Stainless steel cookware has so much going for it—durability, elegance, versatility, and safety. But it does come with one frustrating downside: over time, the exterior develops a stubborn brownish residue that’s notoriously hard to remove.

We’ve explored various methods to restore the original shine of stainless steel pots and pans. However, as the saying goes, you live and learn. It turns out there’s a way to prevent the problem altogether rather than dealing with the aftermath. Scrubbing off grease, burnt-on residue, and food remnants can unintentionally dull the glossy finish of your stainless steel cookware. But what if we told you that a simple preparation step when you first unpack your cookware could save you all that hassle? All you’d need later is a soft sponge.

Why is this preparation so crucial? Here’s the catch: to give stainless steel cookware that attractive, polished look in stores, manufacturers coat it with a fine layer of mineral oil after an intense polishing process.

The trouble starts when this oil is exposed to heat—it bakes onto the surface, forming that hard-to-remove film. Properly cleaning off this layer before use can keep your cookware gleaming effortlessly.