What role do abrasive cleaning agents serve in a kitchen?

Abrasive cleaning agents play a significant role in the kitchen by effectively removing tough, baked-on foods. These cleaning agents contain gritty particles that can scrub off stubborn residues and stains from cookware, ovens, and grills without damaging the underlying surface, assuming they are used on appropriate materials. Their strength lies in their ability to provide mechanical action during cleaning, which is essential for food preparation areas where residues can accumulate and harbor bacteria.

In contrast, delicate surfaces require gentler cleaning methods to prevent scratches or damage, making abrasive agents unsuitable for those tasks. They also do not function as sanitizers, as sanitization involves reducing the number of microorganisms to safe levels rather than simply removing food residues. Similarly, while some machines might utilize cleaning agents, abrasive cleaning agents are primarily intended for manual cleaning rather than machine operation. Therefore, their main function is to target and eliminate persistent, stubborn food deposits, making answer choice C the most appropriate response.