How to Clean
Knowing the right way to clean stainless steel pots is just as important as choosing the right stainless steel pot to buy.
If you know the best way to take care of your cookware, you will be able to prolong its life and keep it as beautiful and clean as new.
Investing in the right stainless steel pot is an effort wasted if you don’t properly care for these utensils.
So, take note of the following cleaning tips that I am about to discuss in this article.
Aside from that, I will discuss the best way to clean a stainless steel pot for the first time. Let’s get into it.
Cleaning Stainless Steel Pots Before First Use
Before using a newly purchased stainless steel pot, use hot soapy water to wash it and then rinse. Make sure the pot doesn’t smell like soap before drying it with a towel.
To keep stainless steel looking new, soak it with hot soapy water after use. Afterward, wash and rinse it by hand to ensure that the smell of the soap and any residue are removed.
You don’t have to worry about using a dishwasher to clean dishwasher-friendly stainless steel pots.
You can still wash them using the dishwasher but drying a stainless steel pot by hand ensures a spotless shine.
Unlike with other materials, utilizing stainless steel pots daily won’t affect your cooking performance.
Just avoid scouring pads, steel wool, bleach, oven cleaners, and other strong abrasive cleaners when cleaning stainless steel pots.
These will not only destroy the material but also produce unwanted results when cooking.
Natural Way of Cleaning Stainless Steel Pots
I’ve been using traditional elbow grease for the last 10 years to wash our stainless steel pots.
Normally, I let the pots soak overnight and then wash them with hot, soapy water in the morning.
I never wash the pots in the dishwasher, as the heat and pressure inside the dishwasher may hurt the finish of the stainless steel.
If you want to follow the “green” way of cleaning your stainless steel pots, here is a list of tips that you may want to check out:
Use the Power of Vinegar and Baking Soda
Use vinegar to coat the bottom of the pot. Afterward, sprinkle with a little baking soda and then let the solution sit for about 2-3 minutes.
This way, the two efficient cleaning solutions will do their job, softening any food residue that is left in the pot. After a while, rinse the solution and wash completely.
Heat the Pot and Use Hot Water
After use, heat the pot and pour in hot water. Once the water is heated, use a wooden cooking spoon to scrape the pot’s bottom. This helps to release and remove excess food residue.
Dump the water out of the pot after you have loosened most of the residue and then wash it in warm, soapy water.
Remember to not place hot stainless steel in a sink that has cold water. Doing so may deform the pot.
Mix Vinegar and Water
Aside from using vinegar and baking soda solution, you can remove stubborn stains in stainless steel by filling the pot with a 1:3 vinegar and water mixture.
Afterward, heat the mixture to boil and then let it cool.
When done, wash the pot thoroughly with hot, soapy water and then rinse. Use a clean dish towel to dry the pot for a sparkly clean result.
Use Baking Soda and Water Paste
If you can’t stand touch stains on your stainless steel pots, use a baking soda and water paste mixture.
To make this solution, mix equal parts of water and baking soda, then stir.
Now get your pot, apply some of the paste onto the burned or stained spot, and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes.
Next, scrub the paste using a soft material like a clean cloth or sponge before washing the pot. Use warm, soapy water to rinse.
For added cleaning effect, pour a cup of vinegar, baking soda, and a half cup of water inside the pot.
Allow the mixture to simmer for about 20 minutes before pouring it out. Make sure the pot cools down before scrubbing the pot again to clean.
Wash the pot completely, then dry.
Dos and Don’ts When Cleaning Stainless Steel Pots
Stainless steel cooking utensils require tougher cleaners and more effort than other cooking utensils.
The good news is that they can withstand all of those things. For this reason, you should use non-abrasive cleaners.
This helps to avoid stains and keeps the pot as clean as new. It is also ideal to follow the directions on the cleaning products from the supplier.
Do not use abrasive cleaners or metal scouring pads even if these tools provide outstanding results when it comes to removing food residue.
All cookware manufacturers of stainless steel say that abrasives will scrape the cookware’s surface.
Alternatively, use scouring pads of poly-net or brushes of plastic or silicone.
Ways to Keep the Shine of Your Stainless Steel Pot
If your pot has lost its shine, don’t throw it away. Wet the surface of the cookware and apply some baking soda. Then rub smoothly using a synthetic scouring pad.
When done, rinse the pot. Make sure to remove all the solution. Then use a clean dish towel to dry the pot.
You can use glass cleaner on the outer surface of the pot. However, be careful to not put any of these cleaning solutions on the inside.
Also, try to remove minor scratches on your pot using a paste made of water and a non-abrasive cleaner.
This will eliminate the scratches and bring back the beauty of your stainless steel pot.
Conclusion
Knowing the proper way to clean your stainless steel pot will allow you to save money. It is a good investment because proper pot cleaning helps cookware last longer.
