Nonstick Cookware Care is essential for the long life of your cookware however mistakes happen and there are times when we need to use different techniques than the one’s we should normally practice. We’ve seen numerous pieces of non-stick cookware over the years that we thought could never come clean but with some patience combined with trial and error we’ve learned some tricks that just might help you with your cookware. Trying to remove burnt, stuck on food from a nonstick pan doesn’t always turn out the way you might hope but in this tough economic time it is definitely worth a shot to try and save a piece of cookware before buying something new.

When dealing with burnt food on a nonstick surface it is important to keep in mind that hopefully underneath this burnt stuck on mess is a non-stick coating still in tact. This hope means that we need to make sure our cleaning methods are still appropriate for a nonstick surface because it won’t do us any good to remove the burnt food if we ruin the surface of the cookware.

Baking Soda Method
1.  Using a nylon or wooden spatula gently try to scrape off any loose pieces of the burnt food.
2.  Rub some baking soda into the burnt food using a nonstick safe scrubbing brush and then fill the pan just above the burnt mess with very warm water and let it soak for an hour.
3.  After soaking for an hour you should see some yellowish brown discoloration. Dump out the water and try to gently scrape off any loosened pieces with a nylon or wooden spatula.
4.  Repeat this 3 to four times. If at this point it seems to be working continue with this method, if not try the next method.

White Vinegar Method (This method can also be tried using lemon juice)
1.  Mix 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water. Using enough of this mixture to cover the burnt food by about 50%.
2.  Boil this mixture for 2-3 minutes and then dump out the contents
3.  Attempt to gently scrape off any loosened pieces with a nylon or wooden spatula
4.  Repeat this 3 to four times. If at this point it seems to be working continue with this method, if not try the next method.

If these methods don’t work then you can try the commercial cleaner route. There are some good safe commercial cleaners on the market, just be sure they are meant for nonstick cookware. When using these cleaners just follow the instructions given by the manufacturer.

Remember to avoid using any harsher cleaning methods because these methods can cause the nonstick coating on some cookware to peel. The whole idea of trying to save your piece of cookware is so you can use it and if it starts peeling we definitely don’t recommend using it.

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Glass cookware should be handled carefully since the transparency of glass makes it easier to see stains and scratches on the inside and outside of the pots and pans. Proper cleaning should be maintained to make sure that your glass cookware remains stain-free and scratch-free. You should know the right cleaning product to use, which will depend on the cleaning problem that you have. If taken care of properly, your glass cookware can last for a very long time.

Cleaning problem: Coffee and tea stains

Solution: Don’t even think of using abrasive materials to scrub the stain off the glass. Set aside that steel cloth; you should not use it. Using rough material for cleansing will bring damage to the glass, which can cause breakage later on when the glass is exposed to very high temperatures.

For very stubborn stains, you can use dishwashing detergent or bleach for cleaning. Try using the dishwashing detergent first. Start with two tablespoons of the solution and let it stay inside the pot for 30 minutes. If this does not work, mix bleach with water and let it stay until you can easily scrub the stain off.

Cleaning problem: Burn stains

For nasty burns on glass, try to remove them first by soaking the piece in hot/warm sudsy water. If the stain remains intact, pour liquid soap in the pot, fill with water then bring to a boil. Keep the boiling on for four to six minutes and check if the stain is coming off.

If the stain still won’t come off, substitute baking soda for liquid soap, add water and bring to a boil. The most stubborn stains should be removed by using this method. Just make sure to remove all traces of baking soda residue after boiling the water.

If your glass cookware has burned grease, remove the offending stain with ammonia. For tougher stains, mix water and baking soda then bring to a boil, which should soften the stain. Apply ammonia after thoroughly rinsing the pot. If there are stain marks left on the glass, scour it gently using nylon scrubber, which is gentle enough and will not damage the glass.

Cleaning problem: Mineral deposits

For removing mineral deposits from your glass cookware, only full strength vinegar is good enough as cleaning agent. Boil the vinegar for eight to ten minutes for total cleanup. Put the vinegar to good use after cleaning cookware by pouring the liquid down the bathroom sink and kitchen sink. This will clear up your drains.

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1. Find out the correct way to use the piece by looking for the manufacturer’s mark. This is probably a must since chances are, you don’t have the original box and instructions that went along with it. Call the manufacturer and ask for specific instructions in using and taking care of the product that you have.
2. In case you can’t locate the manufacturer’s mark, you should at least find out what the piece is made of. Knowing the type of material used in creating that pot or pan you have is essential in the proper care and maintenance of vintage cookware. There are some vintage cookware pieces that you can’t use in the microwave since they were created during the time when there is still no microwave. Make sure your cookware is oven-safe.
3. The dishwasher is the not the place for your vintage cookware. Heat and water pressure can destroy the pieces. You should not use bleach and abrasive materials for cleaning the pieces. Wash them by hand and dry using a soft towel. Decorated enamelware should be washed in sudsy water.
4. Do not subject vintage cookware to extreme temperature changes. This means you should not put your vintage pan inside the refrigerator soon after you remove it from the oven. You should let the pan to cool down first before placing it inside the refrigerator. The freezer is entirely out of the question. Extreme temperature changes can cause your vintage cookware to break or crack.
5. To remove rust, dissolve 1 tablespoon oxalic acid crystals in ½ cup warm water and apply to stains. Rinse after a few minutes.

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When cooking with nonstick cookware it is important to use the proper cooking utensils. Using non-recommended utensils can cause scratching and chipping of the nonstick coating. Most nonstick coatings require wood or nylon utensils. Some may allow for use of metal utensils but this is not common with this type of cookware. Make sure to check your owners manual before using metal cooking utensils.

Proper cleaning and maintenance of your nonstick cookware can prevent peeling and residue buildup. Remember to never wash your nonstick cookware in the dishwasher, the dishwasher detergent can cause the coating to peel. When cleaning, it is best to wash this type of cookware by hand, using warm water, regular dish soap and a scrubbing/cleaning pad that is rated as being safe for nonstick surfaces. A few good non-stick scrubbing/cleaning pads are Black & Decker Teflon Safe Scrub Pad, Quickie MFG Non-Stick Cleaning Brush and RSVP Nonstick Scrubber. After cleaning make sure to rinse well. You can let the cookware air dry or you can dry by hand with a soft towel.

When cooking do not use cooking spray, it can cause a residue to buildup on the nonstick surface. If you preheat the cookware on a medium heat and let food sit out for 10-15 minutes before cooking, it will increase the effectiveness of the nonstick coating. Try using extra virgin olive oil in place of cooking spray if you must use something while cooking. If you do notice a residue buildup on your cookware there are both home made and commercial cleaners that can help to remove the residue. A popular commercial cleaner for your nonstick cookware is Siege Non-Stick Cookware Cleaner. A simple way to make a home made cleaner is to take equal parts baking soda and water and mix them into a paste. Using a nonstick safe scrubbing/cleaning pad rub the paste on the cookware surface in a small circular motion. You can be assured that your efforts are working when you notice that the paste is discoloring. Often, the paste will turn to a brownish or yellowish color due to the residue that is being removed. When you are done scrubbing the cookware rinse it thoroughly with warm water and let it dry. Cleaning your nonstick cookware with this method every 4-5 uses is great preventative maintenance.

Remember with proper care and maintenance your nonstick cookware will last longer and provide better performance. Follow these basic tips and you will be on the right track to using your nonstick cookware for years to come.

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Properly seasoning your cast iron cookware is very important. This process helps to protect the cast iron from rust and also helps to create a non stick surface. After you season your cast iron cookware it is important to take proper care the cookware to prolong the effect of the seasoning. Most likely you will have to re-season your cast iron cookware at some point, usually if food starts to stick or you see dull areas appearing on the cookware. You can re-season following these same instructions.

1. Before you season your cookware it is okay to use hot, soapy water to wash it. After washing be sure to rinse thoroughly and hand dry completely.

2. Apply a thin coating of vegetable oil, cooking oil, grease or lard to the cookware. You want to apply the coating to the inside and outside of the cookware.

3. Place Aluminum foil on the bottom rack of your oven to catch any drips.

4. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

5. Place Cookware on top rack of oven for 1 hour.

6. Flip the cookware over and leave on the top rack for 1 more hour.

After this remove your cookware and let it cool. Your cookware is now seasoned, remember to store your cast iron in a cool dry place.

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