Though I know a few guys who live on take out and have nothing more than a few plastic forks and paper plates in their cupboards, most people have a selection of pots and pans in their home. These are used for cooking most meals, and can be something of an investment. You can buy the cheaper varieties, but they may not last you as long as a really good set. However, no matter how much you pay, the longevity of your cooking vessels is going to depend on how well you take care of them when you wash and store them.
You should always find out the best ways to clean your pots and pans, and then stick with that no matter what happens. When you get a new Teflon pan, you may follows the directions about cleaning all of the time. What happens next though, is why you have to replace them. One time you will find that the soft method of cleaning will not work, and something harder will be used to get that troublesome stain off the pan. That one bout of rough treatment dooms the pan to a short life. Avoid that at all costs.
You are going to find that most pots and pans require the same cleaning. If you have something without a protective coating, you can use something abrasive to clean off the stubborn foods that are baked or cooked on. You should always try the softest methods first though, as there can be damage even when you don?t have to worry about a coating. Don?t forget about cleaning the outside of your pots and pans, as letting things build up can cause a fire when you cook or bake. Grease is the biggest problem, but other food items can do the same as well.
When it comes to maintaining your pots and pans, you also have to know how to store them. One of the best ways to do this is to have a rack in your kitchen from which you can hang them. This allows them to stay free from banging up on the others. If you don?t have room for a rack, you just have to work with what you have. That means learning to stack them in your cupboards without banging them up against each other all of the time. They may seem tough, but pots and pans need tender loving care just like anything else in your kitchen.
