Cleaning in My Winter House Kitchen
There’s a lot of cleaning going on at my Bedford, New York farm.
Earlier this week I shared photos of my stable as all the stalls were emptied and thoroughly washed. At my Winter House, my housekeepers are also busy with big cleaning projects - Laura cleaned all the glasses in my servery, and Sanu took on the task of cleaning the kitchen stove top. As you know, I love to entertain, so my stove gets a ton of use. I always wipe it down after cooking, but once in awhile it's always a good idea to give the stove a deep and complete cleaning.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Sanu removes the grates from the stove and puts them outside on some newspaper. When cleaning, never wash cast iron stove grates while they’re still hot as they could crack. Always allow the grates to completely cool first.
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- Once the grates are removed from the stove top, the areas under the grates as well as the fuel ports can be cleaned. Using a straightened paper clip, just poke each of the fuel port holes to clear any blockages.
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- My precious Empress Tang loves to watch all the activity from a bowl on the counter. While the dogs are at Skylands with me, Tang has been keeping everyone company in my kitchen.
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- Back outside, Sanu sprays the grates with a commercial oven cleaner. Always use what is recommended for your appliance and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
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- And always work in a well-ventilated area when using heavy-duty cleansers. Here, Sanu sprays cleaning foam into every curve and cranny on both sides of the grates.
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- Once they are all coated with cleaning foam, Sanu lets them sit for several minutes. If they are very dirty, you can let cast iron grates sit for several hours or overnight.
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- Here, you can start to see the cleaner dissolve the caked-on grease.
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- Sanu uses a rough coated sponge to clean some of the tougher spots. If your grates are not enamel-coated, rough sponges and scouring pads are okay to use and will not damage the cast iron. However, if your grates are coated, only use a soft sponge.
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- Next, Sanu wipes the grates – use an old rag or paper towel – and removes all the grime dissolved by the foam cleaner.
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- Look how much dirt came off the grates. And remember, I already wipe my grates after each time I cook, but anytime something bubbles over while cooking, it just bakes onto the grates and sticks. That’s why it is very important to give them a deep cleaning every few months, so all the old grease can be removed.
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- Next, Sanu rinses them thoroughly with the hose.
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- And then goes over them again with dish soap and water to make sure everything is thoroughly cleaned.
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- Sanu hand-dries them completely before returning them to the stove top.
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- One by one, the grates are returned to the stove top – everything looks very clean.
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- The stove is now ready for the next party!
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- Meanwhile in my servery, Laura is completing another time-consuming project – she is cleaning all my glasses in the cupboard.
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- Over time, glass can collect a cloudy film, but this can be removed with regular cleaning. For stubborn cloudiness caused by calcium and magnesium buildup, wash them in a vinegar bath.
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- Laura washes these glasses by hand with a mild soap in the hottest water she can stand. Never wash special glasses in the dishwasher. Laura then rinses them in cooler water.
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- Here are some of the newly washed glasses waiting to be dried.
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- Laura then dries each one by hand with a soft cloth.
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- And one by one they are all sparkling again. Remember to always lay down a towel whenever cleaning glassware – just in case.
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- I store lots of glasses and dishes in my servery. This entire cabinet is filled with all kinds of glasses that I use for entertaining.
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- The shelves of this cabinet are quite deep, so many glasses can be stored on each shelf. And of course, in case you’re wondering, the shelves are painted in my signature color, Bedford Gray.
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- Laura returns all the glasses to their proper shelves – everything is straight and tidy, and my glasses are now dazzling bright once again.
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- I guess all the cleaning lulled Tang to sleep. Have a good nap, my sweet kitty. What cleaning projects are you taking on this weekend? Share them with me in the comments section below.
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