There are few joys that can compare with cooking a meal in the privacy and comfort of your own kitchen. For the person who enjoys cooking, or baking, it’s a simple pleasure that is hard to beat. Whether you are making a dinner to treat yourself on a night in, or cooking food for family and friends, it’s a life-giving experience.

While this can be a wonderful part of the mundane weekly rhythms, a big part of what makes or breaks this experience is always going to be the equipment that you use. Even the most seasoned and talented veterans in the kitchen will admit that the equipment they use makes a huge difference. A high-quality non-stick pan, and a trusty and reliable stove top, all of this matters and can make anyone’s experience in the kitchen so much better.

Whether you are an avid hobbyist in the kitchen, or you are at the beginning of your journey with learning these life skills, knowing how to take care of your kitchen equipment is paramount. So, if you have been wondering how to take care of a nice, shiny, new pot set and other cooking utensils, here is everything you need to know!

Okay, so you just bought a really expensive new pot set, or maybe you were gifted the shinest new set of copper pots and pans or a high-quality kitchen knife - first things first, don’t be afraid to use them! Cooking and learning how to prepare food is a lifelong skill that you will never fully arrive at. Even the most seasoned chefs in the highest-end kitchens still continue to learn new things and improve day by day.

A big part of the journey of learning how to cook is going to be trying new things. Some of those things you will fail at, and some you won’t, but the beauty of cooking is that it’s a skill you will sharpen and grow over time. So if you burn the fish, or you overcook the casserole, it’s okay!

That’s part of the process of learning how to not only combine the ingredients, but use the pot set, the knife set, or the stove. So even though you may be intimidated by the quality of your pot set or your pans, don’t be

afraid to use them - that’s what they are for!

So, you aren’t afraid to use your brand new pot set, and you pull out some fresh new recipes you have no idea if you can actually make. The one thing you need to remember, is that the most important part of using your cooking utensils and knowing to maintain them for longevity is cleaning them.

Yes, you should never be intimidated to use your pots and pans, and you should try out new things and get them dirty, but maintaining them properly is also how they last a long time despite the use. The good news is that maintenance when it comes to pots and pans is not difficult at all.

If you have a set of stainless steel pans, you have arguably one of the easiest sets to maintain.

Stainless steel pot sets, or pans, are typically easy to maintain, scratch-resistant, and can be dishwasher safe. Stainless steel is a great metal for achieving fast heat and is great to use when whipping up quick meals.

Cleaning stainless steel is typically as easy as whipping excess oils out with a paper towel, and then either using a dishwasher or a hot soapy handwash. While most stainless steel pots and pans claim to be scratch resistant, avoid using steel wool to clean them. Instead, soak tough debris in hot soapy water to loosen it rather than using sheer force. After cleaning, always remember to completely dry them before storing them.

Cast iron is the most intensive when it comes to maintenance. It’s important that you season your cast iron with cooking oil that has a high smoke point, like grapeseed oil, before use. Never place cast iron in a dishwasher, and you can use abrasive techniques like steel wool to remove anything that’s giving you trouble. Hot soapy water is okay to use when hand washing, but completely dry off immediately because they will rust.

Most non-stick are not advisable to place in the dishwasher, but thanks to their non-stick nature, they should only need fast easy hand washing. There are hybrid steel non-stick pots and pans that are dishwasher safe, so always follow manufacturer recommendations. If the non-stick pan is Teflon, never use abrasive techniques to clean it. If you have a hard-to-clean spot, soak it in soapy water until it’s loosened up, and use soft bristles, or a towel to clean it.

Learning how to properly care for your pots and pans will help them last and give you the quality you want for the long haul. It may take a little extra effort to make sure you are treating your pans correctly, but in the end, it’s an investment that’s worthwhile.