If you’re new to cooking with Cuisinart stainless steel cookware, there are a few things you need to know about how best to use your new pots and pans. In this article, I’ll talk about how to cook with Cuisinart stainless steel cookware, so you can get the most out of your new set.

1.) Need to pre-season your Cuisinart stainless steel cookware?

While it’s not absolutely necessary to pre-season stainless steel pots and pans, it does help prevent food from sticking. Stainless steel cookware does not have a nonstick interior like many of the pots and pans you can buy. Steel is very porous and therefore it is easy for food to “get stuck” within these pores. Seasoning cookware helps seal these pores and prevent sticking.

To season your stainless steel pan, coat the bottom of the pan with oil and salt. You will need to pour about 1/2″ to 3/4″ of oil. Place the pan on the stove burner and heat until the oil begins to smoke. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool, until it is safe to touch it and discard the oil and salt. Next, take a soft cloth and wipe off any remaining oil and salt. Your pan is now ready to use!

Now remember the porous nature of the pan I mentioned earlier? This also means that every time you wash the pan with hot water, those pores will open up again and the oil used for seasoning will wash out. Therefore, you will probably want to repeat this process after washing the pan. Again, pre-seasoning isn’t necessary, but it does help eliminate a lot of the food sticking issues caused by not having a non-stick interior.

2.) Use a lower heat setting

You’ll find you don’t need to use as much heat as you used to when cooking with Cuisinart stainless steel cookware. Because of how pots are built, they tend to get hot very quickly. Start with a lower temperature than you think you’ll need and gradually increase the temperature until you get used to how the pans heat up.

3.) Prevents food from sticking

There are a few things you can do (besides seasoning) that can help prevent food from sticking to your pans. First, always make sure your oil is hot before adding any food. You’ll want to preheat your pan, then add the oil and let it heat up, and only then should you add your food.

Don’t try to put too much food in the pot at one time. If necessary, cook smaller batches of food.

What if you burn yourself or get stuck in food? Try a little vinegar and baking soda to remove tough food stains. Another trick is to use a product called Barkeeper’s Helper, or a cleaner made specifically for stainless steel cookware.

By following these tips on how to cook with Cuisinart stainless steel cookware, you’ll not only enjoy cooking more, but you’ll also ensure that your pots and pans last a long time.