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Cooking & Baking

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justaprogressive

(5,604 posts)
Mon Oct 6, 2025, 11:52 AM 15 hrs ago

Selected Kitchen Hacks V 🌞 [View all]



Clean A Wooden Cutting Board
Source: Live Creatively Inspired

Because wooden cutting boards are porous, it’s easy for food bacteria to become trapped in the grain. Pour coarse salt on the board, then scrub it with half a lemon. This not only disinfects the board naturally but also removes stubborn odors like garlic or onion. Rinse with hot water and let air dry upright to avoid warping.

DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner
Source: Jack London / design.howwewokeup.com

Get your stainless steel appliances gleaming with a simple solution: mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray on, wipe with a microfiber cloth in the direction of the grain, and finish with a small amount of olive oil to add a brilliant shine and prevent future smudges.

Save Your Herbs
Source: Kitchn / Faith Durand

Fresh herbs going bad in your fridge? Chop them and freeze in olive oil using an ice cube tray. These herby cubes are great for sautéing, roasting veggies, or adding to pastas. Try basil-olive oil cubes for Italian dishes or cilantro-coconut oil for curries.

Light A Candle To Prevent Onion Tears
Source: Huffington Post

Before you chop onions, light a vanilla-scented candle and place it nearby. The flame helps burn off the sulfur compounds before they can reach your eyes, drastically reducing tears and discomfort.

Soften Brown Sugar Without A Disk
Source: Real Simple

If your brown sugar has hardened into a brick, place a slice of apple or orange peel in the bag overnight. The natural moisture rehydrates the sugar, making it scoopable again. You can also microwave it with a damp paper towel for 20 seconds.

Keep Saran Wrap In The Fridge
Source: Skillet

Frustrated by cling film that clings to everything except your container? Chill it in the fridge. Cold wrap is easier to control and won’t bunch or stick to itself as much.

Revive Old Veggies With Soup
Source: FineCooking

Don’t toss wilted or aging vegetables. Roast them with olive oil, then blend with broth or milk for an easy homemade soup. Add garlic, onion, herbs, and spices for extra flavor. It’s a fantastic zero-waste solution.

Blender Self-Cleaning Hack
Source: Parker Appliance Repair

Don’t risk cutting your fingers cleaning blender blades. Fill the blender one-third with warm water, add a drop of dish soap, and blend for 20 seconds. Rinse thoroughly, and your blender is ready to go.

Use a Lazy Susan in the Fridge

Make condiments and jars easy to access by placing them on a Lazy Susan inside your fridge. It prevents spills and helps you avoid forgotten jars in the back.

Label Everything

Use masking tape and a Sharpie to label leftovers, frozen items, or even pantry staples. This helps avoid food waste and makes meal planning quicker.

Organize Measuring Cups with Shower Hooks

Attach adhesive hooks inside a cabinet and hang your measuring cups and spoons. It frees up drawer space and keeps everything within reach.

Instant Pan De-Greaser

Sprinkle a greasy pan with baking soda, add a little hot water, and let it soak. The grease lifts right off without scrubbing.



https://diy.empowermemagazine.com/2025/05/18/18-incredibly-genius-kitchen-hacks-that-will-make-cooking-way-easier/

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Keep Lettuce Crisp

Leafy lettuce and spinach often go limp fast. Store them in an airtight container lined with a paper or cloth towel. The towel acts like a sponge, absorbing excess moisture and making greens soggy and slimy. It keeps them crisper and fresher longer.

Stop Potatoes from Sprouting

Potatoes stored in cool, dark places are less likely to sprout. But you can be even more sure your potatoes don't begin growing new shoots and roots by storing apples with them. Apples give off ethylene gas. This natural gas blocks the hormones inside potatoes that make sprouts start to grow. The ethylene keeps potatoes dormant longer. So, add an apple or two to your bag or basket of potatoes to halt the sprouting process.

Speed Up Ripening

Hard, unripe fruits like peaches and avocados can take days to soften naturally. Put the unripe fruit in a closed paper bag on your kitchen counter to speed things up. The bag traps the ethylene gas that fruit gives off while ripening. This concentrates the gas around the fruit and quickly softens it to the perfect softness for eating. Check the bag daily until your fruit reaches your desired ripeness.


https://stahlkitchens.com/blogs/news/20-kitchen-hacks-for-efficiency-and-ease

More to come! (I'm still looking! )


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Selected Kitchen Hacks V 🌞 [View all] justaprogressive 15 hrs ago OP
I've been baking my "grilled" cheese sandwiches for a while but Nittersing 15 hrs ago #1
That does sound intriguing... justaprogressive 15 hrs ago #2
Pears NJCher 14 hrs ago #3
Glad you enjoy them, aren't you nice justaprogressive 14 hrs ago #4
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Cooking & Baking»Selected Kitchen Hacks V ...»Reply #0