How to Care for your Cookware -  A Quick Guide on Proper Cleaning and Cooking Utensils

Article by  Chef Austin 

 

Who knew you can wash your cast iron pan with soap? Or the best way to remove spots from a stainless steel pan is to use a powdered stainless steel cleaner, a little water & some elbow grease? Now that you've made the investment into some new cookware, learn how to properly take care of them to be sure they last for years to come!

 

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Stainless Steel Pans

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Cleaning: Soap and water, stainless steel scouring pad for getting burnt-on food, stainless steel cleaner to help remove stains and heat discoloration.

Recommended Cleaners: SiegeClean Stainless Steel Cleaner & OXO Steel Soap Dispensing Dish Brush

Cooking Tools: Any tool is suitable for the very durable stainless steel pan. This includes wood, silicone, nylon, metal cooking tools.

Shop Stainless Steel Cookware

 

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Non-Stick Pans

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Cleaning: Wash with soap & water. Avoid the dishwasher and never use abrasive cleaners like stainless steel scouring pads on non-stick cookware. 

Recommended Cleaners: OXO Soap Dispensing Palm Brush 

Cooking Tools: Use wood, silicone, or nylon cooking tools with non-stick pans. Avoid using metal utensils as they can scratch and diminish the non-stick surface. 

Shop Non-Stick Cookware

 

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Cast Iron & Carbon Steel Pans

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Cleaning: Quality Cast Iron Soap will gently clean and protect the seasoning on your cast iron pans. Use a wooden spoon to scrape our burnt bits, run under hot water and wipe out the pan. Dry immediately and apply two tablespoons of Cast Iron Oil to clean, dry cookware, work the oil into the cookware with a clean microfiber cloth, & let sit for 30 minutes or until completely dry

For tough burnt on food, heat skillet till smoking and add lots of kosher salt to coat the bottom of the pan. With an old large rag, scrub the salt around to remove burnt on foods, be careful as salt will be hot. Throw away salt and add a teaspoon of vegetable oil and rub down with a paper towel and store.

Recommended Cleaners: Cast Iron Soap & Cast Iron Oil

Cooking Tools: Any tool is suitable for cast iron and carbon steel pans. This includes wood, silicone, nylon, metal cooking tools. 

Shop Cast Iron Cookware

 

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Enameled Cast Iron Pans

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Cleaning: Wash with soap and water. Scrape out stuck on food with a wooden spoon on nylon scraper. For deep cleaning, use enamel cleaner to help remove stains and heat discoloration. Avoid stainless steel scouring pad as it will scratch and damage the enamel.

Recommended Cleaners: SiegeClean Enamel Cleaner

Cooking Tools: Stick with wooden, silicone, or nylon utensils. Never use metal tools as they can scratch the enamel and damage your pan. 

Shop Enameled Cast Iron Cookware

  

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Copper Pans

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Cleaning: Soap & water for stainless steel coating, occasional use of copper cleaner for the copper exterior. Avoid abrasive cleaners and tools for the outside of the copper pan.

Recommended Cleaners: Mavuiel Copper Cleaner & OXO Steel Dish Brush 

Cooking Tools: Any tool is suitable for the very durable stainless steel interior of a copper pan. This includes wood, silicone, nylon, metal cooking tools. 

Shop Copper Cookware

 

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About the Author:  Chef Austin Merath is Everything Kitchen's Culinary Wizard, Kitchen-Gadget Reviewer, and New-Product Tester. He studied under chefs in College of the Ozarks' Culinary Program. It's his job to make sure you choose the kitchen tools that are right for you by testing the best we have to offer. When not cooking, Austin is tinkering with computers or exploring the Ozarks with his wife Amy. Click here for his full bio.