Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Cleaning Pots and Pa

Cleaning Pots and Pans

So what do you do about those pans sitting in your sink that need cleaning? Let's take a look at some quick tips for cleaning cookware. With a few precautions, those pots and pans no longer need to clutter your sink.

Number one rule: no pan should be preheated on high heat. It may take 30 seconds longer to heat a pan on medium heat, but the lifespan of the pan will increase twofold and your sanity triple fold.

Number two rule: More house fires begin due to a pan being left on a burner especially those preheating or with food deep frying. Please be extra cautious this upcoming holiday season when we tend to forget about the stove when guests arrive.

Cleaning Copper: Tomato paste removes tarnish from copper cookware, kettles, trivets etc. Try pouring salt on a lemon sliced in half to clean copper. Toothpaste will work in a pinch.  Toothpaste makes swift work polishing jewelry. I've found tomato paste works the best and fastest with copper.

Care of Cast-iron: If you are having stomach problems it may be coming from your cast iron cookware. Cast iron is very porous. That black is food bacteria that seep into the cookware. Well it seeps back out during cooking. If your stomach is sensitive or you have ulcers or acid reflux, your cast iron cookware may be the culprit.

Remove the black from the outside by spraying the bottom and sides with a product we will have by mid Oct. It's called TerraPlus and will take that black off without toxic chemicals.  Place plastic down on a back porch or garage and cover with paper. Spray the pan, letting it set two to three hours. Wipe with newspaper and rinse with vinegar and water. Although you are not supposed to wash the inside of cast-iron I recommend it to remove what food bacteria you can. Wipe it down with olive oil when you finish.

How to clean stainless steel: Wash with dish soap to clean. Cameo found in the grocery along with the silver polishes is designed to clean keep stainless steel pans, bakeware or appliances looking new. Fine scratches can be covered up by rubbing with fine steel wool then buffing with a soft cloth. This is true for stoves, appliances and sinks. They can be shined by rubbing with white vinegar. Never use bleach on stainless steel because it leaves stains.

Coated cookware. If food is stuck simmer water in the pan with a bit of dish washer detergent and a dash of salt. Clean with hot water and mild detergent. Never use high heat when cooking with coated cookware.

Loose your marbles? Try looking in the bottom of your double boiler or under your vegetable steamer. If they are hidden there, it's because they want to remind you that the water in the pot is getting low by rattling around.

This article may only be reprinted giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website at http://www.goclean.com. Copyright @2006 All rights reserved worldwide.