If you care about proper nutrition, then the steamer occupies an honorable place in your kitchen. It doesn’t matter which model you have – the simplest or multifunctional – it needs regular cleaning from scale. If this problem is ignored, the service life of the steamer will be shortened, and the quality of the food cooked in it will deteriorate. In this article, we have collected the most popular and effective methods of cleaning a steam cooker from scale.
Citric acid
A cheap product that is perfect for cleaning kettles, washing machines and other household appliances. That is why it is always useful to have it in the house.
- Take a small bag of citric acid and pour it into the bottom of the steamer.
- Fill with filtered water – enough to last 20-25 minutes.
- Install all steamer containers and start the device to work.
- After the specified time, turn off. The plaque will move away from the walls of the parts and the heating element.
- Carefully wash all parts of the device. Removable parts are washed under running water. The container with the heating element is wiped from the inside with a sponge several times.
Table vinegar
Any grocery store sells this universal tool, the main advantage of which is effective fight against bad odor. At the same time, it copes with scale no worse than citric acid. We recommend using vinegar when the plaque is not strong.
- Pour a glass of acetic acid into the steamer and add water to the maximum.
- Install all containers used in the appliance.
- Leave the steamer running for 15 minutes.
- After cleaning, rinse all parts thoroughly.
Sodas
Coca-Cola and its analogues are famous for their cleansing properties. Most often, they are used to remove lime scale from the walls of an electric kettle. However, this method will be no less effective for a steamer.
- Pour carbonated water into the device, then turn it on for 15 minutes.
- During this time, the drink should dissolve the scale.
- If the case is complicated, you can first leave the liquid in the steamer overnight, and then carry out the procedure.
Note that many sodas contain dyes that can eat into plastic. If you are not sure about the quality of your steamer, then choose carbonated water without dyes.
Baking soda
A solution of baking soda is a universal cleaner that can also deal with plaque. Apply it in the same way as citric acid. Baking soda is usually less effective than lemon in the fight against scale. Therefore, it should be used when the plaque is small. However, soda is excellent for washing steamer parts.
Take a little powder on a wet sponge and rub the dirty areas thoroughly.
Special means
If you don’t like to use traditional methods, then you have to buy a special descaling agent in the store. As a rule, it is called “Antiscale” and is produced by various manufacturers of household chemicals. Depending on the brand, its price can vary greatly. This tool is used according to the instructions on the package. As a rule, it is filled with water, and then the steamer with the resulting solution is turned on for 10-15 minutes.
Reviews about antinakipin are not so unambiguous. Some people find it inconvenient to use, and some even complain about equipment damage.
In any case, we recommend that you try citric acid first. This is the simplest, effective and safe descaling agent, and it is also very inexpensive.
How often should you clean the steamer?
It depends on the quality of the water, so it is difficult to give an unequivocal answer. One thing can be said for sure – it is necessary to carry out the cleaning procedure at the first signs of the appearance of scale. A small plaque can be quickly and easily removed. Never wait for a thick layer of deposits to appear on the device. Small particles of scale will get into your food, and this is no longer part of a healthy diet. In addition, the steamer will last longer if you clean it regularly.
As a preventive measure, you can use the method with citric acid once a month. This is advisable if you often use the steamer.