Eradicate Stinky Pots And Pans

There are several ways to remove odors from pots and pans. The cause may be cooking on too high a heat, using aerosol cooking sprays, or cooking with a food item that emits a strong odor. To remove the smell, you can soak your pots and pans in hot water, scrub them with baking soda paste, or use a mixture of lemon and salt. You can also try boiling vinegar in the pot or pan, or soaking it in a mixture of water and vinegar.

How to Remove Odor from Pots and Pans

Soak in hot water

Soaking your pots and pans in hot water is an effective way to remove odors and loosen baked-on or caked-on food. It is best to fill your cookware with hot water as soon as you are finished cooking and let it soak for about 20 minutes. This will loosen any food particles stuck to the bottom of the pan, making them easier to clean off. If you forgot to soak your cookware or if the odor and stains persist, you can extend the soak time by a few hours or even leave it overnight.

It is important to note that while hot water can be effective in removing some odors and stains, it may not be sufficient for more stubborn smells or burnt-on food. In these cases, you may need to try additional methods such as using baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice in conjunction with hot water, or scrubbing with a sponge or brush. Additionally, some experts do not recommend soaking in hot water as it may not remove the smell and can even make it stronger. Instead, they suggest using a dishwasher detergent specifically designed for cleaning pots and pans to ensure the odor is eliminated and the pan is not damaged.

However, if you choose to soak your pots and pans in hot water, you can add a few drops of dish soap to the water to help with the cleaning process. After soaking, use a soft scrubber, sponge, or brush to wash off any remaining food particles and odors with warm or hot water and soap. Make sure to dry your cookware thoroughly before storing it to prevent rust and corrosion.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove odors and stains from your pots and pans, leaving them clean and fresh-smelling.

Use a baking soda paste

To remove odors from your pots and pans using baking soda, start by washing off any food particles with a soft scrubber and water. Then, create a cleaning paste by mixing baking soda with water. You want to achieve a sticky, spreadable consistency.

Apply the paste to the cookware and cover it with paper materials. Let the paste work its magic for about two hours, then rinse the pan with water and soap. If you're in a hurry, you can also create a quick cleaning solution with baking soda and clean water to remove odors right after cooking.

For stubborn stains, you can try a few different methods. One option is to boil a solution of four tablespoons of baking soda and half a cup of water in the pan. Let the pan cool, then rinse the stain with straight baking soda and scrub with a nonstick-safe nylon brush. Another approach is to wet the pan with water and add enough baking soda to form a paste or slurry. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then scrub off the crusty food or burnt-on oil with a scouring pad or sponge. If the stain persists, repeat the process or leave the mixture to sit overnight.

Baking soda is an effective odor remover due to its chemical properties. As an alkaline substance, it neutralizes acidic odors through a chemical reaction, resulting in a less odorous compound. This change in pH helps to eliminate unpleasant smells. Additionally, baking soda acts as a molecular sponge, absorbing a wide range of odors instead of merely masking them.

Lemon and salt scrub

To start, pour some table salt into the offending pan or pot. Then, sprinkle lemon juice on top of the salt. You can extract the juice from a fresh lemon, or use store-bought lemon juice. Allow the mixture to sit in the pan for approximately two hours. After this, grab a steel wool pad or the lemon rind and scrub the pan. Finally, rinse the pan with clean water, and your pan will be deodorized!

Boil vinegar in the pan

Boiling vinegar is an effective way to remove odors from pots and pans. This method works for both chemical-like new smells and fishy odors after cooking. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which bonds with volatile molecules to banish odors.

To start, fill your pan with water and bring it to a boil. Then, add a small amount of vinegar and continue to boil for about 10 minutes. You can also add lemon juice to the mixture if the odor is very strong. After boiling, let the mixture cool down and then wash the pan with warm, soapy water and a soft nylon brush. Finally, rinse and dry the pan.

If you are concerned about the vinegar smell lingering, you can try rinsing the pan with water and baking soda after the initial wash. This will help to neutralize any remaining odors.

It is important to note that boiling vinegar may not be suitable for all types of cookware. Always refer to the care instructions provided by the manufacturer of your pots and pans.

Boil lemon juice in the pan

Lemon juice is an effective way to remove odors from pots and pans. It is especially useful if your pan has a burnt smell or a strong odor from cooking onions or fish. To use this method, start by squeezing the juice from a lemon and putting the juice, as well as the fruit that is left, into the pan.

Next, add water to the pan. The amount of water added should be proportional to the amount of lemon juice. For instance, if you used three parts water to one part lemon juice, you would need to boil the mixture for five to ten minutes. If you used equal parts lemon juice and water, you would need to boil the mixture for around 20 minutes.

After boiling the lemon juice and water mixture, use a brush to remove any remaining residue. Finally, rinse the pan with warm, soapy water and dry it with a towel.

Lemon juice is an effective odor remover because of its high acidity. The acid in the lemon juice will cleanse the pan, removing odors and leaving it with a fresh lemon scent.

Frequently asked questions