Pots And Pans: Prewash Peril

Not pre-washing your pots and pans can save time and water, but it may also result in dirty dishes. If you have a good dishwasher, it's better not to pre-wash as this can trick the dishwasher into thinking the dishes are already clean and therefore require only a light wash. However, if you have a poor-quality dishwasher, you may need to pre-wash to ensure your dishes are clean. If you're washing by hand, it's best to start by scraping off as much food as possible with a wooden or rubber spatula and then soaking the dishes in hot water with detergent or baking soda for 15-30 minutes.

You can save time and water by not prewashing

Not prewashing your pots and pans can save you time and water.

Firstly, you can save time by not prewashing your dishes. If you own a dishwasher, it is more time-efficient to simply load your dirty dishes into the machine and let it do its job. Prewashing can be a needless time-suck, especially when you have other things to do.

Secondly, you can save water by not prewashing. On average, washing a load of dishes by hand uses about 103 litres of water, with some using as much as 450 litres. In comparison, a dishwasher uses between 15 and 30 litres of water per load, depending on its efficiency. You can save up to 20 gallons of water per load by skipping the prewash and using your dishwasher instead.

Even if you don't own a dishwasher, you can still save water by adopting water-saving techniques when handwashing your dishes. For example, you can scrape your dishes with a silicone spatula before food has a chance to dry, pre-rinse dishes in a couple of centimetres of water, and rinse with hot water directly into the sink.

Deglaze a mucky pan with wine or vinegar

Deglazing a pan is a simple process that can add a lot of flavour to your dish. It involves adding a liquid to a hot pan to release the fond—those tasty, browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan after sautéing, searing, or roasting. While you can use water, wine or vinegar are great options for deglazing as they can add extra flavour to your dish. Here's a step-by-step guide to deglazing a mucky pan with wine or vinegar:

Step 1: Cook Your Ingredients

Start by cooking your meat or vegetables in a hot pan. Use a wide pan and add fat (such as oil or butter) before adding your ingredients. Cook with minimal stirring to allow a brown, sticky residue (the fond) to form at the bottom of the pan. This fond contains concentrated flavours that will enhance your dish.

Step 2: Remove Ingredients and Skim Off Excess Fat

Once your ingredients are cooked to your desired level, remove them from the pan and set them aside. If there is a lot of fat remaining in the pan, spoon it off or pour it through a strainer, returning any crusty brown solids to the pan. Too much fat can make your sauce greasy and increase spattering when you add the deglazing liquid.

Step 3: Choose Your Deglazing Liquid

For deglazing a mucky pan, wine or vinegar are excellent choices. You can use red or white wine, depending on your preference and the dish you are preparing. As for vinegar, options like apple cider vinegar, distilled white wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar work well. Choose a type of vinegar that complements the flavours of your dish.

Step 4: Pour in the Deglazing Liquid

As a general rule, use one cup of liquid for an entrée serving four people. Keep in mind that the liquid will reduce to about half its original volume as it simmers. If you're short on time, you can use less liquid. Add the liquid slowly or in stages to maintain the heat in the pan, which will help the fond dissolve faster.

Step 5: Scrape and Dissolve the Fond

Heat the pan over a medium-high burner while scraping the base with a wooden or rubber utensil. Continue scraping until the liquid is boiling and most of the fond has dissolved. Be careful not to use metal utensils with non-stick pans, as they can scratch or damage the coating.

Step 6: Create a Pan Sauce (Optional)

At this point, you can use the deglazing liquid as-is or transform it into a richer pan sauce. To make a pan sauce, add aromatic ingredients like minced garlic or shallots to enhance the flavour. You can also add herbs or cook vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, or onions in the liquid. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, tasting as you go.

Step 7: Reduce the Sauce

Boil the liquid until it reduces by about half and becomes slightly syrupy. This step concentrates the flavours and evaporates some of the alcohol if you used a wine or vinegar containing alcohol.

Step 8: Finish with Fat (Optional)

For an extra rich and smooth sauce, remove the pan from the heat and swirl in a bit of cream or melted butter. This step is entirely optional but can add a luxurious mouthfeel to your sauce.

Step 9: Strain the Sauce (Optional)

If you're going for a restaurant-style presentation, strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve before serving to ensure an even, smooth texture.

And there you have it! You've successfully deglazed your mucky pan and created a delicious sauce to accompany your meal. Bon appétit!

Use a dishwasher with an auto-clean function

If you have a dishwasher with an auto-clean function, you can save yourself a lot of time and effort. However, it is important to note that even with this feature, you should still scrape off any large bits of food from your pots and pans before loading them into the dishwasher. This is to prevent any clogging of the dishwasher filter.

The auto-clean function, also known as the "Machine Care" program, is designed to clean the interior of your dishwasher with optimal results. It effectively removes limescale and grease buildup, which can occur over time due to food residue, grease, undissolved detergent, and water minerals. This buildup can not only affect the performance of your dishwasher but also result in spots and film on your dishes, glassware, and flatware.

To use the auto-clean function, start by cleaning the filters and spray arms of your dishwasher, following the instructions in the user manual. Once they are clean, use a descaler or a cleaning product specifically designed for dishwashers. Follow the instructions on the packaging, ensuring that you do not put any dishes in the baskets during this process.

Next, press and hold the "ExtraPower" and "AUTO Sense" buttons simultaneously for about three seconds. The Auto Cleaning and ExtraPower indicators will flash, and the display will show the programme duration. Close the dishwasher door, and the programme will start. When the programme is complete, the indicator light will turn off, signalling that your dishwasher is now clean and ready to use.

It is recommended to use the auto-clean function about once every two weeks, depending on how frequently you use your dishwasher. By incorporating this function into your routine, you can maintain a clean and well-maintained dishwasher, ensuring that your pots, pans, and other dishes come out sparkling clean and hygienic.

Use dishwasher pods for best results

Using dishwasher pods is a straightforward process that can help you achieve sparkling clean dishes. Here are some tips to ensure you get the best results:

Loading the Dishwasher

Correctly loading your dishwasher is crucial to achieving the best cleaning results. Before adding the pod, ensure you load all dishwasher-safe items with their dirty sides facing the centre of the dishwasher. Avoid overcrowding the racks or silverware bins, and angle the dishes downward to facilitate better drying and draining. It is also important to manually remove large food particles from your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. However, avoid manually pre-rinsing the dishes, as this can hinder the effectiveness of the enzymatic detergent.

Placing the Dishwasher Pod

After loading the dishes, it's time to add the dishwasher pod. Dry your hands thoroughly and place a single pod directly into the dry detergent dispenser. There is no need to puncture or open the pod, as the plastic coating will dissolve in water. Close the detergent compartment lid securely. Avoid placing the pod directly into the dishwasher tub or silverware holder, as this can interfere with its ability to dissolve at the right time for effective cleaning. Always refer to your dishwasher's user manual for specific instructions on where to place the pod.

Adding a Rinse Aid (Optional)

While some dishwasher pods already contain rinse aid, you may choose to add an additional rinse aid to enhance the cleaning process. This can help your dishes dry faster and prevent spots from forming on clean dishes.

Starting the Cycle

Once you've loaded the dishes, placed the pod, and added the optional rinse aid, it's time to start the cycle. Select your desired cycle settings, press start, and let the dishwasher pod work its magic.

Storing Dishwasher Pods

Dishwasher pods are designed to dissolve when they come into contact with liquid, so it's important to store them in a cool and dry place. Ensure the packaging is sealed shut, and consider storing them in a location other than under the sink, especially if your sink or disposal is prone to leaking.

Other Considerations

• Avoid placing sharp objects like knives or blender blades in the dishwasher, as they can become dull.
• Wooden items, such as spoons and cutting boards, should be hand-washed to prevent cracking.
• If you're using a quick cycle, some manufacturers recommend throwing the pod into the bottom of the dishwasher or the utensils compartment. This is because the gel pod casing may not fully disintegrate during a short wash cycle.
• After the cycle is complete, open the dishwasher for a few minutes to release steam and help dry the dishes faster.

Hand-washing is sometimes necessary

While dishwashers are convenient, they are not always suitable for washing pots and pans. Some materials, like cast iron, should be washed by hand to avoid damaging their protective coating. Hand-washing can also help to protect non-stick coatings.

When to hand-wash

If your pots and pans are made from the following materials, it is best to hand-wash them:

• Non-stick
• Copper
• Cast iron
• Steel
• Tin
• Non-anodized aluminum
• Hand-painted or embellished ceramic

How to hand-wash

To hand-wash your pots and pans, follow these steps:

• Prep your cookware by scraping off any large pieces of food with a gentle tool or paper towel.
• Soak the cookware in a mixture of hot water, dish soap, or baking soda for 15-30 minutes to loosen stubborn food.
• Fill your sink or a dishpan with hot water and add a small amount of dish soap.
• Place the items in the sink and gently scrub them with a sponge, paying special attention to the bottom and any areas with stuck-on food.
• Rinse the items with hot water until all the soap suds are gone.
• Dry the pots and pans by hand using a towel or let them air dry on the counter.

Tips for hand-washing

• Always check the manufacturer's instructions before washing your pots and pans.
• Avoid using abrasive sponges or steel wool when washing non-stick or stainless steel pots and pans, as they can scratch the surface.
• Let hot pots and pans cool down before washing them to avoid thermal shock, which can warp or break your cookware.

Frequently asked questions