By now you’ve read my previous blog post about choosing the proper cookware for your kitchen and are no doubt armed with your new primary set of stainless steel cookware, a non-stick pan, and a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, right? The question we’re addressing today is how do you clean each of these effectively? All three varieties have varying characteristics and therefore cannot be cleaned the same way. We’ll go through each type of cookware and how to clean each one.
It’s a good idea to have some hot water, a paper towel, and a towel readily available. For the most part that covers the primary cleaning of all of these, but every so often you neglect the cookware or burn something and have it stick (eek!) and something more drastic is required. Don’t worry, this is fixable. Well, the pan part of that equation is fixable anyhow. You might want to consider starting over on that burnt food, however!
It’s a good idea to have some hot water, a paper towel, and a towel readily available. For the most part that covers the primary cleaning of all of these, but every so often you neglect the cookware or burn something and have it stick (eek!) and something more drastic is required. Don’t worry, this is fixable. Well, the pan part of that equation is fixable anyhow. You might want to consider starting over on that burnt food, however!
Cleaning Non-Stick Cookware
This is by far the easiest cookware to clean. NEVER spray non-stick spray on this surface as it will leave sticky residue. It’s already got a non-stick coating, so adding non-stick spray to it is not helpful. As the name indicates, there isn’t really much that sticks to it, so clean-up requires minimal effort. While the pan is still hot, run it under warm water, add a touch of soap, and wipe it out with the soft side of a sponge to avoid scratching the surface while removing whatever residue may remain. In rare instances when something will not come off of this surface, mix a quarter cup of distilled white vinegar with a half cup of water and repeat with the soft side of your sponge. DO NOT put this in the dishwasher.
Remember that non-stick surfaces can easily be scratched and these pans do not last indefinitely, so being gentle with them is a necessity for longevity. And by longevity I’m talking about 4-5 years of use if you get a high quality one and are lucky. Silicone, plastic, or wood utensils are best for these.
Cleaning Stainless Steel Cookware
This is a non-porous surface that can be cleaned between uses with soap, water, and the rough side of a sponge. There shouldn’t be much residual grime on the cookware if you do this after every use. Occasionally you will get some discoloration on the bottom of the pan (burnt-on food and normal discoloration). The tougher solution for this is Bar Keeper’s Friend, which will remove the brown discoloration on the pan. Wash by hand if possible, even though most stainless steel cookware is dishwasher safe. Watch the video for the full breakdown of how to clean a piece of stainless steel cookware:
This is by far the easiest cookware to clean. NEVER spray non-stick spray on this surface as it will leave sticky residue. It’s already got a non-stick coating, so adding non-stick spray to it is not helpful. As the name indicates, there isn’t really much that sticks to it, so clean-up requires minimal effort. While the pan is still hot, run it under warm water, add a touch of soap, and wipe it out with the soft side of a sponge to avoid scratching the surface while removing whatever residue may remain. In rare instances when something will not come off of this surface, mix a quarter cup of distilled white vinegar with a half cup of water and repeat with the soft side of your sponge. DO NOT put this in the dishwasher.
Remember that non-stick surfaces can easily be scratched and these pans do not last indefinitely, so being gentle with them is a necessity for longevity. And by longevity I’m talking about 4-5 years of use if you get a high quality one and are lucky. Silicone, plastic, or wood utensils are best for these.
Cleaning Stainless Steel Cookware
This is a non-porous surface that can be cleaned between uses with soap, water, and the rough side of a sponge. There shouldn’t be much residual grime on the cookware if you do this after every use. Occasionally you will get some discoloration on the bottom of the pan (burnt-on food and normal discoloration). The tougher solution for this is Bar Keeper’s Friend, which will remove the brown discoloration on the pan. Wash by hand if possible, even though most stainless steel cookware is dishwasher safe. Watch the video for the full breakdown of how to clean a piece of stainless steel cookware:
Cleaning Cast Iron Cookware
This is a porous surface, so try to avoid using soap when you clean it. DO NOT put this in the dishwasher. As soon as you’re done cooking with it, wipe out as much residue as you can with a paper towel that has been dipped in warm water. Put the cast iron back on the burner for another couple minutes to make sure all the water has been evaporated as any residual water will cause rust on the pan. If you’ve still got a bit of residue, try adding some salt to the bottom of the cast iron pan with a touch of water and see if the grittiness helps to remove that layer of dirt. If all else fails you can use a sponge, but use the soft side if you can. At this point you’ve either neglected the pan, it’s old, or both. Once you’ve wiped out the cast iron pan completely, “season” it with a layer of oil to create a barrier between the porous surface and everything else. If you’re still not sure about this procedure, check out this video:
As you can see, cookware isn’t difficult to clean if you keep up with it regularly between uses. If you happen to encounter the occasional burnt-on mess or natural discoloration occurs there are ways to save the cookware without tossing it, so no need to fear. Enjoy your cookware and keep it clean. Now you know how!
Note: I will receive a small percentage of the sale of anything through the following link – Bar Keeper’s Friend for cleaning up stainless steel cookware (as seen in the video).
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