Preparing food is a difficult task. The outer parts of pots and pans often require a bit more effort. Since the outer surfaces are usually not covered with nonstick materials, stains are easy to stick to. It is time-worthy and effort to clean pots and pans properly. When you invest in a set of cookware, you want it to last a long time. Fortunately, cleaning pots and pans is simple and requires only a few inexpensive items.
Cleaning pots and pans from the outside
We all clean pots and pans on the inside, but we often overlook the outside. Hard water residue, burnt food scraps, and other particles can build up outside pots and pans.
For this reason, after a long period of use, pots and pans often turn black on the outside. Even if you put your pots and pans in the dishwasher, stains can be difficult to remove.
Procedure for cleaning the outer bottom
The basic procedure for cleaning the outer bottom is as follows:
While different materials are used to make different sinks, most sinks can be cleaned using the same basic process. If that doesn’t work, we’ll move on to more detail cleaning instructions for certain types of utensils.
- Degreasing:
Fill the sink halfway with warm water and dishwashing soap to reduce the bottoms of pots and pans. Allow the pan to soak in the sink for up to an hour. Then, using a rubbing bandage, remove the grease.
- Removing Baked Dirt:
You’ll need heavy-duty dough for this step. Fortunately, all you need is baking soda and water to prepare it.
- Scrub well:
After applying the baking soda paste to a skillet, it’s time to scrub.
- Use paper towels to dry:
Wipe it with a paper towel when the pan is completely dry. This will help you double-check any areas you may have overlooked.
How do you clean the outer bottoms of different types of pots and pans?
Here are some great ways to restore shine to the exterior of pots and pans, depending on the material.
Cleaning stainless steel from the outside
Cooking with stainless steel can be challenging, as I’ve learned from personal experience. Cooking on low heat works wonders and is an essential adjustment in and of itself. However, if the outside and bottom of the pan start to turn brown, follow these steps:
- To eliminate discoloration, rinse the pan with vinegar and then rinse it with water.
- Vinegar can also be used to remove white calcium stains from the pan.
- In a saucepan or pan, mix one-part vinegar with three parts water and bring to a boil.
- Allow the mixture to cool completely before emptying the pan and washing it as usual.
Cast iron exterior cleaning
Although cast iron is difficult to prepare for cooking, cleaning the outside is easy. To clean the outside of your cast iron skillet, follow these instructions.
- Start with boiling water.
- Place the frying pan upside down in the sink.
- Carefully pour boiling water around the perimeter of the pan.
- Scrub any food or build-up on the pan with a wire grill brush, being careful not to burn your hands
- If you need a more abrasive cleaning, consider sprinkling salt on the pan.
- Using a soft cloth or scrubber, scrub the area.
- The increased corrosion caused by the salt will help break up the build-up.
- If a more powerful scrubber is required and can use steel wool.
- When the problem is severe, you have to need to use more aggressive cleaning techniques.
- In this scenario, scrub with a nylon bandage and a chemical cleaner such as Comet or Ajax.
- After removing the build-up, clean the pan thoroughly with soap and water.
- Dry the pan well and re-season with corn oil or melted lard.
Cleaning the nonstick pan from the outside
Cleaning nonstick pots and pans requires tender love and care, as aggressive cleaning methods can damage the nonstick surface. On the other hand, cleaning the bottoms may require more grease. This cleaning procedure includes the following steps:
- To clean nonstick crockery, top up with baking soda.
- Try to put a small amount of dish soap on it.
- Rub gently with your fingers or a long-handled nylon brush.
- Rub gently. Otherwise, the paint will be damaged. If the bottom has stubborn stains, spray the vinegar with vinegar.
- Leave the liquid for 5-10 minutes before washing it under running water.
Cleaning the aluminum pan from the outside
- Aluminum is easy to scratch, and dishwasher detergents are harsh, so wash cookware by hand.
- Soak the pan in hot water to remove stains, then scrub the burnt food carefully.
- Take a lemon, cut it in half, and rub the outside of the cooking pot with salt to restore color and remove any remaining stains.
- Wash and dry as usual after rinsing off the salt.
Avoid using the following products on your aluminum pans:
- Ammonia, a corrosive substance that can cause discoloration
- Strong alkalis, an acidic substance that can cause discoloration
- Chlorine bleach will corrode aluminum and change its color.
Read more about: How to Remove a Kitchen Sink Drain: DIY Plumbing
Cleaning the copper pan from the outside
Copper is a highly reactive metal. If the copper utensils are coated with another substance, cleaning them with hot soapy water is sufficient. Cleaning the copper pan should be done in the following way:
- Season the bottoms of the pans with salt.
- Pour or sprinkle white vinegar over the salt.
- The color will change!
- Using a cleaning pad, gently mix the vinegar into the salt.
- Continue scrubbing with more vinegar and salt as needed. That’s all about it!
