Cleaning Stainless Steel Cookware
Cleaning stainless steel cookware properly is one of the commitments you need to make after your purchase of the best stainless steel cookware you can afford.
Most people choose stainless steel cookware because it’s hard to scratch and doesn’t react with certain acidic food groups. However, cleaning stainless steel cookware is one of the biggest drawbacks of owning these kitchen utensils. They tend not be nonstick which means food can become baked on. It’s also somewhat easy to damage the pans through incorrect washing or scouring. Follow these "do’s and don’t’s" for keeping your stainless steel pots and pans looking brand new:
What You Should Do to Clean Stainless Steel Cookware
- Try pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar into the bottom of a pan that has milk or other dairy products stuck on it. Soak for a while. Baking soda is great for cleaning stainless steel cookware as it is non-corrosive, and mixes well with vinegar to dissolve burned on lactose products.
- Use gentle acidic products such as club soda or lemon juice to clean away tough grime. The acid will dissolve the dirt without damaging the pan itself. You can then use some balled up aluminum foil to scrape away the grease.
- Use hot water alone to lift off burned oil residue. Simply put some water back in the pan and bring to a boil; simmer until the oil releases and comes to the surface.
- Clean up after yourself as soon as possible. If you know food has become stuck on the bottom of the pan, get a sink full of warm soapy water ready to put the pan in as soon as you’ve finished cooking.
- Purchase a product called Bar Keeper's Friend
 This is a powdered abrasive product that you mix with water and apply to the affected areas. Unlike other abrasive cleaners, it’s not made with chlorine which can severely damage your pans. Beyond cleaning stainless steel cookware, Bar Keeper’s Friend can be used to clean grime from other hard surfaces around the house.
What You Should Not Do When Cleaning Stainless Steel Cookware
- Do not use a metal scourer. Harsh metal is the only material that will damage the surface of stainless steel, so cleaning stainless steel cookware with a metal scourer will permanently damage the pan and alter its cooking properties. If food has become burned or baked on, leave it to soak in warm soapy water for a quarter of an hour then wash as normal.
- Do not put your stainless steel pans through a dishwasher. The detergents used in your dishwasher aren’t harmful to your stainless steel cookware, but the high temperatures used to dry dishes may cause white spots to appear. To combat the spotting, give the pan a quick rinse and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
- Do not use bleach or ammonia-based cleaning products. These are the only products that will stain your stainless steel cookware. They also corrode the metal slightly, making it even less nonstick and means that any food that you cook will flavor the pan for the next time around.
- Do not let your pan boil over. Prevention is better than a cure in this case. You can save yourself a lot of cleaning by watching your pot carefully and stirring the food regularly.
- Don't panic! As long as you keep away from harsh metal and bleach, it’s very hard to scratch or damage your stainless steel cookware. If your first attempt at cleaning doesn’t work, either apply a little more elbow grease, or try another cleaning product.
To keep your stainless steel pans looking shiny and brand new, dampen the surface and sprinkle with baking soda. Scrub it with a non-metallic scouring pad and dry it down with a soft cloth. You will need to wear rubber gloves while you’re doing this. This is quite a satisfying way to finish cleaning stainless steel cookware.
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