Weigh These Cookware Tips To Extend Lifespan, Ensure Safety Of Pots, Pans In Your Kitchen

Expose anything to an open flame enough times and it’s going to start showing its age. This is especially true for your pots and pans, which are going to be put through a true stress test before reaching retirement age. High heat, acidic foods, dings and dents plus the constant prodding from utensils as you cook are some of the main offenders when it comes to the longevity of your cookware. However, the stakes get raised when you factor for health concerns. While every single type of cooking material has its own safety attributes that owners should consider, we’re here to suggest cooking  and clean-up methods that will extend the lifespan of your pots and pans. After all, there’s more to means than sitting around a dinner table to enjoy time with friends and family.

1) Dishwasher safe? If you’re using a non stick pan to prepare your favorite dishes, do yourself a favor and avoid putting it in your dishwasher. Not only should the non-stick attributes allow for easy cleaning by hand in the sink, but the high heat and dish soap used in dishwashers will compromise the coating itself.

2) “Seasoned” veteran: Cast iron cookware is often adopted by consumers for its rustic appearance. Many people opt for copper pots and pans for the same reason; it simply looks impressive hanging in anyone’s kitchen. Cast iron is great for those who don’t want to clean a ton of stuck and burnt food out, however “seasoning” your cookware is a prerequisite. Seasoning means giving your cast iron pan a coating of oil then putting it in the oven to give it a resistant skin for months to come.

3) Dents and dings: Aluminum cookware is everywhere. It’s efficient, easy enough to clean and gets the job done. Problem is, however, it’s susceptible to scrapes from utensils and that means miniscule amounts of aluminum will be coming up with it. For those using aluminum pots and pans, take extra care to not damage your cookware. Some health concerns have been linked to this type of damage and it’s suggested to retire such items well in advance of severe wear and tear starting to show.