Cooking is an art and the kitchen is the canvas that paints our mood to prepare good food. And when we talk about cooking, our kitchenware’s cleanliness and functionality is the most crucial part to discuss. The kitchenware gets in contact with raw food, greasy cuisines, and knife cuts on a daily basis.
These hardware utensils are not just to cook and hold food, these have a huge impact on our nutrition as well. So the cleaner our kitchenware is, the healthier our nourishment. There are cleaning methods and techniques that can keep your kitchenware free of bacteria, last long, and give that sparkling look, everybody yearns for. Let’s have a look:
1. Heat Up The Kitchenware to Remove Excess Oil
One of the efficient and effortless ways to wash utensils off bacteria and other germs is to sanitize them with hot water or a chemical agent on the food-contact surfaces. Scrub the utensils with steel wool, or a stiff brush to remove any sort of grime or grease from the outer layer.
The iron pans, pots, and utensils are carved with deep layers of unsalted cooking oil, to remove the excess oil, set the oven at 250°F and heat the kitchenware for two to three to wipe off the oil.
2. Cleaning Aluminum, Stainless Steel & Nickel Kitchenware
For the aluminum utensils, use the steel wool pads with hot soapy water for a thorough cleaning. Do not scrub the plated surface as it will damage the finishing of the metal.
If you have chlorine bleach available, mix a tablespoon of it in a gallon of water and sanitize the aluminum pans with the bleach solution. It is also helpful in removing the dark stain on the panel surface. Vinegar and tarter are also effective in removing grime and discoloration from the aluminum kitchenware.
For the stainless steel, nickel, or copper alloy kitchenware, use a scouring powder and in case of the broken or rusted metal base, use kerosene to prevent further damage. Waxing or oiling, afterward, would enhance the life of the metal, keep its texture, and give it a semi-transparent finish.
3. Treat The Utensils With Baking Soda
One of the most effective tools to clean stains and food odors from your wooden utensils is baking soda. As we can’t use the dishwasher to clean the wooden cookware that is far more prone to damage and stains, baking soda, lemon, and salt are helpful household remedies to keep these kitchen staples long-lasting and free of bacteria.
Gently clean the wooden kitchenware with dishwasher solution and a sponge. To remove stains and grease, use baking soda along with lemon juice, their alkali, and acidic properties are quite effective in rinsing and dissolving the grime. Allow the utensils to dry off in the sun, the natural light will lighten any remaining stains and odor, and keep them long-lasting to use.
4. Use An Antibacterial Washing Liquid
Kitchenware can be a source of bacteria in your home. It can cause food poisoning, contamination, and infections in your food. It is important that you regularly clean your kitchenware with antibacterial dishwashing to keep away bacteria, campylobacter, and E.coli, the harmful germs to protect the cooked meals from food poisoning. Along with disinfecting the cooking utensils, it is vital to sanitize the sponges, brushes, and clothes at high temperatures and on a regular basis.
5. Use The FDA Recommended Cookware Material
The hardware utensils material we use for daily cooking penetrates into our cooked food gradually. As the kitchenware material and cleanliness are directly linked to our nutrition, make sure you use the material that is recommended by the FDA. Utensils made of wood, bamboo, and silicon are highly recommended in private and commercial kitchens. Next comes the metal cookware without rough edges and cracks to prevent bacteria. Similarly, copper and lead cookware are strictly prohibited as the material can leach into our food easily and cause illness.
It is important to frequently wash your kitchenware. Keeping them in the sink, full of grease and grime, and leftover food will allow harmful germs to draw in the layers. A quick wash would be more than enough to keep your utensils clean and dry, and also maintain good health for yourself and your family. We hope that these tips give your kitchenware a nice and clean look and help you avoid pricey replacements.