Stainless steel saucepans are a must-have utensil in any kitchen, whether it be at home or in a commercial setting. You need to make sure that your stainless steel pans remain in excellent condition throughout their lifetime, to ensure that you’re getting the most out of everything they have to offer. So how do you care for stainless steel saucepans properly? Let’s delve deeper into this topic:

Why is it important to care for stainless steel saucepans properly?

Caring for your stainless steel saucepans is imperative if you’re looking to elongate their lifespan. Not only does it prevent rust, discolouration and damage done by abrasive cleaning products, it also stops them from becoming scratched and dented. 

They’re a staple in any kitchen, whether domestic or commercial, which is why you need to make sure they’re well-looked after and stored correctly. If you’re wanting to get the most out of your stainless steel pans, then make sure you care for them properly. 

Here at School of Wok, we have a complete range of stainless steel pans for you to choose from that will elevate your kitchen utensils and help you on your way when it comes to your professional culinary skills. 

How to clean stainless steel saucepans

Cleaning a stainless steel pan might sound like a simple task, but there’s much more to it if you want to ensure the integrity and longevity of your saucepans. Prevent rust, discolouration and the likelihood of stubborn stains and food residue by ensuring they’re cleaned properly and using the right techniques. So let’s take a closer look at how to clean a stainless steel saucepan effectively:

Hand washing

It’s imperative that the saucepan is hand washed and not put in the dishwasher. Simply use washing up liquid and warm water to clean a stainless steel saucepan and refrain from using abrasive or harsh cleaners or chemicals. Use a gentle dish sponge and clean in a circular motion. Then leave the saucepan to air-dry on a draining board or dry it completely with a tea towel before putting it in the cupboard or a drawer.

Removing stubborn stains & residue

There are multiple ways to rid your saucepan of stubborn stains and residue. The first thing is to use a stainless steel cleaner. Simply follow the instructions on the label for the most effective results. If this fails, you can either use a solution of baking soda and vinegar or a solution consisting of boiling water and vinegar. This should be enough to remove any stains and stubborn residue. Allow the pan to dry completely before putting it away again.

Getting rid of heat stains

Heat stains can present themselves in either dark splodges or spots or in a rainbow pattern that runs along the bottom of the stainless steel saucepan. They happen as a result of a stainless steel saucepan being exposed to the heat before any food is tipped in. While it won’t affect the performance of the pan, they can make the pan look unsightly. To remove the stains, sprinkle some baking soda onto the affected areas and then moisten it slightly with water. Take a sponge and rub the baking soda into the stains in a circular motion. Rinse well and then allow to dry thoroughly before storing.

Ridding pans of water spots

Calcium deposits, otherwise known as limescale, is a common issue when it comes to stainless steel saucepans. But don’t worry because calcium deposits are easy to get rid of. In fact, you can use the same technique that you used to remove hint tint (or heat stains) from your stainless steel saucepans. 

Rectifying instances of discolouration

Stainless steel pans are easy to clean should they become discoloured. Simply wipe the discoloured area with vinegar, pour some water inside and boil it with an additional splash of vinegar. Let this solution cool down, pour it out and wash the pan with soap and water. Rinse the pan and then sprinkle it with baking soda to remove other, smaller instances of discolouration. Let the pan completely dry before storing away again.

How to store stainless steel saucepans

Now that you have a complete set of well-cleaned and cared for stainless steel pans, the next step in ensuring their integrity and longevity is to ensure you’re storing them correctly. They shouldn’t just be shoved into a draw or a cupboard. Instead, you need to think carefully about where and how to store them when they’re not being used. 

Firstly, you need to make sure that they’re completely dry. This prevents issues of rust formation and the development of calcium deposits, which could render your stainless steel pans useless. As such, either leave your pans to air dry on the draining rack or take a tea towel to them to completely rid them of any moisture. 

Next, you need to decide how to stack them. Alternatively, you can hang them from a hook in the kitchen. While hanging them is the easiest option when it comes to storing your pans in a way that will protect them, stacking is the most common choice that people go with. Stacking, or nesting, your pans is something that needs to be done with care.

When it comes to nesting your pans, you should look to put dish towels in between them to avoid scratching. Scratched pans can cause rust to work its way in, therefore compromising the integrity of the pan itself. To avoid this, and if you don’t want to use tea towels, you can purchase felt pan inserts to prevent the pans from rubbing together. Alternatively, you can simply use a napkin instead - it will do the same job.

School of Wok has a wealth of cooking classes in London on offer to those wanting to expand their culinary skills and learn how to cook authentic Asian cuisines. From Chinese and Vietnamese to Thai and Japanese, we have a team of professional, highly-trained chefs who will take you on a delicious culinary journey. If you would like further information about the cookery classes we have available, then get in touch with a member of our friendly, expert team - give us a call on 0736 526 6695 or email us on [email protected].