The questions for today is can you use steel wool on ceramic pans? Many people are hesitant to purchase ceramic cookware because they believe that it requires too much energy and time for upkeep. In a way, these people are correct. Owning ceramic cookware can be more time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be!
Those that do not own ceramic cookware have become accustomed to using steel wool or scouring pads to clean their pots and pans. While c
eramic cookware can not handle steel wool or scouring pads, you can still clean it efficiently!
Want to know how steel wool can damage your ceramic pots and pans? Keep reading to learn how to effectively and easily clean your ceramic cookware without steel wool!
Why Not Use Steel Wool
How Steel Wool Typically Helps
Steel Wool is a pack of flexible steel filaments that are used for many reasons. Many do not know that steel wool has been around since 1896! If it has been around that long, it must be working for someone!
There are many uses for steel wool. You can use steel wool in the home, in woodworking, metalworking, jewelry, and more. In the home, people use steel wool to clean cookware, windows, and porcelain. The metal of steel wool bundles is softer than glass and porcelain, making it possible to scrub off inconsistencies without harming the material.
In woodworking, workers use steel wool to polish finished projects and to create wood stains. Metal craftsmen and jewelers typically use steel wool to clean surfaces and to create a polished look.
Related to cookware, individuals use steel wool as a scrubbing agent. Cookware owners can scrub off food deposits and food stains.
How it Affects Ceramic Pans
Using a steel wool bundle or pad is bad for ceramic pots and pans. While using steel wool to clean cookware is a fairly common practice in the kitchen, it is not applicable for all cookware materials.
Steel wool can scratch ceramic pots and pans. Most ceramic cookware requires a nonabrasive scrubbing agent when cleaning. If you read the care instructions or warnings on most ceramic cookware products, they will likely suggest using soft scrubbers. Steel wool can damage the cookware and destroy the quality of the finish making your cookware look abused and corrupted.
Because steel wool is a stronger material than ceramic, it will scratch and damage the pan. Not only will it cause visible damage, but it can damage the nonstick properties of your ceramic cookware. If you use harsh detergents and abrasive scrubbing agents, the pan’s natural nonstick surface will be scrubbed away over time.
To ensure that your nonstick surface stays intact, it is best to use softer materials to clean your ceramic pots and pans. When the nonstick property is damaged, it can make cooking a pain to do. Pans that are not nonstick require more fats and oils for cooking. Not only does this add unnecessary calories to your dish, but it also adds more time to the cooking experience.
Other Alternatives for Cleaning Ceramic Pans
Other Scrubbing Agents
When cleaning ceramic pots and pans, you will need a soft scrubbing agent that will not cause scratches or major damages to your cookware. The following scrubbers can be used with ceramic cookware:
- Soft Cloth
- Nylon Scrubbing Pad
- Paper Towels
- Plastic Scrubbers
- Soft Sponges
Items like steel wool or scouring pads will scratch and damage your ceramic cookware. Softer items will efficiently clean the pan and keep its integrity.
For Burnt Food
There are other alternatives for cleaning your ceramic pans that work just as well as steel wool pads on cookware. There are many methods that clean ceramic pots and pans well; however, the methods vary based on what you are cleaning.
For burnt food, individuals should soak their cooled pan in warm water. After soaking their pan, people can sprinkle and scrub the baking soda into the surface of their ceramic cookware with a soft scrubber or cloth. There are also some cleaners that effectively work the same way.
You can combine a small amount of warm water with the baking soda to create a paste-like mixture. Many people say that scrubbing the paste is much easier than baking soda by itself.
For Discoloration
If your ceramic cookware has food stains or burns stains, you can remove these stains without steel wool or a scouring pad. All you need is hydrogen peroxide and a little bit of time.
Cover the stained areas of your ceramic cookware with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Most normal first aid hydrogen peroxide will work. After covering the stains in hydrogen peroxide, let the pan sit for at least thirty minutes. Once it has sat for thirty minutes, rinse and dry. You may wish to wash the pan after using the hydrogen peroxide to avoid any compromised food tastes or smells.
For a Deep Clean
Once again, baking soda is an excellent resource when cleaning pots and pans. Most kitchen appliances and cookware items will require a deep clean now and again. When you begin to notice sticky spots or discoloration, it may be time to deep clean your ceramic cookware.
Sprinkle baking soda into your ceramic pot or pan and add enough water to cover any troubled areas. After combing baking soda and water, bring your pot or pan to a boil. Once it begins to boil, reduce it to a simmer and simmer the mixture for ten to fifteen minutes. After it has simmered, allow the pot or pan to cool completely before washing like normal.
In Summary
To summarize, steel wool and scouring pads will harm your ceramic cookware because they cause scratches, damages to the nonstick properties, require more fats when cooking, destroy the polish of the pan, and lessen the lifespan of the cookware.
Thankfully, there are other alternatives and methods for cleaning your ceramic pots and pans. By using baking soda, water, or hydrogen peroxide, you can effectively clean any discolorations or inconsistencies.
You can clean your ceramic cookware without a steel wool bundle; you can clean your ceramic cookware with a soft scrubbing agent instead. Because of their natural nonstick finish, you should not require any abrasive scrubbers such as steel wool or scouring pads.
Did this article help you? Are you ready to try our methods on your ceramic pots and pans? Let us know!
