Stainless steel cookware performs best when used with the correct cooking technique. Follow these chef-recommended tips to help prevent food from sticking and achieve excellent cooking results:
- Start with a clean pan
Any leftover food particles or residue can create contact points that encourage sticking. - Bring food to room temperature
Adding cold food directly to a hot pan can cause sticking, even on stick-resistant surfaces. - Pat food dry before cooking
For proteins such as meat, poultry, and seafood, removing excess moisture helps improve browning and food release. - Preheat the pan properly
Heat the dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes before adding oil or butter. A properly heated pan is essential for preventing sticking. - Add oil or butter at the right time
Use a small amount to lightly coat the cooking surface. Butter should be melted and foaming, while oil should shimmer and spread easily across the pan before food is added. For high-temperature cooking, choose oils with a high smoke point, such as avocado, grapeseed, peanut, or canola oil. - Allow food to release naturally
When searing proteins, leave them undisturbed for 2 to 4 minutes. Food may initially stick but will naturally release once a proper crust has formed. - Adjust the heat as needed
Hestan cookware is highly conductive and often requires lower heat settings than traditional cookware. - Avoid overcrowding the pan
Overfilling the pan lowers the cooking temperature and releases excess moisture, making it harder to achieve proper browning and food release. Cook in batches if necessary.
By following these simple steps, you'll achieve better searing, improved browning, and easier food release when cooking with Hestan stainless steel cookware.