Your kitchen and culinary skills will truly shine with the right equipment. If you’re passionate about cooking, you understand the importance of having high-quality tools.
However, when you’re consistently investing in really good cooking equipment, you want to make sure you’re taking extra special care of it so it will last you for years and years. Proper maintenance and care will not only improve longevity but make for a safer kitchen and quicker cooking times. Here are a few ways you can care for your equipment to keep it in tip-top shape.
Keep Your Knives Sharp
When you invest in high-quality knives, make sure you also purchase a good knife sharpener to use regularly. This will not only make them sharper and, therefore, more efficient, but it will also make them last longer. Start a monthly knife sharpening routine to ensure you’re staying on top of this task. If you cook often, you might decide to sharpen them more regularly.
You should also avoid using harsh chemicals on your knives, as this can blunt them. Instead, stick to hand washing them with natural soap and warm water and drying them with a clean kitchen towel.
Clean and Season Your Cast Iron
Cast iron is an excellent cooking material and needs thorough care and maintenance.
First, you need to season your cast iron pots and pans. Seasoning refers to the practice of thoroughly oiling your cast iron equipment and then baking the oil into the surface. This helps prevent your pans from rusting and also gives them a non-stick quality.
It’s also crucial to wash your cast iron carefully by hand and avoid using the dishwasher. Harsh chemicals can ruin the seasoning and make it rusty. You should also promptly and thoroughly dry your cast iron to avoid rust.
Descale Your Coffee Maker
If you’re a coffee snob, you probably use your coffee machine on a daily basis. This means you need to pay close attention to caring for it!
Descaling your coffee maker is a way of removing limescale buildup, which can occur from the calcium, magnesium, and other minerals in the water you put into the machine. You can purchase descaling tablets or simply use a solution of vinegar and water. Aside from descaling, you should also regularly wipe down your coffee machine to remove dust and grime and hand wash any removable parts like the coffee pot and filter basket.
Keep Your Cutting Boards Clean
Ensure that your cutting boards are always thoroughly cleaned and well-maintained. It’s recommended that you use separate boards for meat and other items, like vegetables, to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Plastic cutting boards can develop grooves and crevices over time and should, therefore, be replaced regularly since food particles can get stuck in them and harbor bacteria. If you own a wooden cutting board, it should always be washed by hand with hot water and soap, with a good amount of scrubbing to remove food particles.
