Cleaning & Safety

What to do in case of burnt food?
Place some chopped onion in the vessel having burnt food, pour boiling water in it, keep for 5 minutes and then clean.

What kind of board to be used for chopping?
Use a wooden board to chop. It will not blunt the knife. Don't use a plastic board, small plastic pieces may go with the vegetables.

How to prevent cockroaches from infesting the kitchen and other places in the house?
Put some boric powder in kitchen in corners and other places. Cockroaches will leave your house.

Can we use electrical appliances near the sink?
Don't use appliances near the sink or other water. If one falls in, it can electrocute anyone nearby. If you must have a wall socket near the sink, make sure it has a "Ground Fault Interrupter" type socket assembly.

Where to put hot stuff?
Do not put hot glass dishes on cold or wet surfaces, such as a hot coffee pot on a cold surface. It'll break almost every time. Do not use a damp/wet potholder to pick up something hot. Doing so will get you steam-burned. Never add water to a dish that has hot oil in it. It could splatter, and someone could get hurt.

How to properly store knives?
Don't leave sharp knives loose in a drawer. Not only will banging around in a drawer ruin the good sharp edge you have on your knives, someone for sure will reach in the drawer and come out with a handful of knife, and it will probably be you. When you are working with a knife, and you lay it down, don't lay it down with the edge pointing up. It is hard to see the edge, and someone will put their hand down on it, making lots of blood.

How to clean the oven?
To clean the oven, apply a paste of sodium bicarbonate and water on the walls and floor of the oven and keep the oven on low heat for about half an hour. Dried food can easily be removed. Clean any grease build-up from the stove, oven & exhaust fan regularly. Cooking grease & oil ignite easily & burn rapidly.

How to watch over pan handles?
Don't let the pan handles on the stove stick out over the floor. Not only can curious kids get to them, but they can snag on clothing etc, and spill. Turn them to the side, but don't let them extend over adjacent burners.

How to handle raw food?
Always wash your hands in hot, soapy water, scrubbing for 10-15 seconds before and after handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs. Wash fresh vegetables and fruits thoroughly.

How to clean utensils properly?
Add a little bit of common salt to the washing powder for better cleaning of utensils.