We declare the raclette season officially open! Melted cheese on still warm potatoes with local meat and grilled vegetables. A moment of sharing and conviviality with your friends or family members. However, there is one thing that you don't enjoy as much: cleaning the raclette after a great evening that involved a lot of wine. Don't panic, your traditional raclette machine will serve you well for many years if you follow the simple cleaning steps listed in this article.
First, some valuable mentions about raclette
Raclette comes from French and means “to scrape,” referring to both the type of cheese and the traditional Swiss dish with which it is served. According to cheese legend, the dish originated hundreds of years ago when farmers heated a piece of cheese over an open fire to create a hearty and filling meal.
Raclette, popular since the Middle Ages, is still made from the milk of cows that are fed fresh grass in summer and meadow hay in winter. The result is an aromatic cheese whose taste varies from mild and milky to spicy depending on the variety. Typically it is melted in a raclette grill.
Tipp: For a rich and satisfying dish, Raclette combine it with a dry white wine.
What other dishes can you prepare on a raclette grill?
- Grilled steak with vegetables: This tried-and-true dish is always a hit, especially when accompanied by a raclette cheese sauce or a garlic-flavored melted cheese sauce.
- Grilled fruit: You can also prepare sweet, grilled fruit and savory dishes on the raclette grill.
- pancake: Use a raclette grill to make your favorite pancake recipe! This versatile cooking utensil has something to offer for everyone, whether they have a sweet or savory hunger.
- Sandwiches: Sandwiches with melting, gooey grilled cheese can also be prepared on the raclette grill.
- Grilled potatoes: Are you bored with the same boiled potatoes? Try grilling potatoes. They turn out much better when you cook them on your raclette grill with sour cream.
You can make simple raclette recipes for delicious dishesfind here!
How can you clean raclette with baking soda
What's worse than using a scouring pad and metal spatula to get rid of melted cheese! You run the risk of scratching your raclette machine, making it unusable for further use.
So how do you do it? Did you know that baking soda is a magic product? If you don't know which cleaning product to use for your cooking appliances, think baking soda! And this also applies to your raclette machine. Here are the steps you should follow to remove processed cheese residue from your device.
- Heat your raclette machine to remove the remaining melted cheese, then scrape it off with a wooden spatula.
- Allow your device to cool until the oven is cold (it would be a shame to burn yourself!).
- Meanwhile, prepare your mixture of two parts baking soda and one part water. You will get a thick mixture.
- Then apply the preparation to your raclette machine and leave it for 1 hour.
- Wipe with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
- To remove unpleasant odors, spray white vinegar on another clean cloth and wipe all surfaces of your device.
- Finally, wipe with a paper towel.
That's it! The biggest problem has been solved! But that's not all... now let's clean the stone grill (or the grill, depending on the model of your machine).
Clean the raclette rack with baking soda:Does your raclette machine have a stone rack or a grill? It doesn't matter, in any case, here you can use the same preparation as before if there are still fat residues. It is also possible to pull half a lemon through the still hot stone grill. This technique makes it easy to clean with dish soap (and a soft sponge so you don't scratch your beautiful grill).
Care for raclette pans and spatulas before next use
And yes, the melted cheese stays not only on the raclette grill, but also on the bowls and wooden spatulas. What technique should you use to remove the grease residue and also clean the raclette pans? Here are the steps:
- Add two tablespoons of baking soda (yes, it again!) to a bowl of boiling water.
- Submerge your bowls, pans, and spatulas in this hot mixture for 1 hour.
- After a while, take a sponge and gently rub all the surfaces of your bowls and pans with some dish soap.
- Rinse with clean water to remove the melted cheese.
- Your bowls, pans and spatulas will be restored to their original condition!
Which products should you not use to clean the raclette plate?
You already have the tips for thatProper care of the raclette machineGot it, but did you also know that there are products that shouldn't be used?
If your raclette is equipped with a non-stick worktop or a natural stone top, maintenance is really easier. In particular, the coating makes it easier to remove melted cheese. In this case, do not use abrasive cleaners, even if they are known to be strong and degreasing. They have the opposite effect and damage the device. We therefore recommend that you do not scrub your device. Use our tips and be patient!
