Kitchen Essential

The best method of caring for all cutlery, whatever it is made from, is to wash and dry immediately after use. In this way all food residues are removed before staining can occur. No cutlery is totally stain-resistant, so do not leave it unwashed, wet or `in soak’ overnight — even in a dish washer. First rinse under cold running water to remove any traces of salt; salt plus hot water can cause staining and pitting. Next wash in clean, warm, soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly. Use soft dish pads or cloths and tea towels, and never add bleach to the water. Handle each piece separately; cutlery cluttered in a bowl may get scratched. When drying, knife blades (nowadays usually made from stainless steel) should not be wiped with an up-and-down movement, but in one direction only from neck to point until all the moisture is removed. This method is best for spoons and forks too. Continue Reading »

Copperware

Copper preserving pans and bowls for beating eggs are unlined. All other copper pans for cooking are usually lined with tin, nickel or silver, and should be relined when necessary.

Use wood or plastic for stirring in lined copper pans.

Tarnished copper can be cleaned with half a lemon dipped into a tablespoon of salt and vinegar. Rub hard. Then wash in hot soapy water and dry thoroughly.

Non- stick

Non-stick coatings vary in quality and the way they are applied. It is important therefore to follow the manufacturer’s own care instructions.

The following notes on the care of Tefal, where the metal is etched before the non-stick polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) is poured on to the surface, are good guide lines for all non-stick pans : Continue Reading »

Tin trays

Tin trays are made from tinplate, litho printed. Each colour is separately stoved and the tray is finally given a protective coat of transparent varnish.

Trays should be wiped with a damp cloth and dried before putting away. Dunking them in hot washing up water will soften the protective varnish and the decoration will then get worn very quickly. Don’t use anything abrasive and avoid scratching with knives, etc.

Glass

Table glass is tough provided you follow a few simple rules:

1. Don’t subject to sudden temperature changes. If you want a hot drink in a glass, put a spoon in first; pour the hot drink in slowly.

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All cutlery should be washed as soon as possible in warm soapy water. Salt, vinegar, lemon juice and egg can pit and blacken cutlery. Water will mark it too, although only temporarily. If you want it to look good, it should be dried and lightly buffed by hand — even if it is machine washed.

Stainless steel

Don’t use a silver dip on stainless steel, it will turn it dull grey. There are special stainless steel polishes.

Silver and silver plate

Sterling silver and plate should be kept in a baize-lined box or drawer so that the pieces do not get scratched or rubbed. Storage for silver not in use should be airtight. Remove egg tarnish from silver spoons with table salt. Continue Reading »

Tin trays

Tin trays are made from tinplate, litho printed. Each colour is separately stoved and the tray is finally given a protective coat of transparent varnish.

Trays should be wiped with a damp cloth and dried before putting away. Dunking them in hot washing up water will soften the protective varnish and the decoration will then get worn very quickly. Don’t use anything abrasive and avoid scratching with knives, etc.

Glass

Table glass is tough provided you follow a few simple rules:

1. Don’t subject to sudden temperature changes.

Continue Reading »

All cutlery should be washed as soon as possible in warm soapy water. Salt, vinegar, lemon juice and egg can pit and blacken cutlery. Water will mark it too, although only temporarily. If you want it to look good, it should be dried and lightly buffed by hand — even if it is machine washed.

Stainless steel

Don’t use a silver dip on stainless steel, it will turn it dull grey. There are special stainless steel polishes.

Silver and silver plate

Sterling silver and plate should be kept in a baize-lined box or drawer so that the pieces do not get scratched or rubbed. Storage for silver not in use should be airtight. Remove egg tarnish from silver spoons with table salt. Continue Reading »