Stainless Steel Cookware
By Lawrence
Reaves
You should be able to deal with most of the
stains and discolorations that you get on your steel cookware if
you clean them after every use. However, if you ever have some
serious gunk on your pans, there are a few ways that you can get
them cleaned up.
First, the best way to keep your stainless steel cookware clean
is to clean them in soapy, hot water and dry them before putting
them away. Many people do not think that putting a steel pan in
the dishwasher is a good idea. Some believe that the detergents
in the dishwasher can cause damage to the finish. If you decide
to use your dishwasher, you should take your cookware out after
the wash cycle is completed and hand dry it so you do not get
any water spots on the pans. It’s not good to spend a lot of
time getting your pots cleaned if they end up all spotted.
Second, if your water has a lot of calcium, you are going to see
a good deal of that nasty white gunk on your cookware. To get
rid of it, an inexpensive and effective option is to fill the
pan with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts of water. Boil, and wait
until it is cool, then wash it by hand with hot and soapy water,
and then dry it with a hand towel. This will get rid of most of
the worst calcium deposits.
If you have food that is burned onto your steel pot or pan, you
can fill it with warm, soapy water and let it sit in the sink
for about 60 minutes. Then, you can put the pan on the burner
and boil the water for about 10 minutes. After the water is cool
enough to touch it, you can scrub it with a scouring pad (nylon
preferred0. Wash it out with hot, soapy water, rinse it and then
dry by hand. If you need to, you can repeat this process for
food that is really stuck.
Next, you should always use cleaners that are not abrasive such
as Bon Ami or Bar Keepers Friend to regular cleaning of your
cookware. These products will not damage the finish, but they
are tough enough to keep the surfaces clean and sparkling.
Remember that you should not use any abrasive cleaners or metal
scouring pads. They will get the stuck food out of your pot, but
they also will ruin the finish over time. Always try to use
scouring pads that are made from nylon net or pure nylon.
Plastic also works well.
Last, if your steel pots and pans really are on their last legs,
you may really need to do something to get that shine back. We
like to use baking soda. What you can do is to wet the surface
of the steel pot or pan and then sprinkle on the baking soda.
With a scouring pad made from nylon or plastic, you should rub
it firmly for a few minutes. After that you rinse it with warm
water and dry by hand. This should help to make the finish look
a good deal better. If you have any minor scratches, you can
often buff them out with water and a non abrasive cleaner.
If you use the right amount of cleaning and care, we find that
your stainless steel cookware can last for many years. And, if
you do a little bit of extra care of them every once in a while,
you can keep them looking just about as good as
new.
About the Author: Lawrence Reaves writes for
Hamilton Beach -http://www.hamiltonbeach.com- a kitchen
appliance company that offers a variety of products including
slow cookers and toaster ovens. For more information on these
products or others visit
http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/products/kitchen-appliances-slow-cooker
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