How To Clean All-Clad Pans

It is not uncommon for people to find out how to clean all-clad pans. In fact, it is one of the most popular kitchen questions out there.

Now, All-Clad pans and cookware in general are really high-end; very durable and of course pretty expensive. 

They are basically made of the 304 kind of stainless steel sandwiched in between two slabs of stainless steel, copper, copper core or some other equally durable exterior.

This then results in really durable cookware that allow for an even distribution of heat.  

However, this durability does not absolve you of any responsibility as regards cleaning. To keep your All-Clad pans and cookware in great shape, there are a number of things you must do.

Dishwashing Or Hand Washing?

Dishwashing solves all our dishwashing problems, right? Well, not exactly. The only line of All-Clad pans that should be thrown in the dishwasher are those with a stainless steel exterior.

Pans with a copper or copper core exterior are to be hand washed in other not to destroy them.

Dishwashing

Be Careful

This kinda sounds ominous but it shouldn’t be. When we say to be careful, we refer to how you place the pans in the dishwasher.

All-Clad pans are really heavy duty. So, if you just place them indiscriminately in your dishwasher, you could end up breaking other stuff inside. To be on the safer side, you could decide to wash the pans alone.

Drying

Since you are dishwashing, you might also be considering allowing the machine dry your pans but don’t.

Allowing your pans machine dry will leave some water stains on them.

So instead, get you a microfiber cloth to clean your pans. Be sure that the microfiber cloth is long enough that you can clean the pans without touching them.

The reason for this is to avoid leaving fingerprints on the pans. If, however, you do not have a long microfiber cloth, you could wear cloth gloves as you dry your pans.

On the other hand, if you must allow your pans to be machine dried, consider getting a rinse aid. This should be able to take care of the water stain problem.

Hand Washing

Washing

First things first, do not wash your pans in cold water when they are hot. The immediate change in temperature could make your pans warped.

So, you could either wash them in hot water or just wait for them to cool down before you wash. 

If they have something stuck on them and you are worried about getting them out, soak the pans in hot water not cold water.

Now, when you want to wash, you can do this with dishwashing liquid and a soft sponge or cloth. Do make sure that the soap you use isn’t acidic or containing chloride.

To remove whatever is stuck on the pan, you could use a scrubbing pad. Do not, however, use other utensils like spoons and knives to scrape your pan because you’ll be peeling off the coating on the pan.

Also, using your other metal utensils to scrape your pan will not only cause said utensils to lose their shine but will make them get unnecessarily sharp.

Stubborn Stains

If there are stains on your pans that have refused to go, a lot of people swear by Bar Keepers Friend. It is a non-abrasive powdered cleaning agent that should get your pans looking as good as new.

That said, instead of just sprinkling the powder directly unto your pans, consider mixing the powder with water to form a paste and then spreading that on your pans.

You could use this for both the inside and the outside of the pan.

Allow this mixture to sit on the pans for a couple of minutes and then wash it out with a soft sponge or cloth. Do not use an abrasive sponge as that would be totally overkill.

When you are done removing all the tough stains, rinse out the pans with hot water.

One thing, though; when you are using the Bar Keepers Friend, consider wearing protective gloves because it could be quite abrasive for the hands.

Drying

Drying pans that have been hand washed is basically the same as drying pans that have been machine washed.

Now, let’s watch a professional chef do the deed: