Baking soda is a handy kitchen staple used for both cooking and cleaning. Often kept alongside baking powder and vanilla packets in the pantry, baking soda has a wider range of uses than many people realize. When used in the right amount and for the right purpose, it can make a noticeable difference in baking and kitchen cleaning. Here are ways to use it for both.
Using Baking Soda Instead of Baking Powder
When you are out of baking powder, baking soda can be used as an alternative in baked goods because it can produce a similar leavening effect. Use one or two 4 ml measures of baking soda in place of one packet of baking powder; too much can give the batter a soapy taste and an undesirable color. Baking soda reacts with an acidic ingredient such as lemon juice, yogurt, or vinegar to produce leavening. For this reason, when substituting baking soda for baking powder, adding a small amount of an acidic liquid to the batter helps it rise. Baking soda is also used directly in some cookie and cake recipes that do not call for baking powder.
How Baking Soda Affects Baked Goods
Baking soda helps baked goods rise and can also help them stay fresh longer, an effect that is especially noticeable in cookies and biscuits served with tea or coffee. Baked goods made with baking soda often have a lighter color and a slightly cracked surface. Adding about one 4 ml measure of baking soda to meatball mixture makes the meatballs puffier and softer. This small amount noticeably improves the texture without changing the flavor. Too much baking soda can leave an unpleasant taste, so measure carefully.
Cleaning an Oven and Microwave
To remove baked-on stains after cooking, sprinkle baking soda inside the oven, spray it with water, and leave it overnight. The next day, wipe the oven interior with a damp cloth; this method can remove most of the residue. It can also work without a chemical cleaning product and prevents a sharp chemical smell inside the oven. For food residue in a microwave, sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge and use it to scrub stained surfaces. This is a gentle cleaning method that does not damage the microwave's interior. Use a soft sponge instead of a stiff brush to avoid scratching the surface.
Cleaning Pots and Kettles
When cleaning stained or scorched pots and pans, adding a little baking soda to dish soap can help loosen the stains. Soaking pots with stuck-on food in baking-soda water for a while makes them easier to scrub. To remove limescale from a kettle, add hot water and a few 15 ml measures of baking soda to the kettle and let it sit for a while; then rinse it with water. The kettle will regain its shine. The same method can be used to clear cloudiness from the inside of an electric kettle.