Help! Smelly Food Chopper Won't Go Away

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Discussion Overview

This thread discusses various experiences and suggestions related to a customer complaint about a smelly food chopper, particularly after chopping onions. Participants share their personal experiences and methods for addressing odors in kitchen tools.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions a customer struggling with a smelly food chopper after chopping onions and trying various cleaning methods without success.
  • Another participant suggests that the smell might not be as strong anymore, and the customer could be accustomed to it, proposing a dishwasher cleaning as a potential solution.
  • One participant shares their experience of food residue drying on blades if not cleaned promptly, recommending the use of a baby bottle nipple brush for thorough cleaning.
  • A participant notes that lemon juice is effective in removing strong odors, particularly from garlic and onions, suggesting an overnight soak in a lemon juice and water mixture.
  • Another participant recommends using the chopper to puree a lemon or wiping the blades with a lemon wedge to eliminate odors.
  • One participant mentions that veggie wash sprays, made with citrus oils, work well to remove onion and garlic smells from utensils and hands.
  • Another participant expresses curiosity about the outcome of the situation.
  • One participant reflects on the idea that plastic can absorb odors and emphasizes the importance of proper and timely cleaning, sharing their method of using a baster brush for tight areas.
  • Another participant suggests soaking the chopper in a product called Sink Fizz, which they found effective for deodorizing a garbage disposal.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of various cleaning methods, and no clear consensus emerges regarding the best approach to eliminate odors from the food chopper.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal cleaning experiences and methods, reflecting a variety of approaches to maintaining kitchen tools and addressing odors.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to Pampered Chef consultants looking for insights on handling customer complaints related to product maintenance and odor removal.

krzymomof4
Silver Member
Messages
1,682
I have a customer who is complaining of a smelly food chopper. She used it to chop onions and now can't get the smell off of it. Everything I have told her to try she says is not working. We tried baking soda and bleach water. Any ideas?
 
Maybe it doesn't smell any more and she's so used to it that she can still smell it. You might offer to pick it up and throw it in your dishwasher (if you have one). Maybe she doesn't know to take it all apart and there's a piece of onion still in the chopper somewhere. Have you actually smelled it?
 
If she's letting food sit in there for awhile before cleaning it or sticking it in the dishwasher, maybe it gets all dried up way up in the blades. I know that happens to me with onions if I let it sit all day and it's not in water. I've used a baby bottle nipple brush to clean way up in those blades if I'm afraid something might have dried on a little. THEN I stick it in the dishwasher. And, yes, make sure she knows you should take it all apart before cleaning it. If she doesn't know that, who knows what kinds of nasty stuff is up there. :eek:
 
I have found that lemon juice takes the stink out of even the most atrocious smells. It works great on garlic - so it ought to be great on onions. Just let it soak overnight in a little lemon juice/water combo and it will be almost brand new.
 
lemonsUse the chopper to puree the lemon,so it goes up and down where the onion would have gotten into.
Or take a lemon wedge and wipe down the blades and the inside.

Good Luck
 
veggie spray works too...I've found that the veggie wash sprays that you buy work very well to take out the onion and garlic smells from utensils and even your hands. They're made with citrus oils to safely clean fruits and veggies. I keep it on hand to clean my produce, but now it does double duty. I spray it on the smelly object, wait a few seconds, and wash as usual. It works great!
 
Just curious how this turned out. :)
 
Never heard that one...However, it does make sense. Plastic does absorb oders. It does sound though as if she is not cleaning it properly or not soon enough. I actually use the brush from the Baster to get into the tight blade areas because sometimes even my dishwasher won't get out everything. There is nothing worse than pulling it apart at a show and finding something stuck in the upper part either. Gross!
You can bleach it as well but you could also try the soaking it in the Sink Fizz as I found that will clean and deoderize a garbage disposal so why not a Food Chopper.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Thanks for the tips
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes my Pampered Chef Food Chopper to smell?

The smell from your Pampered Chef Food Chopper can be caused by food particles that may have become trapped in the mechanism or the blade area. Strong-smelling ingredients, such as garlic or onions, can also leave lingering odors.

How can I clean my Food Chopper to eliminate the smell?

To clean your Food Chopper, disassemble it and wash all removable parts in warm, soapy water. You can also soak the parts in a mixture of vinegar and water to help neutralize odors. Make sure to rinse thoroughly and dry completely before reassembling.

Is it safe to use bleach or harsh chemicals to remove the smell?

No, it is not recommended to use bleach or harsh chemicals on your Food Chopper, as they can damage the plastic and affect the food safety. Stick to mild soap, vinegar, or baking soda for cleaning.

What if the smell persists after cleaning?

If the smell persists after cleaning, try placing the disassembled parts in a bowl of baking soda overnight. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can help absorb any remaining odors.

Can I put my Food Chopper in the dishwasher to remove the smell?

Yes, many parts of the Pampered Chef Food Chopper are dishwasher safe. However, check the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that you are not putting any non-dishwasher safe components in the dishwasher, as this could cause damage.

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