health
One Thing They Never Use in Professional Kitchens
Author Kris Osborn states that the kitchen sponge in her home used to be used for everything – from washing dishes to wiping countertops, and even baby utensils. It was always at hand, and quickly cleaning the kitchen after cooking seemed like a good habit. However, everything changed when she learned that sponges are not used for food-contact surfaces in professional kitchens, which led her to investigate the reasons behind such practice, writes Simply Recipes.
TL;DR
- Kitchen sponges can contain up to 54 billion bacteria per cubic centimeter, leading professional kitchens to avoid using them on food-contact surfaces.
- Author Kris Osborn now uses sponges only for washing dishes and sinks, employing clean cloths and paper towels for countertops and cutting boards.
- To maintain sponge hygiene, regular washing in the dishwasher, soaking in bleach, thorough wringing, and weekly replacement are advised.
- Disinfecting sponges in the microwave is an option, provided the sponge is fully wet to prevent fire hazards.