COOKER CARE

Dear Ian.
I read your article about solar cookers. It was interesting but I have just got a normal gas cooker. I have a job on keeping it clean, have you any suggestions” GF. Derry

Reply
Your gas cooker is probably the most frequently used appliance in your kitchen and therefore the most important. The time you spend caring for it correctly is well worthwhile. Gas cookers have few moving parts and when kept clean will operate trouble-free. The trick to maintaining a gas cooker is to clean it often, before grease or burnt food particles begin to build up. Ensure that any spillage is cleaned immediately, as food spills that reach into the stove and clog the pilot light burners, or settle in the main burners and clog the gas outlet holes, will cause the stove to operate erratically.

Enamel areas
Wipe over while still warm with a damp, soapy cloth.
Dry with a soft cloth.
Always wipe spills as soon as safely possible, so they do not dry or cook on, remembering to turn off the gas flame first.

Use bicarbonate of soda remove stubborn marks and avoid scouring pads or powder, which can scratch enamels. Adverts on the TV show chemical cleaners fighting grease. There is a time delay of a few minutes to let the product soak into the mess. If you use water it does just the same job, is far cheaper and better for the environment!

Control panel
Wipe over and occasionally remove and wash knobs.
Wipe off any build up on the panel.

Burners
For day to day cleaning, wipe over the burners after each use.
Aluminium should be rubbed over with soapy steel wool pads.
Brass and stainless steel should be washed in hot, soapy water.
Always rinse and dry well.
Light burners to check they have been put on correctly.

Pan supports or trivets
Wash in hot, soapy water.
If they are very greasy soak in a solution of one tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda to 4.5 litres of very hot water.

Grill
Remove grill tray.
Wash tray in hot, soapy water. Rinse and dry well.
Wipe out grill compartment with a warm, soapy cloth.
Clean racks as for oven shelves.

Oven
There are two types of finishes-enamel and catalytic (self-cleaning). The catalytic surface is specially treated so it requires care when using (see manufacturer's instructions).
It is easier to clean the oven while it is still warm, but not hot.

Remove shelves and other moveable parts and wash in a hot water detergent solution.
Wipe over oven shelves, occasionally rubbing with a soapy fine steel-wool pad, make sure it doesn’t fetch off any protective coatings though. Rinse.

Glass areas
Clean over with a hot, soapy cloth - remember most oven doors lift off for easy cleaning.
Avoid soaking glass doors as it may damage the insulation.

It's the only E-Book like it online.....The Green Clean book

Household.