Reliable kitchen utensils aren’t cheap. They are usually made of the best material and that is why they cost more than the ordinary utensils you are used to. The same still applies to the pots and pans that you need to prepare meals for your loved ones.

You will pay a little more to have them in your kitchen and should you decide to make this investment, you need to learn the best maintenance practices if you want to use the cookware for a very long time.

The failure to do so will see you make a replacement very soon after purchase and considering the tough financial times we are experiencing; this is not a wise move.

I have created this article to deal with this issue once and for all. Having been in the cookware industry for long, I have gained valuable insights on how to use cookware and below I share simple measures that will help you use the cookware in your kitchen for a long time.

Simple measures for effective cookware usage

Here are some of the things that you need to do to increase the lifespan of your cookware.

1. Store your pots and pans properly

If you don’t store your cookware properly they will get damaged. Stacking the pots and pans on top of one another is one careless way of storing your cookware after use. This method of storage usually sees the cookware colliding and this leaves ugly dent marks on your pots and pans.

Collisions between the posts could also result in the non-stick coating of your pans peeling off and this is another reason why you should avoid stacking the cookware together during storage. The best method for storing your cookware is to hang them on hooks in your kitchen. Leave enough space between adjacent cookware so as to minimize the chance of colliding.

2. Buy the best cookware you can afford

Good cookware doesn’t get damaged easily and this will allow you to use them for a very long time.

Such cookware usually has a steady build and solid structure and this allows them to withstand the rigors of regular use. They are also able to withstand sudden heat changes without deforming and this makes them great for those tough meals that you love to prepare.

3. Use the right cleaning method

How you clean your pots and pans also has a bearing on their durability and longevity. Cookware should be cleaned using warm water and gentle dishwashing soap but some opt for some harsh reagents as they chase the ultimate clean.

This, however, is a wrong move since some of these agents are corrosive and with time, they eat into the cookware’s structure to leave them with thin and dilapidated. This will force you into a replacement and considering the high costs of the best cookware brands, it is cheaper to invest in the best cleaning practices.

With some warm water and gentle detergent, you will be able to give your cookware a proper cleaning. Dry the cookware with a clean towel and hang them on hooks as explained earlier in the post. Soak the pots in warm water to soften the tough stains for a simpler cleaning experience. Make sure that the pots are not hot when you soak them in water as the sudden heat changes could make the surface to deform.

4. Avoid preparing acidic foods

Acidic foods are harmful to your cookware as they cause the non-stick surface to peel off. Acidic foods like lemons and tomatoes release acids that corrode the non-stick coating on most cookware.

You are, therefore, advised to avoid preparing such acidic foods especially if your cookware has a non-stick coating on them. If you are a fan of acidic foods and you are finding it difficult to stop preparing such foods, then you should buy the pots and pans that don’t have a non-stick coating for preparing such meals.

Otherwise, you will lose your perfectly great non-stick cookware and spend big on replacements.

5. Use the right heat setting

High temperatures are not good for your cookware. They get your cookware to expand past their limit and this will cause deformation. It is for this reason why you need to use the right heat setting when preparing your meals. This will also ensure proper heat distribution that will allow your meals to cook properly.

Most manufacturers usually indicate the preferred heat setting for each cookware. Non-stick pans, for example, should be used on low or medium heat for the best cooking performance. Higher temperature settings will cause the non-stick coating to peel off and this will render your pan useless.

6. Avoid metal utensils

When preparing meals in your kitchen, you should avoid using metal utensils. Metal spoons scratch the surface of your cookware and this will result in ugly scratch marks on your pots and pans.

If you are using non-stick pans, the metal utensils will scratch the non-stick coating which will contaminate the meals that you are preparing. It is for this reason why you need to avoid using metal utensils when preparing your meals.

You should instead use wood or plastic utensils that are gentle on your cookware. The instances of the porcelain coating getting to your meals as you cook are, therefore, reduced as well as ugly scratch marks that ruin the appearance of your cookware.

Conclusion

If you want to use your cookware for a long period of time, you need to learn how to properly use and maintain your cookware.

This article shares some of the simple measures that can be implemented in any home to increase the lifespan of the cookware.