After you’ve invested so much in All-Clad pots and pans, it would be nice to keep them as clean as possible without any show of wear and tear. Right?
Of course, it is not possible to keep them sparkling new forever. But if you want to find out how to clean All-Clad utensils without any discoloration or countless streaks, you are in the right place.
We have researched and tried out several techniques, and it’s not that difficult to clean and maintain the pots and pans shine.
With this article on how to clean All-Clad cookware, we hope to inspire you to take good care of your cookware to enjoy it for an even longer period of time!
Are All-Clad Pots And Pans Dishwashers Safe?
Yes, most All-Clad cookware is dishwasher safe, especially the stainless steel cookware collection.
However, we found out that the LTD, MC2, and Cop-R collections are better off being hand washed. The copper and brushed-aluminum exterior layers will get tarnished and discolor quickly in a dishwasher, losing their beauty as a result.
Besides, the high heat and harsh dishwasher detergents will dry up the non-stick surface. This will lead to food sticking on it, and you won’t be able to use your All-Clad pot as a non-stick anymore.
And as All-Clad utensils are dense and heavy, there’s the risk of damaging and breaking other fragile kitchen items in the dishwasher.
How To Clean All-Clad Cookware In The Dishwasher
Experts, however, recommend washing the stainless steel All-Clad cookware in the dishwasher before the first use. It is to remove any remnant manufacturing residues.
If you choose to use the dishwasher, remove the utensils immediately after the washing cycle and dry them with a clean cloth. The dishwasher’s drying cycle may leave some ugly mineral residue on the surface.
We suggest using mild detergents if you clean your All-Clad cookware in a dishwasher. A dishwasher rinse prevents water from forming spots in the final rinse and gives clean and shiny utensils.
How To Clean All-Clad Cookware By Hand
It’s better to wash your All-Clad cookware by hand for everyday cleaning and use the dishwasher only on occasion.
Harsh detergents, high temperatures, and sharp utensil contact during regular washing in the dishwasher will tarnish and degrade the utensils’ exterior.
Hand washing is the best way to maintain the cookware’s surface shine. Besides, it lets us pay better attention to the cookware to get rid of all food residues properly.
We suggest cleaning your All-Clad cookware every day using a non-abrasive sponge and warm and soapy water. Do not use steel wool or a scouring pad, detergents containing chloride, or any oven-based cleaner.
Useful Regular Cleaning Practices
Daily Cleaning
Always ensure your cookware cools down before you clean it or place it in cold water. It prevents the pan from warping. Once cooled down, pour some hot water in the pan and remove excess surface grease. Then leave some warm water and soap in it for about ten minutes.
Scrape the pan surface with your non-abrasive sponge and rinse with clean, warm water once all the grease and leftover foods are eliminated. Dry before storing.
How to Clean Stubborn Stains In 6 Simple Steps
We know how difficult cleaning tough stains is, due to stuck-on food, overheating, or hard water. And to make things worse, the wrong technique will only damage your cookware further.
Therefore, we’ve put together simple step-by-step guidelines to clean stubborn stains from your All-Clad cookware.
Step 1
First, fill your pan with hot water to cover all the stubborn stains and heat it on your stove. Turn off the heat once the water boils.
Step 2
Drain most of the water, leaving about half a cup. Make a paste with your stainless steel cleaner. Let it sit in the pan for about 10-15 minutes to allow the cleaner to soak and work on the stain particles. We recommend wearing gloves because the stainless steel cleaner may react with your hands.
Step 3
Now scrub the pan using a woven plastic scrubber and rinse once all the stains are cleaned. Don’t forget to clean the exterior.
Step 4
Dip a cotton swab into the cleaning paste to remove any stains or discoloration around the All-Clad logo. Rinse everything. Remember, we do not recommend using this approach to clean non-stick cookware!
Step 5
In case of burned food, add baking soda and leave for a few minutes beforehand. It makes washing easier.
Step 6
Always dry your All-Clad cookware after washing to prevent water spots from forming, and to remove any fingerprints on the surface.
Et voila, these steps will retain the sparkle or your pans!
How to Polish All-Clad Cookware?
Polishing your All-Clad cookware once in a while removes any spots and scratches, maintains the soft touch of the surfaces, and gives a shiny appearance.
Polishing is easily done using cleaning gloves, stainless steel polish, and a clean microfiber cloth.
Wear gloves and spray some polish on the surface. Wipe all over the surface with the microfiber cloth until you get a shiny, clean, and smooth surface.
Useful Preventive Measures for Easy Cleaning
To prevent is always better than to cure. These tips will help you to prevent stains and will make cleaning your All-Clad cookware easier.
- Preheat the pan before adding the oil. Why? Adding the oil first, exposes the oil to heat for a longer time. And then there’s a higher chance of the oil overheating, breaking down, and forming difficult to remove sticky polymers.
- It’s better to use high-smoke point oil that handles the high cooking heat without burning.
- Go easy on the heat if you use butter. Using a high smoke point oil prevents burning the oil.
- Always add sufficient oil to the pan, about one to two teaspoons, to prevent food from sticking to its surfaces.
- Never overheat your All-Clad stainless steel cookware. There’s no need to cook on high temperatures because the aluminum core quickly heats and evenly distributes the heat. Use a higher temperature only if you need to boil something.
- You don’t even need high temperatures for searing meat because All-Clad gives a perfect, crisp sear even on medium heat.
- Don’t keep turning and mashing meat. It only displaces juices and increases food sticking to the surface, which makes cleaning more difficult.
- Do not add salt until the food starts cooking or until the water boils. It can lead to the formation of small, white dots called pitting.
- We suggest storing each pan individually unless the cookware is designed for nesting. If space is a problem, use pan protectors for nesting without damaging the cooking surface.
We hope our tips on how to clean All-Clad cookware will help you clean your cookware without damaging it!