How to Restore Calphalon Pots and Pans?

Calphalon pans and pots are non-stick cooking utensils. They are easy to clean and are pretty low-maintenance.

Yet, cooking accidents like overheating or forgetfulness can cause a disaster in the kitchen.

The good thing is that there are multiple methods to restore burned calphalon pans and pots.

Here’s everything you need to know about maintaining and restoring calphalon pots and pans.

How to Restore Calphalon Pots and Pans?

Calphalon pots and pans are generally inexpensive and quite sturdy.

They, however, can get damaged if you use abrasive restoration methods to salvage the burnt cookware. The best idea is to use mild or diluted substances when you’re cleaning the burnt cookware.

So we’ve selected simple home remedies to show you how to do it.

Most of these antidotes will already be in your kitchen cabinet.

Let’s have a look!

Use Mild Dishwashing Liquid for Slightly Burned Calphalon Cookware

If you’ve burned your calphalon pots and pans before, then you know using a dishwashing liquid is the first choice to clean up the mess.

In this case, it is ideal for situations when the pan isn’t completely ruined after the accidental burning incident.

However, the restoration method isn’t like regular washing. You have to soak the burned cookware in liquid soap and water for it to work.

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Add a few drops of any mild dishwashing liquid in the burned calphalon pan. Try to target the most affected areas when you’re pouring the liquid.
  2. Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat on (medium-low heat).
  3. Let the pot simmer for around 15-20 minutes.
  4. Turn off the heat after the designated time.
  5. Then set the pan aside for at least half an hour.
  6. Once the pan is cool to touch, you can start scrubbing it gently with a soft-bristled brush or scrubbing pad.
  7. Continue scrubbing it in intervals to break off the crusted layer.
  8. Rinse the pan properly and then use a washcloth to pat it dry.
Pro tip: Be gentle when you’re scrubbing the surface of the burned pan. Vigorous scrubbing and hard-bristled would create scratches on the surface and tarnish the finishing.

Use Vinegar for Burnt Stainless Steel

If your stainless steel calphalon pot or pan gets burned, then you should immediately soak it in distilled white vinegar.

The acidic vinegar will react with the scorched layer and force it to break away from the surface of your charcoaled pot/pan. Then you simply rinse off the utensil and restore its shine.

What if you don’t have white vinegar at home? Then you can use alternatives like apple cider vinegar or a fresh (or bottled) lemon juice. Using other citrusy extracts can work too if the scorched pan isn’t severely burned.

Here’s a breakdown of this cleaning method:

  1. Mix white vinegar (or alternative) with distilled water (use equal ratios).
  2. Then soak your burned utensil into the mixture for 10-15 minutes.
  3. The burnt residue should start to come off after a brief interval.
  4. Once that happens, dump the dirty vinegar water into the sink.
  5. Then gently scrub off the burnt surface with a non-abrasive sponge.
  6. Use a liquid dishwashing agent once you scrub off most of the crusty layer.
  7.  Make sure to remove all the buildup while you scrub the surface.
Pro tip: Instead of soaking the damage pot and pan, you can fill it with the ½ cup vinegar and equal parts water. Then place it on a stove at medium-high heat for approximately fifteen minutes. Exposure to heat can cause the burnt buildup to break away much more quickly. After that, you can clean off the burned residue with a liquid dishwasher.

Use Baking Soda for Burned Calphalon Cookware

A warm mixture of baking soda can also restore burned calphalon pots and pans. The mild alkali has the power to react with the blackened surface and cause the charcoal layer to break away.

This method takes slightly more time than other restoration methods.

However, its results are just as effective.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to restore calphalon cookware with baking soda:

  1. Mix a few teaspoons of baking soda with warm water to make a solution.
  2.  Pour the baking soda mixture on to the burnt surface of the calphalon pot or pan.
  3. Let the pan soak in the mixture for a few hours (max 2 hours).
  4. Then start scrubbing the affected area with a soft sponge. Cautiously clean the surface without causing any scratches or scuff marks.
  5. Drain the baking soda solution in the sink.
  6. Refill the pan with more baking soda mixture (always use warm water for this mixture).
  7. Continue steps 1-7 until you see burned bits floating inside the mixture. The solution might even turn brown, and this indicates that the soda is reacting with the burnt layer.
  8. Once you’re satisfied with the results, you can drain out the baking soda solution.
  9. Then clean off the remaining burned residue with a scrub and mild liquid soap.
  10. After that, dry the utensil with a non-abrasive washcloth before placing it back in the cabinet.
Pro tip: Avoid using excessive baking powder for this restoration method as it is a caustic substance. That means your calphalon cookware might start corroding if it’s exposed to too much baking soda.

What If You Scratch the Calphalon Pot or Pan?

Then you can bring it back to its original condition by buffing the scratched surface. You’ll find the visible scratch lines are easy to remove.

All you need is a heavy-duty scrub (e.g. Scotch-Brite) and a special cleanser for nonstick utensils.

These are the steps you should follow:

  1. Dab the non-abrasive scrub in a special cleanser.
  2. Rub the affected area in slow circular motions. Be gentle while you rub the calphalon cookware to avoid scratching and scuffing the surface.
  3. Continue rubbing the surface until silvery scratch lines start to disappear.
  4. Thoroughly rinse the utensil to wash away the cleansing agent. Make sure that there are no residues left behind.
  5. Dry the wet utensil with a soft washcloth before placing it back on the rack.

Once done, one should treat the restored pots and pans carefully. The best practice is to polish the cookware occasionally to prevent it from getting dull.

How to Care for Your Restored Calphalon Cookware?

Once your calphalon pots and pans are back in shape, you should make sure they stay this way. There are simple cleaning guidelines that can increase their lifespan.

Let’s have a look:

Keep it away from high temperatures.

High temperatures can cause your food to burn and damage your cookware.

Since hard-ionized utensils like calphalon are heat-efficient.

So you should only cook food in them on medium heat. That way, the cookware won’t get exposed to harsh temperatures, and your food won’t burn either.

Clean calphalon cookware with warm water.

Don’t expose your heated cookware to cold water. This might cause the pot/pan to get distorted and the metallic surface to bubble. That’s why the best idea is to wait for the cookware to cool off before you submerge it in water.

Always use warm or hot water to clean your calphalon pots and pans.

The high temperature makes it easier to scrub off the stains that are clinging onto the cookware’s surface.

Use soft brushes and cloth to clean the utensils.

Avoid using cleaning brushes with hard bristles (e.g. metallic or wooden brushes) as they might tarnish your utensil’s finish.

The best option is to choose a soft sponge or a soft-bristle brush.

You can also select a regular washcloth made from non-abrasive material to clean the cookware.

Keep away from harsh chemicals and cleaning liquids.

Make sure that your cleaning liquid is mild and doesn’t contain any astringent compounds or toxic chemicals.

That’s because the toxins can react with the calphalon surface and cause it to corrode.

Handle the pots and pans with great care.

Calphalon cookware is highly durable. It has a scratch-proof and it can withstand pressure.

However, to keep it well-maintained, you should avoid cutting meat or fresh produce inside the cooking utensil.

You should also handle it gently and store it without stacking it on top of other cooking utensils.

Polish dull surfaces with a special cleaner.

If your pots and pans start to lose their luster, then you should polish them. Use a special cleanser for this purpose (e.g. Bars Keepers Friend).

The formula should be suitable for stainless steel and other non-stick cookware. This ensures that the calphalon surface is not affected by the harsh chemicals found in regular cleaning agents.

In the end, these small steps can prolong the lifespan of your cookware. These tips apply to other metallic cookware too.

You should try to make them mandatory in the kitchen. This way, you won’t have to replace pots and pans every other year.

When Should You Replace Your Calphalon Pots and Pans?

The best practice is to replace cookware of any kind after 5 years of use, or when their manufacturer’s warranty expires. If they get damaged before that, then you have two options.

You can either replace them by availing your warranty card or restoring them by using one of our DIY hacks.

With that said, you should consider discarding calphalon cookware that is severely scratched or pitted.

You should also throw it away if its upper coating is peeling off. If overlooked, these defects can cause health problems down the line.

For instance, the toxic coating can seep into your food when you’re cooking. This can cause gastrointestinal problems or worse.

In a Nutshell

In the end, you don’t have to get disheartened if your calphalon pan or pot got scorched during a cooking mishap.

From regular dishwashing liquid, vinegar to baking soda, there are several ways to restore it.

We hope that one of the home remedies we taught, works for you when that happens.

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