After you use Calphalon hard anodized cookware, it is important that the cookware is cleaned properly in order to make sure that the cookware can continue to be used. Properly cleaning the cookware keeps it from damaging as well as makes sure that it does not rust. You do not want to clean the cookware like you do other dishes in your home. A little more goes into properly cleaning hard anodized cookware.
Hard anodized cookware can be difficult to clean. If not cleaned properly, the cookware can become rusted or damaged. Some methods you can use to clean your hard anodized cookware include using baking soda, using warm water along with soap, and using lemon and salt. You do not want to put the cookware in the dishwasher.
Continue reading to learn five different methods that you can use to clean hard anodized cookware.
Is Hard Anodized Cookware Easy to Clean?
Hard anodized cookware is not difficult to clean. It is very easy to clean the cookware after every use. A routine cleaning of your hard anodized cookware after every use can help to prevent stains and discoloration.
The best way to routinely clean hard anodized cookware is to let the cookware cool completely and wash it in hot water using dish soap. You want to gently clean both the interior and exterior of the cookware, but you want to avoid scrubbing vigorously. If you find that there are food bits that are stuck to the cookware, let the cookware soak. Once cleaned, you want to dry the cookware with a dish towel.
This is the easiest method for cleaning your hard anodized cookware. Over time, you may find that the cookware develops stains and blotches on the exterior, and a routine cleaning may no longer be enough. Luckily, there are some other methods for deep cleaning your hard anodized cookware that can help get rid of those stains.
How to Clean Hard Anodized Cookware
When routinely cleaning your hard anodized cookware no longer works due to stains and blotches that have developed on the cookware, there are some other methods that you can use to clean the hard anodized cookware that ensures a deep clean on the cookware.
These five methods are ones that you can use easily. You only want to stick with one method for cleaning and avoid combining the different methods. This can cause harm to your hard anodized cookware.
Use Baking Soda
Using baking soda tends to help get rid of stains and burnt marks. Baking soda is a natural cleaner that is slightly abrasive and is used to clean many different items. Baking soda is known to add more scrubbing power, so this makes using a sponge to clean much more effective.
Things You’ll Need
There are two main things that you will need when using baking soda to clean your hard anodized cookware. You will need:
- Baking Soda
- Water
- A dish towel
The baking soda and the water will actually be used to make a paste that you will use to clean the cookware.
Steps
In order to use baking soda to clean your hard anodized cookware, you need to:
- Mix the baking soda with the water in a bowl in order to make baking soda paste.
- Apply the paste to the cookware gently using your fingers. If you prefer, you can wear gloves during this step.
- Let the cookware rest for around 30 minutes to an hour.
- Rinse the paste off of your cookware.
- Check the cookware to ensure the stains have been removed.
- If the stains have not been removed, repeat the process.
- Dry using the dish towel.
Vinegar and Dish Soap
Vinegar and dish soap are both tools that are often used to clean cookware as well as other things around your home. While vinegar is most often used to clean cast iron, it can also be used to help remove the stains from hard anodized cookware.
Using vinegar and dish soap is a great method for removing burnt bits that can be found on both the interior and the exterior of your hard anodized cookware.
Things You’ll Need
For this method, you will need:
- Vinegar
- Water
- Dish soap
- A sponge
- A dish towel
Steps
In order to use vinegar and dish soap to clean your hard anodized cookware, you need to:
- Fill the sink. You want to use the ratio of one cup of vinegar to three cups of water.
- Submerge the cookware in the water.
- Let the cookware soak for approximately 15 minutes.
- Empty the sink.
- Fill the sink with hot, soapy water.
- Clean the cookware using the dish soap and the sponge.
- Rinse the cookware.
- Dry with a dish towel.
Use Warm Water and Soap
This method is one of the simplest and most common methods in order to clean cookware. This will also work for hard anodized cookware. The main tip for using this method is to let the cookware cool completely before you start the cleaning process.
Things You’ll Need
For this method of cleaning hard anodized cookware, you will only need:
- Warm water
- Soap
- A sponge or washcloth
- A dish towel
Steps
In order to clean your hard anodized cookware using this method, you need to:
- Let the cookware cool completely.
- Fill the sink with warm water.
- Place the cookware in the water.
- Use the dishcloth or sponge with soap to gently clean the cookware.
- Rinse the cookware.
- Dry using the dish towel. Do not let the cookware air dry.
Use Cream of Tartar
It might be surprising to learn that using cream of tartar to clean your hard anodized cookware is actually a good method. Cream of tartar can help to clean grease stains both on the interior of the cookware as well as the exterior.
This method is effective in cleaning your cookware because cream of tartar is acidic. The acidic properties help to break down the grease and grime on the cookware as well as remove any odors.
Things You’ll Need
When it comes to using the cream of tartar method to clean your hard anodized cookware, there are a few items that you will need. This includes:
- Hot water
- A soft sponge
- A dish towel
- A few tablespoons of cream of tartar
Steps
In order to clean your hard anodized cookware using this method, you need to:
- Mix the cream of tartar with water in a bowl in order to create a paste.
- Apply the paste to the cookware.
- Let the cookware sit with the paste on it for around 10 minutes.
- Scrub the paste with a soft sponge.
- Wash the pan thoroughly. You may want to use the method for routinely cleaning the hard anodized cookware at this stage.
- Dry the cookware well with the dish towel.
Use Lemon and Salt
Using lemon and salt is another natural method that can help to clean your hard anodized cookware. The salt works as an abrasive cleaner, while the lemon tends to be a natural cleaning agent. You can use this method to clean burnt spots, stains, and discoloration that can be on the interior or the exterior of the cookware.
Things You’ll Need
In order to clean using this method, you will need:
- Salt
- Lemon juice
- Water
- A sponge or washcloth
- A dish towel
Steps
For the lemon and salt method to clean your hard anodized cookware, you need to:
- Mix a ratio of 1:1 of salt and lemon juice.
- Use your fingers to apply the mixture to the areas that have burnt spots, stains, or discoloration.
- Let the cookware rest with the mixture for 30 minutes. You do not want it to sit longer than 30 minutes.
- Gently scrub with the washcloth.
- Rinse the cookware well.
- Dry using the dish towel.
Things to Avoid When Cleaning Hard Anodized Cookware
You want to be careful when cleaning your hard anodized cookware. If you improperly clean the cookware, this can cause damage to the cookware, or the cookware could warp.
Below you will find some things you need to keep in mind when cleaning your hard anodized cookware. Each of the below listed are things that should be avoided in order to keep your cookware usable and undamaged.
Putting It in the Dishwasher
A big thing you want to avoid when cleaning your hard anodized cookware is putting the cookware in the dishwasher. Detergents that are often used in the dishwasher can be harsh on hard anodized cookware. The temperature and pressure of the water in the dishwasher can also cause harm to your cookware.
It is best to hand wash your hard anodized cookware and dry the cookware using a dish towel.
Using the Wrong Cleaners
You do not want to use the wrong cleaners when it comes to cleaning your hard anodized cookware. You do not want to use cleaners like bleach, oven cleaners, or an aluminum etching cleaner to clean your cookware. These products can damage your cookware’s coating.
Using the wrong cleaners can make your cookware look dull. They can also be too abrasive and cause scratches on the cookware.
Washing While Still Hot
You want to let your cookware cool before you start to clean it. If you clean your cookware while it is still hot, you can risk burning yourself as well as causing your cookware to warp. This warping can ruin your cookware. Once the cookware has warped, it cannot be repaired in most cases.
Using Aerosol Cooking Sprays
You want to avoid using aerosol cooking sprays on your hard anodized cookware. While the sprays are intended to help prevent food from sticking to the cookware, the spray can be difficult to clean and leave residue on your cookware.
Air Drying
You do not want to leave your cookware to air dry. Air drying can lead to rust as well as water spots to form on your cookware. It is best to use a dish towel to completely dry the cookware when you are finished cleaning.
Conclusion
Hard anodized cookware can be easy to clean. It is best to routinely clean your cookware in order to prevent stains, but stains may still form over time. If this happens, there are some cleaning methods you can use on your cookware in order to perform a deep clean. When cleaning, you want to make sure the cookware has cooled completely, and you want to dry the cookware with a dish towel once you have finished.