How to Season Stainless Steel Cookware | The Easy Method

Nothing is more bothering than cooking in sticky pans. The cooking result looks terrible. No matter how good its taste, it is not attractive anymore. Many buyers consider that stainless steel pans and pots guarantee sticky-free cooking process. As a matter of fact, not all stainless steel cookware assures non-sticky feature. Well, it works well at first though it may lose the non-sticky coating when it is used frequently. Never take this aspect for granted, as sticky stainless steel pan may be very dangerous, as there is some chemical substance which sticks to the cooked foods. The first and the foremost thing to do is to season stainless steel cookware.

Do you find problems with your stainless steel cookware? Did you feel that they were very fine until you find out that your stainless steel pots and pans are sticky now? You only have one option when your cookware is no longer 'cooperative' with you. Get the new set of the best stainless steel cookware to make sure that it lasts for a long time. And you can check this post on Cookware Diary to get the best one. But, if you find out that you have no problem with a sticky stainless pan, don't get too excited, either. This is the right time to season each of your stainless steel cookware to avoid unexpected things that ruin your recipes, later on.

Wondering how to season your stainless steel cookware? Basically, stainless steel cookware has a similar characteristic, regardless of the different prices from various manufacturers. No matter how expensive the cookware, there are chances that the cookware can be sticky, particularly when we cook dishes that contain eggs. It is true that high-quality stainless steel users don't experience such thing, within one year or two. But, it is much better to find the best solution in preventing, instead of removing old cookware whenever it faces problems with the sticky food.when cooking.

Basically, there are steps that cookware owners should pay attention. Seasoning stainless steel cookware doesn't take too much time and cost-free. While users can enjoy faster cooking, they can also keep their cookware in looking good permanently.

#1 Wash It Carefully
Let's take the first step by washing the pot or pan. Basically, a well maintained stainless steel is by cleaning it thoroughly after usage. For sure, the same thing applies to seasoning the pan or pot from this material. Washing the pan or pot with mild detergent is strongly recommended. It is even much better to use the dish detergent which is environmentally friendly. Users don't only save the environment, but also keep the stainless steel performance. In this case, cleaning the stainless steel for seasoning can be somewhat different with regular cleaning. Scrubbing the inner and outer performance of the cookware with the soft sponge should be done carefully. Afterward, rinse the cookware before drying it manually with damp, soft cloth. Beware of using a low-quality sponge which can scratch the coating, particularly the interior. The scratch may not be visible clearly, but it can be hazardous as it can contaminate the foods while cooking.

#2 Coating
Now, try coating the pan interior with any oil such as virgin coconut oil, olive oil, vegetable oil etc. Avoid margarine or buttercream as it is too thick. Place the oil through the interior, particularly the inner bottom. Some homeowners think that they should only coat the inner bottom, instead of the inner rim. As a matter of fact, there should be no inch left from the coating. Pay attention to the oil coating process as it is important to avoid excessive oil coating. Whenever the oil is too thick, it leaves spots. Well, it may not bring negative impact on the cooking result, but it may be less attractive.

#3 Heating And Cooling
Feeling sure that the pan is coated well perfectly? Get ready to heat it on the stove with low to medium heat. It doesn't take more than two minutes, or until the pan produces smoke. When the smoke is decreasing gradually, turn the heat off, and keep it cool for, at least, a minute or two. Don't wait too long until the pan is cold. When it is turned warm and convenient to handle, then it safe to clean by doing steps to the next point.

#4 Wiping It Carefully, Yet Thoroughly
Wipe the whole interior from the oil by using a tissue paper or paper towel. Some homeowners prefer to use a soft towel to avoid oily surface. It looks easy, but some homeowners scratch the pan unintentionally, as they wiped the oily interior harshly.

#5 Do's and Don'ts
It is done! Check out the pan and see how it has such a mirror-like effect. This is the indication that the pan is seasoned perfectly well before the next use. It is important to keep in mind that the pan should not be cleaned with any kind of soap or dish detergent, no matter how mild it is. Don't worry about its overall performance as it remains shiny and functional

See, that it is very easy to season stainless steel cookware. Those five steps only require less than fifteen minutes, though the impact will last a lifetime, But, such thing is mostly taken for granted. This is a pity because any stainless steel cookware is far from cheap. The best stainless cookware may not be the most expensive one, but the most expensive cookware set always assures the highest quality. It doesn't mean that they don't need special attention, particularly in its maintenance.

Regular maintenance is always a necessity when owners expect to have their stainless steel cookware last for a lifetime. One more important thing is to make sure that owners don't forget to keep the pan away from the soap. The pan will remain sticky free when users keep away detergent from it.

However, not all stainless steel owners prefer to spend time in seasoning their stainless cookware. In fact, it is worth everyone's time and effort. Seasoning stainless pans can keep them good looking and well function so they can make the best kitchen investment.