Ceramic pans are about as easy to clean as they are to cook with. With their glossy non stick surface, they typically don’t require much more than a quick scrub and wipe dry. Yet just because it’s relatively effortless to maintain, that doesn’t mean you should neglect your pan—at least, if you want it to last a long time. Pay attention to these simple rules for cleaning and caring for ceramic cookware, and your effort will pay off in spades (i.e., perfect scrambled eggs and grilled cheese sandwiches).
Understanding Ceramic Pans
Ceramic pans work by releasing a small amount of their coating every time they’re heated, which prevents food from sticking. While this coating isn’t quite the same as the type used in conventional, coated non stick cookware, it’s still just as prone to scratches and other forms of permanent damage as traditional non stick. That’s a very good reason to be gentle when cleaning it.
How to Clean Ceramic Pans: Daily Cleaning Routine
Ceramic is astoundingly easy to clean—it can even be wiped clean if you're cooking something else right after. For daily cleaning and care, follow this simple, step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Let Your Pan Cool Down
Sudden temperature changes could cause the coating to crack and potentially warp the metal base (especially if it’s relatively thin or flimsy). Give your pan ample time to cool down before running it under the tap—by the time you’re finished eating,
Step 2: Lather Up and Rinse
Using a gentle dish soap and sponge (not a scouring pad or other abrasive cleaning tool), give the inside and the outside of your pan a thorough scrub. Never use the dishwasher—we’ll go over this in more detail later, but the dishwasher is just as bad for your ceramic cookware as it is for traditional non stick.
Rinse thoroughly, then dry with a soft dish cloth or paper towel before hanging or stacking.
Other Cleaning Tips
- Never use cooking sprays—e.g. PAM—when cooking with ceramic; these contain chemicals like lecithin and dimethyl silicone, which can easily build up and become very difficult to remove without damaging the ceramic finish.
- Clean your pan immediately after it cools down: any stuck-on food or burnt oil will only get harder to clean as the pan sits.
- Make sure to regularly clean the exterior of your pan, as well as any rivets.
Deep Cleaning Techniques
If you’re following our guide and cleaning your ceramic pan after each use, you won’t need to do much heavy duty scouring. Occasionally, however, you may need to get a little more aggressive—especially if you’ve got stains or burnt-on food that just won’t budge. Here’s how to do that without damaging your pan.
- Mix together a 1:1 ratio (we suggest 2 tablespoons each) of white vinegar and baking soda and gently scrub with a sponge or dishcloth to create a paste. For lighter stains or smaller burns, this should do the trick—but if you’ve got a persistent one, progress to the next step.
- Add a few tablespoons of water to the mixture and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, using a silicone or wooden spatula or spoon to gently stir until baking soda is dissolved. Allow the pan to simmer until you’ve managed to loosen any residue.
- Allow pan to cool completely. Discard mixture and rinse the pan out with warm water, then wash with warm soapy water as per usual before drying.
Do's and Don'ts of Cleaning Ceramic Pans
These tips will keep you and your ceramic cookware in the clear.
Dos:
- Hand-washing.
- Using gentle dish soap for daily cleaning.
- Only using soft sponges or dish cloths.
- Waiting for the pan to cool down before cleaning.
Don’ts:
- Scrubbing with steel wool, rough sponges, or other abrasive cleaning tools.
- Using harsh cleaning agents, such as detergents containing bleach or citric acid.
- Using dishwashers—these use extremely hot water and harsh detergents to clean, which will degrade the ceramic coating and cause it to wear out quickly.
- Leaving the pan to soak for more than a few minutes.
- Cleaning the pan while it is still very hot.
Additional Ceramic Maintenance and Care Tips
To keep your pan in the best condition possible, you’ll need to keep a few other care aspects in mind.
- Always store your ceramic cookware in a dry, non-humid environment when not in use.
- Store your pans either by stacking—making sure to place a Pan Protector, dish cloth, or trivet between each layer—or by hanging on a rack.
- Try not to leave your pan stacked in the sink with other cookware or utensils, which can chip or scratch the finish if you’re not careful.
- Protect your pan from thermal shock by bringing cold ingredients up to room temperature before adding them to the pan, and by never putting a hot pan directly into the fridge or freezer or a cold pan into the oven.
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As long as you’re willing to put in a tiny bit of effort to keep your pan in good shape, there's no reason to avoid more delicate cookware like ceramic. Following these simple tips will make your life easier—and your cooking taste even better in our new CeramiClad™ frying pans.
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