Can You Put An Instant Pot In The Fridge?

The Instant Pot is a versatile and convenient kitchen appliance that can do everything from slow cooking to pressure cooking, steaming, sautéing, and more.

Many users question whether it is safe to put the Instant Pot in the refrigerator.

This article will provide information on whether or not it is safe to store an Instant Pot and its components in the refrigerator. I will also explore the potential risks of storing the Instant Pot in the refrigerator and provide some tips for safely doing so.

Components of Instant Pot

Before I start discussing the consequences of placing the Instant Pot in the refrigerator, it is important to define what we are talking about.

The Instant Pot is a multi-functional pressure cooker that comprises three main components: the lid, the inner cooking pot and the housing unit (often also called base).

1. The lid is designed with a sealing ring to create an airtight environment, allowing the pressure to build up inside the cooker.
2. The inner cooking pot, made of stainless steel, is where the food is cooked. Instant Pot uses high quality food grade 304 (18/8) stainless steel inner pots made with sturdy, three-ply, or copper-clad bottom for uniform heating.
3. The housing unit or cooker base and the heating unit contain the control panel, heating unit, and exterior pot.

When people ask if it is ok to put Instant Pot in the refrigerator, they usually mean the inner cooking pot. But I will also talk about the lid and housing unit because I know these components are also asked about.

Why would you want to put Instant Pot in the fridge?

There are two main reasons why you would want to store your Instant Pot in the fridge.

The first reason is to store the prepared food in the inner pot. It is tempting to use the inner pot of your cooker as a food storage container. The Instant Pot inner pot is made of food-grade 304 stainless steel, a great material for storing food (except for acidic products containing tomatoes, vinegar, and a few others). The inner pot is specifically designed for food products, so you don’t have to worry about the food sticking or absorbing odors or flavors from other foods. Additionally, the inner pot can be used to reheat food in the Instant Pot without fear of burning or overcooking, so storing food in the pots lets you avoid transferring food to the storage container and back.

The second reason to put the Instant Pot in the fridge is to store the prepared components of a meal you will cook in your pot later. What a nice headstart on dinner! You can also want to marinate the meat in the stainless steel pot overnight. Is this a legit way to use the inner pot? Please keep reading, and you will find out!

Can I put Instant Pot in the refrigerator?

Yes, you can put the Instant Pot in the fridge if you mean the inner pot of your Instant Pot. You will have to consider a few things, but the answer is yes.

When searching for information on whether you can put an Instant Pot in the refrigerator, you have probably seen varied opinions from people who have different perspectives on it. It depends on whether you refer to the appliance as a whole or the inner pot.

Can I put the inner Instant Pot in the fridge to store the leftovers?

Yes, you can put the Instant Pot inner pot in the refrigerator. Actually, this is the only part of the Instant Pot that can go in the fridge.

Before putting the pot in the fridge, you should take care of two things – cooling and covering it.

First, you should cool the inner pot to room temperature. Putting hot cookware in the refrigerator is not advisable because it will increase the temperature inside the fridge and may spoil other products.

Second, once the pot is cooled down, add the plastic lid and then put it into the fridge. You should get a plastic or silicon lid for the inner pot to cover the food. You know that all products in the fridge should be covered, right?

Can the lid and base of my Instant Pot go in the refrigerator?

No, the lid and housing of the Instant Pot should not go in the refrigerator.

The lid and housing of the Instant Pot are designed to operate at room temperature. If they were placed in the refrigerator, moisture could build up inside the Instant Pot and cause damage to electrical components if you turn it on immediately after taking it out of the fridge. Going from hot to cold to hot again can cause damage to the seals, gaskets, and other components of the Instant Pot.

Besides, the entire Instant Pot takes much more space than the insert. I simply see no need to put the whole appliance in (unless you are trying to hide the Instant Pot in your dorm room).

Can you put a hot inner Instant Pot in the fridge?

No, you should never put a hot inner pot in the fridge. The thermal mass of a large pot of soup or stew is quite likely to increase the temperature of the refrigerator and could be even more damaging in the freezer (it may cause any item placed near it to thaw).

How long to let the inner pot cool before refrigerating?

Allow the container to cool for 10-20 minutes on the counter, uncovered. After 10-20 minutes, give the stew a couple of stirs with a spoon or spatula to evenly distribute any heat that may have built up at the center of the pot during cooking.

If you are in a hurry and want to cool the pot faster, submerging it in a large bath of cold water or ice water will help the pot to cool down much more quickly than if you were to let it sit out at room temperature simply.

Can you put the Instant Pot insert in the cooker straight out of the refrigerator?

Yes, the inner pot can go straight from the fridge to the cooker. If you are worried about thermal shock, don’t. The stainless steel should be able to handle the thermal shock pretty well, especially if you have liquid in it.

When using the pressure cooking feature, it takes a bit more time for the pot to reach the required state, yet the total cook duration is roughly the same. Should you be concerned, why not allow a couple of extra minutes as a kind of “warming up” period?

Can a cold inner pot damage the Instant Pot housing?

No, a cold inner pot will not damage it, but condensation forming on it may present some risk.

If you put a cold pot in the housing really often, it’s possible you could accelerate any corrosion on the metal heating plate the inner pot rests on. Why? Because condensation will form on the outside of a cold item brought into a warmer environment. But doing less often than that shouldn’t be a problem at all.

You can minimize the risk if you let the inner pot sit out for just a few minutes longer to allow the condensation to begin to form. Then wipe it off with a dry cloth before putting the container in the base unit.

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Conclusion

It is safe to store the inner container of your Instant Pot in the refrigerator as long as you cool it down to room temperature and cover it with a plastic or silicone lid. This can be a convenient way to store leftovers or even marinate meats overnight.

However, it is not recommended to put the lid or housing unit of your Instant Pot in the refrigerator as they are not designed to withstand those conditions and can be damaged.

Overall, storing the inner pot of your Instant Pot in the refrigerator can be a convenient and safe option as long as you follow the proper precautions and guidelines. Remember that other multicooker manufacturers like Cuisinart may have different safety guidelines.