Spring Cleaning in the Kitchen

photo of Chef Danny Boome by Dan Busta

Bringing home some of my favorite copper pans from Vermont, and trying to find some space to put them, led me to a big spring clean in the kitchen. Here are some helpful tips if you are so inspired on this rainy spring day. Good primer for my shoot with Arm & Hammer next week too!

Coffeemaker
Mineral deposits: About once a month, clean the buildup inside the machine. Pour equal parts white vinegar and water (two cups of each) into the tank. With the carafe in position, run the machine for half a cycle, then switch it off. After an hour, turn it back on, and let the rest of the solution filter through. Run two or three cycles with fresh water before brewing coffee.

Refrigerator
A frost-free refrigerator dehydrates its interior, turning liquid spills into caked-on lumps. Soak removable parts in warm, slightly soapy water or a solution of one or two tablespoons Arm & Hammer baking soda for every quart warm water. Loosen a hardened spill on fixed parts by covering it with a damp sponge or cloth; use a toothbrush in crevices. Don't use bleach or ammonia, which can damage some surfaces.

Coils: Refrigerators cool by stripping heat from the air inside the compartment and releasing it through condenser coils. Dust acts like insulation on the coils and keeps them from releasing heat efficiently. Clean the coils with a vacuum wand or a long-handled brush. Older refrigerators may have coils located in the back. To avoid damaging your floor, try to clean them without moving the appliance. In newer ones, the coils are usually at the bottom, accessible by removing the front grill. Although some models have coils that their manufacturers say never need cleaning, pet dander can disprove that claim. Check coils periodically if you have cats or dogs.

Oven:
After a lot of bubbly, savory stews and casseroles this winter, it's time for a heavy-duty oven cleaning. Wash racks by hand unless the owner's manual says they're dishwasher-safe. Then try this homemade cleanser from "Clean House, Clean Planet," by Karen Logan (Pocket Books; 1997). Use aluminum foil to plug holes leading to the broiler. (Be sure to remove the foil after cleaning.) Mix one-quarter cup salt, three-quarters cup Arm & Hammer baking soda, and one-quarter cup water into a paste. Brush on, avoiding bare parts -- salt corrodes metal. Let it sit overnight; remove mixture using a slotless spatula or a putty knife. Wipe with paper towels. Use a plastic scrubber or sponge to remove remaining spots.

Microwave Oven
Stains and odors are the biggest problems with microwaves.

Plastic interiors: Wipe stains with warm, soapy water, then plain water. If that isn't enough, clean with one or two tablespoons Arm & Hammer baking soda mixed into a quart of water. For caked-on residue, heat water in the microwave on high for three minutes; let stand five minutes (keep the door closed), and then wipe interior. In the future, cover food with a paper towel before cooking or reheating. To remove odors, clean with the baking-soda solution, wipe surfaces dry, and leave the door open for a few hours. If the smell persists, stir six tablespoons baking soda or one-half cup lemon juice into a cup of water. In a microwave-safe dish, heat mixture on high for two to three minutes. Then leave the door open for a few hours.

Stainless-steel interiors: Use a plastic scrubber and a gentle abrasive. If that does not work (and you don't mind scratching the surface), try soap-filled steel wool.
Other parts: Clean doors with only warm, soapy water or a mild, nonabrasive cleaner, and a sponge or soft cloth. Wipe control panels with a barely damp (not wet) cloth; moisture behind the panel could ruin the oven.

Stove
Electric burners: Wipe food off burners when they are cold. If residue remains, open windows or switch on an exhaust fan, turn burners to high, and let the food smoke off. If plastic melts onto a burner, scrape it off with a wooden spoon while coils are warm.

Gas burners: You can wash porcelain-coated stove-top pans and grates by hand unless their manufacturer recommends putting them in a dishwasher. Dishwasher detergent is more alkaline than hand-dishwashing liquid, and the machines keep their contents damp longer. Both factors may cause rust at gaps in chrome or porcelain coatings. You may not see the gaps, but the dishwasher will find them. Uncoated metal parts are best soaked and then rubbed with a scouring pad.

Glass cooktops: These must be protected from scratching. Clean with a pad safe for nonstick coatings, and dedicate it to only this use. Wipe up sugary spills while they are still warm. For burned-on food, use a razor blade fitted into a plastic handle: Hold it at an angle of about 30 degrees, and carefully scrape with the full width of the blade, not just a corner. Follow up with a dab of commercial cooktop cleaner on a dry paper towel, and then wipe off the cleaner with another dry towel. If pans with copper or aluminum bottoms discolor your cooktop (and they might), switch to pans made of another material and use a cooktop cleaner recommended by the manufacturer; with daily application of the cleaner, stains should gradually disappear.

Grab your rubber gloves, crank up some funky music and roll up your sleeves. You'll be happy you did.

By the way, that cute guy up top is Danny Boome, who I worked with on Rescue Chef for the Food Network. His apartment does not look like that!