17 Classic Old-Fashioned Kitchen Tips from Grandma That Still Work Wonders Today
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Some of the best baking tips and kitchen hacks come from our grandparents. Many of us have fond memories of sitting around the table, enjoying food and stories from our childhood. In a world full of modern kitchen gadgets, it’s easy to forget the simple, timeless, old school cooking techniques passed down through generations. Grandmothers didn’t need fancy tools to make the most of basic ingredients and everyday utensils. If you were fortunate enough to cook with your grandmother, you might remember her practical ways to revive stale bread or make glassware sparkle. These tried-and-true tips are still helpful today. Here are 15 classic tips from grandma that will make your life easier and simplify your household chores.
Use a Slice of Bread to Soften Brown Sugar
One of Grandma’s most reliable hacks for dealing with hardened brown sugar was incredibly simple. We’ve all encountered rock-hard brown sugar that feels impossible to break up. Her solution? Just place a slice of fresh bread in the container with the brown sugar. The moisture from the bread softens the lumps, making the sugar usable again—and helps keep it soft over time!
How to Make Hard Brown Sugar Soft Again
A Wooden Spoon Can Prevent Boil-Overs
It may sound surprising, but Grandma swore by this simple trick to prevent boil-overs. All you need to do is place a wooden spoon across the top of a pot while it’s boiling. This old-school hack helps keep the bubbles from spilling over, making kitchen cleanup a whole lot easier!
Get Rid of Strong Odors with Kitchen Staples
We’ve all experienced stubborn kitchen smells on our hands that soap just can’t seem to remove. Grandma had a few clever tricks up her sleeve for this. To banish garlic or onion odors, she’d rub her hands with fresh parsley. For a quick fix, a mixture of baking soda and salt (in a 2:1 ratio) works wonders as well. Coffee grounds are another great option, helping to scrub away the smell while exfoliating your skin at the same time.
Make Coffee Less Bitter
Not everyone enjoys a bitter cup of coffee, and Grandma had just the right trick to fix that. If the coffee turned out too bitter, she’d simply add a pinch of salt. That small touch helped to balance the flavors and take the edge off over-brewed coffee, leaving it smooth and more enjoyable.
Easily Peel Boiled Eggs
Whether you believe it or not, Grandma had a simple trick for perfectly peelable boiled eggs. If you find yourself struggling with stubborn shells, try adding 1/2 a teaspoon of baking soda to the boiling water. According to Grandma, this little addition helps the shells come off effortlessly! It’s definitely worth a try.
Easy Peel Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
Stop the Tears When Chopping Onions
Grandma always had a few tricks up her sleeve for preventing those inevitable onion tears. One of her go-to hacks was chilling the onions beforehand, which slows down the release of tear-inducing chemicals. Another surprising trick? Chewing gum while cutting onions! It helps because it makes you breathe through your mouth, keeping your eyes dry. And for a final tip, try cutting the onion in half lengthwise before peeling—this simple method can reduce the tears as well.
How to Tell When Oil is Hot Enough for Frying
Grandma had a simple yway to know when oil was ready for frying. Instead of using a thermometer, she would dip the end of a wooden spoon into the oil. If bubbles formed around the spoon, she knew the oil had reached the perfect frying temperature!
How to Test Egg Freshness
To check if an egg is still fresh, dissolve a pinch of salt in a glass of tap water. Gently place the egg in the water. If it sinks, it’s fresh and good to use. If it floats, it’s time to toss it out!
Vinegar: The Secret to Sparkling Glassware
Grandma swore by the magic of vinegar when it came to getting glassware spotless. The acidity in vinegar effortlessly dissolves hard water stains and greasy residue. For crystal-clear results, mix equal parts vinegar and water, or simply add a splash of vinegar to your dishwater for a quick and effective shine.
Save Bacon Grease for Extra Flavor
Don’t toss that leftover bacon grease! It’s perfect for adding a rich flavor boost to omelets, refried beans, casseroles, and more. After cooking your bacon, strain out any bits using a coffee filter, then store the grease in a jar in your fridge. It’ll keep for up to six months, ready to elevate your next dish!
Keep Salads Extra Fresh
Grandma always enjoyed her salads crisp and fresh, but she knew they could wilt quickly. Her simple trick to keep salads fresh for longer was easy but effective. Before storing a pre-made salad, she would line the bowl with a damp paper towel, place another one on top, and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. This kept the greens crisp and ready to serve!
Perfectly Crispy Fried Foods
For a flawless crispy coating on fried fish, vegetables, or meat, try dredging your food in flour before frying. The flour adheres better to the surface, helping to create that golden, crunchy texture everyone loves.
Tenderize Meat
One of Grandma’s go-to tricks for tenderizing tough meat was a simple yet effective marinade. To soften even the toughest cuts, she would marinate the meat overnight in a mixture of 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 cup beef broth. This hack made the meat incredibly tender and flavorful!
Clean a Cast Iron with Salt
Use coarse salt to clean your cast iron skillet easily and naturally. The salt will scrub the surface of the cast iron without damaging it.
Keep Baking Soda in the Fridge
One of Grandma’s classic tricks for a fresh-smelling fridge was to place a small dish of baking soda inside to absorb unwanted odors. Just remember to swap it out for a fresh batch every 2-3 months to keep things smelling clean and fresh.
Parboil Potatoes for Perfect Results
Parboiling potatoes before cooking is a time-tested trick from Grandma’s kitchen for getting that ideal texture and flavor. This method ensures your baked or roasted potatoes come out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Plus, it shortens the cooking time and helps the potatoes absorb flavors better!
Master the Art of Canning
Grandma was a firm believer in the value of canning. While it may not always save money, it’s a valuable skill to have. Canning your garden’s fruits and vegetables lets you preserve the rewards of your hard work, so you can enjoy them long after the harvest season has ended.
How to Start Canning at Home
Canning the food you harvest is an excellent way to boost your self-reliance. Canning is one method for preserving food from the garden season to the last year-round. If you are new to canning, this article will help you learn about the methods, resources, and equipment you will need to start canning at home.
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