How To Clean Around The Kitchen

[Rosebud710]

I'm gluten-free, but my family isn't. I spray the counters with a disenfectent spray, is that enough? Also, I cook with wooden spoons, but when I cook I make sure that the spoon is used only for my food. We use the dishwasher to clean our dishes, is that enough to get any gluten residue out of my wooden spoons?

Thanks!

[Ursa Major]

I am afraid that since gluten isn't a germ and therefore can't be killed, disinfectant spray does nothing to get rid of it.

Washing the counter with a clean, soapy cloth will do the job, though.

No, putting wooden anything (cutting boards, too) will not get rid of gluten in crevices. You need to have your own spoons, that will be used only for cooking your food and never get in touch with gluten.

You also need your own toaster, cutting board and colander. It isn't possible to get all the gluten out of toasters and plastic colanders, it is just too sticky. If you rinse your gluten-free pasta with the same colander everybody else uses for their gluteny pasta, you'll get yourself glutened.

[Rosebud710]

Thanks Ursa!

I was just at Walmart and got a nice, inexpensive toaster along with some spoons. I didn't think about the wooden cutting boards and colanders. (sigh) Back to Walmart I go !

[Brady's Mom]

Okay, now I'm curious. I use a stainless steel colander and I have been using it for both rice pasta and gluten pasta. I always strain the rice pasta first and then rinse it after the gluten pasta before putting it in the dishwasher. I also use my stainless flatware for stirring things and wash in the dishwasher. My son is the only one in the house that is gluten free (and many other things free), am I risking cross-contamination? My kitchen storage is limited so I am trying to avoid buying double supplies if possible. I knew about the toaster, but never thought about the colander, pots and pans, etc....

Lynn