Cooks That Master Their Domain Should Include Their Garbage Disposal
For many, the center of the home was the kitchen. Waking up to the smell of coffee brewing and bacon frying is like waking up in heaven to some. Mothers were the masters of their domain in the kitchen. The kitchen table was the place the family gathered in the morning, their appetites wide awake, even though they were still groggy and fighting off sleepiness. Mothers also made the kitchen a safe place for family members, protecting them from burns, germs, spills, cuts and other hazards.
Whether or not food preparation was happening, mothers, who traditionally are the cooks in the family, mastered the art of making good smells part of the home environment. This became much easier to do with the invention of the garbage disposal. For many, the garbage disposal may be the one place that is overlooked in the cleaning process unless the smell makes it noticeable. Proper maintenance and upkeep of the garbage disposal is as important as regular maintenance is for your car.
As the master of their domain, cooking, and the kitchen, as well as safety for the family, there are things that get special attention. Knives are of particular concern. Knives should be stored in a knife block or a case that is kept out of the reach of children. If the knives are stored in a block, the sharp side should be turned up and the handles should be easy to grip. Turning the blade of the knife up, the sharp edges are protected and need less sharping. If the family knows how they will be stored, they will expect this when pulling them out.
Another point of safety is the handles of pots and pans being turned away the front of the stove to prevent them from being accidentally tipped or moved resulting in burns to family members. Of course, a hot stove and oven are burning hazards but very necessary when cooking. They are also fire hazards that can result in the loss of your home or a kitchen remodel. Other hazards occur if burners and oven are not cleaned or left unattended. Always double check to make sure burners and the oven are turned off if not in use.
Cooks and kitchen masters are returning to the practice of using natural cleaning products, such as essential oils, baking soda, natural citrus, vinegar, and salt instead of chemicals. If you have household chemicals, place them out of the reach of children. If you store your cleaners under the sink, make sure there is a safety lock on the cabinet door. You should also keep the phone number of poison control nearby.
Just as with safety, your garbage disposal needs special care as well. If not cared for properly, it may lead to clogs, plumbing problems and a big bill. You may need a professional to help with your plumbing maintenance. One good rule of thumb is never to stick your hand in your garbage disposal, even if its turned off or unplugged. To prevent clogs and plumbing problems, there are certain things you should never put in your garbage disposal. If utensils should accidentally fall into it, remove them with tongs as well as any other non-food item that may have fallen there. You should always check before turning it on – with tongs.
Fibrous foods, such as celery, artichokes, onion skins, potato peels, and asparagus, to name a few, should not be put in the garbage disposal because the stringy fibers can wrap around the blades and stop them from turning. Pasta and rice have the tendency to swell inside the pipes causing it to clog. Fruit pits and bones are too hard for most garbage disposals to process and the membrane inside of eggshells can also wrap around the blades. Avoid coffee grounds and other foods that may pack into a clog.
Things that are good and can benefit you garbage disposal include cold water every time it is turned on and used to help clear the pipes and flush foods away. Dish soap helps clear away grease and oils and prevents clogs. Always use cold water because hot water will melt the grease and allow it to coat the pipes. To clean the garbage disposal as well as sharpen the blades, use ice cubes and salt, baking soda and vinegar, and citrus peels to add a fresh smell.
Things that are good and can benefit you garbage disposal include cold water, every time it is turned on and used to help clear the pipes and flush foods away. Dish soap help clear away grease and oils and prevent clogs. Always use cold water because hot water will melt the grease and allow it the coat the pipes. To clean the garbage disposal as well as sharpen the blades, use ice cubes and salt, baking soda and vinegar, and citrus peels to add a fresh smell.
Preparing a Chicken, Orange, and Broccoli slaw should give you enough orange peels to freshen your disposal and provide those good smells and tastes your family love.
