Eliminating Fish Odor: Fresh Pans, Fresh Start

Fish is a delicious and nutritious meal, but it can leave your kitchen and cookware with a lingering smell. This is due to a chemical called trimethylamine (TMA) which is released when the fish is exposed to air. Luckily, there are several ways to get rid of the fishy odour, including some methods that can be applied before and during cooking to prevent the smell from developing.

Rinse the pan with distilled white vinegar

First, add a quarter cup of distilled white vinegar to two cups of water in the pan. Next, place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for several minutes. The acidic vinegar will neutralize the fish odour, leaving your pan smelling fresh and odour-free.

This method is a brilliant DIY solution to eliminate unwanted fish odours from your cookware. It's important to act quickly and not leave the source of the smell, as fishy odours can linger and are difficult to remove once they've set in. Vinegar is a handy household item to have, as it can effectively remove strong smells like fish.

In addition to using vinegar, you can also try simmering spices such as ground ginger and cinnamon sticks in water for at least 15 minutes to eliminate odours. Citrus peels, such as oranges, lemons, or limes, can also be ground and placed in the garbage disposal to remove any lingering scents.

By following these simple steps, you can effectively get rid of the fish smell from your pan and enjoy your delicious meal without any unpleasant odours lingering in your kitchen.

Use baking soda

Fish is a delicious and nutritious meal, but the lingering smell of fish in your kitchen can be unpleasant. Here's how you can use baking soda to get rid of fish odours:

Before Cooking:

Before you start cooking, there are a few steps you can take to prevent fish odours from developing and to keep your kitchen smelling fresh. Firstly, always keep the fish in its original packaging until you are ready to cook it. This will help maintain freshness and prevent the spread of odours.

Secondly, place a box of baking soda, activated charcoal, or another odour absorber in your fridge to help absorb any odours that may escape from the packaging. Baking soda is a powerful odour neutraliser and will help keep your fridge smelling fresh.

During Cooking:

When you are ready to cook the fish, there are a few additional steps you can take to reduce the smell of fish from permeating your kitchen:

• Rinse the fish with tap water to wash off any trimethylamine (TMA) on the fish's skin.
• Soak the fish in milk for about 20 minutes. The casein in the milk bonds with the TMA, reducing the fish odour.
• Rub an acidic ingredient like lime, lemon, or vinegar on the fish. Acids are great odour absorbents and work similarly to baking soda.

After Cooking:

Even with these precautions, cooking fish will likely leave some odour in your kitchen. Here's how you can use baking soda to eliminate lingering fish smells:

• Soak any kitchen textiles, such as aprons and dish towels, that may have absorbed fish odours. Fill your sink with warm water and add 3/4 cup of baking soda. Soak the items in this mixture to neutralise the odours.
• Sprinkle baking soda on your countertops, stove, or any other surfaces that may have come into contact with fish. Let it sit for a few minutes to absorb any odours, then wipe it away with a damp cloth.
• If your hands have a fishy smell, wash them with toothpaste that contains baking soda. You can also rinse your hands with lemon juice after washing them with toothpaste for extra odour-fighting power.

By following these simple steps and utilising the odour-neutralising power of baking soda, you can effectively get rid of fish smells from your pans and kitchen, leaving it smelling fresh and pleasant.

Boil an acidulated solution

Boiling an acidulated solution is an effective way to get rid of fish smells from your pan. The unpleasant odour of fish is due to a chemical called trimethylamine (TMA), which is somewhat alkaline. This compound is neutralised by acids, such as lemon juice or vinegar.

To boil an acidulated solution, mix three tablespoons of white vinegar and one cup of water in a saucepan and boil for several minutes. The vinegar's acidity will neutralise the fishy smell. You can also add lemon juice or slices of lemon to the solution to boost its effectiveness.

Another option is to use a combination of spices, such as ground ginger and cinnamon sticks, and simmer them in water for at least 15 minutes. This will also help to eliminate the fish odour.

Remember, no matter what method you use, it is difficult to completely eliminate the smell of fish after cooking. However, by using these techniques, you should be able to significantly reduce the odour.

Use toothpaste

Toothpaste is a great way to get rid of fishy smells from your hands and kitchen utensils. It's designed to neutralise bacteria and improve your breath, so it can also combat the odour from fish.

To use toothpaste to get rid of fish smells, start by wetting your hands with warm water. You can then squeeze a small amount of toothpaste—about the same amount you would use to brush your teeth—onto your hands. Rub the toothpaste all over the front and back of your hands, and anywhere else that came into contact with the fish, such as your arms.

For best results, use a toothpaste that contains baking soda, as this will help to remove smells.

Once you've applied the toothpaste, simply rinse it off with warm water. If your hands still smell a little fishy, you can also follow up by rinsing your hands with lemon juice.

You can also use toothpaste to de-stink the tools you use to prepare fish.

Air the pan out

Airing out your pan is a great way to get rid of the fish smell. Start by opening the windows in your kitchen or dining room and turning on the vent fan over your stove. If you need to, bring in a plug-in fan to increase airflow. You can also try cracking a window and turning on a ceiling fan. The fresh air will help get rid of the fishy odour.

If you're looking for a more intense air-out, try the following:

• Boil citrus peels: Citrus has some serious odour-fighting powers. Peel an orange, lemon, or lime and boil the zests in a pot of water on your stove. Leave it to simmer on low heat for a few hours. The citrus will chase off that fishy smell in no time.
• Simmer spices: In addition to vinegar, you can use simmering spices to rid your kitchen of unwanted lingering smells. Try ground ginger and cinnamon sticks. Simmer these in water for at least 15 minutes.
• Use essential oils: Add a few drops of essential oils, like lavender or citrus, to a pot of boiling water on the stove, or add some to a diffuser if you have one.

Frequently asked questions