21 Clever Uses of Salt in the Kitchen

### 12. **Crisping Up Your French Fries**
For perfect French fries, soak cut potatoes in a saltwater solution before frying them. The salt draws out moisture, resulting in crispier fries that hold their texture.

### 13. **Preserving Meat in the Freezer**
Wrap meat in a salt-soaked cloth before freezing to help preserve it for longer. The salt helps to retain moisture and prevents freezer burn.

### 14. **Removing Excess Oil from Fried Foods**
After frying, sprinkle a little salt on your food while it’s still hot. The salt will help to absorb excess oil, giving your fried foods a crispier texture without the added greasiness.

### 15. **Unclogging Drains**
Mix a cup of salt with hot water and pour it down your sink to help clear minor clogs and break down grease. It’s a simple, non-toxic solution for minor plumbing issues.

### 16. **Toning Down Spicy Dishes**
If your curry or chili is a bit too spicy, add a pinch of salt to help mellow out the heat. Salt doesn’t necessarily cool down the spice but helps balance the flavors overall.

### 17. **Enhancing Coffee Flavor**
A tiny pinch of salt in your morning coffee can help neutralize the bitterness and make it smoother. It’s a great trick for those who like their coffee but find it too harsh at times.

### 18. **Preventing Ice Cream from Freezing Too Hard**
Add a pinch of salt to your homemade ice cream base to prevent it from freezing too solidly. Salt can lower the freezing point, resulting in a softer, scoopable texture.

### 19. **Making Homemade Bread Crust Crispy**
For a beautiful, golden, crispy bread crust, sprinkle a bit of salt on top of the dough before baking. The salt helps enhance the browning and creates a savory contrast to the soft inside.

### 20. **Cleaning Produce**
When you bring home fruits and vegetables, sprinkle them with a mixture of salt and water to help remove pesticide residues and dirt. This cleaning method is simple, and the salt serves as a natural disinfectant.

### 21. **Restoring Dull Copper Pots**
If your copper pots and pans have lost their shine, rub them with a mixture of salt and lemon juice. The salt’s abrasive texture, combined with the acid in the lemon, helps restore the gleam to copperware.

### Conclusion
Salt isn’t just a kitchen essential—it’s a multi-purpose powerhouse that can enhance your cooking, improve your kitchen hygiene, and even rescue you from cooking mishaps. Whether you’re using it to tenderize meat, fix a salty soup, or improve your baked goods, these clever uses of salt will help you get the most out of this common pantry item. So next time you reach for that salt shaker, remember that it’s more than just a flavor enhancer—it’s a kitchen miracle worker.