Every wok owner knows that cleaning is an essential part of keeping it in great working condition. Cleaning your wok before and after cooking protects it from damage. It prolongs its longevity. To keep your wok clean and, you will need to learn how to use a bamboo wok brush.
Why use a bamboo brush
Bamboo wok brushes have strips on them with a binding at the top to keep them together. When choosing the right bamboo brush to use, consider the size of the wok. Each size works best with different wok sizes.
People prefer to use it since it’s specifically for cleaning a wok. The brush is durable and is not affected by hot water. It withstands any high temperatures. With this brush, you have no risk of dipping your hands on the hot water and burn yourself for no reason. Its handles are comfortable to grip on when using.
How to Use a Bamboo Wok Brush: Step by Step
1. Cleaning the wok
Cleaning is a step that shouldn’t miss in any cooking scenario. It needs to get done before and after you finish cooking your food. The fine bristles of the brush make it easier to wash woks since they are cleaned with hot water mostly.
Using a sponge is discouraged because it may make your hands come in contact with the hot water, which is not good for your skin. With a bamboo brush, cleaning gets easier and safer. It is also a quicker method as it only takes a few seconds to get completed.
2. Rinse with hot water
Stir-frying can make the wok have food particles left on its surfaces. Although a wok brush has fine bristles to tackle this, in the end, you might be having a messy brush. You need to spend more time cleaning. At times you may need to throw it away and buy another one.
So the moment you take out the wok off the heat and have removed the food, rinse it with hot water. Run the hot water over the wok to remove any food particles as much as possible.
3. Use the bamboo brush
After removing the debris, fill the wok with a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap. It should be mild. You can skip the soap part if you are doing a quick cleaning to continue cooking on it immediately. Sometimes you may be preparing different recipes, and they get cooked with different cooking methods.
4. Use the right size of the brush
Using the correct size of the brush will make your hands not touch the water at all. You’ll finish the entire cleaning process with dry hands. What a good way to protect your manicure? You can wash over the sink to prevent slippery surfaces when water splashes on the kitchen floor.
5. Scrub and Dry
Gently scrub the inner surface of the wok with this brush. The bristles will give the wok a good cleaning leaving no stains behind. Every food residue will easily come out with a little scrubbing.
You don’t have to strain your hands to force everything to come out. If there is stubborn stuck debris, soak the wok a little longer with hot water, and then continue scrubbing. Swirl the brush on every surface of the wok. When done, discard the water by draining it out onto the sink. Rinse once more time with clean water.
When the wok is free from any spots and stains, wipe it clean with dry paper towels. Dry the wok and season it with a thin layer of vegetable oil to create a non-stick coating. After this, store it.
6. Clean the bamboo brush
When the wok is looking all good, you end up with a greasy brush with food residue stuck on it. It also needs to be cleaned. You do not want to leave it with the dirt and food debris stuck on it. Make it your go-to cleaner anytime you think about wok cooking.
7. Wash it manually
A bamboo brush can go in a dishwasher, but if you decide to do it manually, do it this way:
On a large bowl, fill it with hot water. Pour a little drop of liquid dishwashing detergent into the water. Mix it well to form a soapy solution. Do this with the dirty bamboo brush that you are about to clean. Have the water-filled full enough to accommodate the greasy parts of the brush when immersed.
Soak the brush on the solution for a couple of minutes. If you are not in a hurry to use it again, you can soak it until the food particles start to come out easily. Bamboo is strong and durable. However, when left for too long in the water, it will absorb a lot of water. It can reduce the longevity of the brush. The hot water makes the dirt come out effortlessly.
Rinse with hot water to make it sparkling clean and ready to use again.
8. Drying the bamboo brush
There will be some water-soaked on the brush. To let this water drain out, spread a kitchen towel on a flat surface. Place the bamboo brush on top of the towel but against a wall or any surface. The bristles should face downwards and let it drain the excess water as it air dries. It should be dry within a few minutes or hours, depending on the surrounding environment’s temperature.
9. Store
Create space for it in your kitchen by either hanging it or letting it stand. It should be somewhere reachable where you can easily grab it anytime you want to cook on a wok.
Read more : How to Make Popcorns in A Wok
Conclusion
A bamboo wok brush is a faster way to clean your wok or any of your cooking pots. It’s not abrasive and won’t damage the patina even with frequent cleaning. The brush is a greater alternative to sponges that don’t last long. Steel wool is often discouraged as it damages the non-stick coating.
The brush will clean well when in good condition. When the bristles start to wear out due to constant use, replace it immediately. Bristles that are in perfect condition are what make a bamboo wok brush a great cleaning tool.
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