How to Clean Ceramic Pots & Pans to Extend Their Life

August 30, 2025
by Brodie Cook

Cooking with ceramic pans and cookware is nice, but you need to be careful to clean them. Sure, you don't want to ruin them, right? Even when there are stubborn stains, you need to scrub a ceramic pan until your arm aches, only to find the stain still staring back at you.

In this article, we guide you through the step-by-step process of cleaning ceramic pans and cookware. The steps below will ensure the ceramic coating remains in good condition and is easy to clean for the long term. Are you ready? Let's go through the steps.

Practical Step-by-Steps to Clean Ceramic Pans and Cookware

Step 1: Let the Pan Cool

Once you've finished cooking, don't wash it directly. Let your ceramic pans cool. What will happen if you directly wash it? There will be drastic temperature changes. Please, do avoid that. Remember! Never pour cold water into a hot pan. It will lead to sudden shocks that can warp the base and reduce the coating's lifespan. Let the pan cool on the stove, then move it to the sink.

Step 2: Gentle Wash

When your ceramic pans or cookware are in a cool condition, you can continue with a gentle wash. Use warm water and a little dish soap or mild detergent. Harsh detergents only cause the nonstick surface to become drier, so don't use harsh detergents.

You can use Lucent Globe Dishwashing Detergent Sheet. The ingredients of this sheet don't contain bleach or phosphate, so it is safe to clean your ceramic cookware. The detergent sheet is gentle but also powerful to remove grease, grime, and baked-on food effortlessly.

Step 3: Handle the Sticky Film or Light Residue

If you notice a sticky film or light residue, it is usually from burnt oils, sauces, or protein that cling to the ceramic surface after cooking. So you need to make a paste with baking soda and water. Spread it, let it sit, then scrub in a gentle circular motion with a damp sponge. Remember! A baking soda paste left on the pan can break down oily buildup.

Step 4: Remove Stubborn Stains and Burnt-On Grime

How about the stubborn stains or burnt-on grime? Don't worry. Do this! Fill the pan with warm water and dissolve 1 detergent sheet. Let it soak for about an hour. Afterwards, scrub the pot with a non-abrasive scrubber to lift away the burnt food without scratching the ceramic coating.

Step 5: Prevent the Mineral Scale or Dark Rings

Hard water leaves behind calcium and magnesium deposits. These minerals build up on the ceramic surface and cause cloudy films, dark rings, or discolouration that make the pan look dull even after washing.

To restore the shine, fill the pan with water and add half a cup of white vinegar. Bring it to a gentle boil, let it cool, then wipe and rinse. Lemon juice can be used as an alternative, but vinegar is usually stronger. This breaks down the mineral scale and brings back the smooth, glossy look of the ceramic.

Step 6: Final Rinse and Dry

Rinse with hot water, wipe with a paper towel or clean dishcloth, then air dry. Keeping moisture off the coating helps prevent marks and keeps the pan nonstick in daily use.

Notes on Heat and Oils to Prevent New Stains

Ceramic cookware can tolerate high heat on the stovetop up to about 300 °C (572 °F), but you protect longevity by cooking on medium heat and avoiding overheating an empty pan.
When you choose oil, look at the smoke point and overall heat stability.

The Michelin Guide points out that smoke point matters, but oxidative stability also drives quality and safety, so choose stable oils for high heat and avoid burning oil into the coating. Here is the list of oil smoke points of commercial oil that you can find in your nearest convenience store.

Avocado Oil – 271 °C (520 °F)
Refined Vegetable Oil – 242 °C (468 °F)
Safflower Oil – 232 °C (450 °F)
Sunflower Oil – 232 °C (450 °F)
Peanut Oil – 232 °C (450 °F)
Corn Oil – 227 °C (440 °F)
Canola Oil – 204 °C (400 °F)
Grapeseed – 204 °C (400 °F)
Virgin Olive Oil – 199 °C (391 °F)
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil – 191 °C (375 °F)
Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil – 177 °C (350 °F)
Sesame Oil – 177 °C (350 °F)
Walnut Oil – 160 °C (320 °F)
Flaxseed Oil – 107 °C (225 °F)

Don’ts of Cleaning Ceramic Cookware

Never use steel wool, metal pads, or abrasive cleaning powders on nonstick. They scratch the surface and weaken the coating
Do not plunge hot cookware into cold water. Why? Because the drastic changes in temperature will result a warping.
Avoid nonstick cooking sprays. Manufacturers warn these sprays can leave an invisible residue that hurts release and is hard to clean.
Do not rely on the dishwasher for regular care. Even if a pan is marked dishwasher-safe, frequent cycles and strong detergents can dull the exterior finish and reduce the coating’s lifespan.
Never cut food directly in the pan with metal utensils. That gouges the ceramic coating and makes stains harder to remove later.

Preventive Ways to Make Cleaning Easier Next Time

Keep to medium heat for most tasks. Overheating burns oil, creates carbonised residue, and brings more deep cleaning later.
Skip aerosol sprays and use a small amount of regular oil. Sprays build residue that resists normal soap and water.
Choose stable oils for higher-heat searing so you do not smoke the pan and burn the surface.
Store pots or pans with a soft liner between them so metal utensils or stainless steel and cast iron pieces in the drawer do not scratch the ceramic coating.

Key Takeaways

Let the pan cool before washing to avoid warping
Daily care is warm water plus dish soap with a soft sponge or dishcloth, then rinse and towel dry
For sticky residue, use a paste of baking soda and water, and scrub gently in a circular motion, then rinse
For stubborn burnt-on grime, soak in soapy water, then scrub the pot with a non-abrasive scrubber
For mineral scale, gently boil lemon juice or white vinegar, allow the mixture to cool, wipe, and rinse
Never use steel wool or metal pads, and avoid abrasive cleaning powders and bleach
Avoid nonstick cooking spray and keep most cooking to medium heat to protect longevity
Hand washing beats dishwashing for ceramic cookware.

Extra Help for Real-World Messes

What if you've found your ceramic pans or cookware in bad condition? Can they be saved? You can try these different tips that you can use when the pan looks beyond saving. These are kitchen-friendly.

Reset a Sticky Nonstick

Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the pan. Add 2 tablespoons of hot water and 1 tablespoon of vinegar to turn it into a spreadable paste.

Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub gently in a circular motion with a nylon or silicone-safe scrubber. Rinse well and wipe dry with a paper towel.

Deep Cleaning a Dark Burn

Fill the pan with soapy water and bring it just to the point where tiny bubbles rise. Turn off the heat, let it soak to loosen burnt-on food, then scrub with a damp sponge. Rinse with hot water and dry. This gentle method lifts tough residue without scratching the ceramic surface.

Remove Stains from Hard Water

Add white vinegar or lemon with water, boil gently, let it sit to cool, then wipe. This step is in the care guide for removing scale and discoloration.

Cleaning ceramic pans and cookware doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending chore. You just need a little patience and the right tricks, so you can keep them looking fresh and working like new for years, and keep their longevity.