Smelly frying pan? From now on try hacking to clean it without washing it repeatedly

foto: Freepik/qmtstudio

Instead of washing things over and over again until your hands are sore, it turns out there is a natural trick you can try to get rid of the fishy smell without any hassle.

Brilio.net - One of the challenges of cooking fried fish at home is the fishy smell that sticks to the pan. Even though the pan has been washed many times with soap, the distinctive smell of fish often remains. As a result, when used to cook other menus, the aroma is still carried and can affect the taste of the food.

Instead of washing back and forth until your hands are sore, it turns out there are natural tricks that can be tried to remove the fishy smell without any hassle. Several kitchen ingredients such as lime leaves , used tea, and coffee grounds have the ability to absorb unpleasant odors naturally. Easily available, cheap, and environmentally friendly, the perfect solution for everyday kitchens.

photo: freepik.com

The fishy smell of fish arises from the content of trimethylamine (TMA), a natural compound in sea and freshwater fish. When fish is heated, TMA evaporates and sticks to the surface of the pan, especially if fried in a lot of oil. If the pan is not cleaned properly, the aroma will persist and spread to other foods.

Regular dish soap is sometimes less effective because not all types of soap can neutralize TMA compounds. This is where natural ingredients can be a powerful weapon.

Here are some kitchen ingredients that you can use to remove the fishy smell from your pan naturally without having to wash it repeatedly:

1. Lime leaves

Lime leaves are known to have a fresh aroma and contain essential oils that can neutralize fishy odors.

Material:
- 5 lime leaves (you can tear them a little to release the aroma)
- 100 ml water

How to make:
1. Pour water into the pan used for frying fish.
2. Add lime leaves, turn on low heat.
3. Simmer for 510 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Turn off the heat, let it sit until the water cools down a bit.
5. Drain the water, then wipe the pan with tissue or a clean cloth.

Lime leaves not only remove odors, but also leave a natural fresh aroma in the pan.

2. Used Tea Bags

Tea contains tannins which can absorb bad odors and bind to the remaining fat in the pan.

Material:
- 2 used tea bags (can be black tea or green tea)
- A little hot water (about 50 ml)

How to make:
1. Place the used tea bags in the pan.
2. Add a little hot water, rub the surface of the pan with the tea bag like a sponge.
3. Let it sit for 5 minutes for the tannins to work to absorb the aroma.
4. Rinse lightly without soap, then dry.

This method is suitable for those who want a clean pan without excessive soap, especially if the pan is used frequently.

3. Coffee grounds

Coffee grounds are also a favorite for neutralizing odors, including in the refrigerator or trash. Well, you can also use them in a frying pan!

Material:
- 3 tablespoons coffee grounds
- A little water (about 23 tablespoons)

How to make:
1. Mix the coffee grounds with a little water to form a paste.
2. Spread evenly over the entire surface of the pan.
3. Let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the coffee grounds to absorb the odor and remaining oil.
4. Rinse and wipe dry.

Coffee grounds also help remove oil stains that are still stuck to the surface.

In addition to using the ingredients above, you can also apply the following tips so that the fishy smell doesn't easily return:

- Avoid storing the pan in a wet or damp condition.
- After frying, immediately throw away the used oil so that the smell is not absorbed for too long.
- If possible, provide a special pan for frying fish or seafood.

Of course! Lime leaves, tea, and coffee grounds are all natural ingredients without any harmful chemicals. In addition to being safe for the surface of the pan, these ingredients are also environmentally friendly and do not cause damage to the non-stick surface.

However, for special pans such as copper or granite, make sure not to scrub too roughly so as not to damage the protective layer.

1. Can the fishy smell in the pan affect the taste of the next meal?
Yes, the fishy smell left in the pan can stick to other ingredients when cooking, especially ingredients that absorb odors like vegetables and eggs. That's why it's important to make sure the pan is really clean before using it again.

2. Are natural ingredients such as lime leaves and tea safe to use in all types of pans?
Generally safe, but for non-stick pans, avoid scrubbing too hard. Use this natural ingredient more to absorb odors, not to lift crust.

3. Can you use lime or vinegar to get rid of the fishy smell too?
Absolutely. Lime and vinegar have acidic properties that effectively remove bad odors. The method is, simply rub or soak the pan briefly with a mixture of water and lime/vinegar, then rinse.

4. How many times is it ideal to clean the pan after frying fish?
If cleaned immediately in the right way, once is enough. But if the fishy smell is still there, you can repeat with one of the natural tricks above.

5. Can the fishy smell be prevented before frying the fish?
Yes. One way is to coat the fish with lime or vinegar before frying to reduce the smell during the cooking process. Also, make sure the oil is really hot when the fish is put into the pan.

(brl/tin)