Tips on Use
The tips on this page are the result of the recommendations of the manufacturers themselves, chefs, customer comments and my own experience. If you reproduce this text in whole or in part, indicate that it comes from Claudia&Julia with a link.
These tips are not a substitute for each manufacturer's own instructions for their utensils. Please read the instructions for use of your utensil carefully and remember that we are happy to help if you have any questions.
CURING AND CARE OF BUYER MINERAL B IRON PANS
CLEAN AND PRESERVE AN IRON PAELLA PAN
PRESERVING THE INTERIOR ENAMEL OF AN IRON COCOTTE
COOKING GRILLED ON AN IRON GRILL
KEEP A NON-STICK PAN LIKE THE FIRST DAY
AVOID STAINS ON A STAINLESS STEEL UTENSIL
Heat iron utensils gently
Iron utensils do not need high heat if preheated correctly as iron retains heat exceptionally well. If we heat the utensils gently, allowing the heat to be distributed well and cook with medium heat, the meals will be more tasteful and the food will stick less. In addition, excessive heat can damage the enamel of a cocotte or even warp a frying pan. If we use induction it is especially important to take this advice into account as induction tends to overheat iron utensils. In induction or glass-ceramic cookers, we must not drag the iron utensils so as not to damage the countertop.
Curing and care of iron pans De Buyer Mineral B
Before starting to use iron pans De Buyer Mineral B, it is necessary to perform curing. In the case of a De Buyer iron skillet, since it has a beeswax layer, we only have to clean it well with soap and water, rinse it, dry it and heat 1 cm of oil in it for 5 minutes. We remove the oil, clean it with kitchen paper and it is ready for its first use. If done correctly, the pan will take on a tan color that will darken with use.
When we cook with iron pan De Buyer Mineral B we have to heat a little oil or butter gently over low heat. In general, all iron cookware should be heated gently so that the heat is distributed evenly. This is even more important in the case of iron pans, since excess heat will cause that the food get stuck to the pan and it could also deform an iron pan if left over high heat.
We will wash the pan with hot water and a little soap (optional) and dry it immediately with a cloth or absorbent paper. It is very important to never leave it to soak or put it in the dishwasher (it could rust). If the food has stuck, we will remove it by rubbing with the scouring pad and soap. It is important to remove all the remains of food but it is advisable not to scrub the pan more than necessary. With use it turns black, acquiring a patina that makes cooking with it easier every day.
It is not necessary to grease the pan in oil after use if we plan to use it often. In any case, it is not harmful to the pan either and it should be done if we are going to keep it for a few weeks to avoid oxidation. If we do not use the pan for weeks or months, it is very important to wash it before using it again, since after that time the oil that we put to protect the pan can pass and absorb dust and particles in the kitchen.
Use and preserve an iron paella pan
If there are remains of food stuck to an iron paella pan, we can fill the pan with hot water and soap and let the remains soften for a few minutes. Food scraps will come off easily with the green part of the sponge. Once rinsed, it should be dried quickly with a kitchen cloth and oil spread over its surface with the help of kitchen paper. If we keep the paella pan for weeks or months, it is very important to wash it before using it again since after that time the oil can pass and absorb dust and particles in the kitchen.
Preserving the interior enamel of an iron cocotte
Le Creuset iron cocottes have an interior enamel similar to porcelain that, together with the properties of iron, allow us to cook a multitude of recipes with the best cooking results. To keep this glaze like the first day, it is very important to gradually heat the cocotte over medium heat. If we use the cocotte over high heat we will not be heating it evenly, the food will stick easily and we can damage this enamel.
In any case, the cocottes are utensils designed for slow cooking as they retain heat very well, in this way the food will not stick and we will achieve tender and tasty results. It is also very important not to use metallic utensils in our cocottes and always wash them by hand with the soft part of the sponge. If there are remains of food stuck, we can soften them by leaving the cocotte with hot water and soap while we tidy the kitchen and then rub the remains with the green part of the sponge. In glass-ceramic or induction cookers it is very important not to drag the cocotte so as not to damage the worktop.
Grilling on an iron grill
Le Creuset iron grills do not have any non-stick coating, so food can stick during cooking. In any case, we can reduce the chances of food sticking with very simple guidelines. Moreover Le Creuset iron grills are also very easy to clean. It is very important to heat the iron gently so that it heats up well and evenly. We must also distribute the oil well, it is even better if we put oil on the food with the help of a kitchen brush (especially on striped grills). We should not turn the food until it is well cooked because when it is browned it comes off much more easily.
If food remains are stuck, it is highly recommended to cover the surface with a little hot water with a little detergent while we tidy the kitchen and then clean it with the green part of the sponge. If there is only fat, the soft part of the sponge will enough. With use, the grill will stick less and will give us exceptional cooking results. Unlike a non-stick grill, where food is cooked, on an iron grill we can brown meat and fish, achieving even caramelization effect.
Keep a non-stick pan like the first day
We must treat a non-stick pan with care so that it lasts a very long time or at least extends its useful life in the best conditions. A damaged non-stick not only ceases to be effective but can be harmful to the health of our family. To preserve the non-stick we must avoid the use of metal spatulas, wash the pan by hand rubbing with the soft part of the sponge and always use the fire at low or medium power. If we use the pans with high heat we will burn the non-stick and we can even deform it if it is not a quality pan. For high heat cooking we always recommend iron pans.
Prevent stains on stainless steel cookware
When we cook with a stainless steel pot or saucepan, it is advisable to use medium heat to prevent the food from sticking to the bottom.
It is very important to wait for the water to boil to add salt or, even better: add the salt with the rest of the food or ingredients. If we put it with cold water or without food, the salt can accumulate at the bottom and produce stains on our cookware. These stains are only aesthetic, they do not affect the performance of the utensil, but they are almost impossible to remove. We should also avoid leaving cooked food in the container for a long time as the salt can also cause stains. A home remedy if we already have stains is to boil a little wine vinegar in the container.
