Care of Cuisinart Stainless Cookware

Carl and Shirley Sontheimer founded Cuisinart in 1971 and began importing and selling an exclusive line of stainless steel cookware. They introduced the first food processor to the United States and soon had culinary giants Julia Child, James Beard and Jacques Pepin touting the Cuisinart name to top chefs and the home cook. Cuisinart now has a diverse portfolio of kitchen appliances, bakeware, cookbooks and cooking tools, but its top-quality stainless cookware continues to be the heart of the company.

Wash your cookware with warm soap and water before the first use, or run it through the dishwasher. Rinse to remove all soap residue and dry it with a soft towel after cleaning Cuisinart stainless steel pans. Cuisinart recommends using a non-lemon detergent to preserve the integrity of the finish.

After cooking with Cuisinart stainless steel cookware, fill it with hot water and detergent and let it stand until the water turns lukewarm. Use a sponge to clean the pot or pan, rinse and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Although you can clean your Cuisinart cookware in the dishwasher, frequent dishwasher cleaning will scratch the finish.

Calcium-rich foods, such as dairy products, salmon, broccoli or peas, may stain your cookware. Cuisinart cookware discoloration doesn't affect the performance, but it takes away from the look of your cookware. Warm some vinegar, apply to a dry cloth and wipe the stains until they disappear. Foods like pasta and oatmeal can leave your cookware with a cloudy residue, so use a cleaning product like Bon-Ami or Cameo with a soft, damp cloth to remove it.

If your pan has black marks from burnt-on food, soak the pan in warm water with a little detergent, then wipe with a sponge. For stubborn residue, add 1 inch of warm water and 1 tablespoon of a non-lemon dishwater detergent, bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Allow the water to cool in the pan, rinse under cool water and let it drain. Use a sponge or plastic spatula to remove the remaining residue, and repeat this step one to two more times if needed.

The burner on your stove may stain the outside bottom of your pans. Use an oven cleaner to remove the stains. Follow the manufacturer's directions for using the cleaner. If the directions call for a warm oven, heat the pan before using the cleaner on it.

Cuisinart stainless steel cookware has an encapsulated base that allows even heat distribution and conductivity. Do not use high heat on your Cuisinart cookware, as the temperatures can ruin the pan and damage your stove top.

Use low to medium heat for most cooking preparations, except for boiling liquids where medium-high heat should be sufficient. Cuisinart cookware is oven-safe up to a temperature of 550 degrees F.

Another part of Cuisinart pots and pans care is how you use the pan on your stove. Cuisinart recommends using plastic or wooden utensils when possible. Metal spoons or other utensils may scratch the interior of the cookware, but should not make a difference in its performance.

Exercise caution when using Cuisinart stainless steel cookware on a gas stove. Some gas burners may overheat and burn foods on even the lowest setting. A flame-tamer, available at most hardware stores, sits between the pan and the burner to prevent overheating problems. You must be careful when using a gas stove to make sure that the flame touches only the bottom of the pan, to prevent permanent discoloration.