How to effectively clean the Mix 'n' Chop and other difficult kitchen tools?

[chefsteph07]

I hate cleaning the egg slicer! I agree w/ the dried mushroom pieces...I usually take my fingernail and try to pry open the slots and just scrape it w/ my nail to get that stuff off! Gross!

I will not use my silicone cupcake pan because I hate cleaning it.

Chopper, I agree about rinsing it first. But sometimes when I put mine in the dishwasher after rinsing it, some of the food residue from my other dishes gets in the wing part that you open to clean and it stays dirty that way! Sometimes I just rinse and drain in the sink, less hassle.

 

[teresah551393]

I've found the citrus press gets really yucky. I find if I don't give it a good rub before I put it in the dishwasher, it doesn't come clean. It think it is from the wax they put on lemons and limes.

I will actually wash some of my fruits with Dawn, it helps cut some of the stuff they put on them!

 

[KellyTheChef]

Oh...I use my kitchen toothbrush for the cracks of the egg slicer! Especially mushrooms REALLY try to stick in between the slots of the plastic part!

 

[chefann]

Chopper, I agree about rinsing it first. But sometimes when I put mine in the dishwasher after rinsing it, some of the food residue from my other dishes gets in the wing part that you open to clean and it stays dirty that way! Sometimes I just rinse and drain in the sink, less hassle.

If you take the wings off the chopper, or open them completely, when you put it in the DW, then it won't get as dirty during the wash cycle.

 

[AnnieBee]

Mix 'n' chop. Ground beef. Dishwasher. Nuff said.

 

[Ginger428]

I've actually had two people return the grill pan, because it was so hard to keep clean. It gets "gunky" in between the ridges, and it's really hard to clean out.

The Basket - I know it will get dark, but again, it's the gunk that's hard to get off.

I totally agree! I'm about to call HO & ask for an exchange, I do not bring it to shows anymore.... I think what helped me kill it was making the 20 minute spare ribs. I didn't have this much trouble with my Professional & I sold a ton of them by cooling chicken fingers in the oven. I've been eyeing the outlet, but its only 20% off. :cry:

 

[DebbieJ]

I've actually had two people return the grill pan, because it was so hard to keep clean. It gets "gunky" in between the ridges, and it's really hard to clean out.

The Basket - I know it will get dark, but again, it's the gunk that's hard to get off.

Easy Clean Kitchen Brush?

Seriously, I have RINSED my grill pan clean using the sprayer on my sink after cooking chicken breasts. I don't know why so many people are having problems. It's very perplexing.

 

[Ann F]

I use my Egg Slicer Plus frequently, but each time I slice bananas, I think, WHY??? There's gotta be a better way to get, excuse me, banana snot off those wires! LOL.

 

[chefsteph07]

If you take the wings off the chopper, or open them completely, when you put it in the DW, then it won't get as dirty during the wash cycle.

Take wings off? I had no idea you could do this

 

[WLMcCoy]

Easy Clean Kitchen Brush?

Seriously, I have RINSED my grill pan clean using the sprayer on my sink after cooking chicken breasts. I don't know why so many people are having problems. It's very perplexing.

I agree! I use my grill pan A LOT for EVERYTHING & have never had a problem... Maybe some are just better than others..

 

[diradt]

Actually to clean all those products, I use a baby bottle brush. The one with sponge pieces on one end and a bottle brush with bristles is on the other end (although it retracts inside). I just keep it on my sink and use it for the food chopper especially and the egg slicer!

 

[Saturday Gourmet]

If you take the wings off the chopper, or open them completely, when you put it in the DW, then it won't get as dirty during the wash cycle.

OMG....the wings come off? Please share how to do this. That would make things A LOT easier when it comes to cleaning that monster. Even if I rinse it as soon as I use it, there always seems to be an outlaw piece of onion hiding out up in there that I can't get to.

 

[chefann]

Yes, the wings on the chopper come completely off. Open them up, then twist slightly. There's a little nubby post that sticks out from the main chopper, and a little dimple on the wing - 2 per wing.

 

[lmradlein]

Pineapple wedger, hands down! The tiny crevices where the metal is welded together gets totally filled with pineapple fibers. I take a toothpick to it every few times I use it and it still doesn't get it all totally out. It's really a pain.

I'm with ya on this one. It is a pain to clean! I just don't want to cut myself cleaning it cause you really have to get "in there" to get the fibers out of those crevices.

 

[esavvymom]

I've found out the problem with the waxy substance on the Citrus Press. :yuck: I'll have to try scrubbing the fruit with the Fruit Wash that's supposed to get that off before using the press...we'll see.

 

[PamperedSD]

I'm new here (first post) but the grill pan was one of my first purchases and it made me want to sell PC. My trick is - as soon as I turn off the stove and take the food out, I pour dish soap directly into the pan and turn it so it kinda gets all over the bottom. It will bubble up since its still hot and then add a little water after the soap has heated. I usually wash it after we eat and everything just wipes right off - even bbq sauce!

 

[kdangel518]

What I've found with the food chopper is that the key is to rinse it right after using it - before any food is dried and stuck to it. If I rinse it then put it in the dishwasher I haven't had trouble keeping it clean.

Ditto- this is exactly what I do, and have had no problems since I started cleaning it this way! :chef:

 

[DessertDivaFL]

Egg Slicer Plus - I still have it at my sink and I think I will use it at home and get a new one for shows because the mushrooms have dried on and won't come off. Ugh! :yuck:

 

[mrshamel3808]

I also didn't know the wings come off the food chopper! That'll make it WAY easier to fit it into the top rack of my dishwasher! I have the hardest time making it so that the wings stay open and don't close during washing. Also, I just got the PC kitchen brush and it worked REALLY well on the pineapple wedger! I also now make a point of rinsing as much as I can as soon as possible from it (way easier to pull fibers out when they're wet than when they're dry) and then use the kitchen brush and then the dishwasher. I put everything I can in the dishwasher for the sanitizing factor since people handle stuff and I'm preparing food for other people otherwise I'd use the kitchen brush and call it clean.

 

[taterbug]

I thoroughly enjoy using a toothpick to try and pick out the tee tiny pieces of chicken that get stuck in the Salad Chopper . I always rinse the Food Chopper and then wash it in the dishwasher. If it comes out with a little crusty stuff still on it, I ususally take a tooth brush and use it to get down in those hard to reach areas and then run it back through the dishwasher.
Someone had the suggestion on the site to use the cleaning brush to wash the stones and I must say that was an excellent suggestion! It gets everything clean and you don't scald your hands while trying to wash it with the hottest water possible.

 

[mmajmi]

I hate trying to clean the Rotary grater....ugh....and the pineapple wedger!

 

[floccies]

Mix 'n' chop. Ground beef. Dishwasher. Nuff said.

One of my customers gave me a tip for cleaning the Mix 'n' Chop -- spray it with nonstick spray before using it.

I tried and it worked -- came perfectly clean in the dishwasher -- I was "WOWED"!