Sometimes—but, it’s not the end of the world.
Stainless Steel Cookware is among the most popular cookware options for both professional and home cooks. While it’s a great choice when it comes to stocking your kitchen, some types of Stainless Steel Cookware can still rust and become corroded if it is not properly maintained.
While Stainless Steel pots and pans are corrosion-resistant, note that they are not corrosion proof. This means that not only can rust ruin your favorite Stainless Steel Cookware, but it can also cause safety concerns when cooking.Luckily, we’re here to help you learn how to use and maintain your favorite tools for years to come.
Yes, certain types of Stainless Steel Cookware do rust. Pots and pans that contain the alloy chromium are more rust resistant because chromium oxidizes to create a protective coating on the cookware. Keep an eye out for 304 or 18/10 Stainless Steel—these both contain high levels of chromium, indicating that they’re more resistant to corrosion and rust.
Stainless Steel Cookware with lesser amounts of or no chromium, like 18/0, will rust faster as they lack the oxidation layer of protection that chromium provides.
Most of us are familiar with the brown/orange iron oxide seen on metal surfaces. Rust can form on any metal, even those with chromium. One of the main reasons this still happens is due to the fact that chromium actually reacts more to oxygen than iron.
While it does help to protect metal, when it becomes scratched from cooking and then exposed to water while cleaning, rust forms. In addition, there are actually certain foods that can cause rust and corrosion if you are cooking with a reactive pan. Foods that are highly acidic like tomatoes, those with lemon juice, and any vinegar-based foods should not be cooked in reactive stainless steel pots and pans to avoid the formation of rust on the cookware—luckily, our Stainless Clad line is nonreactive, so you can cook anything in our pans.
And finally, rust can also form on your stainless steel cookware if it is not properly maintained and cleaned well. Proper maintenance also includes polishing, which is crucial for longevity. Our Make It New Stainless Clad can help with that step, along with regular cleaning and maintenance.
If your Stainless Pan manages to get a rust spot or two, there are a few options you can use to get your pan back to its original, shiny state. For both these options, make sure your pan is completely cool to the touch before cleaning it.
Even the best Stainless Clad Cookware is susceptible to rust, but luckily there are a few tips that can help to prevent it from forming on your favorite pots and pans.
Although no Stainless Steel Cookware is 100 percent rustproof, those made with chromium are corrosion-resistant and are the best choice for long-lasting cookware. By selecting higher quality performance cookware and following a few of the recommended care tips to prevent rust, your favorite Stainless Clad Cookware will last for years.