A sturdy skillet, saucepan, stockpot, and Dutch oven should last a long time, but knowing how to clean cookware properly can make them last longer. Sure, several other factors determine how long your pots and pans will last—particularly whether they're nonstick, stainless steel, cast iron, or copper—but one of the best ways to maintain your cookware is to use the right cleaning method. Here's how to clean your various pots and pans to make them last.
Considerations Before You Get Started
Read the manufacturer's cleaning instructions before you start. Should you always follow them? No. Sometimes, the manufacturer's instructions state that you can put your cookware in the dishwasher to clean it. While that may technically be true, it won't prolong the life of your pots and pans.
Though cookware is more durable now than ever before (and nonstick has also come a long way in terms of safety), the temperature fluctuations and harsh detergents used in the dishwasher can dull and damage the finish of your cookware over time. In fact, even when hand washing, allow your pans to cool to room temperature before giving them a rinse.
How to Clean Cast Iron With Cooking Oil and Salt
The most effective way to preserve the hard-earned seasoning on your cast iron pan's surface is to limit the amount of time that you expose your skillet to water. Read: Whatever you do, don't soak.
What You Need:
- Warm water
- Course salt
- Cooking oil
Step 1: Rinse Pan ASAP
For the best results, rinse your pan as soon as you're finished cooking once it's had a chance to cool off. (FYI, cast iron is excellent at retaining heat, so this can take some time).
Step 2: Make a Scrubbing Paste
For cooked-on debris that won't budge with warm water, use coarse salt and vegetable oil to make a scrubbing paste, then rinse with hot water and a few drops of mild dishwashing soap if need be. You can also enlist a nonmetal scrubbing brush, like the Lodge scrub brush (amazon.com).
Step 3: Dry Thoroughly and Coat With Oil
To prevent rust from forming, dry the skillet thoroughly and lightly coat the surface with cooking oil. Cover with a paper towel to protect it from dust for storage. If the pan forms a sticky coating or starts to rust over time, give it a scrub with steel wool and re-season it.
How to Clean Nonstick Pots and Pans With Hot, Soapy Water
Nonstick pots and pans are lifesavers when it comes to cooking sticky foods with minimal oil and almost no cleanup—omelets, pancakes, stir-fried veggies, and more slide right off the surface with ease. The slippery surface makes cleaning a breeze, too—a great choice if you're looking for an induction cookware set.
A big mistake we see regarding nonstick pans is the use of cooking spray. Over time, the lecithin in the nonstick spray (PAM is the most popular) will cook onto the surface of your pan, build up, and become nearly impossible to remove. The result? A ruined nonstick skillet.
What You Need:
- Hot, soapy water
- Cooking oil
Step 1: Sponge Down With Soapy Water
With a soft sponge, simply wash with hot, soapy water. Avoid abrasive sponges or cleaning pads. Every time you use them, you're scraping off the nonstick finish bit by bit.
Step 2: Rinse and Add Oil
Rinse the pan in hot water and dry with a dish towel. While nonstick pans don't require oiling, many cooks add this step to keep them from drying out. Lubricate your nonstick pan by adding 1 teaspoon of neutral cooking oil (like vegetable or canola) and wiping it down with a paper towel.
Step 3: Dry and Store
Allow the pan to dry completely before putting it away. If you stack your pots and pans, put a dish towel or paper towel in between to prevent scratching.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Pots and Pans With Bar Keeper's Friend
So beautiful when you first buy it! And when it comes to high-heat browning and super-even heat distribution, nothing beats stainless steel. However, once you've finished searing your steak, you'll probably notice that the surface of your previously glistening frying pan looks about as brown as the meat.
What You Need:
- Hot, soapy water
- Bar Keeper's Friend (amazon.com)
- Scotch-Brite Dobie Cleaning Pad (amazon.com)
Step 1: Wash With Soapy Water
As a general rule, stainless steel is dishwasher safe. But if you want to maintain the stainless steel finish, washing by hand is best. Scrub with the grain using a sponge and hot, soapy water to remove baked-on food, grease, and stains.
Step 2: Scrub With Bar Keeper's Friend
If that doesn't take the stains off (and it likely won't), scrub the surface with Bar Keeper's Friend using a non-scratch scrubbing pad like a Scotch-Brite Dobie Cleaning Pad, and enlist lots of elbow grease.
Step 3: Rinse and Dry
Rinse in hot water and air dry (or dry with a dish towel).
How to Clean Anodized Aluminum Pots and Pans With Cream of Tartar
Anodized aluminum is aluminum that's been treated with an electrolytic process to increase its durability. Unlike most other types of nonstick, some hard-anodized aluminum pans can be used over high heat.
What You Need:
- Cream of Tartar
- Water
Step 1: Boil a Cleaning Solution From Cream of Tartar
If you notice unsightly marks on the pan's surface over time, boil a mixture of 2 tablespoons of Cream of Tartar (a baking powder that's also a powerful cleaning agent) and 1 quart of water and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 2: Apply Solution to the Exterior With Sponge
For the exterior, apply this solution with a sponge. Because cream of tartar has mild bleaching properties, this should be able to tackle the discoloration, even if it has been there for a while.
Step 3: Rinse and Dry
Rinse in hot water and dry completely.
How to Clean Copper Pots and Pans With Soap and Water
Copper is absolutely gorgeous, but it's a beast to maintain because it tarnishes easily.
What You Need:
- Water
- Soap
- Copper pot polish
- Lemon halves
- Salt
Step 1: Wash With Soap and Water
Hand wash with hot water and a mild dish soap after each use.
Step 2: Rinse and Dry
Rinse in hot water and wipe out any remaining soap residue with a clean cloth.
Step 3: Polish Regularly
To keep the exterior shiny, you'll need to polish it regularly. As a general rule, try to do this at least twice a year. Removing tarnish is not hard, but the longer you wait, the more tarnished it will be. If you'd rather use a home mixture than buy a dedicated copper polish, try this DIY method:
- Cut a lemon in half and apply salt to the pulp.
- Scour the copper pan with the salted pulp using the lemon as a sponge. The acids in the lemon should help remove the tarnish, while the salt is mildly abrasive for scrubbing off the stubborn spots.
- Toss out the lemon, rinse the pan with warm water, and dry it with a clean cloth.
How to Clean Ceramic Pots and Pans With Soap, Water, and Baking Soda
Ceramic pots and pans are super versatile and come in a broad array of colors, so you can match them to your kitchen. Fortunately, cleaning them isn't difficult.
What You Need
- Warm water
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide
Step 1: Wash
Once the pan or pot has cooled, gently hand wash it with warm (not hot) water and mild dish soap.
Step 2: Rinse and Dry
Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Dry with a cloth or set on a rack to air dry.
Step 3: Scrub With Baking Soda
If your pan has food that won't come off with a regular washing, use baking soda as a gentle abrasive to remove the stubborn food. First, soak the pan for 30 minutes in warm, soapy water. Then sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on a damp sponge and gently scrub to remove stuck-on food.
Step 4: Add Vinegar
If you're still having trouble, add a small amount of white vinegar (enough to form a paste with the baking soda).The bubbling caused by the baking soda and vinegarshould help to loosen the stuck bits.
Step 5: Remove Stains
Ceramic pans tend to stain over time; it's simply a product of using them. To remove discoloration, pour a couple tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide into a clean pan and let it set for at least 30 minutes (if stains are quite set in, let the solution sit overnight). Rinse and dry.
Do not use hydrogen peroxide and vinegar together, as it can create an acid that gives off vapors that are damaging to the lungs. Stain removal should only be done on pans that are washed and dried. Also, never use steel wool or any stiff, abrasive brushes on ceramic cookware. It can scratch the finish and ruin the pan.
How to Clean Burnt Cookware
No matter how careful you are, sometimes cookware gets burned. Here are some DIY ways to remove burns.
With Lemon
- Fill your pot or pan with water and add 1-2 sliced lemons
- Boil the water and allow to boil for 5 to 10 minutes
- Remove from heat, discard lemon water and gently scrub with soap and water
With Vinegar and Baking Soda
- Fill pot or pan halfway with a solution of one part water, one part vinegar
- Bring the solution to a boil and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- Remove the pan from heat and let it sit for 15 minutes
- Discard the solution and gently scrub with soap and water
- Repeat as necessary
With Baking Soda
- Fill large pot (large enough that you can fit the burnt cookware in it) with water and add 1/2 cup of baking soda
- Fully submerge burnt cookware in pot
- Bring water to a boil and allow to boil for 15 minutes
- Remove burnt cookware and scrub gently with soap and water
