Pressure Cooker Sealing Ring Sizes …what You Need to Know

Pressure cooker sealing ring sizes are specific to manufacturers and the models they produce. Therefore, when you are looking to replace one, you need to ensure that you are buying one that fits your model and brand.

Find your sealing ring here

Since these sealing rings are commonly replaced, there is no shortage of them available on the market. The important thing is that the pressure cooker sealing ring sizes are the same.

Why do I need to replace my pressure cooker sealing ring?

Pressure cookers need a tight seal to help them raise to the required levels of pressure. If your seal is damaged in any way, you need to replace it immediately with the correct size sealing ring. Failure to do so may mean that your pressure cooker becomes dangerous or that it will not work.

It is recommended that you change your sealing ring every couple of years. However, you should always have a spare in case it fails…they can fail at the worst possible moment.

I always have a couple for my pressure cookers. Since they can take on the smell of food, I swap them out depending on whether I am cooking a sweet or savory. I recommend that you do the same.

How do I find my pressure cooker sealing ring sizes?

The important thing is that you get it right. If you fail to buy the correct size, your pressure cooker will not work.

The recommended way of finding pressure cooker sealing ring sizes is to look at the manual it came with. In it, it will detail the sizes and the one you need. If it doesn’t, make sure you know the model name and size you have in terms of quarts. This will be enough information to track down the size you need.

Pressure cooker sealing ring sizes for Instant Pot

As you will know, Instant Pot have a number of models on the market at any given point. Do not let this confuse you, it is actually quite simple. The models are broken down by size so when you are looking to buy a replacement sealing ring, you are essentially looking at the quart size of the pressure cooker.

Where do I buy pressure cooker sealing rings?

You need to be careful here and the choice you make will change things.

If you buy an after-market brand that is not authorized by the manufacturer, then you may void the warranty if something goes wrong. Let’s take the case of Instant Pot. They tell their customers that if they do not use an official after-market sealing ring, their warranty is voided.

They are keen to ensure that their customers buy the rings from them because they say that the strength and size has been tested to their standards. Since you need to be careful with a pressure cooker, you can see why Instant Pot are keen to limit any dangerous outcomes.

Having said that, there are plenty of companies that offer replacement seal without any issue…and they can be significantly cheaper than the official ones.

Find your sealing ring here

What do I do if I can’t find the right size?

This is sometimes the case if you have a very old model that hasn’t been sold in a few years. Your first step would be to contact the manufacturer. They normally keep stocks of old parts…especially sealing rings as they know they have a limited lifespan.

Failing this, I have known people to post on Facebook groups or forums to find out if anybody else has a spare…this is actually a very good way of finding something very specific.

What to do if instant pot seal doesn’t seem tight?

You need to return it to the seller in that case. Your seal needs to fit perfectly in order to operate. If there is a small size difference, you can try putting it into the freezer for a few minutes. This should shrink the rubber for a better fit. If the instant pot seal doesn’t seem tight enough still, then it may just be a manufacturing problem with the seal. Get it replaced.

What is the pressure cooker sealing ring made from?

The Instant Pot sealing ring is made from silicone rubber compound which is more durable than natural rubber-based products.

These sealing rings can be used for two to three years without any problems at all. The sealing ring expands at high temperatures which seals the gap between the lid and the inner pot.

When the pressure cooker lid is opened after cooking, you will see that the sealing ring is noticeably loose. When it cools down…or after it is washed, it will return to fitting snugly again.

Instant Pot Sealing ring – How to install instant pot seal

To clean or replace the pressure cooker sealing ring is very simple. All you do is grab the sealing ring and pull on it. It should remove very easily regardless of the pressure cooker sealing ring sizes.

When you replace the sealing ring, it doesn’t matter whether it has just been cleaned or you are replacing it, you simply place it in the track. They are the same both sides so it is irrelevant which way you put it in… they are identical both sides.

You need to place it inside the track. The only thing you need to make sure is that the sealing rack fits inside the track of the sealing ring. Follow the circumference of the sealing ring, continuing to press in the sealing ring.

Make sure it is sitting well inside the track. You will know that it is sitting well inside the track because if you take a hold of the sealing ring, you will be able to spin it a little. If you can, you will know that it is seated properly.

So, the only real things you need to remember aside from cleaning it, is to remember to check it before you use it…to see if it is properly inside the track.

Find your sealing ring here

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Citations

Instant Pot Pressure cooker sealing ring sizes