Guide: Cooking with Stainless Steel Pans

Your Complete Guide to Cooking with Stainless Steel Pans 

New to stainless steel pans? These durable, versatile pans are loved by home cooks and professional chefs for their excellent heat distribution, strength, and ability to create beautiful searing and browning.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get great results from day one — from first use to preventing sticking and cooking with confidence.

Preparing Your New Stainless Steel Pan

Before your first cook:

• Wash the pan in warm soapy water to remove any manufacturing residues.
• Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
• Place the pan on medium heat for 1–2 minutes, then add a thin layer of oil and swirl to coat the surface.

How to Prevent Food from Sticking to Stainless Steel Pans

The key to non-stick performance is technique rather than a coating. Follow these proven steps:

• Preheat properly — Heat your empty pan over medium heat for 1–3 minutes.
• Perform the water drop test — Add a few drops of water. If they form small beads that glide and “dance” across the surface, the pan is ready. If they evaporate instantly, reduce the heat slightly.
• Add oil at the right moment — Once hot, add your chosen oil and let it shimmer before adding food.
• Use the right oil — Choose high smoke point oils like rapeseed (canola), grapeseed, avocado, or light/refined olive oil for higher-heat cooking.
• Be patient — Let proteins develop a crust (Maillard reaction) before moving them. They will naturally release when ready.
• Additional tips — Bring cold foods to room temperature first, avoid overcrowding the pan, and don’t move food too soon.

Bonus Tip: When Food Starts to Stick Even with good technique, food can occasionally stick. Simply lower the heat slightly and leave the food undisturbed for an extra 30–60 seconds. This gives it time to finish forming a crust and release naturally from the pan without burning. Patience is key — never force it with a spatula.

Step-by-Step: Cooking Successfully with Stainless Steel Pans

1. Preheat the empty pan over medium heat.
2. Test the temperature with the water drop method.
3. Add fat — Use a thin layer of oil or butter and let it heat until shimmering.
4. Add ingredients — Sear meats undisturbed until they release easily. Stir vegetables occasionally.
5. Adjust heat as needed — Stainless steel conducts heat efficiently, so medium to medium-high is usually sufficient.
6. Deglaze for flavour — After removing food, add wine, stock, or water and scrape up the browned bits for a quick sauce.
7. Clean promptly — Allow the pan to cool slightly, then soak in warm soapy water and clean with a soft sponge. Avoid abrasive pads for everyday cleaning.

Frying Eggs in Stainless Steel Without Sticking

• Preheat the pan on medium heat for about 2 minutes.
• Add oil or butter and let it coat the surface (shimmering but not smoking).
• Crack eggs into the pan and cook undisturbed until the edges set (1–2 minutes).
• Gently test with a spatula — they should lift easily when ready.

Butter vs Olive Oil in Stainless Steel Pans

• Butter: Excellent for flavour on medium heat. It has a lower smoke point, so use clarified butter (ghee) for higher temperatures.
• Olive Oil: Perfect for medium-heat cooking. For high-heat searing, use light or refined olive oil.

Why Chefs Love Stainless Steel Cookware

Chefs choose stainless steel for its durability, even heating, oven-safety, and non-reactive surface (safe with acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus). It delivers perfect searing, resists warping, and lasts for years with proper care.

At Peppercorn Cookware, we stock a wide range of high-quality stainless steel pans from trusted brands, plus the right tools, and accessories to help you cook successfully every time.

Ready to master stainless steel cooking? Shop our full range of stainless steel pans here.