Most housewives have a cauldron among their kitchen utensils. The cookware is universal and can be used not only on the stove, but also on a fire. The thick-walled product is practical and convenient, but over time it loses its original cleanliness. Washing a cauldron after cooking is not easy. Depending on the material of the product, the care of the cookware will differ.
Content
- What is a cauldron?
- How to clean a cauldron from carbon deposits depending on its material
- What products can be used to clean a cauldron at home?
- How to restore the non-stick layer after cleaning
- Useful tips for care and prevention of carbon deposits
- Conclusion
- VIDEO: How to quickly and easily clean a cauldron from carbon deposits.
What is a cauldron?
A cauldron is a cast metal pot of a hemispherical shape with a semicircular bottom. The peculiarity of the product is the uniform heating of the walls, which retain heat inside the container for a long time. The thickness of the cauldron prevents food from burning, and its rounded shape promotes less absorption of oil and simmering of products. Due to this, the products retain as many useful elements as possible. It is well suited for dishes that require long stewing.
Basically, the cauldron is made in two shapes: in the form of a hemisphere and with a flat bottom. The first option is suitable for cooking on an open fire, as it can only be used with a special tripod. The second option is in demand at home, it is convenient to install on the hob.
How to clean a cauldron from carbon deposits depending on its material
During the cooking process in a cauldron, it is impossible to avoid the appearance of soot and carbon deposits. And if you do not follow the care rules, then rust and cracks will appear. Ignorance of all the nuances of cleaning a cauldron made of different materials leads to the loss of the positive properties of the product.
How to clean a cast iron cauldron
There are many methods used to wash a cast iron cauldron. The material requires careful handling, as it is susceptible to splitting from impact. The use of hard brushes and abrasives is not allowed.
Despite the fact that rounded walls burn less often, food and fat particles sometimes stick to the surface of the cookware. To clean the inner walls, the cauldron is completely filled with the prepared solution and put on the fire. The detergent is brought to a boil and kept on the fire for about 20 minutes. This time is enough for the carbon deposit to soften.
To clean the product from the outside, it is completely placed in a deep container and boiled. After boiling, not only soot and grease but also stuck tar comes off well.
Important! Do not wash in the dishwasher.
How to wash an aluminum cauldron
The aluminum surface is less porous, so it is easier to clean from dirt. It is important to take into account one nuance - an oxide film is formed under the influence of air. To prevent the surface from oxidizing, the aluminum cauldron can be cleaned with a soft metal sponge.
It is not prohibited to wash in a dishwasher or use cleaning agents with abrasives.
Important! Do not use household chemicals containing oxalic acid. It makes the oxide layer looser and the alloy becomes dull.
Cleaning a stainless steel cauldron
By following certain care requirements, the useful properties of a stainless steel cauldron are preserved for a long time. How to wash the product correctly:
- avoid cleaning products containing abrasives, rough sponges and metal brushes (they scratch the coating);
- do not use products containing chlorine;
- dishes are washed only with liquid detergent (it is recommended to purchase special household chemicals designed for the care of metal surfaces);
- piercing the product is not allowed (a sharp change in temperature disrupts the integrity of the oxide film covering the top layer of the walls);
- Dishwasher safe.
The nuances of cleaning rust
Incorrect storage leads to the appearance of a reddish coating - rust. To remove it, the dishes are pre-soaked in a solution of water and vinegar in equal proportions. You can add special chemicals that corrode rust. The following improvised means are suitable for cleaning the coating:
- medium- and coarse-grained sandpaper, metal shavings (help with minor contamination);
- a drill with a flat attachment (after using the tool, it is necessary to remove corrosion from the metal pores using orthophosphoric or oxalic acid);
- grinding machine (removes the rusty layer in a few minutes, the procedure must be performed by a person with professional skills).
Boiling copes with a large layer of unpleasant plaque. To do this, add one packet of salt to a bucket with 6 liters of water. Place a cauldron and cook for 8 hours on low heat.
You can remove rust from a cauldron using a special product designed for oven care. You can also use a folk remedy. Minimal plaque is removed with peeled potatoes, then washed off with warm water and dried well.
What products can be used to clean a cauldron at home?
There are several ways to remove soot and carbon deposits from a cauldron, which every housewife can easily use. It is important to know how to clean a cauldron from carbon deposits correctly.
Glue and soda
To prepare the solution, you will need to take water (the volume is determined depending on the dimensions of the container, the container should be filled to the brim), 1 tube of silicate or office glue and soda (250 g).
The cauldron filled with the solution is placed on medium heat and boiled for about 1 hour. After the time has elapsed, the cauldron with the liquid is cooled, after which it is washed with a soft sponge and dishwashing detergent.
For reference! The method is suitable for aluminum and cast iron products.
Activated carbon
The medicine copes well with the remains of burnt food. The tablets are used in crushed form (their quantity depends on the degree of contamination, usually 1-2 tablets are enough).
Cover the surface of the boiler with homogeneous crumbs and rub with a sponge. Place some of the tablets on the bottom and leave for 2 hours. Wash off the remains of activated carbon with a liquid agent. All dirt comes off the walls of the dishes on its own.
Citric acid
The cleaning method does not require much expense. All you need is to buy citric acid. To obtain a solution, 40 g of powder must be combined with 1 liter of water. Pour the resulting liquid into a cauldron, put on low heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. Remove the remaining carbon deposits with a sponge.
Glue and soap
As you know, laundry soap copes with any dirt. For greater effect, add office glue. To clean the product inside and out, you need to take a bar of soap (72%) and PVA glue (50-65 g).
To remove carbon deposits from the outside and inside of the boiler, place the dishes in a large container filled with glue and soap shavings. Then put on low heat and boil for 3 hours. Boiling the soap solution will help soften the carbon deposits and easily remove them from the walls of the cauldron.
For reference! Do not forget about harmful glue vapors, it is advisable to ventilate the room during the procedure.
Vinegar combined with salt and soda
For the cleaning solution, you need to prepare the following components:
- table or apple cider vinegar – 200 ml;
- salt – 2 tablespoons;
- soda – 2 tbsp. spoons.
Fill the cauldron with water, add salt and vinegar. Bring to a boil, then add soda. Boil the solution for half an hour. Watch for foam that forms as a result of the reaction of vinegar and soda.
Cleaning with sand
To use this method, you will need to find dry river sand. Fill the dishes to the brim and pierce them over low heat for at least 8-10 hours. Stir the sand periodically. After the specified time, pour out the contents of the boiler. Any dirt should come off easily.
Modern chemical agents
Chemical cleaning agents are one of the simplest options in the fight against carbon deposits. Manufacturers offer a wide range of care products for products made of different materials.
Household chemicals should be designed to remove complex stains from metal (preferably from a cauldron). The products require careful use. They should be thoroughly washed off with water so that the remains of the product do not get into food.
Of the modern chemicals, Domestos is suitable for cast iron cookware. The product is universal, suitable for removing dirt not only in the bathroom and toilet rooms, but also from cast iron products.
Important! When cleaning, do not neglect the protection of your hands, eyes and respiratory tract.
How to restore the non-stick layer after cleaning
Often, the protective layer is removed along with the carbon deposits. Only boilers made of black metal require this procedure. There are several ways to restore the oily protection, but the simplest of them is calcination.
What needs to be done:
- flush the boiler;
- dry completely;
- apply animal fat to the walls;
- place on high heat for 5 minutes (until the fat burns out);
- cool and rinse with water.
A cast iron cauldron is hardened over a fire with the addition of oil. After it has completely burned out, the cauldron is filled with water and boiled.
How to properly wash a cauldron after cooking
Knowing how to effectively clean a metal cauldron after cooking will help to maintain its performance qualities for a long time. A properly prepared pot does not need special washing.
Before washing the cauldron, remove any food residue. Pour water into the container, put it on the fire to boil and leave it to cool. After that, remove the liquid from the container, rinse with liquid detergent and the soft side of a sponge.
Wipe the inside and outside of the dish dry, apply a small amount of oil to the walls and store in the cupboard with the lid open.
Useful tips for care and prevention of carbon deposits
How to wash a cauldron correctly? The most important thing that every housewife should remember is that the cauldron must be wiped dry after washing. If you leave the dishes wet, rust stains will appear.
Frequent use of the product requires applying a layer of oil to the inner walls of the cauldron. This will prevent food from burning.
The storage area for the dishes must have free access to air. The pot must not be tightly covered with a lid if its inner surface is covered with oil. The storage cabinet must be dry.
Before first use, the product requires piercing in a preheated oven. The oven is not preheated, the temperature should increase gradually (at least 200°C). After cooking, the cauldron is immediately washed from food residues, it cannot be soaked for a long time.
Conclusion
Cleaning a cauldron from carbon deposits and rust at home is not difficult if you study the simple rules of care. Careful and correct use of the boiler will extend its operational properties for many years, and the prepared dishes will delight you with a rich aroma and taste.
