USE AND CARE OF YOUR STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE Before first use of cookware: ·          Before using your new cookware, wash it in hot water with mild dishwashing detergent using a sponge, nylon pad or dishcloth, and then rinse and dry thoroughly.   Non-stick coating: ·          One or more pieces of your cookware are coated with a non-stick Excalibur coating. This coating has been reinforced with stainless steel for use with metal utensils, not just plastic coated or wooden utensils.   ·          In order to properly maintain, and to avoid damaging, the Excalibur non-stick coating, DO NOT use sharp utensils to cook or cut food in the pan.   Plastic Lids: ·          The plastic lids for the mixing bowls are not dishwasher safe and should never be placed in the oven or on the stovetop.   Cooking with Wolfgang Puck™ Stainless Steel Cookware: ·          Use Medium to Medium-High Heat.  The aluminum sandwich construction on the bottom of this cookware is highly conductive for quick, even heat distribution.  Therefore, do not use high heat when using your cookware.  It is better to use a medium to medium-high heat.   ·          Frying. When frying foods in the omelette pans or sauté pans, it is best to heat the pans first, then coat the pan with about a teaspoon of oil and let the oil get hot.  Once the oil has heated up, place the food in the pan for cooking.   ·          Gas Stoves. When using gas-burning stoves, please be sure that flame does not come up along the sides of the pan as this may permanently discolor the sides and cause the handles to get hot.   Cleaning: ·          Your cookware is dishwasher-safe, although hand-washing is preferred for a better shine.   ·          Hand-washing using warm water and mild dishwashing soap using a sponge, nylon pad or dishcloth is recommended.   ·          Stain Removal.  To remove stains such as those left by calcium in your water (which produces a multi-color stain), use a small amount of warm vinegar.  If other stains persist, use a non-lemon detergent in about 1-inch of water.  Boil and then simmer in cookware for about 15 minutes.  After cooling, drain and rinse.  Stains on the bottom of the cookware can be removed with oven cleaner.  Stainless steel cleaners such as Bon Ami ®, Cameo® Stainless Steel cleaner or Barkeeper’s Friend® to name a few, may also be used to clean your cookware.   WARNINGS: ·      Your cookware, including the lids, is oven safe to 400 °F. DO NOT USE IN OVENS OVER 400 °F.   ·      Never leave an empty piece of cookware on a hot burner or in a hot oven unattended as this can ruin the cookware and damage your stovetop.   ·      The handles of your cookware are constructed to minimize heat transfer. THE HANDLES WILL GET HOT WHEN COOKWARE IS PLACED IN THE OVEN OR IF THE HANDLE IS LEFT OVER A HOT BURNER. While the handles are designed to be heat resistant, we recommend the use of potholders at all times during handling of the cookware while cooking.   ·      Do not heat non-stick cookware when your pans are empty.  This may cause fumes which are harmful to birds.