For culinary enthusiasts, buying a fresh set of kitchen equipment is as exciting as stocking up on groceries and spices. Shiny surfaces, untainted and unmarred by splatters of curry and burn marks — the thrill of using new pots and pans is truly unmatched. However, scraping off brand stickers pasted across the surface before you get started can come with a slight hitch: adhesive residue. That’s right, the splotchy sticky remnants of gum that stick to your utensil’s surface are the worst kind of eyesore. Getting rid of them is not just annoying, but an actual test of your patience.
MasterChef Pankaj Bhadouriya continues to share quick tips and tricks to help us navigate the kitchen space with ease and guidance. And in case you have been struggling with these sticky stickers, her recent Instagram post comes just in time.
“Ever bought a new utensil, only to be stuck with those hard-to-remove stickers? This quick and easy kitchen tip will help you peel the stickers and the leftover gum without any mess. Just follow this kitchen hack, my nuskha and your utensil will be sticker-free & gum-free!” she captioned her Instagram post.
Her simple, no-ingredient nuskha included turning on the gas flame, keeping it on the low to medium setting, and holding your utensil with the sticker side close to the flame for a while. “Whether it is a glass or steel utensilthis hack is safe to use,” said Bhadouriya.
“The heat helps melt the adhesive and makes it easy to peel the sticker off. Once removed, sprinkle a pinch of salt on the adhesive left behind, add a drop of oil on it, and rub in circles slowly. Wipe it clean with a tissue, and voila! Your utensil is as clean as new,” she added.
This hack works for glass utensils as well (Source: Freepik)
Chef Ananya Banerjee shared a couple of more hacks that can make the annoying job of peeling stickers easier and quicker.
1. Soak in hot water
Fill a bowl or sink with hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Soak the utensil for 15–20 minutes. The heat loosens the glue, and the soap helps dissolve adhesive oils. This hack is best for metal, glass, and hard plastic utensils.
Story continues below this ad
2. Use cooking oil or peanut butter
Rub a little vegetable oil, coconut oil, or peanut butter over the sticky area. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, then scrub gently with a cloth or sponge. The oils effectively break down sticky adhesive residues.
3. Try white vinegar or rubbing alcohol
Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar or rubbing alcohol, then press it onto the sticker for a minute. Finally, peel it off. Wipe away any residue. Both dissolve the adhesive without damaging most utensils.