Why shouldn't hot pans be washed under cold running water?

Never put a hot pan or pot in the sink and run cold water if you don’t want them to warp and crack.

If you’ve ever cooked and washed dishes, many people probably realize that pouring cold water into a hot pan will have a thermal effect that makes the burnt plaque at the bottom of the pan easier to scrub, even No grease or harsh scrubbing required.

But kitchen appliance experts advise us not to do so, because it will shorten the life of the pan.

“Imagine you relax in a hot tub and immediately step into a cold bath. Your body will feel ‘heat shock’ and not feel comfortable. Frying pans or all kinds of pots and pans in the kitchen.” a representative of Calphalon said.

Why shouldn't hot pans be washed under cold running water?
The advice that experts give is to always let the pan cool naturally at room temperature before rinsing it off with warm water – (Photo: iStock).

If a hot pan is placed under cold water, the sudden heat shock can cause the pan to warp and crack. When the pan warps, the bottom will become uneven and the housewives will not be able to put it on the stove anymore.

In addition to the problem of warping, the bottom surface of the pan will also appear “hot and cold spots” , uneven heat transfer causing food to cook unevenly and unevenly.

Metal’s property is to expand when heated and contract when cooled. This is rarely seen with the naked eye, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. All metal kitchen utensils All have this property and it should be kept in mind by housewives when cooking,” said Philicia Frasson, product manager for All-Clad.

The advice given by the experts is to always let the pan cool naturally at room temperature before rinsing it off with warm water.

Pots and pans will return to their original natural shape if given time to cool down naturally. Sometimes warping occurs in thin tools, but then they return to their original shape as it cools. Washing a hot pan or pot with cold water will damage the item, no matter what brand it is made by.

For stainless steel cookware, All-Clad recommends letting it cool down a bit before soaking in warm dish soap and then cleaning the cookware with a soft sponge. Another option is to boil some water with baking soda and rub the burnt food residue on the bottom with a wooden spoon.

After cleaning, use a soft cloth to dry the cookware and store it in its place.

This also works for non-stick cookware. However, absolutely do not use cleaning agents for floors or porcelain and metal cleaning pads to rub because they will damage the surface and lose the non-stick coating.

For cast iron pots and pans, let them cool completely before washing and do not use strong soaps or detergents. Instead, clean the cast iron pan with a stiff brush and hot water. Use a towel to dry the pot immediately after rinsing to prevent rust.

Besides, housewives should also note, do not heat an empty pan for too long on the stove without adding food or water.

An empty pan, non-stick or not, if placed on a high heat stove, can quickly reach cooking temperature. If food is placed in a pan that is too hot, it will be scorched and not cooked inside. Sticky food on the bottom of the pan can be difficult to clean.

In addition, the non-stick coating will begin to deteriorate at temperatures above 200 degrees Celsius, so extra care is needed before the pan gets too hot.

Adding salt to the pot of water before boiling also causes the pan to spoil. Salt dissolves in water at high temperatures, so salt should only be added after the water has boiled. If salt is added to the water and then heated, the insoluble salt crystals will interact with the metal and may leave black spots or permanent stains on the bottom of the pan.