How to Care for Cookware

How to Care for Cookware

Unfortunately, caring for cookware isn’t as easy as putting it all in the dishwasher and hoping for the best. In many cases, that approach can lead you to frustration and broken cookware. However, there are a few simple rules that you can follow to keep your cookware looking like new for longer.

 Today, we’re going to talk about how you can care for your aluminum, cast iron, copper, enable, nonstick, and stainless steel. Each has unique properties for both cooking and cleaning that should be kept in mind. Let’s begin!

 Aluminum: First up in our alphabetical list of cookware, aluminum. It’s a good idea to wash this type of cookware as soon as you finish using it. Since it dulls easy, try cleaning the surface with a soapy non-scratch scouring pad.

 Cast Iron: If you have cast iron, I hope you know not to let it soak. First, you should never cook with cast iron unless it has been perfectly seasoned. You’ll want to coat it with vegetable oil and heat in the oven at a low temperature for an hour. After each use, you should wash it with a very light amount of soap and use hot water to ensure that it all washes free. Dry well to prevent rusting.

 Copper: Make sure that you wash your copper pans with soap and hot water. If something is stuck, soak it in rather than scrub. Remember, copper is a soft metal. You can use a solution of vinegar and salt to finish it off.

 Enamel: When you get enamel, you might have an aluminum, cast-iron, or pressed steel pan that’s been coated with enamel. All of these can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand. However, if the enamel starts to chip away, washing by hand is advised.

 Nonstick: This will vary by brand. Here at Almond Home, all of our pots and pans are dishwasher safe for ease of cleaning. Make sure never to use something that could scratch the surface, or it might not be non stick anymore.

Stainless Steel: Just like aluminum, you’ll want to wash this by hand as soon as you are finished cooking with it. Make sure not to use anything abrasive so that you don’t scratch the surface. Also, avoid soaking for a long time as you could cause your cookware to pit.

Looking for Something Simpler?

If those rules seem to remember hard, when you have a bit of everything, try making it simpler. These five tips should make sure that you aren’t harming your cookware no matter the type.

how to care for cookware

  1. Never Use Harsh Detergent: When cleaning your cookware, try to use a more natural detergent that isn’t abrasive. The more chemicals or abrasiveness that you use, the higher a chance that it could hurt your cookware.
  2. Always Handwash: Though not required, if you’re looking to be safe, washing all the dishes by hand will ensure that you haven’t made any mistakes.
  3. Use a soft sponge: Use a soft sponge that doesn’t have any hard bristles. This will keep it from getting dented or scratched.
  4. Soak Lightly in Baking Soda: You should try to avoid soaking as much as possible. However, if you do need to soak (cast iron should never be soaked), then you should use a baking soda mixture for a short period.
  5. Use a silicone scraper: If you need to scrape off stubborn bits of food due to a kitchen mishap, then it’s time to use a silicone scraper. These will be able to get the job done while keeping your cookware from getting damaged.