Care and Cleaning of AMC Cookware

Stainless steel is one of the easiest materials to clean and keep clean. Washing by hand in hot, soapy water is usually the only requirement for keeping your AMC units bright and shiny. Prompt drying with a soft cloth prevents water-forming spots. For the best results in cleaning, fill the unit with water once the food has been served. Allow to stand for a while, then wash as above.

INITIAL CLEANING
Before using your cookware for the first time, wash every unit thoroughly with hot water and soap, then rinse in clean water and dry with a soft cloth. This is necessary as all AMC units are covered by a thin layer of protective wax coating. If it is not removed the units will become stained.

CLEANING MATERIALS
The inside of the unit may be cleaned with our special stainless steel cleaner – Classic Cleaner and a soft sponge. Never use steelwool, steel brushes or harsh scouring powders for cleaning purposes. Never use bleach, ammonia or other acidic cleaning products. To clean the outside of the unit, use hot soapy water or Classic Cleaner and a soft sponge. Do not use scouring powder, ammonia, bleach or acidic cleaning products.

BURNT-ON FOODS
To remove burnt-on foods, soak and wash the unit in hot, soapy water. Light scouring with a non-abrasive household cleaning powder and a nylon scouring pad or Classic Cleaner will remove stubborn burns. Alternatively, pour a cup of water with 10 ml vinegar into the unit and simmer over medium heat for 5 – 10 minutes. Loosen bits of food with a wooden spoon. Wash the unit immediately as above.

PROTECTION OF HANDLES
To avoid damage to the handles and lid knobs they should not be heated to a temperature above 260°C. Excessive heat will cause the handles and lid knobs to become brittle. Do not use the units for grilling in the oven. If cooking over a flame ensure that the flame does not go up the sides of the unit.

STAINS ON COOKWARE
Stains due to overheating can occur. When this happens, the unit can be repolished at our factory in Atlantis at a nominal charge. The unit can be handed in at a Sales Centre near you. Rainbow-coloured stains caused by starches such as rice, pasta and potatoes can be removed with white wine vinegar or lemon juice after you have washed the unit. For light straw-coloured stains use Classic Cleaner and a soft sponge.

Drastic overheating can cause damage to your units.

CORROSIVE FOODS
Stainless steel resists almost all forms of domestic chemicals and foods, except:
Halogens: Do not leave foods rich is halogen salts e.g. chlorine, iodine and fluorine in the units for any length of time after cooking. Ordinary salt and salty or spicy foods such as fish and curries should be removed as soon as possible. Fill unit with water once the food has been served, leave to soak and wash. Sulphur: Sulphur is found in dried fruits. If such fruit is cooked in a stainless steel unit, sulphur will be deposited on the inside of lid. It is therefore preferable to cook such foods without using the lid of the unit. If it is essential to use the lid, wash both the unit and the lid immediately after cooking. Never store foods containing these components in the units overnight.

OVERHEATING
Please do not leave your unit unattended on a medium or high heat. The special alloy base of each unit conducts heat rapidly and if unattended at a high heat there is a danger that the unit will reach a temperature of 500°C at which point the stainless steel will discolour and the base may begin to melt.

Our system of food preparation is aimed at cooking at below the boiling point of water and excessive heat must never be used.

FAST COOLING
Fast cooling of a unit with the lid on, by placing it on a cold surface can cause a partial vacuum to develop inside the unit. This should be avoided as the vacuum can make it difficult to remove the lid and can damage the lid and/or the unit. To remove the lid, heat the unit on the stove over a medium heat. The lid will then be easy to lift.

KITCHEN UTENSILS
Avoid using sharp metal utensils on the inside of your units. These will gouge and scratch the stainless steel surface. We advise the use of wooden spoons or nylon-covered utensils.

Source: AMC guide: Use and Care