How to Clean Small Kitchen Appliances

A kitchen is vacant without its essentials which includes appliances, both big and small. Many people coulg argue that a modern kitchen loses its practicality if it is without a good set of appliances.

Nowadays, people tend to believe wholeheartedly that a practical kitchen must have appliances like a microwave, blender, toaster, and coffee maker in order to complete and fulfill its actual purpose.

Though these inventions have made life easier for homemakers, looking after them has become a serious bother. This not only includes being aware of the basic knowledge of how these appliances work and how to properly use them with great caution but also to know the best way to keep the machines clean and tidy without hampering their functionality.

Here, we’ve put together a guide on how to clean these small kitchen appliances!

Coffee Maker

Most coffee makers are used on a daily basis, which means that they need to be cleaned more frequently. Otherwise, you have to start getting used to drinking coffee that has an unpleasant taste and smell because not cleaning them properly leads to bacterial and mold growth in certain parts of the machine.

This is due to the humid and moist environment inside the maker which is characteristic of any coffee maker. The mineral buildup inside the machine also contributes to these issues. So in order to get the best cup of coffee, let’s get down to the business of cleaning your coffeemaker properly.

Getting rid of coffee grounds in the filter and any old leftover coffee in the carafe should be your first step. Then it’s time to make your own cleaning solution which will include a mixture of water along with equal amounts of vinegar. This is an effective solution as it will help remove any mineral build-up inside the maker.

Dump this solution in the water reservoir up to the brim and start a brew cycle, stopping halfway to turn the cycle off. After letting the machine rest like that for a whole hour, complete that brewing cycle. Throw away the vinegar-water solution afterward and refill the reservoir with clean, distilled water. Start another brew and repeat the same process twice with water only.

This will ensure that no vinegar is left inside the coffee maker. Do let the coffee maker rest after each brew to avoid over exhausting the machine. Before you wash the filter basket and carafe, you can keep them soaked in the vinegar-water solution to dissolve stains, etc. Then follow it with a good wash with warm water and soap. Wipe it all clean with paper towels or any clean piece of clothing to avoid water stains.

Coffee or Spice Grinder

Coffee as well as spices, when ground, leave oils and their smell as residue. Even wiping it down with a damp cloth does not clean it entirely. The oil clings to the blades and corners and often traps particles of coffee and spices. This may alter the taste of whatever you grind in it.

To solve this, use uncooked rice to clean your grinder. All you have to do is fill the grinder with ¼ cup of rice and start the machine and grind the rice until it turns to powder. Throw the pulverized rice away and use a damp paper towel or cloth to wipe the grinder clean.

Blenders and Juicers

Life would be miserable without blenders and juicers. These daily-use appliances, though efficient, are very difficult to clean using a dishwasher or you own hands. If your blender or juicer is new and you want to avoid stains and residual dirt inside the machines, then you have to wash it with water after every use.

But the work does not end there.

Refill the machines halfway with warm water and add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap. Turn the machines on and wait for the water-soap solution to foam up and clean the insides of the machines. Do this for about half a minute and dump the liquid into the lid of the blender or juicer. Take the removable parts apart and soak them in warm or hot water for a minute or two in the sink. Then rinse them well.

Often, old blenders gather more stubborn residue than newer ones which can be difficult to clean even after completing the steps mentioned above. In that case, after soaking the various parts of the juicer or blender in the hot water, use a cleaning brush and gently scrub the areas where you notice dirt. The hot water will have loosened up the dirt by now and it won’t take long to get rid of them.

Now all that’s left is to rinse the parts thoroughly with water. Dry all the parts before assembling the machines and returning them to their designated places.

Food Processor

Cleaning a food processor is not difficult at all. Your first task would be to disassemble all the removable parts of the processor. This will enable you to clean all the parts properly and with ease. Except for the blade, soak all the other parts of the processor in warm water. If you do not want the machine parts to soak in warm water, then set them aside.

Start by washing the blade first because prolonged exposure to moisture can make the blade blunt. By washing it first, any residue of the food will be washed away immediately instead of it drying out on parts of the blade and the tube, which will make it hard to clean later.

Now, be careful and gently cleanse the blades and its tube with soap and water. Afterward, rinse and make sure to dry them immediately. Then move on to washing the other parts that you had set aside or soaked in warm water with mild dishwashing soap and a nylon brush.

You can dump some of the parts in the dishwasher using the top rack. Wipe the base or motor of the processor using a damp cloth instead of soaking it in warm water like the rest.

For removing stains or marks, use baking soda and soap together as a mixture. Take a paper towel or cloth to wipe off all the parts and air-dry before re-assembling the processor.

Toasters

Toasters usually do not get that dirty but they do end up accumulating crumbs. In order to clean it, carry a cool toaster to the sink and simply turn it upside down and shake carefully. The crumbs will fall out.

You can also tug the crumb tray down and clean it using a wet cloth or paper towel. A damp cloth is all you will need for cleaning the outer part of the toaster. If you prefer, add mild dishwashing liquid to water and use that solution to wipe the toaster clean.

Grill or Panini Press

For a grill or a Panini press, it is important to clean it immediately to avoid bacterial growth or grease buildup. It will have to be partly cleaned while it is hot and partly cleaned when it cools down.

Grab a few paper towels and wet them using water. Rub the grill with these and apply pressure to the areas where food is stuck to the grill. When the appliance cools down, use a cloth soaked in the water-soap solution and wipe all parts of the grill including its exterior.

The non-stick nature of the grill demands gentle cleaning so use only a toothbrush to remove stubborn food particles or grease. Wipe the grill once more with a wet cloth soaked in water only and dry the machine using paper towels.

Mixers

Washing mixers should be the easiest of them all for you to carry out. Take apart the removable parts of the mixer and soak those that are non-electrical in warm water mixed with soap. Wash by gently scrubbing and rinsing those mixers. Use a toothbrush to get in the corners and gaps that are difficult to reach. You can even fill a bowl with warm soapy water and turn the mixer on for half a minute. This will make it easier to wash and scrub away the food from it.

The electrical parts only need to be wiped clean with water and soap followed by plain water. Before you consider the task done, check the motor ventilation slots for any dirt. If you notice any, clean it up nicely to keep them dirt-free.

Microwaves

Microwaves are rather difficult to clean mainly due to their size and accessibility. Hence, the simplest method will be to put a bowl of water inside the microwave and bring it to a boil. If you like, you can add lemon juice or vinegar with the water. Let it rest inside for 10-15 minutes after the microwave beeps so the hot steam can loosen any residual dirt, food and spatters.

Use a cloth or paper towel to wipe it clean without vigorous rubbing and scrubbing. If you previously had not put vinegar or lemon juice in the water, take a step further and wipe it again with a water-vinegar concoction in equal parts. This will remove any bad odor effectively.

The dish plate can be washed with warm water and soap using a soft pad or the dishwasher. Clean the exterior parts of the microwave using a wet cloth followed by a disinfectant.

Electric can openers

Though not used extensively in the past, this appliance has now grown popular enough to be a part of almost every household. It has a blade which often comes in contact with the contents of the can. Sometimes, leaving it out in the open can gather dirt or bacteria and using it without cleaning will pose a threat to your health. Since it cannot be submerged in water, use a damp cloth soaked in the water-soap mixture to gently clean the blade and the exterior parts of the machine. You can even detach the cutting mechanism and cleanse using hot/warm water with mild soap.

Deep Fryers

Deep fryers, when used are submerged with oil. So if not cleaned properly, the grease can attract dust and dirt, clogging all corners and crevices in the fryer. It is essential you clean it after every use. Unplug the fryer immediately after use and let it rest so it can cool. The next task will be to transfer the oil from the fryer to a container if you plan to use it later or simply discard the contents in a secured container.

Next, take the basket used for frying and deposit it into the sink with liquid soap to clean it later. Use a wet cloth to gently rub and get rid of the oil and food particles from the pot and lid. Caked on oil can be scoured using a firm plastic spatula or other utensils. Do not be vigorous about the scraping because it can eventually damage the surface of the pot and lid.

To clean the heating elements (a pair of metal rods), simply wipe them using paper towels. Some are removable and should be easier to clean. Nonetheless, be gentle so that the rods are not damaged in any way. Using a sponge or a pad and a moderate amount of dishwashing liquid, clean the bottom and sides of the fryer. It should foam up considerably and follow this step by dumping hot water in the fryer, the same amount as the oil you normally use.

While the fryer rests like this for 30 minutes, move on to cleansing the frying basket. Use a warm stream of water and a scrubbing pad or toothbrush to clean the basket and remove any bits of food. Give it a good wash and towel-dry it later on.

Moving on to the filters on the fryer lid, if they are removable and foam grease filters, place them in hot water combined with soap and wash it and let it dry. But if they are charcoal odor-filters, they will have to be replaced because they cannot be washed. Any filters that cannot be removed need to be cleaned by wiping a damp cloth and soap over the filters. Repeat this process to get rid of the oil and soap with a wet cloth.

When 30 minutes have passed, dump half the water into the pot and use the remaining water to gently rub the sides and bottom once more. More often than not, stubborn caked-on oil will remain but you can use baking soda and warm water combined to form a paste to scrub and get rid of the oil. Lastly, rinse the pot using water once more. Any residual oil can be removed using abrasive cleaners (not recommended) or vinegar.

No matter what chemical cleaner you use, do make sure it is washed away before you use the fryer again. Let all the parts dry and assemble to store in a dry place.

Slow Cookers

Slow cookers will barely make you break a sweat while cleaning them. If your cooker is in a rather good condition but has stubborn food particles stuck to it, then all you have to do is turn it on low for a whole hour after you fill it to the brim with soapy water. When you rub and rinse it later with water, you will see the food bits have come loose and can be easily washed away.

Any caked-on spots can be cleaned with baking soda or vinegar. Just let them soak for a while and scrub away with a brush. In extreme cases, you may need to use ammonia to get the cooker cleaned.

Closing

These were the 11 appliances that we thought you might need guidance for while cleaning. All are electrical appliances that need to be handled with care and dexterity. Remember to always use mild dishwashing detergents and to only soak removable and non-electrical parts in water. Moreover, never expose the blades from juicers, blenders or processors to moisture for long.

Maintaining a clean and healthy kitchen environment is very important. In addition to having your stove and kitchen counters cleaned, take time to look after these appliances. They will certainly demand you to break a sweat in order to clean them but all is worth it if it guarantees a healthy life for you and your family.