No matter how experienced a cook you are or how careful you may be, there’s just no avoiding the occasional baked-on or burned-on mess.  Your cookware can suffer not only from the high heat and carbonization of its contents, but from the methods you use to clean up the mess.  You can safely clean your cookware without damaging it, even if you have managed to turn your lasagna into a very large lump of charcoal.

*Wash your cookware immediately after using it.  Letting it sit out will not only allow the mess to solidify; it will make you less likely to want to pick up that nasty pan to scrape it clean.

*Most cookware doesn’t do well in the dishwasher.  Unless the directions from the manufacturer specifically say that you should wash the cookware in the dishwasher, plan to wash your pots and pans by hand.  It may take longer, but it will help to extend the life of the cookware.

*Unless you’re using a stainless steel pot, you can pour a layer of baking soda over the baked-on gunk on the bottom of the pot, cover it with water, and wait for the mess to loosen.  The baking soda releases the burned-on food, but this may take several hours.  If it doesn’t work, try adding a little more water and boiling the mess for 15-30 minutes.

*Avoid using metal utensils to scrape up burned-on food from nonstick cookware.

And for the basic maintenance of your cookware, there are a few things for every cook to remember.

*Don’t use nonstick spray on nonstick cookware.  The tiny droplets of spray get into the nonstick coating and cause holes and peeling.

*Cast iron cookware should never be put in the dishwasher.  This will ruin the seasoning of the pans.  Just wash your cast iron pieces in very warm water, dry thoroughly, and re-season whenever rust begins to appear.

*Never use metal utensils with nonstick cookware.  Even something as simple as using a fork to stir your noodles can cause holes and scratches in the nonstick coating.

*Let all cookware cool down prior to plunging it into cold water.  Subjecting your cookware to sudden temperature changes can cause warping and buckling.