7 tips to extend the life of your ceramic cookware

1. Use suitable appliances

Cookware made of ceramic or coated with this material is resistant to mechanical damage. But this does not mean that it cannot be scratched. To keep the surface in its original form longer, protect it from contact with metal devices.

Do not cut the pie with a knife directly in the ceramic pan or check the readiness of the fried eggs in a ceramic pan with a fork. Even a metal spatula with streamlined edges can damage the ceramic. It is better to choose utensils from any other material - silicone, plastic, nylon or wood.

2. Choose the right temperature

Ceramics can withstand the most intense heat of the stove and oven, but there is one caveat. Empty dishes must be preheated: they should only be put on a slow fire, gradually increasing the heating power. This will extend the life of the utensil, reduce the risk of food burning later on, and make cleaning easier. When the dishes are full - liquid is also counted - you can immediately set medium and high temperatures.

3. Avoid stark contrasts

Do not put vegetables or meat directly from the freezer into a preheated skillet. Ceramics do not tolerate such contrasts: cracks may appear on the surface, and its non-stick properties will deteriorate. Before cooking, it is better to completely defrost the food in advance - preferably in a different container.

4. Do not wash the dishes immediately after cooking

After each use, ceramics, like other utensils, must be cleaned. But wait at least five minutes for the dishes to cool before putting them in the cold sink. This will help to avoid sudden changes in temperature, which are especially harmful to ceramics.

5. Use gentle cleaning agents

Steel and abrasive sponges and metal scrapers can scratch the ceramic surface. It is better to use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth, and to make cleaning faster and easier, the dishes can be pre-soaked in warm soapy water.

6. Clean Burnt Food Properly

If the food is still burnt, try pouring some water into a bowl and heating over low heat. When the dirt is soaked, take a spatula and gently remove it.

If you have greasy deposits in the pan, use one of these products.

Activated carbon … Apply a layer of regular detergent to the bottom of the dish and crush 10-20 charcoal tablets on top. Let it sit for an hour, then wash off with warm water.
Alcohol … Moisten a cotton pad with it and gently wipe the dirty areas. The procedure can be repeated several times.
Soda … Pour it generously on the bottom of the dish, add two tablespoons of warm water and leave for 15-30 minutes. Then go over the problem areas with a sponge. It is worth using this method when others have not helped: soda perfectly cleans, but at the same time worsens the non-stick properties of the dishes.

6. Remove browning with hydrogen peroxide

Ceramic cookware can darken if you use it frequently. The stains are not dangerous and do not affect the quality of the cooking, but they spoil the appearance. Hydrogen peroxide will help to remove defects. Pour it over so that the liquid completely covers the dark areas, and leave it for 30 minutes. Then drain the peroxide and rinse thoroughly with water.

7. Store dishes carefully

It is better to place ceramics on a flat surface: it does not matter whether in a horizontal or vertical position, the main thing is that it must be stable. Any fall can damage the work surface.

Do not place other utensils on top of the ceramics. And if there is not enough space in the kitchen and there is no other way out, lay ceramic plates, bowls and forms with rag or silicone napkins.