How many of you have in the last several years upgraded your cookware from non-stick to stainless steel, cast iron or ceramic?

It seems like so long ago when non-stick was the number one choice for home-cooks – for no reason other than the fact that the dreaded cleaning up was made so much easier. I mean, how often do you think twice before cooking a certain dish, just because you can’t bear the thought of wasting several minutes scraping burnt bits of food off your pans?

Though easy to clean and affordable, the downside is that they do need to be replaced every few years due to wear and tear caused by frequent use. Hence why, many people have recently upgraded their cookware to better, safer options. Yes, also more expensive, but on the upside, they can last forever, and with the right care, you’ll most likely never need to replace them.

The one downside however, is that they can be difficult to clean – or are they? Could it just be that you’re not doing it right?

Here, yufeed will share with you several tried and tested tips on how to keep your expensive cookware in top notch condition. It may seem like a lot of work at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’ll just be something else you do, much like any other daily task or chore. So, let get started:

How to Look After your Expensive Cookware

1. Wait for them to cool: I know we’re usually anxious to get the cleaning up out of the way, but this step is actually important. Once you’ve taken everything off the heat, wait until your pans have cooled before you begin washing up.
2. Wash by hand: Though dishwasher friendly, we recommend washing your cookware by hand. This allows you to ensure that all bits of food are thoroughly removed and also saves you a ton of space in your dishwasher to pile in other things.
3. Use hot water and a gentle scrub: Apply dish washing soap and avoid using any harsh scrubs unless absolutely necessary. In the case of stainless steel pans, please read our blog post on How to Cook Eggs in a Stainless-Steel Pan in 3 Easy Steps – this shows you how to make your pan non-stick, thus making the cleaning process so much easier.
4. Easy fixes are right at your fingertips; In the event of stubborn burnt foods that won’t come off, simply sprinkle some baking soda to the base of your pan and add enough water to cover the base or areas that need extra attention. Place back on the stove and bring the water to a simmer, then leave to bubble for 10 minutes. Take off the heat, allow to cool slightly, use your gentle scrub and see all those stubborn burnt bits wash away.
5. Dry immediately; Use a clean dish towel to dry your cookware and store away. Don’t leave them on a rack to dry naturally, as this can cause water stains to stick around, which isn’t harmful, but aesthetically not ideal.
6. Stains and scratches are okay; With frequent use, cloudiness, scratches and food stains may occur, but that’s okay. These are absolutely fine and not at all harmful or toxic. These stains do not mean your pans are still dirty, so just relax and store them away.
7. Season your pans; in the event that you want to go that extra mile with your cast iron skillet. Once clean and dry, add a tiny amount of neutral oil to the pan and wipe with a paper towel all over the inside. Place them in the oven face down, on the lowest setting for 45 minutes. Take out of the oven, leave on a rack to cool completely before storing away. Believe it or not, this extra step will keep your pans looking brand new for a long time.

There you have it. Our tips and tricks on how to keep your expensive cookware in top condition for years to come! Anything we missed that you care to share?