Tramontina Stainless Steel Pans: Seasoning Secrets

Tramontina's stainless steel cookware is a popular choice for cooks and chefs due to its beauty, durability, and non-reactive quality. However, one of the challenges of cooking with stainless steel is that food tends to stick to the surface. To overcome this issue, Tramontina offers some useful tips for seasoning your stainless steel pans to ensure they perform perfectly and last a lifetime. Proper maintenance of Tramontina's stainless steel cookware involves following specific care instructions, such as using low to medium heat, avoiding overheating, and preventing sudden temperature changes. By following these guidelines, you can enhance your cooking experience and prolong the lifespan of your Tramontina stainless steel pans.

Preheat on medium for 2 minutes

Preheating your Tramontina stainless steel pan is essential for cooking with this type of cookware. It is recommended that you preheat your pan on medium heat for about 2 minutes before you start to cook. This is an important step to ensure that your food doesn't stick to the pan. Stainless steel is known for its beauty, durability, and non-reactive quality, but it does not have a non-stick surface, so preheating and then adding oil or butter is crucial to prevent sticking.

When preheating your Tramontina stainless steel pan, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, make sure the pan is on medium heat. Second, heat the pan for about 2 minutes. You can test if your pan is ready by doing the water test. Simply spoon a few drops of water into the pan. If the water fizzles or does nothing, it means the pan is not hot enough yet. If the water forms little beads and moves around the pan, it is ready for cooking. If the water beads up and glides around the pan, it is too hot, so turn down the heat and let the pan cool slightly.

Another important factor to consider when preheating your Tramontina stainless steel pan is the type of oil or fat you will be using. It is recommended to use oils with a high smoke point, such as grapeseed or sunflower oil, when cooking over high heat. If you are only cooking over medium heat, olive oil can also be used. Avoid using cooking sprays as they can cake onto the surface of the pan. Add a thin coating of oil to the pan and let it heat up for a few minutes before adding your food.

By following these steps and preheating your Tramontina stainless steel pan on medium for 2 minutes, you can effectively prevent food from sticking and enjoy the benefits of this classic cookware preferred by generations of family cooks and professional chefs.

Use oil or butter

Stainless steel cookware is known for its beauty, durability, and non-reactive quality. However, since it does not have a non-stick surface, food may stick to the pan. To prevent this, you can season your Tramontina stainless steel pans with oil or butter.

To season your pan, start by adding a small amount of oil or butter to the cooking surface. Use a cloth or paper towel to rub the oil or butter lightly and evenly across the entire cooking surface. You can use any type of cooking oil, such as vegetable, canola, or olive oil.

Once the oil or butter is applied, turn on the stove and heat the pan on medium heat for about 2-3 minutes. This allows the oil or butter to penetrate the pores of the stainless steel and create a natural, non-stick surface. Make sure to keep the heat at a medium level, as high heat can cause the oil to smoke and burn, leaving an undesirable residue on the pan.

After heating the pan, turn off the heat and allow the pan to cool down completely. This step is crucial, as it allows the oil or butter to properly set and form a protective barrier on the pan's surface. Do not place the pan in cold water to speed up the cooling process, as sudden temperature changes can cause warping.

Once the pan has cooled, you can wash it with warm, soapy water and a soft sponge or cloth. Rinse the pan thoroughly and dry it completely before storing it away. This seasoning process can be repeated as needed to maintain the non-stick properties of your Tramontina stainless steel pans.

Cook food on one side

Tramontina stainless steel pans are extremely durable and have a beautiful finish that will last a lifetime if properly maintained. Here are some tips to ensure your food doesn't stick to the pan:

Allow your food to cook completely on one side before turning it over. If you try to turn it too soon, it will stick. For example, if you're searing a steak, the pan will let you know when the meat is ready to be flipped. A proper sear will create a barrier between the meat and the pan, resulting in a beautifully browned exterior. If you feel the urge to check your food with a spatula, refrain from forcibly lifting it if it seems stuck. Give it a little more time and only sear each side once. You'll know it's ready to flip when you can easily shake the pan and the meat moves around on its own.

Avoid high heat

Tramontina recommends never putting your stainless steel pan on high heat. Stainless steel cookware with tri-ply clad or tri-ply base construction only requires low to medium heat to sauté, fry or cook most foods.

Using a high heat setting causes the cookware to become very hot, which may cause foods to stick, burn or scorch if added to very hot cookware. The pan should only be on the burner for the time necessary for cooking or boiling.

If you are using an electric stove, you can put the heat on high when heating water for pasta as the water will keep the temperature down. However, if you are frying or sauteing, you need to be more careful not to overheat.

To prevent warping, avoid sudden temperature changes such as immersing hot cookware in cold water. Always let the cookware cool before washing.

If you are boiling pasta or heating other large quantities of liquid, you will need to use 100% heat. However, if you are pan-searing, using 100% heat will likely burn whatever you are cooking.

Soak in hot, soapy water

Stainless steel cookware is extremely durable and has a beautiful finish that will last a lifetime if properly maintained. To keep your Tramontina stainless steel pans in tip-top shape, follow these simple rules:

For hard-to-clean, stuck-on foods, fill your sink with hot, soapy water and soak your Tramontina stainless steel pans prior to washing. This will help to loosen any stubborn residue and make it easier to clean. It's important to note that you should always let the cookware cool before washing to prevent warping and to preserve the original finish. While Tramontina stainless steel pans are dishwasher-safe, hand-washing and immediate drying are recommended to prevent any hard water spots from forming and drying onto your cookware.

If you encounter particularly stubborn spots, stains, or a rainbow effect, create a paste using a quality stainless steel cleanser such as Bar Keepers Friend®. Mix the cleanser with just enough water to form a paste and apply it to the discoloured surface. Let the paste sit for about a minute, then try scrubbing the area with a non-abrasive pad.

By following these steps, you can effectively clean your Tramontina stainless steel pans and maintain their beauty and performance for years to come.

Frequently asked questions