Emilie Meyer
Cooking pots can retain strong odours from ingredients such as onions, garlic, spices, and even burnt food. To get rid of these smells, there are several home remedies you can try. One popular method is to use vinegar, which can be diluted with water and simmered in the pot to neutralise the odours. Alternatively, you can use baking soda, lemon juice, or even denture cleaning tablets. For a more pleasant experience, you can create a stovetop potpourri by simmering ingredients like citrus peels, apple peels, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and rosemary in water. Not only will this absorb unwanted odours, but it will also make your home smell inviting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scrub the pot | Use a scouring pad, steel wool, or copper |
| Abrasive cleaner | Hot water, dish soap |
| Neutralize odors | Lemon, vinegar, baking soda |
| Odor-absorbing agents | Coffee grounds, charcoal splatter screen, air purifiers |
| Preventative measures | Avoid cooking on high heat, use of aerosol cooking sprays |
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What You'll Learn
Use vinegar and water
To get rid of the smell in a cooking pot, a mixture of vinegar and water can be used. This method works because smells attach to vinegar, and then the water rinses away the vinegar due to its water solubility.
Firstly, fill the pot with equal parts water and vinegar. For an Instant Pot, one cup of water and one cup of vinegar is sufficient. For a particularly stubborn smell, add a few lemon peels or some lemon juice to the mixture. Next, bring the mixture to a boil. For an Instant Pot, set it to 'Steam' for two minutes. Once the time is up, release the pressure naturally. If you are using a regular cooking pot, simply allow the mixture to cool before emptying the pot. Finally, rinse the pot with water until the smell of vinegar is gone.
To prevent smells from lingering in your cooking pot, it is recommended to leave the lid off after cleaning and to store the pot with the lid turned upside down, so the inside is facing up. This prevents any odors from being sealed in.
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Try baking soda and water
Baking soda is a great option for removing unwanted odours from your cooking pots. It is a natural deodorizer and can help neutralize strong cooking smells, such as fish or smoke. Here is a step-by-step guide to eliminating odours from your cooking pot using baking soda and water:
First, create a baking soda and water solution by mixing two parts water with one part baking soda. The amount of the solution will depend on the size of your pot. Ensure you mix it well to create a runny mixture. You can also add a bit of vinegar to this mixture for extra odour-fighting power.
Next, wash the inside of the pot with this solution, making sure to scrub well with a soft sponge or cloth. If your pot has a non-stick coating, be careful not to use an abrasive scouring pad as it may damage the coating. After scrubbing, let the solution sit in the pot for a while, allowing it to soak and neutralize any lingering odours.
Finally, rinse the pot thoroughly with clean water to remove any residue and odour-causing particles. If the smell persists, you can repeat the process, allowing the pot to soak for a longer period, or try adding more baking soda to your mixture.
This method is an effective, chemical-free way to remove unwanted smells from your cooking pots, leaving them fresh and ready for your next culinary creation.
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Boil lemons
Boiling lemons is a popular home remedy for neutralizing unwanted smells. To do this, fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Then, cut a lemon in half and add it to the boiling water. You can also squeeze some lemon juice into the water for added effect. Allow the lemon to simmer for around 10 minutes. For even better results, add a tablespoon of baking soda to the water.
While this method is often recommended for covering unpleasant smells with a citrus scent, some sources claim that it does not work. According to these sources, the lemon scent is not strong enough to cover or eliminate other smells. Instead, they suggest using an air freshener, such as Febreze Air, which uses cyclodextrins to trap stinky molecules.
Another way to use lemons to eliminate unwanted smells is to make stovetop potpourri. To do this, add lemon peels, apple peels, cloves, cinnamon sticks, rosemary, or other fragrant ingredients to a pot of water and simmer during and after cooking. The steam from this mixture will absorb unwanted odors and help humidify the air.
Lemons can also be used to eliminate unwanted smells from specific items, such as cutting boards, garbage disposals, microwaves, and stained containers. To use this method, rub the surface with a cut lemon or lemon juice, let it sit for several minutes, and then rinse or scrub the surface clean.
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Make stovetop potpourri
Stovetop potpourri is an effective way to make your house smell nice and get rid of any unpleasant odours. It's easy to make and can last for several days. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Gather Ingredients
You can use a variety of ingredients to make stovetop potpourri, including fruits, spices, and herbs. Common fruit choices include oranges, cranberries, apples, and lemons. Spices such as cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, nutmeg, and vanilla can add a warm and fragrant scent. You can also use fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or mint for a fresh, uplifting aroma.
Step 2: Prepare the Ingredients
Slice or chop the fruits into small pieces. For the spices, it's best to use whole spices rather than ground ones, as they will create a mess. If using vanilla, you can add a dried-out vanilla bean or use vanilla extract.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients and Water
Fill a medium to large pot about three-quarters full of water. Add your chosen ingredients to the pot. You can experiment with different combinations and quantities to find your favourite scent. Just ensure there is enough water in the pot so that the ingredients are covered and don't burn.
Step 4: Simmer and Enjoy
Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a low boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and allow the mixture to simmer gently. The simmering potpourri will fill your home with a delightful fragrance. Keep an eye on the water level and top it off as needed.
Variations and Tips:
- You can also make stovetop potpourri in a slow cooker. Simply follow the same steps, heating the mixture with the lid on until warm and steamy, then removing the lid and heating on low.
- Remember not to leave the house with the stovetop potpourri unattended, especially with the lid off.
- You can reuse the potpourri mixture for about a week. Store it in a jar in the refrigerator when not in use.
- If you want a clean, fresh scent, try combining lemon slices, rosemary, and a few peppercorns.
- For a festive scent, use cranberries, sliced oranges, and cloves.
- For a cosy, gingerbread-like fragrance, add sliced ginger, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, nutmeg, and molasses to your potpourri.
Stovetop potpourri is a natural and delightful way to fragrance your home, and you can easily customise it to your preferences. Enjoy experimenting with different scents and creating a warm and inviting atmosphere!
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Use a scouring pad
If your cooking pot is retaining a smell, a scouring pad can be used to remove it. However, this method should not be used on pots with a coating, such as Teflon, as it will damage the coating and ruin the pot.
To begin, add a few drops of dish soap and some hot water to the pot. You can also add a dryer sheet to the water and let it sit for an hour before discarding and rinsing the pot with a scouring pad and dish soap.
Alternatively, fill the pot with hot water and add vinegar, bringing it to a boil. Turn off the heat and add baking soda. Discard the liquid and scrub the pot with a scouring pad. If there are still stuck-on pieces, make a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to the affected areas, and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a scouring pad and dish soap.
For an especially stubborn smell, you can try using lemon juice. Mix one part lemon juice with three parts hot water and let it sit for a couple of hours. You may need to do this a few times. Afterward, scrub the pot with a scouring pad and dish soap.
It is important to note that these methods may not work for all pots and that some odors may be more difficult to remove than others.
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Frequently asked questions
Try using vinegar. Rinse the pot with a mixture of water and vinegar, then wash with water until the vinegar smell is gone.
Lemon juice is another effective method. Cut a lemon in half and add it to a pot of boiling water. Let it simmer for 10 minutes. You can also use lemon peels or vinegar instead.
Yes, try using baking soda. Make a mixture of baking soda and water and wash the pot with it. Then fill the pot with some baking soda and water and let it soak.
To prevent strong cooking smells, try using an odour-absorbing charcoal splatter screen when frying. You can also use coffee grounds, bowls of vinegar, or stovetop potpourri made from citrus peels, apple peels, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and rosemary to absorb odours.
