New year, new me? Maybe. With 2022 right around the corner, it’s time to start considering your habits, particularly in the kitchen. Whether it is common pitfalls to avoid with your cookware, or finally getting around to mastering a new cooking technique, 2022 presents new opportunities to do things slightly different.
New Year’s resolutions can prove tricky to put into practice, however, with a little commitment, you can truly make the most of your Le Creuset collection in 2022. Our cookware is crafted with premium materials, and are built to last, yet there still are certain considerations to make when using them.
What works for our line of stainless steel products, simply put, may not apply to our enamelled cast iron cookware – and vice versa. But we are here to help. From immediately cleaning your pots after using them, to drying your Le Creuset cookware before storing them, these resolutions are friendly tips that can go a long way in the kitchen.
Here are nine New Year’s resolutions for your Le Creuset cookware.
1. I will not leave leftover pots and pans in the sink
Learning new cooking techniques and preparing original recipes is all good fun until it is time to clean up. One-pot recipes are a great way to minimize clean up time after the meal is done, however, this is not always possible. Rather than letting your pots and pans soak in the sink, and we’ve all been guilty of this, it is always recommended to clean them as fast as possible.
Leaving pans in the sink overnight allows tough food residues to stick to the surface, forcing you to scrub it off the next day. Beyond making cleanup more difficult, this intensified scrubbing can eventually wear down the enamel of your cookware, reducing its durability and performance down the line.
2022 is the year to take the extra five minutes after eating and stop leaving pots and pans soaking in the sink overnight. You can always divide the cleanup duties with your loved one, or delegate it to the children on other nights.
2. I will not plunge my hot pan under cold water
Thermal shock is one of the biggest enemies of quality cookware. Simply put, thermal shock causes rapid deterioration of your cookware, leading to unequal expansion and potential cracks to the enamel. To avoid this, simply cool your pan for a few minutes before washing it.
Plunging a hot pan directly in cold water after using it is a surefire way to trigger thermal shock and should be avoided at all costs. This will significantly damage the enamel and could crack it altogether. In addition, thermal shock could warp the base of the pan and render it uneven. This reduces cooking performance and as a result, the pan will not sit straight on the burner.
If tough food residue remains after cooking, simply let it cool down first before soaking it for 10 to 15 minutes. This applies to all materials, including enamelled cast iron, toughened nonstick pro, and stainless steel.
3. I will not overheat my enamelled cast iron pan
Have you ever been in a rush to prepare a meal and overheated your enamelled cast iron pan in an effort to speed things up? This is a habit that we’re leaving behind in 2022. It is crucial to preheat cast iron cookware on low heat for about five minutes before starting to cook. Contrary to popular belief, enamelled cast iron cookware is an exceptional retainer of heat but requires some time to reach the appropriate temperature.
This will simplify your cooking and represents an important step when tackling new cooking techniques such as frying, roasting, searing, and baking. Allowing your cast iron pan to reach the appropriate temperature will ensure sensitive ingredients do not stick on the pan and cook food evenly. Overheating your pan could permanently warp your cast iron skillet, and even lead to cracks.
4. I will not store my enamelled cast iron pans on top of each other.
Setting aside ample storage space for your enamelled cast iron cookware is an important step to owning this type of cookware. It may not seem crucial but storing your enamelled cast iron pans appropriately can go a long way. Typically, it is recommended to store your enamelled cast iron cookware in a dry cupboard or airy space.
While storing them one on top of the other seems tempting to save space, don’t do it. This can eventually damage the surface of your cookware, or even scratch it. Some home cooks go as far as wrapping their cookware in paper towels before storing it, but this is not necessary.
The new year is a great time to get organized in the kitchen, starting with your enamelled cast iron collection. Ideally, your cast iron cookware should have its own designated cupboard, making it easy to keep track of and use when needed.
5. I will dry my Le Creuset cookware before storing it
Now that you have a place for your cookware, the next consideration to make is to avoid rusting. After washing your cookware, ensure it is completely dry. The tiniest droplet of water can lead to rusting over time, reducing its usability. Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron products, by contrast, come equipped with a rust-resistant coating.
Rather than dipping into your wallet for a new pan due to rusting, simply dry your cookware completely before storing it. This can be done with paper towels, kitchen towels, or any other non-abrasive fabric.
This is especially important if your pots and pans have just spent the last couple of days on the dish rack alongside other wet cookware. Before putting them away, perform a quick spot-check and dry if necessary. Read our blog post for seven more cast iron cooking tips heading into the new year.
6. I will stop using abrasive pads on my stainless steel cookware
Avoiding harsh cleaning agents and abrasive pads is a must with stainless steel cookware. These will damage the grain of the stainless steel enamel and will make it appear dull over time. Moreover, steel and wood brushes will scratch the surface of the pan when used to remove tough residue, eventually leaving little particles on the base of it.
This, in turn, causes rust, triggering irreversible damage to your stainless-steel cookware. Typically, nylon or soft abrasive pads should be used with extreme care. If stubborn food residue remains, simply soak your stainless steel pan in water once it's cooled down and wait approximately 10 minutes. Alternatively, a proprietary stainless steel cleaner can be used to remove difficult stains and hard lime water. For more information on getting the most out of your cookware, read our seven stainless steel cooking tips.
7. I will not use metal utensils on my nonstick cookware.
The number one rule with nonstick cookware is to never use metal utensils or sharp knives on its surface. This will not only scratch the nonstick enamel, but more importantly will eventually wear it down, reducing its nonstick release performance down the line. In fact, Le Creuset’s lifetime warranty does not cover damage done to the nonstick surface by scratching.
Nonstick cookware is ultimately designed to prepare sensitive recipes and prevent ingredients from sticking to the surface, including eggs and pancakes. Metal utensils, however, will cause permanent damage to your nonstick cookware, which goes without saying, is not a great way to start the new year. For more information on getting the most out of your cookware, read our seven nonstick cookware tips.
8. I will stop using aerosol cooking spray on my toughened nonstick cookware.
One of the main advantages of nonstick cookware is that it minimizes the need for cooking with sprays. This type of cookware offers home cooks the ability to prepare healthy meals, eliminating the need for fatty oils.
Nonstick cookware is crafted with premium materials, designed to create an easy-release surface and is an excellent retainer of heat. Remember, gradually heat up the nonstick pan on low to moderate heat before cooking for the best results.
Aerosol cooking sprays are proven to damage your nonstick pan over time, especially when used with extreme temperatures. Indeed, these sprays coat the surface of your nonstick pan if used regularly, eventually limiting the easy-release surface.
9. I will add to my Le Creuset collection this year.
Le Creuset products embody the buy-it-once-for-life nature in cookware and are built to last throughout the test of time. Instead of replacing your pots and pans every other year, our cookware is created with the very best materials and could be passed on from generation to generation.
Featuring 11 unique colours, our cookware is perfect for accenting or complimenting your existing kitchen decor, combining expert craftsmanship and a keen eye for detail. Le Creuset stays atop of the latest cookware trends throughout the year with innovative product releases and will only continue to do so in 2022. Some of our latest releases include the Olive Branch Collection and the Heritage Collection.
Elevating your cooking game in 2022
Step up your cooking game in 2022 and leave your bad habits in the kitchen behind once and for all. Mastering cooking techniques and instilling positive behaviours in the kitchen, like in anything, is all about consistency.
Whether it means never leaving pots and pans in the sink overnight for food residues to settle, or finally completing your Le Creuset collection, 2022 offers home cooks a fresh start. Make the most of the new year to start anew and hit the ground running.
These were just nine of our favourite cookware New Year’s resolutions heading into 2022, but if you think of any we missed, let us know! For more inspiration, visit our blog and read up on the latest tips for all cooking techniques, cookware, and care and use for all your Le Creuset products.
