How To Care For Stainless Steel Kitchen Cookware

Stainless steel has a ubiquitous presence in Indian homes. From dinner plates to cookware, it is an essential part of our homes. Stainless steel pots and pans are used extensively for a variety of purposes in the kitchen. While nothing can shake the durability of stainless steel cookware, you can also maintain its perfect sheen and smooth surface with a little care and maintenance. Read on to know more!

Why Use Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, carbon, and other metals like chromium and nickel in smaller quantities. This makes the metal rust and corrosion-proof, non-toxic, and extremely long-lasting. Some of the benefits of cooking with stainless steel pans are: 

1. It is resistant to chipping, denting, cracking, and corrosion.
2. Safe to use at extremely high as well as low temperatures.
3. Considered hygienic as it does not support the growth of bacteria or pathogens. 
4. Preserves the aroma and flavours of food.
5. It retains heat and transfers it evenly for consistent cooking. 

How To Season Steel Cookware

Although stainless steel cookware can be used straight off the shelves, seasoning it can help it acquire a natural non-stick surface. 

• Heat the pan on moderate heat. 
• Add a sufficient amount of oil.
• Keep on the burner till the oil reaches the smoking point and then turn off the flame.
• Discard the oil and wipe clean the pan with a tissue/cloth once it cools. 

This seasoning trick will last till the time you wash with soapy water. 

How To Clean Steel Utensils

A short guide to better cleaning:

1. Always wait for the pan to cool before immersing it in water. You can use warm water to rinse off excess food. Use a non-abrasive scrubber to gently clean the pan. Rinse and dry immediately.
2. If you have burnt food stuck on the cookware, then dust some baking soda on the pan and fill it with water. Put to boil. Once done, pour out the boiling water and clean it with warm, soapy water. This is the easiest way if you are wondering how to remove burnt stains from steel utensils.
3. Overheating may cause the cookware to develop discoloration. To keep the stains away just wash with some vinegar.

Tips On Stainless Steel Cookware Maintenance

1. Avoid adding salt to pasta/potatoes before the water begins to boil as this will leave tiny marks on the bottom of the pan. 
2. Dry your steel cookware immediately after washing if you want to prevent the ugly water spots that tarnish its gleam. 
3. Use wooden spoons when turning food in the pot/pan. This will prevent scratches and keep the cookware shiny. 
4. If you are stacking steel cookware, then it is best to use protectors in between to protect the surface from scratching. 
5. Heating the steel pots for cooking for 1-2 minutes before adding oil is a great way to ensure natural non-stickiness. But do not pre-heat at high temperatures. This will prove counter productive. 

Follow these simple tips to enhance the longevity of your precious stainless steel cookware. Shop at Vaaree for the best range of steel cookware at affordable prices and exceptional quality. 

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

1. How do I clean stainless steel kitchen cookware?

Here are a few tips on cleaning stainless steel kitchen cookware:

• Let the cookware cool down before washing. 
• Once it is cool, take a non-abrasive scrubber and dishwashing liquid to clean the cookware. 
• You can also toss it in the dishware after the pre-rinse. 
• If you have burnt leftovers on the stainless steel kitchen cookware, pour hot water and let it sit till you see the burnt part floating.

2. Should I soak stainless steel cookware before cleaning?

It is not necessary to soak stainless steel cookware before cleaning. However, if burnt leftovers are stuck to the bottom, pour boiling water, and let it sit for some time. Additionally, if you are going to wait to wash your cookware, you can fill it with water for effortless cleaning later. 

3. Can I use the dishwasher to clean stainless steel cookware?

Yes, you can use the dishwasher to clean stainless steel cookware. No wonder it is one of the most fuss-free cookware materials!

4. What should I do if my stainless steel cookware develops rust spots?

High quality stainless steel cookware will never develop rust. So, the first step is to always buy stainless steel kitchen cookware from trusted places like Vaaree. Ensure to buy 100% stainless steel or chromium mix. Do not pick stainless steel cookware that is mixed with any other metal to avoid rusting. 

Now, if your stainless steel cookware develops rust spots, make a paste of baking soda and water, cover the spots, let it sit for a few hours and wipe it clean. If this doesn’t work, spray it with rust removal spray (easily available online) and wash it off.