Last Updated:
Burnt pressure cooker? No worries! Try these easy home hacks using baking soda, lemon, salt or vinegar to clean soot and stains without harsh scrubbing or expensive products
The soot and residue that collect are often so stubborn that regular scrubbers or dishwashers don’t work. (News18 Hindi)
Sometimes, when in a hurry or when the gas flame is too high, food gets burnt, especially when cooking dal, rice, or vegetables in a pressure cooker. A slight distraction can cause food to stick to the bottom and start burning. As a result, the base and sides of the cooker turn black.
The soot and residue that collect are often so stubborn that regular scrubbers or dishwashers don’t work. Many people end up scrubbing too hard, which damages the surface further.
If you’re also struggling to clean your cooker, don’t worry. Several simple, desi cleaning hacks are available that not only make your cooker shine like new but also save time and energy. Best of all, you don’t need expensive cleaners, just everyday kitchen ingredients.
Magic Of Baking Soda and Lemon
If the base of your cooker is heavily burnt, sprinkle baking soda generously over the blackened area. Cut a lemon in half and rub it directly over the baking soda, pressing gently. You can also squeeze some lemon juice onto the baking soda if preferred. Let this mixture sit for 10–15 minutes. Then scrub the area lightly with a sponge. Your cooker will be clean and shiny again in no time.
Dishwashing Liquid And Hot Water
For light soot or grease stains, fill the cooker with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Leave it for 10–15 minutes. Then scrub gently using a regular scrubber. This helps loosen grease and remove mild stains both inside and outside the cooker.
Desi Trick With Salt And Potato
It may sound unusual, but this is an effective method. Potatoes contain starch, and when combined with the abrasiveness of salt, they can clean burnt areas easily. Cut a potato in half, sprinkle coarse salt on it, and rub it firmly over the blackened surface. You’ll start to see the stains lift off. Rinse with clean water and dry.
Vinegar And Water Solution
If your cooker smells unpleasant along with being stained, a vinegar solution works wonders. Add half a cup of vinegar and one cup of water to the cooker. Heat it on a low flame for a few minutes. This helps loosen the soot and removes any odours. Once cool, clean it using a soft scrubber.
Additional Tips
- Always soak your cooker in water for a while before scrubbing to loosen dirt.
- Remove the whistle and rubber gasket while cleaning to ensure all parts are cleaned properly.
- Avoid using steel scrubbers aggressively, as they can scratch the surface.
- After cleaning, place the cooker upside down to dry, so that no moisture is left behind.
view comments
- First Published: