Eradicate Lingering Egg Smells: Freshen Your Pan

It's frustrating when you've cooked eggs and, despite washing up, that egg smell lingers. The boiled egg smell comes from sulphur in the egg white reacting with iron in the yolk. But there are several simple solutions to this problem, and they all involve basic kitchen ingredients.

How to Get Rid of Egg Smell from Pan

Use white vinegar

White vinegar is a safe and effective way to remove the smell of eggs from your pans. Its strong, pungent smell will remove the egg odour.

First, wash the pan with soap and water. Then, pour a generous amount of white vinegar into the pan and leave it to soak for an hour or, for full effectiveness, leave it overnight. The next day, add dish soap and clean the pan as usual.

You can also make a vinegar spray by adding 1 cup of vinegar to 300ml of water in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to mix the solution, then spray the pan and leave it to soak for an hour or overnight. Again, wash the pan with soap and water.

If the egg smell persists, try boiling a pot of diluted vinegar on the stove. Adding essential oils or spices such as cinnamon to the water will create a pleasant smell in the kitchen. The vinegar scent will disappear after disposal.

Baking soda is a natural odour absorber

Baking soda doesn't just mask odours, it absorbs them. It is a natural odour eliminator, but it's not instantaneous. Depending on how strong the scent is, it can take a few hours to a whole day to remove odours.

To use baking soda to get rid of egg smells from your pans, make a paste with one-half cup of baking soda and a few tablespoons of water. Coat the pan with the paste and let it sit overnight. The next day, wipe the paste away with a damp cloth.

You can also try a vinegar and baking soda combination to boost cleaning power. The acid in the vinegar reacts with the baking soda, causing it to break down and release carbon dioxide gas, which can help lift dirt from surfaces.

Try the gram flour method

If you're tired of the lingering smell of eggs in your pan, even after washing it with fragrant dish detergent, it's time to try the gram flour method. This method is simple, effective, and leaves your pan smelling pleasant.

Here's what you need to do:

• Sprinkle or rub about two tablespoons of gram flour all over the pan. Make sure to cover the entire surface, especially the areas where the egg was cooked.
• Let the gram flour sit for about 2-7 minutes. During this time, the flour will work its magic by absorbing the strong egg odour.
• After the flour has had enough time to absorb the smell, wash the pan with fragrant liquid soap and warm water.
• Rinse the pan thoroughly with clean water.

And that's it! Your pan should now be free of the unpleasant egg odour and instead have a pleasant, earthy aroma from the gram flour. This method is a great, natural way to get rid of stubborn egg smells without resorting to harsh chemicals.

If you don't have gram flour on hand, you can also try using other kitchen ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, or coffee to eliminate the egg smell from your pan. However, the gram flour method is a tried and tested solution that many people swear by.

Lemon juice and rind

Lemon juice is an effective way to get rid of the smell of eggs from your pans and utensils. The acid in the lemon juice neutralises the odour, and the fresh scent of lemons will leave your kitchen smelling clean and pleasant.

To use lemon juice to remove the smell of eggs, simply pour some pure lemon juice onto a clean cloth and rub it onto the affected pans and utensils. Leave the lemon juice to work its magic for about 20 minutes, and then wash the items as usual with liquid soap and warm water.

You can also use the rind of the lemon to help remove the smell of eggs. The rind contains lemon oil, which is also acidic and will help to break down the odour-causing molecules. To use the lemon rind, rub the inside of the lemon peel directly onto the affected pans and utensils, and then wash as usual.

If you don't have access to fresh lemons, you can also use bottled lemon juice, which will work just as well. Simply follow the same steps as you would with fresh lemon juice.

Lemon juice is a natural and non-toxic way to remove the smell of eggs from your pans and utensils, and it is a great alternative to harsh chemical cleaners. It is also a cost-effective option, as you only need a small amount of lemon juice to effectively remove the odour.

Coffee powder

If you're tired of the lingering smell of eggs on your pans, coffee powder might be the solution. Here's how to use coffee powder to remove that stubborn egg odour:

Firstly, prepare a mixture of coffee powder and water. Take a few spoons of coffee powder and soak it in water for a few minutes. The exact amount of coffee powder suggested varies, with some sources recommending two teaspoons, while others suggest a less precise "few spoons".

Next, spread the coffee mixture all over the pan. Make sure to cover all the affected areas, especially where the egg was cooked. You can use a cloth or sponge to spread the mixture evenly.

After the pan is coated, let the coffee mixture sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the coffee to absorb the egg odour and neutralize any unpleasant smells.

Once the mixture has settled, grab your dish soap, preferably one with a pleasant fragrance, and scrub the pan thoroughly. Rinse the pan with cold water, and the egg smell should be gone!

If you're looking for an even more intensive treatment, you can brew a strong pot of coffee and pour the hot coffee directly into the pan. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then wash the pan with soap and water as usual.

Using coffee powder is a great, natural way to remove egg odours from your pans without resorting to harsh chemicals. It's a handy kitchen hack to keep your pans fresh and ready for your next culinary adventure!

Frequently asked questions