A kadai used every day tends to build up stubborn black stains from oil, spices and food that gets scorched onto its surface, and even repeated scrubbing with soap often fails to lift them completely. Manju Devi, who lives in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri district, says there is no need to spend money on expensive chemical cleaners for this, since a handful of everyday kitchen items can restore a burnt kadai's shine in as little as five minutes.
Lemon and Salt Take On Oil and Masala Stains
According to Manju, if a kadai has heavy oil and masala stains, lemon juice and salt work well. Salt is sprinkled directly onto the stained area first, followed by a squeeze of lemon juice over it. This is left to sit for a few minutes before being scrubbed gently with a soft scrubber, a method that requires little effort and no extra purchases.
Sugarcane Vinegar and Baking Soda for Deep-Set Marks
For more stubborn stains, sugarcane vinegar combined with baking soda is considered highly effective. Sugarcane vinegar and 2 teaspoons of baking soda are mixed with a little water and heated for a few minutes. Once the flame is turned off, a bit more baking soda is added, which causes the mixture to foam up. This foam is left on the kadai for a while before it is cleaned off, leaving the kadai looking new again.
A Cut Potato Does the Trick
Another simple method involves a potato. A potato is cut in half and a little salt is sprinkled on the cut surface. After lightly wetting the kadai, the potato is rubbed gently over the stained area. After a few minutes of rubbing, the kadai is rinsed thoroughly with clean water, and the stubborn stains come off completely.
Tamarind Water Pulls Stains Out at the Root
Manju Devi also points to tamarind water as a way to remove stubborn stains from their root. A small amount of tamarind is soaked in a bowl of water for some time, and once it softens, it is mashed well and the water is strained out. This water is applied thoroughly to the stained portion of the kadai and left for about 10 minutes so the stains soften. Afterward, the kadai is scrubbed gently with a soft sponge or scrubber and then washed well with clean water.
What to Do Right After Cooking
If a kadai is not cleaned immediately after cooking, grease and stains stick to it even more firmly, making them far harder to remove later. In such cases, the kadai should first be filled with enough hot water to fully submerge the stained area. Lemon peels are then added and boiled in it, along with a spoon of dishwash liquid, and the mixture is left to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. The combination of hot water and soap softens the set-in grease, after which the kadai can be scrubbed gently with a sponge or soft scrubber.
Don't Let a Burnt Kadai Sit
Manju Devi notes that a kadai sometimes gets accidentally burnt while cooking, and if it isn't cleaned in time, stubborn stains set in. In such situations, instead of reaching for expensive detergents, lemon, salt and baking soda can be used to clear out these stubborn stains, bringing back the kadai's original shine.
