Some great tips for cleaning your kitchen appliances!

No one likes the chore of cleaning the oven, microwave, blender etc... it's a job that can drive even the calmest person commit acts of violence upon inanimate objects. Here is a look at some of those hard to clean kitchen appliances and some tips that will help make your life that little bit easier.

#1 The Blender

This tip comes in two parts. Firstly clean the blender as soon as you are finished using it. Leaving the remains of your latest blended concoction to dry on to the bottom of the blender only makes it a lot more difficult and frustrating to clean. 

Secondly as soon as you have finished pouring your creation into a bowl or cup pour a little bit of washing up liquid into the blender and add some warm water. Replace the blender back on its motor and give it another whirl. This should help remove any chunks left behind and give the blades a good clean. Repeat this process as many times as you see necessary. Once the blender is clean rinse with cold water to get rid of and soap suds and you're done. 

#2 The Microwave 

Cleaning dried foods such as beans, soup etc.. off the inside of a microwave can be a difficult and frustrating task. Following these simple tips can make the process a lot easier and stress free. All you will need is a lemon, a microwaveable bowl, 300ml of water and a cloth. 

1. Firstly start by cutting a lemon in half, squeeze the juice into the microwaveable bowl and mix in around 300ml of water. 
2. Next put the bowl in the center of the microwave and put on full power for between 5-10 minutes, allowing enough time for the steam to condense on the roof and walls of the microwave. 
3. Once the bowl has been in for the appropriate amount of time carefully remove it (it will be hot!) and, with a cloth. wipe off the once dried on food remains with great ease.
4. Pour yourself a glass of your favorite beverage, stand back and admire your great work. 

#3 The Oven

A nice tip that will make cleaning the oven a doddle is to place half a cup of ammonia into a cold oven over night. The fumes from the ammonia will loosen up all the grease and build up of burnt on food. The next day simply wipe the oven clean with a wet cloth. 

#4 The Electric Grill

For anyone who has ever used a George Foreman grill (or any other brand for that matter) you will know the sheer anger and frustration you experience whilst trying to clean the damn thing. Which is why, especially in student homes, they can go uncleaned for months on end (giving all food you cook in it that char-grilled taste). 

1. Unplug the grill and let it cool slightly.
2. Place wet paper towels over the grill plates ensuring the grill is still warm enough that it promotes some steam to loosen the cooked on grease and grime.
3. Close the grill with the paper towels still in place and leave to cool. 
4. Once the grill has cooled lift the lid, remove the paper towels and with a washing cloth that has been dipped in hot soapy water simply wipe the grill clean with ease. 

This method will save a lot of time spent scrubbing burnt on fat and food from the grill plates and makes a job we all dread a whole lot easier. 

#5 The Dishwasher

A dirty dishwasher will not clean dishes as effectively as a clean one, that's why it is important to clean them out every once in a while. Here are is a nice simple tip that should help make the task a little easier.
Firstly place half a cup of vinegar in a glass cup on the top rack of your dishwasher and run it on high for one cycle. Then place a cup baking soda on the bottom of the basin and run the dishwasher on a half cycle with hot water. This should help shift all the dirt and grime that has gathered in your dishwasher and you will be able to see the difference in your dishes after a wash. 

If you have any more cleaning tips of your own please feel free to share in the comment box below. 

Thanks for reading and I hope we have made cleaning your appliances that little bit easier.