Keeping your pots and pans shiny and free from black stains or yellow discoloration can be quite a challenge when cooking with a gas stove. However, with a few simple habits and tricks, you can easily maintain your cookware in pristine condition.

Clean Your Pots Thoroughly After Every Use

One of the most common reasons pots get blackened when using a gas stove is due to dirt and grease buildup. After cooking, if you don’t clean your pots properly, leftover oil and food residues stick to the bottom. When heated again, these residues burn and cause black stains, which get harder to remove over time. The longer the burnt layers remain, the thicker and more stubborn they become.

Therefore, always wash your pots thoroughly after each use to remove any grease and food particles. This habit not only keeps your pots clean but also prevents stubborn blackened stains from forming.

Check Your Gas Cylinder and Flame Color

If you notice that your gas stove flame has turned red or orange instead of blue, it might be a sign that your gas cylinder is running low. You can check this by looking at the gauge on the cylinder or shaking it to feel its weight — a lighter cylinder usually means less gas inside.

Another important factor is the quality of the gas you use. Poor quality or contaminated gas can cause incomplete combustion, resulting in a reddish flame that burns unevenly and leaves soot on your pots. To avoid this, always buy gas from reputable suppliers to ensure good quality and safe combustion.

Besides, make sure to clean your gas stove regularly, especially the burners and flame holes, to remove grease and dirt buildup. Blocked burners can cause the flame to burn improperly, which leads to a red flame and black soot on your cookware.

How to Clean Blackened Pots Effectively

Many people use steel wool or sand to scrub off black stains from pots. While this can remove the black marks quickly, it also scratches the pot's surface, making it rough and more prone to dirt accumulation in the future.

Another common method is sprinkling baking soda on the pot’s bottom, pouring vinegar over it, letting it sit for a while, and then scrubbing. This can be somewhat effective but often not enough for tough stains.

The most effective and simple method is to use dishwashing tablets or powder. Here’s how:

1. Prepare a basin of boiling water and dissolve one dishwashing tablet or an appropriate amount of dishwashing powder in it.

2. Soak your pot in this solution. For light stains, soaking for 1-2 hours is enough; for heavy, long-standing stains, soak the pot overnight.

3. After soaking, take the pot out and scrub it gently with a regular sponge.

Dishwashing tablets and powders contain oxygen-based cleaning agents that effectively break down burnt residues, grease, and stubborn black soot without damaging your cookware.

Additional Tips to Keep Your Pots Shiny

• Use cookware with thicker, high-quality bottoms that distribute heat evenly and reduce burning.

• Avoid cooking on very high heat unless necessary, as extreme temperatures accelerate pot discoloration.

• Wipe pots immediately after washing to prevent water spots and mineral deposits.

By incorporating these simple habits into your kitchen routine, you can extend the life of your pots, keep them looking new, and enjoy cooking without worrying about blackened cookware. Remember, prevention and proper cleaning are key to maintaining a sparkling kitchen!