Caring for Stainless Steel Pots and Pans
Stainless steel pots and pans are becoming increasingly popular, but you need to use these types of pans with care if you want them to last.
24/08/2020
Rattle them pots and pans... stainless steel is on-trend for all your cookware needs and they are a great investment if you are looking for pots and pans that last a long time. Stainless steel also looks good, but there are a few things to keep in mind if you want your investment to stay looking good and last even longer. We offer a few tips on caring for your stainless steel pots and pans.
ARE STAINLESS STEEL POTS AND PANS DISHWASHER SAFE
While it is true that stainless steel is dishwasher safe, this is only applicable to the highest grade stainless steel. It is generally not a good idea to put your new stainless steel pots and pans into the dishwasher unless you are 100% certain that they will not be damaged. If the set has removable handles, that usually confirms that they are dishwasher safe, but the high-temperature cycles of a dishwasher can destroy handles on your new pots and pans.
If you want to put stainless steel pots and pans in the dishwasher, only use a 'gentle cycle' or lower temperature setting to clean them. That way, you can be certain they won't be damaged in the wash.
DON'T CLEAN HOT STAINLESS STEEL POTS OR PANS
I know I'm guilty of this one. After using my stainless steel frying pan, or between cooking items, I have a habit of rinsing the pan under cold water to give it a quick clean. Not a good idea. Dunking your stainless steel pots or pans, including the frying pans, can cause them to warp, and even for the base to crack in some instances. If you need to clean a pan quickly, make sure the water is hot for rinsing or cleaning. Better yet, let the pans cool down before cleaning them.
SEASON WATER OR FOOD WHEN IT'S BOILING
Are you adding salt to the water before it has boiled? You can damage the base (inside) of your stainless steel pots by adding salt to cold water. Known as pitting, the salt sitting at the bottom of cold water can irreversibly damage your stainless steel pots and pans. Always add salt to boiling water.
DON'T BURN THE BASE
When stains or marks start to occur on the inside base of your stainless steel pots and pans, or any type of mark that cannot be scrubbed away, you have probably had it on high heat for too long. To try and remedy the problem, place vinegar in the pan and simmer on low heat for a bit, this should remove the stains.
When using your stainless steel frying pans, prevent food from sticking to the base by heating it up before you use it.
Keep your stainless steel pots and pans looking new for longer by avoiding steel wool or metal scourers. It's much better to soak pans in hot soapy water or boil them on the stovetop for a bit to make cleaning stubborn food and stains easier.
STORING POTS AND PANS
When storing your pots and pans, make sure to store them in such a way that you don't have to constantly move stuff around to reach the pan that you need. It's so easy for pots and pans to fall out and onto the floor, leaving them with dings and dents that can't be fixed and won't look good. Give your cookware plenty of room and store lids safely where there is no risk of them being damaged or broken.
Adapted via article from Readers Digest