Caring for your Stainless Steel
Cookware
Stainless
steel is an alloy of iron which contains more than 10% chromium. Stainless
steel resists stains but occasionally dulls or will show oily finger prints.
This steel is noted for its hardness and is used for utensils, tableware,
sinks, counter tops, and small appliances. In the process of making it, a
little of the chromium in the alloy is used to form the hard oxide coating on
the surface. If this is taken off, through corrosion or wear, the steel rusts
like regular steel.
Basic Care and Cleaning:
Before you use your Stainless Cookware for the first time, wash it thoroughly
in hot soapy water with a sponge or dishcloth. Rinse it in hot water and dry
thoroughly to prevent spotting.
Preheating:
Most recipes recommend placing Stainless on a low heat setting for about one
minute before adding your ingredients. Hot pan, cold oil; food won't stick.
You can gently and briefly pre-heat before adding shortening or cooking
oil to help prevent food from sticking. Oil or shortening carbonizes in the
pores of metal cookware, thus preventing foods from burning and anchoring
themselves to the pans. A well-seasoned
pan is nearly stick-proof and a real cooking pleasure.
Salt Damage:
To avoid small white dots or pits from forming on the stainless steel cooking
surface of your Stainless ware, bring liquids to a boil before adding salt,
and then stir the ingredients well. You may choose to add salt after your food
has started to cook. Pitting does not interfere with cooking performance but
can diminish the beauty of your stainless steel surface.
Preventing Water Spotting:
This is easy, just remember to rinse in hot water and dry with a soft
dishcloth immediately.
Discoloration:
Overheating can cause brown or blue stains. Food films if not removed will
cause discoloration on your cookware when it is reheated.
Cleaning:
Note:
Always attempt the mildest cleaning method first. Be patient - repeat it a
fair number of times before resorting to the more severe cleaning methods.
Cleaning stainless steel can be a breeze as long as it is not damaged. This
durable metal alloy is quite resistant to rust, corrosion and discoloration
but when these conditions do affect your stainless steel you may have
problems. Staying away from abrasives and steel wool during cleaning and
making sure not to expose stainless steel cookware to extremely high
temperatures* for a long period of time can usually help you avoid these
problems.
Routine Cleaning. Stainless Steel's best
friends are quite simply soap, mild detergent or ammonia solutions in warm
water, applied with a soft cloth or nylon sponge.
Olive Oil: Rub stainless steel sinks with olive oil to remove streaks.
Vinegar: To clean and polish stainless steel, simply moisten a cloth with
undiluted white or cider vinegar and wipe clean. Can also be used to remove
heat stains on stainless steel cutlery.
Club Soda: Remove streaks or heat stains from stainless steel by
rubbing with club soda.
Cleaning the Stainless Interior of Your
Stainless:
Immerse your in warm water. Use a fine powder cleanser such as "Bar Keepers
Friend" "Wenol", "Twinkle", "Cameo" or "Bon Ami" and form into a paste. Apply
the paste using a soft cloth. Rub the paste in a circular motion spiraling
from the center outward. Wash again in hot soapy water, and dry immediately.
DO NOT USE OVEN CLEANERS OR CLEANSERS WITH CHLORINE BLEACH OR ALCOHOL.
DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL*. Nylon scrubbing pads are safe to use. Bar Keepers
Friend or Bon Ami cleansers work well on both the interior and exterior
of Stainless Cookware.
A white residue on the inside of the pan
which does not wash off using normal means can be cleaned using vinegar. Pour
in some vinegar and let it soak for awhile.
Heavily Soiled/Stained Areas:
For heavily soiled/stained areas, scour with soap and a very fine (00)
steel wool* pad. Restore the finish with an all-metal cleaner.
Another way to remove streaks or heat stains from
stainless steel is by washing down your stainless steel with club soda this
will remove any steaks from heat and steam! Just use a soft cloth and clean
with the grain of the steel.
Heat Discolouration/tints -- When All else fails:
Use Extreme Caution
Use a 10% solution of Nitric Acid* together with a fairly course household
abrasive cleaner applied as a paste by hard rubbing with a course nylon
scouring pad. (Some alteration to the surface appearance will result from
these severe cleaning operations). Acid treatment must be followed by rinsing
in ammonia or soda bicarb solution, and Routine Cleaning.
* Nitric Acid (HNO3)
Nitric acid is a "friendly" acid towards Stainless
Steel and is the only mineral acid which should be used to clean stainless
steel. Avoid contact of the acid with other metals, particularly the
aluminum and copper bases on cookware. A 10% solution (1 part Nitric Acid
added to 9 parts water) is usually used. It may be obtained from most
chemists, who will make up the 10% solution.
Concentrated Nitric Acid must be handled with care.
Dilute 10% solutions are less dangerous, but it is
advisable to wear rubber gloves and eye protection. If accidental skin contact
occurs, wash well with lots of water. Mix and keep the solution in glass
containers. Dilute extensively before flushing down the drain. Keep it out
of reach of children.
Cleaning your Stainless Exterior:
The Stainless Steel exterior is exceptionally durable and requires very little
care. It is scratch and stain resistant. Use nylon pads rather then steel wool
or scouring pads. YOU CAN WASH YOUR STAINLESS STEEL IN THE DISHWASHER.
Important Notes:
1. DO NOT USE OVEN CLEANERS OR CLEANSERS WITH CHLORINE BLEACH OR ALCOHOL.
2. DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL.
3. DO NOT OVERHEAT YOUR COOKWARE.
Do not expose stainless steel cookware to
extremely high temperatures for a long period of time.
*Note: Extreme heat damage is not covered by the warranty.
USE AND CARE
Before first-time use, wash in hot soapy water to remove
manufacturing oils and polishing compounds.
Undissolved salt may cause pitting, so add salt
to water after it boils and stir in to dissolve completely.
Wash by hand in hot soapy water or in the
dishwasher.
Do not allow salty or acidic foods to remain on
cookware for long periods of time.
To remove burned-on foods, briefly soak and
wash in warm water. Use stainless steel cleanser and nylon scouring pad on
difficult stains.
Wash soon after using. Do not leave soaking for
long periods of time.
"Heat tint" is a rainbow-like discoloration
that may be caused by high heat. Remove with stainless steel cleanser.
Sometimes there can be a white residue on the inside of the
pan which does not wash off using normal means. The surface can be cleaned
using vinegar
Best Value on the WEB
for KT17 & KT17ULTRA
Stainless Steel Cookware
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