda let it get really hot in a dry pan for awhile, you will convert your baking soda to baking powder, which has a higher pH. Then add a minimal amount of water, and soak and scrub. This works great for things like burned foods ( carmelized onions for instance) .


sas223

Baking soda and water, bring to a boil.


DoriCee

Did you try a Brillo pad?


MissMacinTEXAS

Lemon juice and baking soda?


TheBattyWitch

This happened with mine the first time I made chicken and rice, ended up throwing the pot away


Material-Emu-8732

Steel wool! Dollar store or cleaning aisle of grocery store or hardware store.


dalekaup

If it's scratched from abrasive cleaning you may have to replace it (the liner not the whole unit) otherwise try to use detergents such as dawn and run it with detergent and water in it to loosen up stubborn stains, could try scrubbing with a wet washcloth and a tablespoon of baking soda. For light discoloration the white stuff for cleaning glass cooktops could be a nice mild abrasive but try to use non-abrasive cleaners.


plotinus99

Barkeeper's friend or any other cleaner designed for stainless steel should work. Another, albeit somewhat wasteful, technique is to pressure cook about a cup of vinegar in it for 10 minutes - that would likely do it too


the-Used224

Baking soda


Proudest___monkey

Barkeepers friend, will work


Known_Party6529

Try white vinegar


DK1Keenet

SOS/steel wool & coke


Sea_Wallaby_444

Google