Dealing with food sticking to pots and pans can be a real hassle, affecting both the taste of your dishes and the difficulty of cleaning up. To tackle this common issue, Mytour shares some ingenious tricks to prevent food from sticking to stainless steel cookware. Check out the insights below!
Smart Tips to Prevent Food from Sticking to Stainless Steel Pots and Pans
1. Smart Tips to Prevent Food from Sticking to Stainless Steel Pots and Pans
Why You Should Switch to Stainless Steel Cookware for Cooking
To prevent food from sticking to stainless steel pots and pans, try the following method:
First, heat the stainless steel pot or pan on low heat for about 1 - 3 minutes. Then, test the temperature by adding a few drops of water. If the water rolls around, it means the pan is hot enough for cooking without sticking.

Water rolling around indicates the pan is sufficiently hot
On the contrary, if the water just sizzles but doesn't roll around, wait another 30 seconds for the pan to reach the right temperature. Then, add oil and let it heat up for about 1 minute. Finally, add the food to cook. If you're frying, wait for the food to turn golden brown on one side before flipping and continuing to fry.
Additionally, users can consider some tips to prevent food from sticking to stainless steel pots and pans, such as:
- Stainless steel pots and pans often have layered bottoms to retain and distribute heat well. However, cooking at high temperatures with stainless steel pans often doesn't provide effective non-stick results. Instead, heat them at medium heat and maintain this temperature throughout the cooking process to ensure even cooking without burning or sticking to the pot or pan.
- Thoroughly thaw food before putting it into stainless steel pots and pans, as the colder the food, the more likely it is to stick to the surface. Ensure the food is drained to increase non-stick capability when frying or sautéing.

Thaw Food Before Cooking to Avoid Sticking
2. Tips for Storing and Using Stainless Steel Cookware
Cleaning Newly Purchased Stainless Steel Pots and Pans
- Wash newly purchased stainless steel pots and pans with clean water and soap to ensure all residues from the manufacturing and transportation processes are removed.
- Prepare a mixture of 20-30ml rice vinegar, juice from 1 lemon, and 0.5 liters of boiled water. Boil this mixture in a pot.
- Depending on the pot size, you can adjust the heat to keep the rice vinegar and lemon mixture at a gentle boil. Continue boiling for about 2-5 minutes.
- After boiling, turn off the heat and let the pot cool down.
- Clean the pot thoroughly with clean water and soap to remove the rice vinegar and lemon mixture.

Mixing Cleaning Solution for Newly Purchased Pans
Removing Sticky Residue When Peeling off Labels
Use warm water to moisten the sticky part of the label. Then, take some soap and use a warm cloth to wipe off the sticky residue. This is an effective way to easily remove the sticky residue.
Storing and Using Pots and Pans
- Spices with corrosive properties such as salt, seasoning powder, vinegar, etc., should be stirred well to dissolve, or added when the water is boiling to prevent them from settling at the bottom of the pot or pan, as they can cause rust on the utensils.
- Use mild, specialized cleaning agents to avoid wearing down the stainless steel surface.
- Avoid leaving food in pots or pans overnight as it can cause corrosion on the stainless steel surface if left for too long.
- Use appropriate utensils: Avoid using chopsticks, spoons, or sharp sanding tools directly on the surface of the pot or pan to prevent scratches or damage to the inner coating.

Avoid using hard, sharp objects to scrub the pot surface
- Clean after use: Clean pots and pans after each use with warm water to easily remove dirt and suitable cleaning agents.
- Avoid using cold water or ice to cool down quickly: Avoid placing hot pots and pans on cold surfaces, such as ice, or immersing them directly in cold water immediately after cooking. This sudden temperature change can cause cracking, warping, or damage to the inner layers of the pot.

Avoid storing Stainless Steel pots containing food in the refrigerator
- Store in a dry and cool place. Avoid placing heavy objects on pots and pans to prevent deformation or cracking.
- Do not heat pots and pans on the stove when there is no food inside or only oil. This can reduce the lifespan of the pot or pan and may cause errors on the stove (for induction cookers, electric stoves).
Conclusion: The aforementioned are tips to prevent food from sticking to stainless steel pots and pans that Supermarket Mytour has compiled. Hopefully, through this information, users will alleviate the pressure every time they step into the kitchen.
Check out some models of stainless steel pots and pans at Supermarket Mytour:
