How to clean stainless steel cookware?
Posted by taraja on Dec 21, 2007 · Member since Nov 2006 · 60 posts
I asked for and got a new set of stainless steel cookware for the holiday ;D. Now I just need to know the best way to keep them clean. They are nice, thick, with copper bottoms. Can I just scrub the hell out of them to make them super shiny again once they're lived in a little? Anything to avoid? And how to get really stuck on things off?
So excited about my new stuff, now I can get rid of the old non-stick pans and just use my new stainless and my beloved cast iron!
So excited about my new stuff, now I can get rid of the old non-stick pans and just use my new stainless and my beloved cast iron!
I was looking for stainless steel with a thick base, but I wanted something non-stick. I ended up choosing cast iron 'cause it gets more nonstick over time. I'm getting gifted my grandma's 50 years-of-use cast iron pans. I'm sooo excited. http://bestsmileys.com/excited/3.gif
About cleaning. I have some stainless steel. I try to be more gentle with the outside so it looks purdy, but I scrub away on the inside and scour the base. Someone once posted here that you're not supposed to wash the inside much and let it go the way of cast iron so it gets naturally more non-stick, but I don't recall how much to let it go. I've never done it.
For stainless steel, baking soda works wonders!! You can make a thin paste with the soda and some warm water, spread it over the area to be cleaned, let it sit for a few minutes and scrub away. I used to work in a coffee shop and this is how we would get the stainless mugs and coffee mugs sparkly again. Cheap, easy, and best of all no chemicals going down the drain!
I've always heard baking soda + lemon = love for stainless steel.
All but one suggestion is green:
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/stainlesssteel
I've used stainless steel all my life - it holds up very well to all sorts of abuse. The only problem we have is hard water, which leaves a film inside the pot - then i just put a thin layer of vinegar inside, and leave it for 20 minutes or so -then the water stains are easy to gently scrub away.
For the copper bottoms, if they get un-pretty in time (tarnish or scorch marks) they can be restored to their natural, new beauty by scrubbing vigorously with a mixture of table salt and vinegar.
I like using Bon Ami powder. It's gritty and makes stainless steel nice and shiny. It's also good for cleaning other stuff.
If your stainless steel pan get sticky, add water to cook a while. It will all come out. I use Bar keeper's friend to clean my cookware which is non toxic. I only use wood utensil to cook because when metal heat up it soften. If use mental utensil, it will scratch your cookware.