Are you tired of your cooker starting to give you trouble and not functioning to your expectations anymore? Well, just like any other electronic device in the kitchen, cookers, too, demand regular cleaning and maintenance for them to work perfectly fine. But don’t worry; maintaining your cooker doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In fact, with a little effort and some easy-to-follow steps, you can keep your cooker in top shape and increase its longevity.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Cooker
Looking for effective steps to clean your cookers? Worry not, for we have your back. Here are some dos and don’ts for maintaining your cookers.
Step 1: Gather the Essential Cleaning Tools
Before beginning your cooker cleaning process, you must understand the supplies required for effective cleaning. They are as follows:
- Warm, soapy water
- A soft sponge or cloth
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Microfiber cloth
- Toothbrush (an old one, not your minty fresh one!)
- Dish soap
- Oven cleaner (if applicable)
- Rubber gloves (optional, but they’re handy for protecting your hands)
Step 2: Start with the Exterior
All right, let’s start with the exterior of your cooker. The first process is cleaning the outside of the cooker. Mix any liquid soap in a bucket of warm water. Dip a sponge and rub the outer surface of your cooker with the soapy water.
Try to be gentle, specifically if your cooker has a sensitive surface. Also, a paste of baking soda and water can help deal with the most stubborn stains in most cases. Apply it and let it stay for a few minutes, then rinse!
Step 3: Handle the Cooktop
Now, let us move on to the cooktop—the core of your cooker! If you have a gas cooker, make sure that it is turned off by the time you want to clean it.
It is rational to cut off the power supply to electric cookers. If it is convenient, remove the grates or burner lids and submerge them in warm, soapy water for a while. In the meantime, wipe the cooktop surface using a soft cloth or sponge.
Step 4: Clean the Oven
Even if it looks and feels challenging, just remember that cleaning an oven can actually be very effortless. Remove the tins or racks from the oven and soak them in hot, soapy water.
Meanwhile, apply some baking soda mixed with water in the oven. If possible, try leaving this paste overnight for optimal results. Later, wipe away the paste and any residual grime with a damp sponge.
Step 5: Routine Maintenance Tips
Now that your cooker is clean and uncluttered, how do you keep it that way? Here are a few quick tips:
- Wipe away spills and dirty areas at once with a sprayer, brushing and soaking in soapy water so as not to soil or leave stains, which will be hard to clean later.
- Washers should be cleaned on a regular basis. The general cleaning could even happen every month, if not in periods of 2–3 months, depending on how much you use it.
- Inspect and replace any worn-out or broken components, like burner grates or oven seals, to ensure optimal performance and safety.
Final Thoughts
If you stick to regular cleaning and periodic maintenance as specified above, your cooker will remain in its best condition and super functional for years without any issues.
Moreover, a clean and well-kept cooker not only takes your cooking experience a notch higher but also ensures the security and efficiency of your kitchen. So roll up your sleeves, pick up your cleaning tools, and let’s get cleaning!
