A. 6 Weird Cleaning Hacks To Make Your Pots & Pans Look As Good As New
A creamy, cheesy and slightly crunchy lasagna; a thick, warm and comforting lamb stew; a roast beef with all the good fats, fried with sticky honey parsnips. All these things are absolutely delicious. They also ensure a total mess with your pans. When faced with stuck food, burns and thick fat, you need all the help you can get. Expert Home Tips has 6 very unusual but extremely effective cleaning tricks for re-cleaning your dirty pots, pans and baking pans.
1. Leaf dryers make pots and pans shine
Forget a pan cleaner – what your dirty pan needs is a drying sheet! It’s a mystery why this works, but we’re definitely happy that it works. To try this weird pot cleaning trick, fill your pot with hot water and washing powder. Add a dryer sheet and soak for an hour. When you get back, the dirt should be easy to remove and you should have little or no scrubbing.
2. Aluminum foil is best for scrubbing dirty pots
Aluminum foil is your best friend when it comes to removing burnt foods from dirty pots and pans. Particularly effective on glass trays and large roasters. Be sure to put on rubber gloves for this – they give you more grip and protect your hands from the edges of the film. Tear off a piece of aluminum foil, then shape it into a ball. After soaking the pan in hot soapy water, begin scrubbing with aluminum foil. This will make removing food and burnt stains easier than any other washing utensil you own.
3. Vinegar and baking powder make pans glow
You know how much we love using natural products here at Expert Home Tips. We are pleased to announce that one of our favorite combinations, baking soda and vinegar, is extremely effective for cleaning dirty pots and pans. These natural products do wonders for burn marks and really make your pans, pots and baking pans look new again. Sprinkle the surface of the dirty skillet with baking soda and pour a solution of 1 cup hot water and 1/3 cup vinegar over it. Let the mixture bubble to remove any food leftovers, which will make your job much easier.
4. Clean dirty pots and pans with sugar cubes
This one is really bizarre, but it really works! Like aluminum foil, sugar cubes are ideal for chopping stubborn, sticky foods because of their hard, rough edges. Wet soiled pots and pans as usual, then remove any extra liquid before scrubbing to prevent cubes from dissolving.
5. Bartender’s Friend is great for cleaning pots, pans and baking pans
This product has been specially formulated to combat stubborn cooking on food and burn marks. It’s an absolutely brilliant tool for your kitchen and makes cleaning pots, pans and gratin dishes easier than ever. Do you want evidence? See the amazing results The Kitchn have achieved with Friend of the Barkeeper in their dirty pots and pans – really amazing!
6. Rhubarb makes cooking pans easier to clean!
Is this new – or should I say old? There are rumors that 1940s housewives depended on rhubarb to clean dirty kitchen pans. Without fancy products and cleaning tools, you would cook rhubarb in a burnt pot for 10 minutes, then remove and clean as usual – amazing! It’s a pretty unusual idea, and we wouldn’t resort to it every day. If you grow rhubarb in your garden, why not give it a try?
B. Hacks For Cleaning Your Pots + Pans
Cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel… oh my God! Pots and pans are some of the most common utensils in the kitchen, but not all should be taken care of equally. From burnt food to discoloration or rust, some metals need a little extra maintenance. It can be difficult to remember which pan is easy to scratch and which can be washed in the dishwasher. With proper cleaning, you can extend the life of your kitchen utensils so they last for years. It helps you stay on budget by eliminating the need to buy replacement parts, especially if you’re doing a renovation or buying new kitchen cabinets. With our guide, you won’t have to worry about whether you can scrub your stainless steel or not.
1. How to clean pots and pans
Almost everything in your kitchen can be cleaned with hot water and a little soap. However, pots and pans can be more complicated. Because you’re cooking at high temperatures, your kitchen utensils can easily collect cooked food or stains that are difficult to remove, no matter how hard you rub. Luckily, there are cleaning tricks for every pot, pan and material for you to have flawless cookwarein no time. When you’re done cleaning, check out our kitchen organizing tips to make sure you find what you need every time you step into the kitchen.
2. Aluminum
Aluminum is a popular cookware material because it is lightweight and conducts heat well, meaning it only needs low to medium heat. It cannot be washed in a dishwasher as some detergents contain chemicals or salts that can cause discoloration, corrosion or corrosion. When cookware stings, they create smudges or flakes on the surface that can build up and discolor the rust. If left over, corrosion will begin to degrade the metal’s strength. Wash aluminum pans after each use with warm water, mild soap and a soft sponge. Dry immediately after use. To remove food or stains, boil some water with white vinegar and gently scrape off the burned food.
3. Cast iron
Always season your cast iron pots and pans before using them. Helps create a natural non-stick surface that will form a protective layer over time. To flavor your kitchen utensils, apply a vegetable cooking oil to the surface and heat it in the oven at low temperature for an hour. Remove, let cool, pour in oil and wipe off any residue with a paper towel. For regular care, wash the cast iron warm only with water and dry it well to prevent rust. Kosher salt is also a good abrasive cleanser for burnt spots. The most important tip is to never wet, lather or use the dishwasher. If you notice rust stains, use steel wool or a rust eraser and season the skillet again.
4. Ceramics
Ceramic-coated kitchen utensils are easy to clean and of course with a non-stick coating, which makes them a popular choice for any home. High heat can cause food to stick to the ceramic, which can discolor or damage the surface. Therefore, it is best to use this pan for cooking over low or medium heat. Allow your ceramic pot to cool completely before washing it, then use warm soapy water and a sponge or soft dish towel. Steel wool or other abrasive objects can damage the coating, so it’s best to set them aside. To remove burnt foods, make cleaning easier by soaking the pan in hot water. For a thorough cleaning, sprinkle the surface with baking soda, leave it on for 15-20 minutes, then gently rub the stains.
5. Copper
Copper adds a beautiful warmth and shine to any kitchen project, especially when you hang it as a decoration. They are usually lined with stainless steel or tin, so it’s best to wash them with warm water, mild soap and a soft sponge. Avoid friction that can destroy the lining. Copper will naturally stain over time and you will need to polish or lighten the surface. Clean the outside with a solution of white vinegar and salt or lemon juice and baking soda. Use a non-abrasive mop to scrub, then rinse and buff. Commercial copper cleaner also illuminates the outer surface.
6. Enamel
Enameled cookware is popular for preparing pasta, stew, or soup recipes. Enamel is easy to clean and maintain as it can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher. This also includes pots or pans, such as aluminum or cast iron, coated with enamel. For stubborn stains or burnt food, use boiling water and a mixture of baking soda (or hydrogen peroxide) to remove them. Avoid abrasive cleaning agents or scouring pads to avoid scratching the surface.
7. Glass
As glass has a lower thermal conductivity than metal, it takes longer to heat up but retains heat longer. However, it is extremely versatile, lasts a long time and is easy to clean. Glass is dishwasher safe and non-toxic, making it a staple in any family kitchen. Glass cups can accumulate fat and burnt food over time, which is also more beneficial thanks to the transparent surface. To remove these tough stains, a mixture of baking soda and washing powder works wonders. If you need more scrubbing power, try a nylon sponge or an abrasive sponge. They don’t scratch the glass, but they provide better cleaning power than a soft cloth or sponge.
8. No sticker
Non-stick or anodized aluminum pans and pans can be easily cleaned with hot water, detergent and a soft sponge or nylon mop. For heavier stains, make a paste of baking soda and water, let it act, wash, rinse and dry again. Avoid steel wool or abrasive sponges as they can easily scratch or damage the surface. Glue with wood, plastic or silicone utensils to use on any non-stick surface.
9. Stainless steel
Although stainless steel is a hard metal and very durable, it is not immune to everything. To prevent staining, clean stainless steel pots or pans with warm, soapy water immediately after use. Do not use anything that can scratch the surface, such as steel wool, as this can make it more prone to stains. Stainless steel pans should also not be left to soak for too long, as mineral salts can cause holes in the water. Simply clean stainless steel with warm water, mild soap and a soft sponge. Stainless steel can discolor if overheated, so keep an eye on the timer! To restore the stainless steel’s original shine, boil the water with vinegar and then wash it in hot soapy water as usual.