Stainless steel pans are considered the safest when cooking. These are made from an alloy of heat-conducting metals, based on aluminum or copper and, normally, layers of nickel and chromium, which make them highly resistant utensils. In addition, its surface is firm, non-porous, and lacks added chemicals to protect the taste and smell of food without the risk of toxic releases. On the other hand, the main drawback of this material is that it does not offer the non-stick properties of Teflon pans.
Luckily, if you are also a user of stainless steel pans, there are a series of tricks that will help you control the ideal temperature for cooking without fear of food sticking. The tiktoker @alicias.co, with more than 170,000 followers, explains in one of her latest posts what the water drop test consists of and other tips that will be useful to you.
One of the most common mistakes when cooking with stainless steel pans is pouring in food when it is still cold. That is when this utensil loses its function, since part of the food will adhere to the surface and prevent the rest from passing properly. To avoid this, you just have to perform the water drop test; That is, once on the heat, pour a light stream of water into the pan and, if a ball forms that moves across the surface before evaporating, it means that it has reached sufficient temperature to cook.
Once this is done, you can add the oil and spread it well over the entire surface with the help of a brush, if you are going to prepare, for example, scrambled eggs. If you want to grill meat, also practice the water drop test so that it does not stick or burn.
Finally, if you want to get the most out of your stainless steel pan, remember that they withstand temperatures of up to 200 degrees. This means that you can finish preparing your dishes in the oven if, for example, you feel like cooking fish, without fear of it spoiling.
Stainless steel pans can generally go straight into the dishwasher. However, if you have not been able to prevent food debris from sticking to it, one option is to deglaze it with water while it is hot. This will loosen the embedded dirt, which you can remove with the help of a spatula. Then wash it with soap while it is hot.
For more difficult stains, another option is to add a little water and baking soda and heat it for a few minutes. The water will evaporate and the edges will fill with baking soda. Finally, scrub it with a scouring pad, rinse it and it will be like new!
