You should be able to deal with most of the stains and discolorations that you get on your steel cookware if you clean them after every use. However, if you ever have some serious gunk on your pans, there are a few ways that you can get them cleaned up.

First, the best way to keep your stainless steel cookware clean is to clean them in soapy, hot water and dry them before putting them away. Many people do not think that putting a steel pan in the dishwasher is a good idea. Some believe that the detergents in the dishwasher can cause damage to the finish. If you decide to use your dishwasher, you should take your cookware out after the wash cycle is completed and hand dry it so you do not get any water spots on the pans. It’s not good to spend a lot of time getting your pots cleaned if they end up all spotted.

Second, if your water has a lot of calcium, you are going to see a good deal of that nasty white gunk on your cookware. To get rid of it, an inexpensive and effective option is to fill the pan with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts of water. Boil, and wait until it is cool, then wash it by hand with hot and soapy water, and then dry it with a hand towel. This will get rid of most of the worst calcium deposits.

If you have food that is burned onto your steel pot or pan, you can fill it with warm, soapy water and let it sit in the sink for about 60 minutes. Then, you can put the pan on the burner and boil the water for about 10 minutes. After the water is cool enough to touch it, you can scrub it with a scouring pad (nylon preferred0. Wash it out with hot, soapy water, rinse it and then dry by hand. If you need to, you can repeat this process for food that is really stuck.

Next, you should always use cleaners that are not abrasive such as Bon Ami or Bar Keepers Friend to regular cleaning of your cookware. These products will not damage the finish, but they are tough enough to keep the surfaces clean and sparkling.

Remember that you should not use any abrasive cleaners or metal scouring pads. They will get the stuck food out of your pot, but they also will ruin the finish over time. Always try to use scouring pads that are made from nylon net or pure nylon. Plastic also works well.

Last, if your steel pots and pans really are on their last legs, you may really need to do something to get that shine back. We like to use baking soda. What you can do is to wet the surface of the steel pot or pan and then sprinkle on the baking soda. With a scouring pad made from nylon or plastic, you should rub it firmly for a few minutes. After that you rinse it with warm water and dry by hand. This should help to make the finish look a good deal better. If you have any minor scratches, you can often buff them out with water and a non abrasive cleaner.

If you use the right amount of cleaning and care, we find that your stainless steel cookware can last for many years. And, if you do a little bit of extra care of them every once in a while, you can keep them looking just about as good as new.

Lawrence Reaves writes for Hamilton Beach a kitchen appliance company that offers a variety of products including slow cookers and toaster ovens. For more information on these products or others click here.

Lawrence Reaves writes for Hamilton Beach -http://www.hamiltonbeach.com- a kitchen appliance company that offers a variety of products including slow cookers and toaster ovens. For more information on these products or others visit http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/products/kitchen-appliances-slow-cooker

Author Bio: Lawrence Reaves writes for Hamilton Beach a kitchen appliance company that offers a variety of products including slow cookers and toaster ovens. For more information on these products or others click here.

Category: Cooking
Keywords: stainless steel cookware, cookware, kitchen appliances, slow cookers, kitchen products