Stainless steel cookware is mostly a favorite in most kitchens as a result of its sturdiness, non-reactive nature and glossy look. Nevertheless, over time, food leftovers, grease, and watermarks may form making your pots and pans look flat. It is possible to clean stainless steel cookware in the most appropriate way and make it shine again. In this guide, we will discuss the best methods and tips used to wash your stainless steel cookware, without loss of functionality or service.
Importance of Proper Cleaning for Stainless Steel Cookware
Stainless steel is said to be resistant to rust, stains, and corrosion. Nevertheless, it is also still in need of appropriate care to ensure that it does not lose the way it looks or works. The wrong cleaning technique or the use of rough chemicals will spoil the surface resulting in scratches or discolouration. It is important to take the correct measures towards the washing of your cookware, therefore, in case you want to preserve the quality and beauty of your kitchenware.
How to Start Cleaning Your Stainless Steel Cookware
It is essential to know the overall cleaning of stainless steel cookware before getting into the nitty-gritty of cleaning the cookware. In washing cookware, it is always important to ensure that it cools down after use. Hot cookware may be warped or discoloured when cleaning. Once it cools down, it is time to get off the food debris. You can start by running the cookware under warm water in order to loosen any food particles. In the case of harder dirt, a gentle dishwasher soap and a soft sponge/cloth is best. Rough scouring pad does not scrub is likely to scratch finish and invalidate finish.
Cleaning Food Residue and Stubborn Grease from Cookware
In case you see that grease or food remains on your cookware and cannot come off, that is not something to panic about. Stainless steel cookware is known to have one of the worst problems in the form of stubborn stains and water spots. In case your cookware has accumulated hard to remove marks or discoloring, there is a possibility that you may have to use a more efficient method of cleaning. Paste Cleaning paste consisting of baking soda mixed with water is a mild but effective cleaner of stain and tarnish. On the affected part, apply the paste and leave it to dry after a few minutes then scrub using a soft cloth. This can be used to remove the stains without breaking the cookware.
In the case of water spots, one may use a mixture of vinegar and water in equal parts. Put this mixture in the cookware and then wipe it with a soft cloth. Vinegar contains an acid that will dissolve mineral deposits created by water to leave your cooking equipment sparkling clean.
How Do You Clean Cast Iron Cookware vs. Stainless Steel?
Although the cast iron cookware needs different cleaning strategy, most persons will always question whether the same strategy can be used on stainless steel. Cast iron, as opposed to stainless steel, has to be seasoned to stay non-stick. It must also be washed carefully so as not to strip it off its protective layer of seasons.
When washing cast-iron cookware, soap should be avoided since it is likely to remove the seasoning. Rather, wipe it with a brush or scraper and then run under warm water to remove the food debris. In case it is absolutely necessary, some little salt may be applied to cleanse off any difficult patches. It is important to keep your cast-iron cookware dry at all times to help prevent rusting.
Compared to cast iron, stainless steel cookware will not be affected by soaps and water since it can be washed easily without compromising its effectiveness. It should be mentioned though that too much use of rough materials or rough chemicals may leave the surface scratched or discolored.
How to Clean Cookware with Burnt-on Residue and Stains
A stainless steel cookware can be considered one of the hardest elements to clean in terms of food residue that has been burnt. It may be a burnt sauce or half-cooked oil but at times it may appear that it is impossible to remove such a stubborn stain. The solution to this is easy luckily.
Beginning with filling the cooking equipment with hot water and a slight portion of dishwasher soap. Soak it in 15-20 minutes to soften the food residue. In particularly hard-to-reach areas, a combination of the same amount of vinegar and water can be used and heated in the cooking utensil. Simmer a few more minutes to aid in releasing the burnt particles. Following that scrub lightly with a non-abrasive sponge to remove the residues without destroying the surface.
Dealing with Hard Water Spots on Stainless Steel Cookware
Unattractive minerals can be deposited on stainless steel cooks by hard water. To avoid corrosion, you should wash your cooking utensils frequently in case you live in a hard-water area. In the case of water spots, one can wipe down the cookware using a mixture of water and vinegar. Vinegar is acidic and is useful in dissolving the mineral deposits that are left behind by the hard water, leaving a clean streak-free surface.
The second tactic that works is to clean the surface with a special stainless steel cleaner to eliminate the water spots. These cleaners also polish the surface of the cookware and protect it, thus it is a very useful device in doing routine cleaning.
How to Prevent Future Stains and Spots on Stainless Steel Cookware
Once cleaned, one should take some preventive actions to prevent future stains and spots. In order to avoid water spots, it is recommended that you dry your stainless steel cookware as soon as you wash it. This is especially necessary in localities where the water is hard since the minerals may leave undesirable marks.
Also, it is possible to use a stainless steel cleaner or polish now and then to keep the cookware in its shiny form and to ensure that no fingerprints are created. All you have to do is put a little of cleaner in a soft cloth and buff the surface of the cookware. The step is especially beneficial in terms of restoring the lost sheen of stainless steel cookware and making it look sleek and shiny.
Choosing Cookware That Is Easy to Clean
The ease of cleaning is one of the issues that is of great concern to a home cook when it comes to cooking equipment, especially the cookware. In case you need convenient cookware that does not require much time to maintain, stainless steel is among the best options. Not every stainless steel cookware is not made equal though. To make the cleaning process even simpler, it is possible to use cookware that has a polished or brushed finish since such surfaces will be less prone to staining and will be easier to wipe down.
Also, it is possible to use stainless steel cookware with a non-sticky coating or a sturdier base, which makes the cleaning even more convenient. Not only are these options easier to clean, but they are also more durable enough to cook with confidence and still have your kitchenware in excellent condition over a several-year time.
The Benefits of Regular Cleaning for Stainless Steel Cookware
It is not just that regular cleaning of your stainless steel cookware will help to keep it in good condition, but it will also last longer. Removing food residue and stains can be done in time, therefore avoiding their accumulation and resulting in permanent damage to the cookware. Care is also taken on regular basis, this means that your cookware works efficiently and you will have even-cooking or even no remaining unwanted flavor that was used in/on the previous meal.
Besides ensuring that the appliances you use in cooking are in great shape, it is also important to clean up after yourself to keep your kitchen on the right hygiene. The use of clean cookware means no cross-contamination of food which is crucial in terms of safety and health.
Brands of Cleaning Products to Use on Your Cookware
It is important to clean your stainless steel cookware with the correct cleaning products. Rough chemicals could destroy the finish, and rough substances could cut the finish. Find soft non-detergent cleaners, specifically those that are stainless steel. Such cleaners will make your cookware shiny and clean up without leaving any marks on its surface.
We recognize the significance of quality cookware that is easy to maintain at BIK Concepts. Our stainless steel cookware has been created to help in its durability, efficiency and ease of use making you always have a good cooking experience. You can count on our products to hold up to the test of time, be it food residue, burnt spots or the daily accumulation, as our products will be as useful as they are good-looking.
