Do you like to wash dishes? I know some folks despise having to wash dishes. Makes me think of Madge and her cure for dishwater hands. Remember her?
I actually don’t mind washing dishes. We don’t have a dishwasher so we wash everything by hand. There is something relaxing about sticking my hands in hot soapy water as I look out the window. I get a very satisfied feeling when I’ve washed all the dishes, put up all the leftovers, and wiped down the counters.
Yet, there is one aspect of washing dishes that I don’t like…I don’t like to scrub pots and pans. If there isn’t much scrubbing to be done I don’t pay it any mind, but if there’s a thick layer of cooked on food I hate to scrub that stuff off and more often than not I’ll leave it soaking till the next day.
When I think of pots that are hard to clean I immediately think of the one I use to make yogurt in. Even though the milk doesn’t scorch, it leaves a thick gum over the entire bottom of the pot.
Did you happen to notice my new white scraper in the photos? Its the Rada Pan Scraper.  This is what Rada says about it:
Pan Scraper
3″ wide by 2 1/2″ tall
Nothing gets pans and other kitchen utensils cleaner than the Rada Daisy PanMate Scraper!This nylon food scraper is used to help remove food residues from pans and other cookware. They feature rugged edges that scrape even the toughest foods off your pan, making cleaning easier than ever before.
The daisy cut-out design ensures easy gripping, while the corners feature different shapes to ensure that pans of different shapes and sizes are cleaned with equal effectiveness. Hard-to-reach places will be a snap to turn spotless, while other tricky surfaces, such as the ridge around your kitchen sink, will also benefit from the crevice cleaner extended edge. You get two per package, so you’ll have more than one handy come cleaning time!
Rada was nice enough to send me a Pan Scraper to try out. I couldn’t wait to use it on my yogurt pot. Over the holidays I made more yogurt than usual so I really got to put the scraper to the test-it worked like a charm. And just like the Rada description says, the scraper is also really good at getting into the crevices and ridges that some pans and pots have.
Another thing I like about the pan scraper is using it doesn’t make my teeth hurt. Sounds silly uh? I know it sounds weird but using a metal scrubber on a metal pot or pan makes my teeth hurt. Sort of like the nails on a chalkboard feeling.
The nice folks at Rada generously offered a free Pan Scraper to a Blind Pig and the Acorn Reader. To be entered all you have to do is a leave a comment on this post. *Giveaway ends Monday February 29.
Jump over to the Rada site and look around. You can order directly from them-and if your kids or grand-kids are looking for a fundraiser for school events they can help you out with that too!
If you’d like to see how I make yogurt go here.
Tipper
Tipper,
I just want to let my friends, Ed Ammons and Don Casada (ha ha Don, on the scraper), that I’ve had computer problems for the past few days.
I don’t have a dishwasher here or at home, and don’t cook too much, except for fresh Rainbows, fried taters, green beans and all that stuff. All I use are those plastic net scrubbers and they work well for me…Ken
I had never heard of this neat little scraper before, but I think it would be a handy little gadget to have.I too wash a lot of dishes at home and like another reader ,also at church.It seems like I always end up at the sink after a dinner there,but I really don’t mind.I tell them I am “experienced”. Thanks,Tipper,for taking the time to write about so many different things.I also enjoyed reading about the mushrooms recently.Hope everyone has a good ,safe weekend.
Maybe I have no right but I am worried about Ken Roper. It has been a couple of days and he hasn’t had a comment. That’s not like him. I hope the wind hasn’t blown him away again, then again maybe I hope it has because last time it didn’t turn out too bad. I got out a little around here today and found a lot more damage than I had heard about. One house had two huge oak trees twisted off and two more that had all the limbs ripped off of one side. The trees didn’t just blow them over. They were twisted off four or five feet above the ground. Up the road from there was two more homes that had trees blown down. That was only about half a mile from me. There was no direct damage to anybody’s home that I’ve heard about.
That’s an interesting little gizmo, isn’t it! We have porcelain coated cast iron pans and skillets. You can’t use metal scrapers or scouring powder on those, so I have a plastic scrubby that we use. When things are really stuck on, I put water in it and bring it to a boil on the stove. That often loosens even the stubbornest mess.
Hope everyone has a great weekend, and a safe one too.
God bless.
RB
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I really don’t mind washing dishes, but I don’t care so much for scrubbing pots and pans. I, too, had a Pampered Chef scraper once, but it went astray sometime ago. Would love to try this Rada pan scraper. It looks like it was doing a super job for you!
My wife can’t stand the thought of dirty dishes left in the sink. We wash as soon as meal is finished. She washes and I dry, so it doesn’t take too long. Good food is worth it. Like you, we have a window over the sink.
Washing dishes always brings back memories of 4 generations of family women in a kitchen cleaning up after a big family meal. I miss that – dishwashers allow me to get into the after dinner card game more quickly but this younger generation just doesn’t get into the family chatter the way the generations above me did.
I’m going to have to try Rada soon – you and your readers seem so fond of it – – I haven’t had a good set since my inherited Old Hickory gave out (there is a limit as to how many times they can be sharpened! I think I was at least the second generation to inherit that set so there wasn’t much blade left on the 3 knives.) My son-in-law gave me a Wusthof butcher knife and pairing knife so I’m in pretty good shape with the bare essentials.
I too do not own a dishwasher. It is not my favorite chore, but since I love to cook, it’s a fact of life. I would love to try a Rada pan scraper!
Wow, this scraper sounds like the solution to our stuck on pans! I’m with you Tipper, don’t like the sound of a metal scraper on a metal pan either!
I enjoy reading your blog every day. I’d never heard of a Rada Pot Scrapper but now that I’ve read about it I’d love to have one.
Thank you for writing your interesting blog. I sure do enjoy it.
Our aunt who had rheumatoid arthritis liked to wash dishes because the warm water felt good to her poor hands. She’s still with us but much too old to wash dishes.
I do have a dishwasher but it will not clean pans with anything stuck on them. I usually let them soak and then scrape but none of my scrapers are good to get in the corners. I confess that I don’t like doing it & that’s an understatement–we say around here that my husband’s constant burden is the garbage and mine is the dishes!
I really enjoy using my dishwasher. I would like to try the Rada pot scrubber.
Tipper, I have learned sooo much from your many posts. They are my favorite thing to check on in the morning. I sent for a Rada catalog. I am so glad Pap is better. Prayers work. God is the answer to everything. I admire you and your family very much. Thank you for sharing a tiny part of your lives with the rest of us. Jan
We have a dishwasher, but I usually don’t use it unless we have company and a lot of dishes to wash. It’s easier with just the two of us to wash the few dishes we dirty. Hubby was a Boy Scout back in the day, and always volunteered to wash the dishes while on camp outs, because the hot water helped to keep him warm on chilly evenings. My dad was a mess sargeant in WWII, and always said the kitchen was a great place to be because it was warm. He trained as an army cook and baker in basic training, and cooked all through the war. After he married my mom, she did all the cooking and cleaning, and he didn’t spend any time in the kitchen. I guess he had had enough in the war.
Not a big fan of washing dishes, as I can certainly stir up some messes. I have mostly cast iron and some stainless steel. As I have added on some age, I am unable to multi task as effectively as I once did. You guessed it–I sometimes burn food while concentrating on another chore. What I have always done with the stainless steel is boil a mix of vinegar and water, and after it sets awhile the gunk is more easily removed.
It sounds like this little Rada scraper would do the trick when I make a lollapalooza of a mess. I had to quit baking blueberry pies. I am probably safe in saying I need that scraper as much or more than any other Blind Pig reader. I am a huge fan of the small Rada knives for peeling.
I buy Rada peeling knives occasionally for my daughter when her husband confiscates hers for a screwdriver. It keeps everybody happy as long as I keep a slow steady supply going to their household for gifts. One day I should wise up and start buying one for him.
Even with a dishwasher I find myself hand washing most of the time. Tipper, you mentioned enjoying washing dishes in front of the window. My favorite thing used to be ironing clothes on an ironing board on the back porch. Great read today!
One of these would look just right in Ken Roper’s hand.
At this time, I don’t have any of the Rada utensils, but may have to look into them. I cook a lot since neither my husband or I really enjoy the “going out” experience for more reasons than the cost. I can’t help but wonder what Carol’s solution is that beats Dawn? Curious minds would love to know….
My children tease me about washing the dishes before loading into the dishwasher to wash again. I think that pan scrubber would be especially good for my dear husband, who does most of the cooking and cleaning on the weekends.
My Rada go to is the tomato knife.
Tipper,
When we remodeled our kitchen we added a dishwasher…I absolutely am embarrassed to tell this, but I will anyhow…It was only turned on once..to check the electrical connections by the installer. Also, a short cycle to check the hot water and hose connections. I always wash up pans as I cook most of the time…Always have a sink of warm soapy water waiting for the drop-in spoons, measuring things, etc.
I love to wash dishes and would never have a sink that was not placed right under my kitchen window..
A lot of nature gets observed, birds and feeders, chipmunks, deer and greys…no not aliens, but grey squirrels… A lot of thoughts and prayers get sent up over a sink of warm water and dishes…The circle driveway is also visible…so a run to the kitchen window will allow a look if a horn honks, etc.
I had one of those Rada scrapers and thru the years, Tupperware and Pampered Chef too.
I have also used old plastic or those fake ones sent in the junk mail as scrapers….But, my favorite use for them is to nick the ends in different shapes…points, notches, half cuts to use in my paintings for squeegees to move paint into textured surfaces….ha
My Mother taught me a long time ago…(at 12 years old or so) that a pan with stuck gravy or greasy bits will loosen if you put soapy water in the pan and warm it back to a slight boil…Loosens right up, of course wash immediately….
If I win, redraw! As I am such a smart cook, always using the correct pan and correct heat, observing and stirring constantly when as I am supposed to do. I am never distracted from a boiling pot, so it is never my fault when the smoke/heat alarm goes off in the kitchen…Why just yesterday morning, I had a pan of white sauce go completely thick…and stuck to the pan…I am positive it was a bad recipe and not my fault! ha However, I did make a trip to the sink and sent up a prayer that the house was saved….I think the Lord though I might need a new sauce pot as well…ha
Thanks Tipper,
Thanks Tipper,
I’m not a dishwasher user. Usually there are only two of us, so using a dishwasher is a waste of hot water as well as electricity. I will admit that my water is not as hot as a dishwasher, but I try to wash thoroughly. I only use a set of eight dishes, so if I let the dish washing go for a couple of days, I may have to resort to paper plates. I try to run my dishwasher at least two to three times a year to keep the seals from drying out causing a leak. I would, however, love to try out one of those scrapers not only on my pans, but also on the sides of a crock pot. I love using my crock pot and the sides occasionally get cooked on. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
My almost new dishwasher stopped working again. Probably because I didn’t use it enough. I love my Rada knives, but never saw a pot scraper at the store where I buy them. That would work great on iron skillets that can’t handle abrasive steel wool pads.
After retiring, I became our dish washer and actually don’t mind it either. We had a little Tupperware scraper that worked well but I lost it outside when cleaning up some large pots in the back yard and never could find it.
I’m the one at our house to clean the pans. (Also at church) I soak them for an hour or so and then clean them. This would be handy.
I have a dishwasher, but I use it as a drying rack. I always seem to use the same things so the dishwasher doesn’t work for me. I was a personal chef for awhile and I have a Rada set for that purpose with a carry case. Love them!! I have several different scrapers, but one got melted on the edge and the other doesn’t get into corners well. Sure hope I get to try the Rada, it looks like a dandy 🙂
My three sisters and I were responsible for cleaning up after supper. Two would clear the table and wipe it down, store leftovers, sweep if needed, etc.; one would wash, and one would dry and put away. I always preferred washing for the same reasons you describe. The Rada Daisy is a step up from the old driver’s license I keep tucked away for tough jobs.
I love washing dishes, too. Even with a dishwasher, I like to plunge my hands in hot soapy water. Good therapy. But you have to have good technique and a procedure.
One of my students gave me a Pampered Chef scraper once. It lasted a long time. I could use another. My stainless pots are 23 years old and I like to make them shine.
I also have a homemade liquid soap formula that gives Dawn a run for its money.
Well Tip, that looks like a dandy little tool to have. I’ve actually cut down dramatically on the number pans I have to scrub….I just don’t cook much anymore. LOL!
BTW, those are some very pretty necklaces Chitter has in her Etsy Store. She is developing quite a talent. You know my friend in Asheville who I commissioned Chitter to make a necklace for Christmas before last then a matching bracelet for this past Christmas. She liked them so much that now she wants to commission earrings to match!
I have always used a cloth like scraper. This looks like it would work pretty good. I only wash my pots and pans, along with some things that just do not belong in the dishwasher. I find that washing up when you cook helps a lot as I seem to use every pot and pan in the house.
I have always used a cloth like scraper. This looks like it would work pretty good. I only wash my pots and pans, along with some things that just do not belong in the dishwasher. I find that washing up when you cook helps a lot as I seem to use every pot and pan in the house.
I have always used a cloth like scraper. This looks like it would work pretty good. I only wash my pots and pans, along with some things that just do not belong in the dishwasher. I find that washing up when you cook helps a lot as I seem to use every pot and pan in the house.
I have always used a cloth like scraper. This looks like it would work pretty good. I only wash my pots and pans, along with some things that just do not belong in the dishwasher. I find that washing up when you cook helps a lot as I seem to use every pot and pan in the house.
I love Rada. My knives, servers and scraper are the ‘backbone’ of my kitchen.
I don’t have a dishwasher either, unless there are volunteers. 😉
Some years back Hubby bought a ‘fancy’ set of knives off of some TV infomercial. They sit in the drawer of=ut of sight. Why? Because on the counter in the knife block are the Rada knives I purchased long before the RV ones and what do I grab when I need a knife, a Rada.
What does Hubby grab when he needs a knife? Yup, he gets a Rada out too.
What do I give as wedding shower gifts? A starter set of Rada knives.
and there you have it…
Love to hear how you enjoy washing dishes…except for those crusty pots and pans.
We do hand washing and would love to try a Rada pot scrubber.
Thank you for your blog.