A practical way to clean pan scale using beverage ingredients, without getting tired of scrubbing

photo: Facebook Sur Rio

Brilio.net – A unique tip from a Facebook user named Sur Rio recently caught the attention of housewives. Sur Rio shares a method for cleaning stubborn limescale on pans or pans just by using one basin of ice cubes. Interestingly, this method is claimed to be able to make kitchen equipment clean again without the help of additional cleaning soap when first removing the scale.

“There is no need for soap and other cleansers to shine,” wrote Sur Rio in his upload, as quoted BrilioFood from Facebook Sur Rio, Sunday (11/1).

Steps for Descaling with Ice

The proposed method is very simple and takes advantage of extreme temperature differences. Here is the sequence of work:

1. Heat a crusty frying pan or skillet on a hot stove.

Pot crust
photo: Facebook/Sur Rio

2. Once the pan is hot, add ice cubes to the pan.

Pot crust
photo: Facebook/Sur Rio

3. Stir the ice cubes using a spatula evenly over the crusty surface.

Pot crust
photo: Facebook/Sur Rio

4. Continue rubbing gently until the ice cubes melt and the crust begins to fall off or peel off.

5. After the crust has been removed, throw away the remaining water from melting the ice. Next, you can wash it with soap as usual.

Why Can the Pan Crust Fall Off with Ice Cubes?

The success of this method is based on a physical principle known as thermal shock. When the pan is heated, the metal material and crust on it will expand. When very cold ice cubes suddenly touch the hot surface, the material shrinks suddenly and unevenly.

The difference in shrinkage rate between the pan metal and the crust layer causes the bond between the two to weaken. This is what makes the crust, which was previously hard and difficult to rub, peel or fall off by itself when stirred with a spatula.

5 FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Is this method safe for all types of pan materials?

The thermal shock method is most effective on stainless steel or cast iron skillets. However, avoid using this method on ceramic or glass pans because sudden extreme temperatures risk making the material crack or break.

2. Can ordinary cold water replace the role of ice cubes?

Even though the principle is the same, ice cubes provide a stronger thermal shock effect because the temperature is much lower below freezing point, so the crust exfoliation process occurs more quickly than ordinary cold water.

3. How to care for the pan after the scale falls off?

Once clean, immediately dry the pan. For cast iron pans, it is highly recommended to carry out a seasoning process (greasing a little oil) so that the pan does not rust easily after being exposed to ice water.

4. Is this method effective for chronic and thick crust?

For very thick crusts, the process may need to be done repeatedly or assisted by manual scraping using a spatula while the ice cubes are still melting on the hot pan.

5. Is the steam produced when inserting ice cubes dangerous?

The steam is ordinary water vapor, but quite hot. Make sure you keep your face and hands a distance from the pan when adding ice cubes to avoid splashes of hot water or rising hot steam.

(brl/tin)