Cooking often involves ingredients like fish, garlic, and chili peppers, which can leave a strong smell. This odor can be hard to remove from hands even after thorough washing. Interestingly, using kitchen utensils made of stainless steel, such as tongs, ladles, spoons, and pots, can solve this problem. Rubbing these tools under running water like soap effectively removes odor molecules. This method is a simple yet effective form of stainless steel odor removal.
1. The Scientific Principle of Stainless Steel Odor Removal
The scientific principle behind stainless steel odor removal is clear. Common kitchen odors are caused by specific chemicals. The smell of rotten eggs comes from hydrogen sulfide, fish odors from trimethylamine and methanethiol, and the unique smell of bathrooms from ammonia. These substances cling to hands and cause odors. Stainless steel, when in contact with water, becomes alkaline and generates negative ions. These ions bond with the ions of odor-causing chemicals, neutralizing them. This process only happens in water, so it’s important to use stainless steel with running water for effectiveness.
2. Stainless Steel Odor Removal Methods
The odor-removing properties of stainless steel can be used in various situations. One steel company suggests several methods using stainless steel products for odor removal. For example, placing a stainless steel object in a odorful container filled with water for 4-6 hours to a day can remove the odor. Also, placing a small dish with a stainless steel object and water in the refrigerator can eliminate fridge odors.
3. Stainless Steel Soap: An Innovative Use in the Kitchen
A German kitchen utensil brand has capitalized on these properties of stainless steel by manufacturing and selling steel soap. This product is used to remove unpleasant odors from hands or other surfaces. However, even without purchasing special products like steel soap, using existing stainless steel items in the kitchen can achieve the same effect. This method is economical and environmentally friendly.
4. Summary
Stainless steel is effective in eliminating strong odors during cooking. Kitchen utensils made of stainless steel help remove odor molecules. This happens because stainless steel becomes alkaline and generates negative ions when in contact with water, which bond with and neutralize the odor-causing substances. This property can be applied for removing odors from kimchi containers or inside refrigerators.