Here are a few tips for cleaning bakeware. Many different foods we make can stain our bakeware. The problem is that after we eat that good food, we have to get the bakeware clean. Here are some different things you can try to get the food and stains out of your bakeware.

Before the first use of new bakeware, you need to wash pan thoroughly with a mild dish washing detergent and warm water. It is a bad idea to wash the non-stick bakeware in a dishwasher. Never use the abrasive oven cleaners on bakeware. Dry promptly and thoroughly after washing.

This should also be done after cooking in the bakeware. If food remains on the pan, boil a mixture of water and vinegar to get the food off.

Some pans have a copper bottom, so a coat of protective finish has been applied to the copper to stop it from tarnishing. This is a step necessary when the copper bottom pan is packaged and sent to the retail store to be sold. Before first use, remove this protective covering by dissolving 3 quarts of hot water adding 3 tablespoons of baking soda. Let the pan soak in this solution 20 minutes. Next rinse the pan in cold water and dry well.

Some bakeware has a silicone coating making it strong for commercial use. It is a high gloss and non-stick coating. It does not retain flavors or colors. One brand named Silicone Zone bakeware is flexible for easy removal of baked goods like cupcakes and breads etc. Also this brand of silicone bakeware can be folded for storage.

The silicone bakeware is noted for its even heat and quick even cooling which also results in easier cleanup. This can cook from minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit. Up to 675 degrees Fahrenheit. This is truly oven to freezer bakeware. To clean this for the longest life, is to rinse and wipe clean. Silicone bakeware is dishwasher safe. It is very important not to use sharp knife and cut your baked goods inside the pan. Also do not use an abrasive cleaner on it, like the cleaners used to scrub the tub etc.

If your bakeware develops a stain that will not come off, this could be called a hard-anodized stain. To remove this, make a paste of baking soda and water. Put this all over the pan and scrub with a non-abrasive plastic mesh puff or a pad like scotch bright. Do not use steel wool, or coarse scouring pads or powder.

Stainless steel non-stick could show up as a white film and can be removed with a mild solution of vinegar and lemon juice.

Some cookware materials should not be put in the dishwasher. If you do put them in, the pan can change color because of the high temperature and harsh dishwasher soaps.

Some bakeware that is not dishwasher safe includes:

 Hard anodized aluminum bakeware Porcelain enamel exterior bakeware Copper bottom bakeware Plain aluminum bakewareThe following types are OK to put into the dishwasher:

 Stainless steel bakeware, with or without a non-stick coating is ok. This can be washed in a dishwasher however over time the detergent may make the shiny surface look dull. Hard Anodized plus titanium bakeware holds up in a dishwasher. However a gel type detergent is best for use. The water temperature should remain between 120 degrees F and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water gets hotter than this, or if the water is too hard, there may be a reaction with the outside titanium surface and the color will change over time.  Aluminum bakeware with a color coating on the outside whether it is non-stick or not, can go into the dishwasher.

These are easy tips for cleaning your bakeware. The only thing to keep in mind is that there are some foods that stain more than others. So in order to know how to take care of those stains, you need to know how to cook them and what they are.