We’ve all been in lockdown and it’s not a secret that we’ve also cooked a lot of meals and snacks during this time. Some of us may have also learned new recipes, kitchen tricks, and even added new kitchen tools in the mix. With all of these activities, we can safely say that the only thing that we need to learn and master now is how to take care and maintain our kitchen tools. It will take a little effort and time but the rewards will clearly service for years.
Here are some of the simplest and most effective ways to take care of your kitchen tools:
Stainless Steel
We all have favorite stainless steel pots and pans. These are very important when cooking. If you want for these pots and pans to live longer, the best way to ensure this is to clean them properly.
One of the simplest ways to remove stuck food is to soak it with soapy water. Let it sit for a few hours to loosen and soften the stuck food. If you need a stronger softener, you can slowly boil the water with soap.
To keep your stainless steel tools shiny, clean it with a non-abrasive and non-bleach cleaner and polish. Always choose a non-abrasive scrubbing pad to avoid any damage on the insides and outsides of the stainless steel pots and pans.
Knives
If you only have one knife in your kitchen, then you’re doing it wrong. You need to have at least three knives, and you should hone these before you use them.
Use a honing steel or water stone and angle your knife in a 90-degree angle. Make sure that the heel of the knife is the only part that’s touching the honing steel. Pull the knife all the way to pass the tip, then do this again for four times.
If honing isn’t the answer and you noticed that your knives are still dull, the next thing to do is to sharpen your knives. You can do this with a two-sided whetstone or if it’s too much, you can pay your local butcher to sharpen the edges of your knives.
Wooden Utensils
All wooden kitchen tools, from cutting boards to wooden handles, must be taken care of by applying walnut oil, mineral oil, or beeswax a few times every year. Walnut oil is the best choice because it’s non-toxic and can easily be absorbed by the wood.
If you’re wondering why this process is necessary, oiling or adding beeswax on your wooden kitchen tools keeps your tools moisturized. This means that it will also help in avoiding cracking or splintering on your wooden tools. You should clean your wooden tools first, wash and dry it properly before adding oil. Make sure to keep it soaked overnight and just let the oil get absorbed.
Cast Iron
Cleaning a cast iron by soaking it on water and using a sponge will destroy the vital layer of cast iron. Avoid this and, instead, when you’re done using and cooking, pour a little bit of oil on the pan. Add kosher salt then scrub the salt around the pan using an old rag or even just paper towels. Do not use a sponge.
As you continue to rub the salt, you’ll notice that the dirt will stick on the salt. Repeat this step and eventually, you’ll have a clean pan. When you’re done, remove the salt, wipe the pan, and then store it.
Cutting Boards
If you have a wooden cutting board, you can do step three for maintenance. However, in cleaning and deodorizing, you need to do the following:
- Before cutting raw meat – clean the board thoroughly with bleach and water to avoid bacterial contamination. Rinse it properly and let ti dry.
- Odor removal – to remove odor, mix rock salt, baking powder, white vinegar, and lemon juice, then rub the mixture on your cutting board.