How To Clean Anodized Stainless Steel?

How To Clean Anodized Stainless Steel?: A few days ago I happened to put my food on the stove, turned on the TV for some time, and completely forgot about the pot on the stove. As expected, sometime after I started to smell my now burnt food. I rushed to the kitchen and found my pot burnt black and when I say that cleaning that pot was a task, I really cannot stress over how difficult it was.

I am sure most of you have faced the same problem multiple or at least one time. As most of you guys know, cleaning anodized stainless steel has its own way to go about it, only by which the utensils can be kept in a good state.

Now to make cleaning your stainless steel pots a lot easier, I researched a lot and also did some experimentation to find the best and easiest ways to get this tedious task done and dusted.

The anodized pots and pans, because of their delicate surface need delicate treatment as well because it may be possible that its anodized coating has worn off.

Anodized stainless steel cookware can be cleaned in a variety of ways, including the use of over-the-counter kitchen supplies such as vinegar, cream of tartar, and even warm water. Other than these items, scouring powder can also be used to get the job done.

Before starting with the cleaning of the material, let’s get to know what it is and what makes it different from normal aluminum and cast iron appliances.

What is anodized stainless steel?

Stainless steel is actually an alloy mostly composed of chromium, iron, and carbon, etc. It is actually made to prevent the iron from rusting and even has its own natural shine and silvery lust, however because of its daily use; the shine tends to fade away.

The alloy undergoes an electrochemical process in order to coat it with an external covering. Firstly, it is immersed in a sulfuric acid bath after which it is given electric shocks.

The ions formed because of the shock are then exposed to oxygen and are oxidized. It is then cooled again at 0 ° C and once again electric shock of 6000 A and 20 V is given to the alloy. This distributes the charges on the surface of the steel and gives it the property of an anode. That is why it is called “anodized”.

The reason behind the multiple electric shocks is that it makes the steel hard and durable, as well as a protective coating on its surface, also develops on it, preventing the material from corrosion.

How to handle the anodized stainless appliances?

Cleaning stainless anodized pots and pans become easy if you know the right hacks to do so. Before starting with the steps of cleaning the steel, let’s get to know the dos and don’ts of using it.

Dos of cleaning:

1. Smudges and fingerprints can easily be seen on the stainless appliances and it can be quite annoying. To prevent these smudges, it is better to use spray cleaners to make direct touch with the steel.
2. You should always prefer the steel with grain coating as it is better than that without it.
3. Another thing to note down is that you should always clean the stainless skillet in the direction of the grain. This helps to brush off the grease and dirt from the microscopic grooves of the utensil in which the grime is trapped.
4. All stainless steel appliances are different so do remember to use the manufacturing guide before its use.
5. Wash your skillet or any anodized stainless steel utensil right after its use because it will immediately take off the food particles and would not allow the grease to settle down for long.

Don’ts of cleaning:

1. It is better to clean the skillet with your hand instead of throwing it in the dishwasher to wash it thoroughly.
2. Avoid the use of steel wool and brushes while cleaning as it makes the surface prone to rusting and also scratches the surface off.
3. Never make the mistake of letting your stainless skillets dry right after their use. The reason for that is when you don’t wash the anodized steel immediately or not soak it in water, the grime settles down and the dirt and debris sticks to the grain as well.
4. Do not make the mistake of using bleach. This is because the bleach usually results in the removal of the protective coating on the surface of the utensil and the anodized layer is removed.
5. Do not soak the cooking ware in cold water right after its use because it can result in warping (misshaping) of the material. On the other hand, it is okay to soak the appliance in hot water.

How to clean anodized stainless steel?

When you are using your anodized stainless steel utensil for the first time, it is better to wash it first and let it soak in water for some time as it makes the appliance free from all the chemicals and other harmful substances of the market and factory where it was before coming to you.

When you are cleaning your stainless pots and pans always remember to clean it from the inside as well as its exterior. To be honest, no one wants their dishes to be dirty. To keep the stainless pots spotless from soot, make sure to clean its exterior too.

For the basics of cleaning the stainless appliances, firstly you should need a clean sponge or cloth and a good cleaner or dish soap as well. Other ways to clean your pots and pans easily are:

• With hot water and soap:

This is the most common way to clean your appliances. Warm water is the vital key for cleaning because it helps remove the grime from sticking to the skillets, pots, pans, etc. especially when the food is burnt.

To clean your stainless cooking ware, firstly wash your utensil with dishwashing soap and then rinse it with hot water and let the water sit for some time (at least 20 minutes) to completely make it filth-free.

This really helps the appliances stay looking brand new.

• With vinegar and warm water:

Vinegar helps a lot in pulling off the grime from the surface of the stainless appliances. It is because of the acidic property of vinegar that it acts as a good cleaning agent.

Now, firstly pour some vinegar in the pot for about 10 minutes and then pour hot water in it. Let the water cool down for some time and clean the pot with a bristle brush or sponge. (Use of brush will give the best results).

After this step, rinse the stainless appliance with basin water and your cooking vessel will look brand new.

Note: Lemon juice can also be used as an alternative to vinegar.

• Using cream of tartar with water:

Cream of tartar is a great abrasive substance and a substitute for household bleach also acts as a great cleaning agent for almost all surfaces.

To clean anodized stainless steel appliances, you can also make a paste of cream of tartar and water. Let the mixture sit on the surface of the pot for some time and then scrub the pot with a sponge or a cloth. After that, wash your appliance thoroughly and dry it afterward as well for the shine of the stainless steel.

This method can also be used to clean the exterior of the utensil as the cream of tartar also helps in cleaning the soot.

• Use of Scouring Powders:

Scouring powder is a cleaning agent usually made up of detergent, bleaching powder, soda, and other dry soap. It is quite powerful and can also lead to corrosion of the utensils so it is better to use scouring powders when the grime is hard or when the pan is burnt.

It is also suggested to use the powder in little quantities and to brush it off lightly with a wet cloth; a brush or a lot of water might work as well. The powder helps take off grease stains in no time.

Why should one choose anodized stainless utensils?

Many people out there while buying cooking utensils for themselves make sure that they buy the best quality things.

Well, guess what? Anodized stainless steel has many benefits and is also long-lasting.

Firstly, its lustrous and shiny surface keeps the kitchen, as well as the utensil case looking clean and brand new. Another good thing is that it is resistant to corrosion which really helps the appliances last long and doesn’t cause any damage when directly put on heat or fire.

Another benefit of the utensils being anodized is that the food being cooked on it does not react and makes the food impure with the appliance’s material. It is also better than aluminum cooking ware which can lead to a few diseases including Alzheimer’s disease because of the reaction with acidic food such as tomatoes.

Conclusion:

Anodized stainless steel is a better material for household and kitchen utensils than aluminum and cast iron as it prevents the food from sticking and reacting with the utensil’s material. Even though the stainless appliances are of good use, it requires great care and proper handling to keep it clean and grease-free.

To help you keep your appliances good as new, we have put above many great ways to clean the delicate material easily. All these methods are tested and experimented on so that you can give it a try as well and get some amazing results too.