Weve all been there. Last nights scallops are now todays fishy kitchen smell. These tips will help you get rid of the smell, from coffee grounds and tea bags to spices that are simmering.
Remember last Sunday when you had a dinner party and everyone loved your homemade shrimp cacciatore? Well, it’s now Thursday, and that strong smell is still there, and you want it to go away right now, please, forever. First, throw open all your windows. Following these six simple and effective tips will help you get rid of those awful kitchen smells.
SMELLS LIKE: FISHTry: leaving out vinegar and then simmering spices. Seafood is by far the worst offender. The best way to get rid of smells is to leave a bowl of white vinegar on your counter overnight after cooking. In the a. m. boil water with cinnamon sticks, lemon peels, and ground ginger for at least 15 minutes to get rid of any smell that’s still there.
SMELLS LIKE: GARLIC, PEPPERS AND ONIONS Try: boiling a lemon. Fajitas-and-margarita night was so fun, guys. But the next day, you’re likely overwhelmed by the souring scent of sautéed vegetables. Cut a lemon in half, add it to boiling water and let it simmer for ten minutes. The lemon steam neutralizes and refreshes your kitchen’s atmosphere. (Bonus points if you have fresh rosemary to add. ).
SMELLS LIKE: CURRY Try: soaking potatoes and salt. Aggressive seasoning embeds right into your pots and pans, so combat stench at the source. Rinse a couple potatoes, chop them up and place them in your used cookware. Sprinkle the spuds generously with table salt and cover the pot with its lid. Let it sit for at least two hours and then wash it thoroughly.
SMELLS LIKE: BAKED ZITI Try: steeping tea bags. Because they take so long to cook, tomato-based meals like homemade marinara sauce or baked Italian dishes can last for days. Rinse out your pans and toss in a few tea bags (green tea is especially good). Add hot water on top, and let the tea steep for 15 minutes. Then, run the pan through the dishwasher.
SMELLS LIKE: BACON GREASE Try: making a DIY aromatherapy spray. Its way better than Febreze. Add equal amounts of eucalyptus, lemon, and lavender essential oils to a spray bottle filled with water.8 to 10 drops of each should be enough. Spritz liberally around your stovetop and directly into the hood vents above your range. Run the fan for five minutes and you should be good.
SMELLS LIKE: BURNED TOAST Try: leaving out coffee grounds. Set an open bowl of coffee grounds on your countertop for a few hours. Acidic java helps to break down aromatic compounds in charred foods.
This article was from PureWow and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.
Cooking fish at home can be a delicious and healthy option, but it often leaves behind a stubborn, fishy odor that lingers in your kitchen. As someone who loves cooking and eating seafood regularly, I’ve had to deal with this problem many times. After much trial and error, I’ve discovered some simple and effective methods to get rid of fishy cooking odors so you can enjoy fish without the smelly aftermath.
Why Fish Smells So Much When Cooking
Fish has a natural smell even when raw thanks to trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), an organic compound that lives in seafood. When fish is cooked, the heat causes this compound to break down into trimethylamine (TMA), which has that characteristic “fishy” odor.
Some types of fish tend to smell more pungent during cooking than others. Oily fish like salmon, mackerel and bluefish have higher levels of fat, which can produce stronger cooking odors Shellfish like shrimp and scallops also have a tendency to make your kitchen stink
No matter what type of fish you’re cooking the smell can permeate the air and seem to stick to surfaces. Getting rid of it completely can take some work but it’s doable with the right techniques.
10 Tips to Remove Fish Smell from Your House
Here are my top 10 tricks for eliminating fish odors after cooking:
1. Open the Windows
This may seem obvious, but opening your windows and turning on fans is one of the easiest ways to let fresh air circulate. Do this during and after cooking to clear out fishy smells. You can also place a window fan facing outward to actively push odors out.
2. Use Vinegar
White vinegar is highly acidic, which neutralizes alkaline cooking odors like fish. Boil 1 cup of white vinegar mixed with 3 tablespoons of water in a pan for several minutes. You can also place bowls of vinegar around the kitchen to absorb lingering odors overnight.
3. Simmer Spices
Simmering warm, fragrant spices like cinnamon sticks, ground ginger, cloves and lemon peels can help mask fishy smells. Keep a mixture simmering on the stove for 15+ minutes after cooking.
4. Absorb with Coffee Grounds
Used coffee grounds have natural deodorizing abilities. Place open bowls of grounds around the kitchen to absorb fish odors from the air.
5. Burn Candles or Incense
Lighting candles or incense with fresh, pleasant scents like lemon, lavender or eucalyptus can help overwhelm fish smells. Avoid very strong fragrances as they may clash.
6. Clean With Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer. Sprinkle it on surfaces, let sit for 15 minutes then wipe away. You can also wash dishcloths with 1 cup of baking soda.
7. Steam Lemons
Steaming sliced lemons on the stove fills the air with fresh citrus smell that masks fish odors. For extra effect, grind up the rinds first.
8. Ventilate While Cooking
Turn on your stove vent hood while cooking and for 30+ minutes afterwards to remove odors. Make sure your kitchen is well-ventilated overall. Consider upgrading your vent hood if needed.
9. Rinse Disposal with Citrus
Run orange, lemon or lime peels through your garbage disposal to freshen the drain. You can also freeze citrus peels and water in ice cube trays then run through the disposal later.
10. Bake Something Sweet
Baking cookies, cakes or other sweet treats adds a pleasant aroma that can override lingering fish smells in the kitchen.
Tips to Prevent Fish Smells While Cooking
While it’s usually impossible to prevent all fishy cooking odors, you can take some steps to minimize smells while cooking:
-
Cook fish in well-ventilated areas, like near an open window or outside on the grill.
-
Choose cooking methods that produce less odor, like baking, broiling or poaching fish gently. Avoid aggressive frying.
-
Keep the oven vent on high and kitchen fan running.
-
Wrap or contain fish tightly in foil pouches while cooking.
-
Discard fish scraps and waste immediately into a sealed bag.
-
Purchase the freshest fish possible and cook it soon after buying.
-
Rub fish with lemon, herbs and spices to help neutralize odors.
-
Avoid overcooking fish, which makes smells stronger.
Odor-Fighting Products to Consider
In addition to natural ingredients like vinegar, lemons and baking soda, there are some commercial products that can help tackle fish smells:
-
Odor-absorbing bags: Activated charcoal or baking soda filled bags that absorb odors.
-
Odor-eliminating sprays: Spritz these scented formulas around the kitchen to neutralize odors.
-
Vent hood filters: Special filters made with activated charcoal to trap cooking odors.
-
Citrus-scented cleaners: All-purpose cleaners with orange, lemon or lime scents help remove odors as you clean.
Don’t Let Smells Deter You from Fish
While cooking fish at home can make your house smell unpleasant for a while, there are many effective ways to remove odors quickly. With the right techniques like ventilation, deodorizers and odor-masking fragrances, you can eliminate the smell and keep enjoying delicious, fresh fish dishes.
A little extra effort is worth it for all the nutritional benefits that fish offers. Just be prepared with some odor-fighting tools after cooking fish, and you can clear the air to enjoy the rest of your evening, fish-stink free.
6 Tips For Getting Aggressive Cooking Smells Out of Your House
Weve all been there. Last nights scallops are now todays fishy kitchen smell. These tips will help you get rid of the smell, from coffee grounds and tea bags to spices that are simmering.
Remember last Sunday when you had a dinner party and everyone loved your homemade shrimp cacciatore? Well, it’s now Thursday, and that strong smell is still there, and you want it to go away right now, please, forever. First, throw open all your windows. Following these six simple and effective tips will help you get rid of those awful kitchen smells.
SMELLS LIKE: FISHTry: leaving out vinegar and then simmering spices. Seafood is by far the worst offender. The best way to get rid of smells is to leave a bowl of white vinegar on your counter overnight after cooking. In the a. m. boil water with cinnamon sticks, lemon peels, and ground ginger for at least 15 minutes to get rid of any smell that’s still there.
SMELLS LIKE: GARLIC, PEPPERS AND ONIONS Try: boiling a lemon. Fajitas-and-margarita night was so fun, guys. But the next day, you’re likely overwhelmed by the souring scent of sautéed vegetables. Cut a lemon in half, add it to boiling water and let it simmer for ten minutes. The lemon steam neutralizes and refreshes your kitchen’s atmosphere. (Bonus points if you have fresh rosemary to add. ).
SMELLS LIKE: CURRY Try: soaking potatoes and salt. Aggressive seasoning embeds right into your pots and pans, so combat stench at the source. Rinse a couple potatoes, chop them up and place them in your used cookware. Sprinkle the spuds generously with table salt and cover the pot with its lid. Let it sit for at least two hours and then wash it thoroughly.
SMELLS LIKE: BAKED ZITI Try: steeping tea bags. Because they take so long to cook, tomato-based meals like homemade marinara sauce or baked Italian dishes can last for days. Rinse out your pans and toss in a few tea bags (green tea is especially good). Add hot water on top, and let the tea steep for 15 minutes. Then, run the pan through the dishwasher.
SMELLS LIKE: BACON GREASE Try: making a DIY aromatherapy spray. Its way better than Febreze. Add equal amounts of eucalyptus, lemon, and lavender essential oils to a spray bottle filled with water.8 to 10 drops of each should be enough. Spritz liberally around your stovetop and directly into the hood vents above your range. Run the fan for five minutes and you should be good.
SMELLS LIKE: BURNED TOAST Try: leaving out coffee grounds. Set an open bowl of coffee grounds on your countertop for a few hours. Acidic java helps to break down aromatic compounds in charred foods.
This article was from PureWow and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.
Having to come up with daily lunch box ideas for work, camp, or school can be challenging. Not only do they need to be portable (compact enough.
Whether you’ve been having a cookie exchange for years or are just looking for a fun and safe way to meet new people in your area, here are some ideas.
There’s not much you can’t do with a potato. You can boil, fry, roast, or grill them, and they taste great with all kinds of flavors. Loading More. Loading More.
DONT HAVE AN ACCOUNT? REGISTER TODAY
Already have an account? login
Please make sure your email address is correct by getting the six-digit confirmation code from your email and entering it below. EmailPasswordConfirmation Code.
PLAN FOR DELICIOUS MEALS
Fill out your Flavor Profile now to start enjoying the McCormick Meal Planner. First Name Last Name Email Address Password.
Birthday (optional): I’d like to get emails from McCormick that may include deals, information about products, and service offers. I understand that I may unsubscribe at any time using the opt-out link provided in the electronic messages. I understand and agree to the.
Already have an account? login
How to Get Rid of Fish Smells in Your Kitchen | Cooking Tips | Made to Order | Chef Zee Cooks
How do I get rid of fish smell in my house?
Here’s how to get rid of fish smell in your house, six different ways. Vinegar is for more than just cleaning—it can get rid of persistent fishy odors, too. The acidity of vinegar neutralizes alkaline odors, leaving you with a fish-scent-free home. Here are two methods that harness the odor-busting power of vinegar:
How can one make rice water smell good?
You may add vanilla essential oil, citrus peels, lavender essential oil, lemon grass essential oil, peppermint essential oil, jasmine oil, chamomile essential oil.
How do you reduce odor when cooking fish?
Soak your fish in milk for at least half an hour before cooking it. This is said to cut down on odor when the fish is cooked without changing the flavor of the fish. Soak your fish in water mixed with 1/4 cup of vinegar or 1/4 cup of lemon juice before cooking. Like the milk trick, this is said to reduce cooking odors.
Does cooking fish make the house smell?
Fish is delicious and nutritious, but cooking can make the entire house smell. Don’t let thoughts of that lingering stench keep you from cooking fish at home, even if you think the smell may still hover long after you finish washing the dishes.