Eliminating Curry Scents: Freshening Pans Post-Cooking

Getting rid of the smell of curry from a pan can be tricky, as the spices in curry release odorous vapours when cooked, which can penetrate walls, carpets, upholstery and drapery. To successfully remove the smell, you must destroy the grease molecule. Here are some ways to do that.

Ventilate the room

Ventilating your kitchen while cooking curry is an effective way to prevent and minimise the lingering curry odour. Here are some detailed tips on how to ventilate your kitchen to get rid of curry smells:

Open Windows and Doors

Open the windows in your kitchen before and during cooking. Leave the windows open for as long as possible to allow the curry smell to escape and fresh air to circulate. Opening windows before cooking means fresh air will already be circulating, which can help prevent the smell from lingering. If it's cold outside, put on an extra layer and open a few windows to let the air in.

Use Fans

Turn on your kitchen's ceiling fan or stove hood vent before and after cooking. This will help to usher out the strong curry smell and bring in fresh air.

Close the Kitchen Door

While opening windows and using fans will help ventilate the kitchen, it's important to prevent the curry smell from spreading to other rooms. Keep the kitchen door closed while cooking to contain the smell.

Air Out Your Home

In addition to ventilating your kitchen during and after cooking, it's a good idea to air out your home for a day or two. This will allow fresh air to permeate your residence and help eliminate any remaining curry odours.

Replace Filters

Don't forget to replace the filters in your heating or cooling systems. These systems can circulate odorous air, so replacing the filters will help prevent the spread of curry smells.

By following these ventilation tips, you can effectively reduce and eliminate curry smells from your kitchen and home.

Use baking soda

Baking soda is a non-toxic, natural deodoriser that can help eliminate curry odours from your home. Here are some ways to use baking soda to get rid of curry smells:

Bowls of Baking Soda

Leave a bowl containing a few tablespoons of baking soda near the cooking space or in the smelly room. The baking soda will absorb the strong curry odours from the air. You can also add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the bowl to freshen the air further.

Baking Soda Spray

Mix baking soda with water and transfer the solution to a spray bottle. Spritz the solution onto your curtains, upholstery, and carpet to neutralise traces of the greasy curry steam. You can also wipe down kitchen surfaces, such as cabinets, with the solution to remove any curry residue.

Microwave Deodoriser

Combine one cup of water with two tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl and mix. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high for two minutes. After microwaving, wipe down the inside of the microwave with a clean, damp cloth to remove any curry odours.

Carpet and Upholstery Deodoriser

Sprinkle baking soda over your carpet and upholstered furniture. Leave it to sit for at least 15 minutes or overnight to absorb the curry odours. Vacuum the baking soda the next morning and dispose of the vacuum bag or wash out the vacuum canister.

Boil lemons

Boiling lemons is one of many methods to get rid of curry smells. However, one source claims that this method is ineffective. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to boil lemons to remove curry smells:

Step 1: Gather your lemons and a pot. You will also need water and a stove or hot plate.

Step 2: Slice up several lemons. You can also use lemon halves or rinds if you prefer. The number of lemons you need will depend on the size of your pot and the strength of the curry smell. As a starting point, try using two or three lemons.

Step 3: Fill your pot with water and place it on the stove. The amount of water you use will depend on the size of your pot. As a guide, use enough water to cover the bottom of the pot or fill it one-quarter full.

Step 4: Turn on the heat and bring the water to a boil.

Step 5: Once the water is boiling, carefully drop your lemon slices into the pot. If you are using lemon halves or rinds, you may want to squeeze the juice into the water before adding them.

Step 6: Let the lemons simmer in the boiling water for several minutes. The longer you simmer the lemons, the more effective this method will be. Aim for at least 15 minutes. You may need to add more water during this step to keep the pot from boiling dry.

Step 7: Remove the pot from the heat and inhale the fresh citrus scent. If you are satisfied with the smell, you can stop here. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.

Step 8: For a stronger lemon scent, add a few spoons of baking soda to the boiling lemon water. This will enhance the odour-removal effectiveness of the lemons.

Step 9: Bring the lemon water back to a simmer and inhale the scent. Continue simmering until you are happy with the smell or the water has evaporated.

While boiling lemons may help to neutralise curry smells, it is important to note that this method might not work for everyone. Other methods to remove curry smells include using baking soda, coffee grounds, vinegar, or salted potato slices. Additionally, opening windows and doors to ventilate the area and using air fresheners or deodorising sprays can help to eliminate curry odours.

Air out the pan

Airing out your pan is a great first step to get rid of curry smells. The smell of curry is caused by oil vapours, which can be difficult to remove as they are absorbed by fabrics and other porous surfaces. However, airing out your home will help to remove the smell. Here are some detailed tips to help you air out your pan effectively:

Open Windows

Open your windows as soon as possible, both during and after cooking. By doing this, you can usher out the strong curry smell and allow fresh air to circulate. It is recommended to keep the windows open for as long as possible, and to turn on your kitchen's ceiling fan to help usher out the smell.

Close Doors

While opening windows will help to air out the curry smell, it is also important to close the doors to other rooms in your home. This will prevent the curry smell from spreading and lingering in other areas of your house.

Use Fans

In addition to opening windows, using fans can help to circulate fresh air and usher out the curry smell. Turn on your kitchen's ceiling fan, or use portable fans to create a cross-breeze and improve airflow.

Avoid Other Odours

While airing out your pan, avoid cooking other foods with strong odours. This will prevent other smells from mixing with the curry odour and creating an even more unpleasant aroma.

Contain the Smell

To prevent the curry smell from spreading, it is important to contain it as much as possible. Keep the pan covered when possible, and avoid stirring or agitating the curry, as this can release more odour into the air.

Clean as You Go

Cleaning as you cook can help to minimise the curry smell. Wash your hands and utensils thoroughly after prepping or handling the curry. Soak chopping boards and wash or soak any pots and pans used while they are still warm to prevent the curry smell from lingering.

By following these tips, you can effectively air out your pan and minimise the curry smell in your home.

Wash your hands

If you've been cooking a curry, chances are your hands will smell of the strong spices used in the dish. Here are some ways to get rid of the curry smell from your hands:

The acidity in lime will help to break down the essential oils that cause the lingering curry smell. Rub a slice of lemon or lime over your hands and then wash your hands with soap and water as usual.

Moisten your hands and rub them with salt for a few seconds. Then, wash the salt off your hands. The salt particles will cling to your palms and fingers, removing the smell.

Apply a small amount of basic white toothpaste to your palms and rub your hands together before rinsing with water.

Cut a lemon in half and rub it on your hands, or make a juice and apply it to your hands. The citrus smell will overpower the curry smell and leave your hands smelling fresh.

Make a paste from vinegar and baking soda and rub it over your hands before washing with water.

Frequently asked questions