How to Properly Care for and Maintain Your Bakeware

The actual act of baking is just half the step in producing a wonderful and delicious product. What is the second half? Your bakeware and properly taking care of it. A decent pot or pan will last for 10+ years with maintenance. Knowing how to take care of your pans is a valuable tool that will last you and your bakeware a lifetime.

There are three main types of material that bakeware comes in:

1) Non-stick: Easy maintenance, long shelf life IF properly taken care of. Yet, it can scratch easily and look unappealing.

2) Glass: Another easy maintenance, but glass does not "conduct" heat well in the oven, so products may not come out 100 percent perfect, yet it retains heat very well. Glass bakeware is great for casseroles or dishes to be served buffet style. But be careful because it does crack and break easily.

3) Cast iron: Excellent heat conductor. But expensive and high maintenance. Cast iron is great for true cooks and foodies.

There are 3 basic and easy steps to live by when taking care of your bakeware:

1) Avoid aersol sprays, like PAM, especially in non-stick. Why? The aersol spray, itself, leaves a film on top of the pan, makes your non-stick pan unusable, and is very difficult to clean and remove. See that extra dark, "film" layer on your cookie sheets? Yes, that is the result of aersol sprays. There is no real use for aersol sprays in the kitchen, just toss 'em away! Good non-stick bakeware should require ZERO extra grease. In case you do need extra "grease," in your bakeware, (for glass bakeware) "wipe" your pan with a little butter.

2) Hand wash your bakeware, even if your bakeware is dishwasher safe. Dishwasher soap and water are very hot and strong and can lead damage to your bakeware, especially non-stick, after constant use. It takes less time to handwash versus putting in the dishwasher.

3) Always use cooking utensils in your bakeware! Cutting into a pan of warm fudge brownies? Make sure you either, 1) take it out of the pan and cut into it, or 2) use soft edge cooking utensil while cutting the brownie in the pan. Never use flatware or a chef's knife in your bakeware, just stick with the heat-safe cooking untensils.

Most bake/cookware companies will also include a warranty. USE IT! Save your proof of purchase and know the fine details. This is to your benefit!

Just like any other investment, take care and know your investment. Great baked goods come from great bakeware that is taken care of. Be nice to your pans and they will be nice to you!

Happy Baking,

-Kimm