All Questions
78 questions
20
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Bleach in cast iron pan, safety concerns?
Someone used a solution of bleach and water (probably 1/10 ratio) on my cast iron, they were letting it soak in this solution. When I noticed I immediately rinsed it off multiple times, scrubbed it (...
- 343
1
vote
2
answers
368
views
Leaving cooking equipment dirty
In my household, there are a few items don't get washed right away after use. These include a few all-clad non-stick pans (stated as dishwasher safe), kitchen knives, misc pots/pans, a few grill items ...
- 113
0
votes
1
answer
273
views
Can you wash a pop can or ( in my case ) a monster energy drink can in a dishwasher?
Can you wash a pop can That os recealable but empty in the dishwasher or will it degrade?
4
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Is this coffee maker safe to use?
I pulled down my bialetti Moka to make some coffee and found it like this:
Is the coffee maker safe to use? Does it need cleaning? How should I clean it?
- 211
2
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How to clean aluminum with lye "stains"
I got careless and used a lye solution to clean an aluminum moka pot. The end result was that the whole thing was covered in sodium aluminate with some stains standing out from the rest.
Here's what ...
- 605
0
votes
2
answers
254
views
Need advice re chance of damage to a stainless steel tray in a very hot oven
I need to heat a clean stainless steel tray to the temperature of boiling water. Would the self-cleaning cycle of the oven damage my tray in any way?
2
votes
1
answer
639
views
Weird residue left on pan
When I cook this particular sauce in this particular pan it leaves this weird red (slightly purplish) reside that doesn’t wash off with soap but does come out in oil. The ingredients in the sauce are “...
- 2,107
3
votes
3
answers
463
views
How to unclog the stove
After cleaning the stove holes with some liquid detergent, one of them is clogged now. I used a sewing needle, without any effect. Did anybody run into this problem before?
- 231
0
votes
1
answer
97
views
How can I remove discolouration on my ceramic dish?
I have some very pale blue/grey dishes that have (what looks like) specks of grease that have "burnt on". You will see why I put that in quotation marks in the photo.
It looks like it would come off ...
- 722
0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is is safe to use a stainless steel pan that has been cleaned with bleach (Comet)?
I have been cleaning my stainless steel pan with Comet for quite some time now and have only now come to know that I shouldn't be using bleach on stainless steel. If I clean it with dish soap and hot ...
- 11
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Plastic on grill: is my family safe?
I received an unwanted letter and, my county not allowing open-burning, I used my closed-top propane grill to burn it. After sticking it into the slots, I realized that this is imprudent, because of ...
user76448
10
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Should I clean all of my cooking utensils after being exposed to mothballs (naphthalene) for over a week?
While I was away on vacation my roommate put mothballs in the kitchen cabinets where the pots and pans and cutlery are stored. I have removed them and thrown them out ( not sure if I was overreacting ...
- 111
65
votes
4
answers
12k
views
Why does plastic never dry properly in a dishwasher?
Whenever I get tasked with unloading the dishwasher, I'm always amazed at the amount of water that's still stuck (always in droplets) to our plastic kitchen utensils and storage containers.
We have ...
- 2,717
0
votes
1
answer
807
views
Advantages/disadvantages for limescale cleaning methods?
Are there any advantages/disadvantages for different methods for cleaning limescale (from a kettle/thermos)?
The methods I know about:
Citric acid (lemon/lime salt?)
Vinegar
I usually prefer the ...
- 425
1
vote
1
answer
226
views
How clean should the outside of pots and pans be scrubbed?
I’m the official pot-scrubber in our household. I have a question on how clean one should scrub the outside of stainless and copper pots and pans and whether this is merely an aesthetic choice.
I ...
- 364
13
votes
4
answers
7k
views
I get black flecks on my butter when I grease my pan
I recently bought a Teflon-coated pan and have been using it without cause for concern, but while greasing it tonight I found the butter stick I used came away with grey flecks / residue.
I typically ...
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Does a splatter screen prevent grease build up in kitchen?
I love to stir fry. What I don't love is the sticky grease coating that over time accumulates on every surface near the stove, including cupboards, kitchen items and the floor.
I don't have a range ...
- 1,435
59
votes
9
answers
23k
views
How do I wash the "pokey" side of a box grater?
I have this box grater, and one of the sides is "non-directional" (not sure what this is called) -- that is, the pointy "blade" things are on every side of the holes:
Close-up:
The fibers you see ...
- 2,186
3
votes
1
answer
628
views
Cleaning tin discoloration on copper/tin lid
I have a tin-lined copper sauce pan from Rameria Mazzetti, which I love, but I notice the tin discoloring. I have read that it is normal that the tin becomes dull/gray when you cook in it.
My ...
- 290
6
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Reuse frying & sauce pans multiple times during cooking session
I'm a student and prefer to cook my own food rather than eating in the cantine. Due to time constraints, I cook only once a week, making different dishes of big enough portions to suffice for the ...
- 163
0
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Are stainless steel saucepan glass lids dishwasher friendly?
All in the title really...
Are stainless steel Saucepan glass lids dishwasher friendly?
- 11
9
votes
8
answers
47k
views
Good way to prevent grease build up in kitchen?
My kitchen items end up getting a sticky grease coating when I cook regularly. Things not even near the stove top. I don't have an overhead fan, what can I do about this?
- 91
1
vote
1
answer
5k
views
Effecient way to dab grease from dehydrating meat without paper towels
I have read the question here but that question doesn't help me, since the options available in that situation, are not applicable in this situation (see "Limiting factors").
Problem
I love ...
- 111
4
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Old stone mortar and pestle cleaning
My roommate has an old mortar made from stone that had been outdoors for quite some time. She rinsed it thoroughly,put it in a big pot, and boiled it to kill any bacteria that could be crawling in ...
- 215
0
votes
0
answers
40
views
Cleaning Range Ventilation [duplicate]
I have a hood ventilation system that vents to the outside. It has removable grease traps, as pictured below. I've put them in the dishwasher, but the grease has polymerized onto them. I'm looking ...
- 77.9k
13
votes
6
answers
5k
views
What are some recommended methods of cleaning wooden cutting boards?
Supposedly, wooden cutting boards should not be submerged in lots of soap and water because too much moisture leads to rot. How can one optimize for cleanliness while also caring for the board?
- 539
15
votes
13
answers
62k
views
How should I clean my metal mesh tea strainer?
I have one of these teeli tea strainers, and it's wonderful. It's a very fine metal mesh basket with plastic frame. I've had it for perhaps 10+ years and it's still working well after brewing ...
- 2,831
12
votes
12
answers
50k
views
How do I clean my cast iron grill pan?
I'm recently the proud new owner of what I appears to be a Le Creuset "Skinny Grill" which is an enameled cast iron grill pan.
I fairly new to cast iron but I'm accustomed to the no-soap cleanup and ...
- 3,836
4
votes
1
answer
10k
views
Do I need to clean an oven that's not been used in 10 years?
My house has a built-in oven that I've never used since I moved in ~10 years ago. (I prefer to use the oven function of a combi-microwave.)
My wife, who has just moved in with me, wants to use the ...
- 307
3
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Is it true that even quality knives with wood handles can warp and be contaminated with bacteria?
I was at Bed Bath & Beyond and I spoke to one of the employees about knives with wood handles. She said that wood handles are no good because they warped from water and heat and were difficult to ...
- 1,397
39
votes
3
answers
84k
views
Dishwasher safety - "top shelf" vs. "bottom shelf"
The instruction manual for some of my kitchen equipment says "Dishwasher safe (top shelf)".
What difference is there between what an object on the top shelf of a dishwasher experiences, and what ...
- 3,606
2
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Any cheap ways to clean restaurant stainless steel fridge?
so I know they have antibacterial solution to clean, but what can I say its expensive. Currently we use water+soap solution but its not working well. I am looking to clean the inside of fridge/freezer....
- 443
1
vote
2
answers
6k
views
How can I clean these brown iron stains in my pot?
I use a big aluminium pot to boil water. I think the water contains iron because after 4-6 months, the inside of the pot is full of brown stains. The colour is just like ferric. There are lots of ...
- 111
3
votes
4
answers
5k
views
How should I clean this mess at the bottom of my wok?
I've been using my wok for about a year now, and recently it's developed a kind of patina around the bottom of the cooking surface.
I've tried to follow the care instructions as best I can, taking ...
- 325
3
votes
4
answers
851
views
Grinding melted latex off a pizza stone?
My fiance and I got a pizza stone for christmas, and are still learning how to use it. Tonight we accidentally used a potholder which had silk-screened designs on it, and almost immediately the white ...
- 3,362
4
votes
3
answers
6k
views
How to clean ice from ice cream maker bowl without thawing?
I made a sorbet using a bad recipe (too watery) and I had a 3 mm thick layer of solid ice form around the walls of the ice cream maker bowl. The plastic spatula can't break it and the user's manual ...
- 141k
13
votes
4
answers
18k
views
How to clean and maintain cast iron lids
I have a number of cast iron lids that fit skillets, dutch ovens, etc. Most have the little cone-shaped spikes on the underside to collect and return moisture to the food.
I have no issues cleaning ...
- 33.3k
5
votes
2
answers
18k
views
Cleaning a tea pot
I have read somewhere (don't remember where, long time ago) that tea enthusiasts clean their tea pots only with water and without soap. Additionally they only rinse it and don't use a scrub to remove ...
- 392
10
votes
2
answers
7k
views
How do I clean this silicone tray?
I use this silicone muffin pan to cook things in the oven. It's supposed to be non-stick, but actually food sticks to it quite a lot.
Often I can just scrape dried food off with my fingers, but it's ...
- 243
6
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Cooking messy foods in a bamboo steamer without a cleaning nightmare
For example, chicken.
I have tried:
chicken directly in steamer: chicken gunk goes everywhere, including between the woven bamboo slats.
chicken in a colander in the basket: gunk still goes ...
- 4,136
4
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What dishes don't stain with heavy spices?
In most Indian cooking, there is a relatively high chance of staining the dinnerware (plates, serving bowls) due to the high turmeric content. Dinnerware made of metal don't stain, but the heavy ...
- 1,780
5
votes
4
answers
15k
views
Are recirculation extractor hoods good?
I am looking for a extractor hood, and I see that there exist ones with air recirculation, so a pipe to lead the smoke/greasy air away is not needed.
So I wonder, how good are these?
Can they really ...
6
votes
3
answers
14k
views
What is a thorough way to clean my dish rack?
I have a Simple Human Dishrack. It was kind of a splurge when I bought it. We were swayed by the good reviews. The rack does not have the typical open wire design, as you can see in the link above. ...
- 4,274
7
votes
5
answers
55k
views
How do I clean a pasta maker?
I am experimenting with a home pasta maker, and after all the fun comes the cleaning up.
My worries come from tiny bits of dry dough I find when I clean the machine. There always seem to be more every ...
- 809
2
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is it wise to use vinegar to handle rust for cooking utensils?
Sometime, the cooking utensils can be damaged by minerals in the food and cause some rust. Would it be wise to use vinegar to remove rust for cooking utensils or are there are better methods?
- 389
5
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How to take care of the teflon coated cookware to ensure their long life?
I know the following three rules:
Don't use metal spoons.
Don't put hot teflon utensils in cold water.
Cook on low flame.
Is there anything else important, which is often overlooked?
EDIT 1:
Q: I ...
- 7,325
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
How to select a drain rack for pots and pans?
I use a dish rack for air drying pots and pans. Unfortunately all of the dish racks I have ever purchased do not stand up to the abuse of pots and pans. Eventually the dish rack begins to break down ...
- 2,638
6
votes
8
answers
5k
views
Buying my first set of pots and pans
I have NO idea what I'm doing :). I'm looking to buy some pots/pans for my appartment (just moved out). Considering these:
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-MCP-12-MultiClad-Stainless-12-Piece/dp/...
- 61
21
votes
13
answers
97k
views
How to clean a clogged Misto oil sprayer/spritzer?
I use a Misto oil spritzer. You fill it up with oil and pump it up and spray a pan with it.
It's gotten clogged up so that it just squirts a steady stream of oil (not a spray).
Any ideas how to ...
- 725
5
votes
3
answers
4k
views
How to take care of glazed earthenware?
I got a traditional gyveche (гювече) as a gift, and since it would be hard to replace here, I intend to take good care of it.
For those who don't know it, a gyuveche is an earthenware pot intended ...
- 141k