Cleaning Your Stainless Steel Appliances
Stainless steel has long been used in by hotel or restaurant kitchens because it is low maintenance and easy to keep clean. But if you’ve spent much time in appliances stores, or if you’re partial to watching the home improvement channel, you’ll know that stainless steel has also been trending in home appliances for some time now. Not only does it look great in the kitchen, it is durable and for the most part resistant to rust or corrosion.
Stainless steel for home appliances first started showing up in the 1980s. At first it was merely a design element. Perhaps it was a reaction to the harvest gold and avocado green appliances that were the standard in so many kitchens of the 60s and 702. But what better way to signal that you had a new kitchen than all new appliances in the latest finish? Replacing the outdated appliances with stainless made your kitchen look all modern and shiny.
But as durable and rust resistant as stainless is, using the wrong cleaning agents or scrubbing with the wrong material can damage the surface of stainless steel appliances. So you need to take care in the method of cleaning to keep your appliances, your surfaces and your cookware looking shiny and new.
The best way to clean stainless steel appliances and other surfaces is to wipe the surface with a cloth soaked in warm water. Dry immediately with a dry soft cloth to prevent water spots. If necessary, you can use a mild cleaning solution or special cleaners made just for stainless steel. Spray the surface with the cleaner and wipe clean with a dry cloth. Always follow the grain.
Instructions for cleaning your stainless steel cookware will vary with the product. And, you may find that some cooked on stains are difficult to remove. If you’ve managed to burn on food in your stainless cookware, remove the food as best you can and allow the cookware to cool. Then fill with warm water and allow to soak for about thirty minutes. You can use a stainless steel cleaning product. But never use metal brushes or scouring pads because you could cause rust spots. Likewise, don’t use paper towels. No matter how soft they feel or what the commercials say, paper towels can create mini scratches on the surface of stainless steel.
For a natural cleaning solution, use baking soda on a damp sponge. You can also mix baking soda with liquid soap or detergent. Vinegar and warm water can also be used for polishing.
Before using your stainless steel, wash pots and pans with warm soapy water. Likewise wipe down any stainless steel surfaces in the same manner. It’s best to wash your cookware by hand rather than tossing it into a dishwasher. Dry with a clean, soft cloth to prevent water marks.
When you’re cooking, if a pot happens to boil over, wipe the outside clean. If you put it back on a hot eye, you can cause the spill to dry and harden on the outside.
Only use mild dishwashing soap or cleaners specifically made for stainless steel. Never use bleach or chlorine cleaners. This will cause pitting in your stainless surface which will lead to rust.
If your stainless surfaces have a tendency to show fingerprints, use a glass cleaner and a soft cloth to remove them. If you have children, you may want to consider stainless finishes that resist fingerprints.
If you’re partial to stainless steel you can use it as your cookware, you can choose that surface for your appliances. And if you really like the modern industrial look you can use stainless steel for your countertops, your cabinets and your back splash.
Stainless steel can be both practical and attractive. And if properly cared for your stainless appliances and cookware will last a lifetime.
Article provided by HamiltonBeach.com, providing quality kitchen appliances for decades, such as slow cookers, blenders, electric knnves and more.
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