Dennis Bake

Good meals are at the heart of every home. When people gather to share a meal, they bond and make merry and this is what is needed to cement the relationships and make them stronger. Meals tell stories as well as a good meal speaks of the good cookware that was used to prepare it.

It is practically impossible to prepare a good meal with bad cookware and as such, every kitchen should have a top quality set that will help them prepare tasty meals that everyone will enjoy. When you get a good set, you should learn how to maintain and take care of the cookware and this is what I am here to help you learn.

In this piece, I will share one amazing yet less-known trick that will improve the lifespan of your precious cookware. Let’s get started.

Get the right cookware

To be able to use your cookware for long, you first of all need to make sure that you have the right cookware. The right cookware, in this case, is made of top quality material that is able to withstand sudden temperature changes without its surface getting damaged.

The right cookware has the non-stick coating properly set in so as to prevent it from getting damaged even when it is exposed to harsh conditions.

You may think that such top quality cookware is expensive but that is not the case. The right cookware doesn’t cost a fortune and when you get yourself a nice set, it will provide you excellent service for a long period of time. Other than getting top quality cookware, there is another lesser-known trick that will help you increase the lifespan of your cookware and it is to season your cookware before you use them for the first time.

Seasoning non-stick cookware

Non-stick cooking pans are lifesavers in the kitchen. They allow you to cook sticky meals like eggs and fish without food particles sticking to the surface. Since the chances of food sticking to the surface are minimized, you end up using very little oil to prepare your meals and this makes them the best cookware that you can get if you desire to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Cleaning non-stick pans is also very easy since you will not have to struggle with tough food stains on the surface of the pan. This is possible because the non-stick coating acts as a barrier between the food being prepared and the surface of the pan and this way, food particles don’t stick to the surface when cooking.

The non-stick coating, however, can be peeled off when you use metal utensils when preparing your meals. High heat and sudden temperature changes also contribute to the non-stick surface wearing off and this way, you will not be able to cook your meals without food particles sticking to the surface.

You can, however, improve the strength of the non-stick coating of your pans by seasoning the pans before you use them. It is important to perform this exercise when the pans are still new and the non-stick coating has not yet been exposed to harsh kitchen conditions like high temperatures, metal utensils, and corrosive washing agents.

Seasoning non-stick cookware is very easy and below are the detailed steps of how to go about this;

1. Wash and dry the pan. The pan could still contain factory residue and this is why you need to clean it properly with soap and gentle dishwashing detergent. Dry the pan with a clean piece of cloth to remove all the moisture.
2. Rub the surface with vegetable oil. You will need oil to season the cookware and vegetable oil is ideal for this. Use a brush or a paper towel to spread the oil on the surface of the pan. Make sure that every inch of the pan is covered in oil.
3. Heat the pan on a stove for 2 minutes. This will ensure that the oil gets into the pores of the pan for effective seasoning. Alternatively, you can put the pan in an oven and bake the oils into the surface of the pore. Set the oven at 300°F and bake for about 20 minutes.
4. Let the pan cool and wipe off the excess oils on the surface of the pan.
5. Repeat this exercise 2 – 3 times to effectively season your pan.

Seasoning stainless steel pans

Stainless steel pans are known for their resilience. They are able to withstand high heats without deforming and this makes them ideal for browning your meals and making them crispy. Stainless steel pans also need to be seasoned and here is how to do that:

• Rub vegetable oil on the surface of the pan.
• Heat the pan on a stovetop for 5 minutes. Alternatively, you can bake the pan in an oven at 300 degrees F. This will ensure that the oils get into the pan’s pores for proper seasoning.
• Let the pan cool.
• Wipe excess oil from the pan.

Seasoning Cast Iron Pans

It is also important to season your cast iron pans so as to reduce the chances of food particles sticking to the surface as you cook. Here are the detailed instructions on how to do that:

• Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Apply a thin layer of vegetable oil to the surface of the pan. Make sure to coat the entire surface of the pan bar the handle.
• Place the coated pan in the oven for 45 minutes.
• Remove the pan and let it cool.
• Wipe the excess oils with a piece of cloth.

Seasoning Hard Anodized Aluminum pans

Hard Anodized aluminum cookware are created through electrolysis and this makes them highly resistant to corrosion, wear, and tear. You can protect them further by seasoning them and here is how to do that:

• Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Apply vegetable oil lightly on the interior and exterior surface of the pan.
• Place the coated pan in the oven for 20 minutes.
• Let the pan cool and wipe off the excess oils.
• Repeat this process 3 times to effectively season the cookware.

Conclusion

Seasoning your cookware protects them from damage and this greatly improves their lifespan. It makes them resistant to corrosion and this way, you will be able to use your cookware for a long time without having to worry about costly repairs and replacements.

Are you thinking about redesigning your kitchen? If so, you’ll quickly find out that there are so many options out there concerning projects that you can do that it can all get quite overwhelming very quickly. It’s always important to start with the goal, and potentially combine it with a budget and any time constraints that you might have.

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