Stainless Steel Use Tips

Stainless steel cookware is a culinary standard. It’s incredibly durable, conducts heat quickly and evenly, is non-reactive, low maintenance and attractive.  Whether you are using non-stick stainless, raw stainless steel or stainless steel clad, there are a few tips that can help you get the most out of your wares. So we’ve put together a few tips to help you get the most out of your stainless cookware and ensure your culinary success.

Easy does it.

Heat up and cool down your wares gradually. Flash heating or cooling any cookware can cause corrosion and warping over time. Non-stick finished pieces are especially susceptible to this pitfall. Running a hot pan under cold water for instance, shocks the finish and is a sure fire way to ruin that coveted non-stick surface.

A little patience pays off.

When you gradually heat metal, it allows the pores in the material to close, meaning a greater resistance to sticking and fewer hot spots. You’ll get the most consistent heat by preheating your pan at the temperature you intend to cook with.

Do not air dry!

Water makes carbon steel is susceptible to oxidation and therefore rusting. Hand dry each piece after use.

When to salt.

Salt water after it’s begun boiling. Pre-salting water can cause pitting corrosion and leave pockmarks in your beloved wares.

Heat first.

Add oil after your pan is hot. This allows for the greatest non-stick.

Temp your ingredients.

Cold food is more likely to stick. It’s also more likely to cook unevenly. Let your ingredients sit out a bit at room temperature and blot away any excess water before cooking.

A little cushion is always best.

If you stack your cookware, placing a spacer between your pieces is the best way to avoid wear and tear and scratching. This is especially true for non-stick surfaces.

Wash by hand.

Handwashing is always best. Although our stainless steel is perfectly suitable to wash in the dishwasher, handwashing is always preferred. It will preserve the life of your pieces for a lifetime to come.

Skip the bleach.

Avoid bleach and abrasive cleaners and sponges. These can cause scratching and degradation over time and can cause irreparable damage to your cookware.

For more in depth cleaning tips, check out our detailed stainless steel cleaning guide here. 

Now get out there and cook!