How to Clean Ceramic Pans and Cookware

How to Clean Ceramic Pans and Cookware

Learning how to clean ceramic pans and other cookware is essential to remove food particles that can cause a sticky build-up. Ceramic cookware can stain and develop a brown discoloration, especially when food is burned at high temperatures. But with just a few household cleaning staples, you can keep your cookware looking like new.

Here's what you need to know about washing your ceramic pans.

How Often to Clean Ceramic Pans

New ceramic pans and cookware should be washed by hand in warm, soapy water, rinsed well, and dried with a soft cloth. This will remove any ceramic dust particles and dirt that settled on the surface during manufacturing and shipping.

Ceramic cookware should be washed after every use to remove food particles that can easily stick to your pan and cause a sticky build-up. Periodically examine the cookware surface for brown discoloration, and do a deep cleaning to remove stains.

What You'll Need

• Equipment / Tools:

-Sponge or soft dishcloth

-Dishtowel

-Sink or large dishpan

• Materials:

-Warm water

-Dish soap

-Baking soda (optional)

-White vinegar (optional)

-Hydrogen peroxide (optional)

Instructions

       1. Allow the Ceramic Pan to Cool

Ceramic coatings do not respond well to quick, drastic changes in temperature. Always allow ceramic cookware a few minutes to stop sizzling and cool down completely before attempting to wash it.

       2. Fill a Sink With Water and Dish Soap

Fill a sink or dishpan with warm water and a few squirts of dish soap.

       3. Clean With a Sponge

Submerge the ceramic cookware, and use a nonabrasive sponge or soft dishcloth to clean the surfaces.

       4. Rinse and Dry

Rinse the cookware with warm water. Dry with a soft dishtowel, or allow the cookware to air-dry in a dish rack.

       5. Remove Hardened Food With Baking Soda

If food has burned and is stuck to the ceramic coating, allow the pan to soak in the warm, soapy water for at least 30 minutes. Dip a damp sponge into dry baking soda, and use it to scrub away any bits of food that remain. Add some white vinegar to the paste while it's on the pan to create a bubbling action that can loosen the burnt-on food. Rinse well, and dry the cookware.

If the food does not come off easily, sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of hot water. Allow the mixture to sit for 30 minutes, and scrub the pan with a sponge or dish wand in a circular motion for several minutes. Repeat if needed. Then, rinse and dry.

      6. Remove Discoloration With Hydrogen Peroxide

After many uses—some possibly involving burnt food—the ceramic coating can become discolored. To help lighten the finish, pour enough 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (regular first-aid strength is fine) to cover the bottom of the pan. To be effective, the hydrogen peroxide should bubble. If it doesn't, the solution is not fresh and requires a new bottle.

Let the solution sit in the pan for 30 minutes, Then, rinse and dry. The slight bleaching action of the peroxide will brighten the finish.

Dos and Don'ts of Cleaning Ceramic Cookware

• Do hand-wash ceramic cookware.
• Do not use dishwasher detergents that contain bleach or citric acids because they are too harsh for the finish.
• Do use only plastic, silicone, wood, or nylon utensils when cooking in ceramic cookware; metal utensils can ruin a ceramic pan.
• Do not cut foods with a knife in ceramic cookware to prevent gouges to the surface or the ceramic pans will lose their nonstick quality.
• Do choose a bit of oil or butter to cook with on ceramic cookware.
• Do not use harsher cooking sprays that can leave a build-up of hard-to-remove residue when preparing foods.
• Do not use excessively high temperatures when cooking to avoid burnt-on stains.
• Do not stack ceramic cookware without a pad to prevent scratches between the pieces.