How often do you unscrew your pan knobs? [TW for germophobes]

[RealHousewivesOfTaunton]

I bought a new set of pans several years ago. The knob on my favourite pan lid was getting a bit wobbly so I took a screwdriver to it today and it was full of dry, papery gunk. I'm assuming it's the starch residue from years' worth of rice and pasta. Yuck. All three pans were the same, to varying degrees.

I usually just stick them in the dishwasher but it occurred to me that maybe I'm a slattern and everyone else unscrews their knobs on the regular. What's your norm?

My pans are about a year old and I have never done this….. now I feel like I am really gross!

I have never done it. <minger>

Never.

This makes me feel much better. To be fair, they're not mouldy and no one has become unwell after eating from my kitchen.

And I suspect no one in a restaurant kitchen has ever done it either.

Good point. Maybe the hygiene inspectors should start carrying screwdrivers.

One of my pan lids used to get wobbly so would unscrew by itself. Nothing like that underneath. I wonder whether a lot of it is limescale that has simply got stained. Do you wash them up by hand in the sink? A lot of opportunity for them to get waterlogged if they get a soaking. But in any case it wouldn't be in contact with the food and would be getting very hot so I wouldn't worry.

It didn't feel like limescale, more soft and papery. It came away straight away with warm water, dairy liquid and a sponge.

My pans are nearly 30 years old and don’t go in the dishwasher and it has never occurred to me to even try to unscrew the handles. Life is too busy.

I'm getting on in years. I can honestly say, I have never cleaned under a pan knob. I haven't died yet so I will continue to (not) do so.

All these smeggy knobs lurking in unsuspecting kitchens. Who knew?

Eww, what?! A new thing to think about now!

I'm retired.

I have never unscrewed a pan lid to clean it in my life.
I have never seen, or heard of anyone else doing it either.