How to wash your greasy utensils properly?

According to chef Vaibhav Bhargava at Cho, Vietnamese Kitchen and Bar, cleaning kitchen utensils properly helps prevent the growth and spread of harmful bacteria, germs, and other pathogens. “This is especially important in food preparation areas where cross-contamination can occur easily. By regularly cleaning and sanitising utensils, you minimise the risk of foodborne illnesses,” he added.

Chef Nikhil Rastogi at UNOX told Indianexpress.com that properly cleaning utensils can also preserve their longevity as “grease accumulation over time can lead to a layer of grime on the utensils, compromising their appearance and potentially affecting the taste of the food prepared with them.”

Here are some tips from these chefs to completely wash off the grease from your utensils and have them looking spanking-new in half the effort you usually would make.

Baking soda is a great agent at dislodging grease. (Source: Unsplash)

Use baking soda

Bhargava recommended using baking soda for cleaning pots, pans, and cookware as it is only mildly abrasive and can even help neutralise odours.

“The gentle abrasiveness of baking soda helps to scrub away dirt without scratching the surface,” he said. But he advised against using it on delicate or non-stick surfaces to prevent scratching.

Soak your utensils in hot water before scrubbing them

Rastogi recommended soaking your greasy utensils in hot water as it will help loosen the grease up.

He suggested soaking them in a sink filled with hot water and some dishwashing liquid. “Employ a scrub brush or sponge to diligently eliminate the grease, with special emphasis on persistent areas,” he said.

Vegetable oil may help

This may sound surprising but vegetable oil can also be effective in removing grease from utensils due to its ability to dissolve and break down oils, according to both Rastogi and Bhargava.

Rastogi suggested applying vegetable oil to the greasy utensils and allowing them to sit for a short period before scrubbing them.

It is important to note, however, that this method can attract dust and other particles, leading to a build-up of grime if not cleaned regularly.

Use a mixture of lemon and vinegar

Owing to the acidic properties of lemon and vinegar, Bhargava recommended employing them in fighting off the grease on utensils.

“Mix equal parts lemon juice and vinegar, apply it to greasy surfaces, and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it clean,” he said.

Note: Remember to test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it does not damage or discolour the surface of your utensil.

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