Hard anodized cookware are great assets in the kitchen. You can cook pretty much anything in hard anodized cookware – even highly acidic foods. They are incredibly durable and distributes heat very evenly. Still, even with all the versatile advantages of hard anodized cookware, you still might make a mess of it.
While you may be able to cook virtually anything in hard anodized cookware; it doesn’t mean that you won’t be left with a tough mess to clean up. This type of cookware is still a worthwhile investment though so you should know how to properly maintain it.
In the following article we will be showing you how to clean burnt and messy hard anodized cookware. We will also be giving you some general maintenance tips so you can get the most use out of your hard anodized cookware.
How Often Should you Clean Hard Anodized Cookware?
Ideally, you should be cleaning this type of cookware after every use. This will make sure that tough stains and discolorations don’t form on the surface. Besides, cleaning your pots and pans can be as easy as cleaning your dishes and glasses. It doesn’t take anything special for daily cleaning of your hard anodized cookware (we will get into specialized methods for burns later). All you need is your typical dish soap, sponge and warm water.
However, we know that cleaning any type of cookware can be cumbersome so here are some tips for the everyday cleaning of your hard anodized cookware:
- Don’t Clean it Hot – This is true of any kind of cookware. Make sure it cools off completely before running it under water. Thermal shock can cause the metal to warp.
- Let it Soak – Allowing your cookware to soak in a sinkful of warm soapy water can make everyday maintenance a whole lot easier. This will soften and lift some of the tough bits of food that may be stuck to the surface.
- Hand-Dry – Hard anodized cookware should be dried immediately so it is best to hand-dry after cleaning as opposed to letting it dry off in the strainer.
Methods for Cleaning Burnt Hard Anodized Cookware
So we’ve covered the lighter, everyday cleaning of hard anodized cookware. But what about after a serious meal when there is burnt-on food debris? In cases like this, you will want to use one of the following methods for cleaning burnt hard anodized cookware:
The Baking Soda Method
- In a small bowl, add about a half a cup of baking soda with a little bit of water.
- Mix the baking soda and water around with a whisk, mixing wand or even a spoon until it forms a paste.
- Coat the cookware with the paste using your fingers or a soft sponge. You should coat the surface of the cookware at least twice.
- Let the paste rest on the cookware for half an hour to an hour.
- Rinse the paste off completely and most of the burnt debris should be gone. If some still remains, go over it with a normal sponge and dish soap.
The Lemon and Vinegar Method
- Fill your sink with warm water and add one cup of distilled white vinegar and one cup of lemon juice.
- Allow your cookware to soak in the sink for 15-30 minutes.
- While the vessel is still in the sink, use a sponge to gently scrub the burned on food particles.
- Empty the sink and rinse the cookware off completely.
- Be sure to follow this up with a thorough hand washing with dish soap and sponge as you will need it to get rid of the vinegar.
Additional Hard Anodized Cookware Maintenance Tips
The aforementioned methods should be enough to handle burn marks and other tough stains. If you own hard anodized cookware though, you should know some fundamental maintenance tips to make sure yours lasts.
- Don’t Machine Wash – Even if your brand says it can be washed in the dishwasher, we strongly advise against it. Doing so can eat away at the non-stick coating or chip the surface.
- Try Not to Use Aerosols – Aerosol cooking sprays like Pam could form a film on the surface of the cookware that is very hard to get rid of.
- Avoid Water Spots – If you want to avoid annoying water spots on your hard anodized cookware, be sure to hand dry them with a dish towel after every washing.
