Why You Shouldn’t Wash Greasy Pans With Hot Water
According to Tasting Table, hot water can melt away grease, but it will eventually solidify and cling to your pipes, leading to blockages over time. As the grease builds up, pipes can become clogged, requiring the services of a professional plumber.
Moreover, grease accumulation not only harms your home’s plumbing system but also burdens the city’s sewer system and wastewater treatment plants. Conversely, using cold water helps grease solidify into larger clumps, making it easier for them to pass through the pipes.
However, this doesn’t mean you should flush grease down the drain after each cooking session. Tasting Table recommends wiping out any remaining grease from the pan before washing. When washing greasy pans in the sink, remember to turn the faucet to cold to protect your pipes.
Additionally, washing pans with hot water is not recommended as it can affect the quality of the pan if the water is too hot or if you scrub too vigorously, wearing away the protective coatings on the pan’s surface. And if you’re not careful, hot water can cause burns when washing.
The Right Way to Wash Greasy Pans
Proper cleaning is essential for maintaining and prolonging the lifespan of your cookware. It not only keeps your kitchen tools clean but also helps avoid costly pipe blockages down the line.
First, to avoid burns from hot oil, let the pan cool down completely. Then, pour the oil into a container or wipe it off and throw it in the trash. Next, use paper towels to wipe the pan, dispose of the greasy paper towels, and place the pan in the sink to wash with cold water and detergent.
Make sure to wipe out any grease from the pan before washing.
For stubborn grease stains, you can use a small amount of baking soda as a gentle abrasive. Sprinkle baking soda on the pan’s surface and scrub with a wet sponge. Baking soda will help remove the grease without damaging the pan’s surface. However, note that aluminum pans will discolor when exposed to baking soda, while ceramic pans can be cleaned by boiling water with baking soda, but it’s best not to boil it for too long to avoid carbonate residue after cooling.
For cast iron pans, use a different method: mix baking soda with water to form a paste, apply it to the pan’s bottom, and cover with a wet paper towel. After a while, you’ll be able to wipe away the grease easily.
