How to Take Care of your Kitchen Cookware and Equipment

Cookware can be significant or an expensive piece, therefore it is important to learn the best methods to care for them. This does not only improve the longevity which makes them cost effective but also the performance of the cookware. Hardly anyone feels inspired in the kitchen when dealing with dull knives or chipped spoons. Caring for your cookware would depend on what material they are made from. Most kitchen utensils require the basic steps of cleaning, rinsing, sanitizing and storing them away, however, wood or silver tools require additional maintenance.

Cookware Maintenance

The maintenance of pots and saucepans would depend mainly on what they are made of. Cast iron pots should be cleaned with hot water and non abrasive sponge, then wiped with a clean cloth to prevent rust. The use of dish soap and harsh abrasives can cause damages to the Iron pot. It is also important to store the pans coated in a thin layer of oil. Nonstick pots should be hand-washed by using hot and soapy water with a non-harsh abrasive sponge. In addition, no-stick pans should be cooked over low-medium heat and only wooden utensils should be used to avoid the coat from cracking. Stainless pots and pans can be cleaned in a dish-washer but be careful not to use harsh abrasives.

Knife care

Most kitchens have knives and it is important to know how to maintain these tools. Firstly, it is important to sharpen them regularly. This does not only improve the performance but also makes them long-lasting. For better results, they could be sharpened once a week. It is essential not to use harsh cleaners or sprays when cleaning your knives to prevent them from getting dull easily. They are best washed with hot water and washing liquid. And then wiped with a clean cotton cloth.

Wooden tools

Wooden tools including spoons, forks, chopping boards, spatula, etc. should be hand washed because dish-washing those items can reduce the quality of the wood. Most of the tools just require to be washed with warm soapy water, rinsed and wiped dry, however chopping boards usually need to be deep cleaned. This can be done by rubbing salt to scrub them before washing. After washing, they should be wiped down with mineral oil to prevent it from cracking.

Plastic tools

Plastic equipment such as spatulas, spoons, microwave bowls, etc can be cleaned in a dishwasher. However, some plastics can melt or wrap if they are placed in the lower rack of the dishwasher, so it is better to use the upper rack or hand-wash the plastic. To avoid this, check with the manufacturer and ensure that they are not washed with harsh cleaners and are flat to prevent warping. Some foods with acidic juice such as tomato sauce can cause stubborn stains on the plastics and should be scrubbed with nylon mesh

Read the manuals

Kitchen equipments come with instructions like most other equipments. And it is important to read the manuals and follow the instructions to ensure that they are adequately maintained. So before using a tool, be sure to understand the instructions and how they are best cleaned