Cooking Tips — little secrets from the pros
Why does rice turn out fluffy, why won’t dough rise, why does meat get tough? 2163 tips tested by chefs and the community — sorted into categories and explained one by one.
All Tips
2,163 tips listed
How Do You Remove Limescale from an Electric Kettle?
Limescale is a carbonate deposit that dissolves in acid, so remove it by dissolving it, not scraping it off. Add enough water to cover the scaled surface inside...
How to Clean the Inside of a Microwave
Clean the inside of a microwave with steam, not by scrubbing. Heat water and a few lemon slices in a heat-safe container; the steam that condenses softens dried...
What Should You Do if a Pot or Pan Handle Comes Loose?
A loose handle may seem like a minor problem, but on a full, hot pot it is a serious burn risk. What to do depends on how the handle is attached: tighten a scre...
Why Is “1 Medium Onion” an Unclear Recipe Measure?
Because “medium” is not a standard; it is an impression. A vegetable’s size varies greatly by variety, season, and growing location; even two onions side by sid...
What to Do if a Stand Mixer’s Whisk Does Not Reach the Bottom of the Bowl
A strip of flour or butter left unmixed at the bottom of the bowl is usually a matter of adjustment, not machine power. On stand mixers, the height of the head...
Why Does a Silicone Mold Get Sticky?
The sticky texture that develops on a silicone mold over time is not dirt; it is oil that the material has absorbed. On a metal tray, the same process leaves a...
How to Care for and Sharpen Kitchen Shears
Kitchen shears that do not cut often have a screw problem, not a blade problem: when the two blades do not press against each other firmly enough, the material...
How Do You Measure a Pan’s Actual Volume?
Measure a pan’s actual volume with water: fill the pan using a measuring vessel and note how many milliliters it holds. Diameter and side measurements alone are...
Why Should You Clean a Grater Backward with a Brush?
Each hole in a grater is a small opening that faces one way; if a sponge or cloth is pushed against the front of the opening, it can tear, and your hand can sli...
How Can You Measure Honey and Grape Molasses Accurately with a Spoon?
With sticky ingredients, the amount measured is not the same as the amount that goes into the dish, because some stays on the spoon. The solution is to grease t...
How Do You Calibrate a Kitchen Scale?
Recognizing that a scale is weighing incorrectly is one thing; correcting it is another. The first step in calibration is the surface the scale sits on: no adju...
Why Place a Silicone Mold on a Baking Sheet?
A silicone mold is flexible; when held by hand while full, it sags and batter spills. The second, less familiar reason is heat: silicone does not conduct heat l...