Congratulations on your new Circulon ScratchDefense™ Clad cookware.
Combining the timeless beauty and exceptional heating performance of multi-layer stainless steel with groundbreaking ScratchDefense™ non-stick technology, this is cookware designed for people who love to cook.
Your pans are built for everyday life, with durable metal-utensil-safe non-stick, responsive and even heating, and a beautiful polished stainless steel exterior.
And with the right care, they’ll continue to look and perform beautifully for years to come.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Before you cook for the first time
Before using your new cookware, wash it by hand in warm, soapy water and dry thoroughly.
There’s no complicated preparation required. Once it’s clean and dry, you’re ready to start cooking.
Designed for every hob – including induction
ScratchDefense™ Clad cookware is suitable for all hob types, including:
- Induction
- Gas
- Electric
- Ceramic
Its fully clad stainless steel construction features a thick aluminium core designed to deliver responsive, even heating from the base to the rim.
This helps reduce hot spots and gives you greater control when cooking.
A tip for induction cooking
For the best results, use a hob ring that is closest in size to the base of your pan. This helps ensure efficient and even heating.
Let the pan do the work – you don’t need maximum heat
Stainless steel cookware is an excellent conductor of heat, and your ScratchDefense™ Clad cookware is designed for responsive, even performance.
That means there’s rarely a need to use maximum heat.
For most everyday cooking:
- Use low to medium heat for delicate foods such as eggs, fish and pancakes.
- Use medium to medium-high heat for frying, sautéing and browning.
- Avoid heating an empty pan for extended periods.
- Only use high heat when your recipe genuinely requires it.
Using excessively high heat can cause food to burn, make cleaning more difficult and leave discolouration on the stainless steel exterior over time.
A little temperature control goes a long way.
How much oil do I need?
Thanks to the exceptional non-stick performance of ScratchDefense™, you can cook with little or no oil, depending on your recipe.
You can still use oil or butter to add flavour and encourage browning, but you don’t need large amounts to prevent food from sticking.
We recommend avoiding aerosol cooking sprays where possible, as repeated use can leave behind a residue that may build up on the cooking surface over time.
Yes, you can use metal utensils
Go ahead – your favourite metal spatula, spoon or whisk can all be part of the action.
ScratchDefense™ Clad cookware features an exceptionally durable, metal-utensil-safe non-stick surface designed to withstand the demands of everyday cooking.
Of course, even the toughest cookware benefits from a little care. Avoid using excessive force or sharp knives directly on the cooking surface to help keep your pans looking their best.
Wooden and silicone utensils are also perfectly suitable.
Take your cooking from hob to oven
ScratchDefense™ Clad cookware is oven safe up to 260°C, giving you even more flexibility in the kitchen.
Start a dish on the hob and finish it in the oven – ideal for recipes such as:
- Frittatas
- Roasted meats
- One-pan dishes
- Baked pasta
- Finishing steaks
- Braised dishes
Remember
Although the ergonomic stainless steel handles are designed to stay cooler on the hob, they will become hot in the oven.
Always use oven gloves or a dry cloth when handling hot cookware.
Hand wash only – and here’s why
To keep your ScratchDefense™ Clad cookware looking as beautiful as the day you bought it, we recommend hand washing only.
The polished stainless steel exterior gives this cookware its premium, timeless appearance. Harsh dishwasher detergents and repeated dishwasher cycles can dull the mirror-polished finish over time.
The good news? Thanks to the ScratchDefense™ non-stick surface, hand washing is quick and easy.
How to clean your cookware
For everyday cleaning:
- Allow the cookware to cool before washing.
- Wash by hand using warm, soapy water.
- Clean with a soft sponge or cloth.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Dry straight away with a soft towel.
Drying your cookware after washing will help maintain the beautiful shine of the polished stainless steel exterior.
Never wash a hot pan under cold water
After cooking, allow your cookware to cool naturally before washing.
Avoid plunging a hot pan into cold water, as sudden temperature changes can place unnecessary stress on the cookware.
Once the pan has cooled, wash as normal with warm, soapy water.
What if food residue is stuck to the pan?
For stubborn food residue, don’t reach for harsh abrasives or start scrubbing aggressively.
Instead:
- Fill the pan with warm, soapy water.
- Allow it to soak for a short time.
- Gently loosen the residue with a soft sponge or non-abrasive cleaning tool.
For particularly stubborn residue, patience and soaking are often more effective than vigorous scrubbing.
Avoid harsh scouring pads or abrasive cleaning products, particularly on the polished stainless steel exterior.
Keeping the stainless steel exterior looking its best
One of the standout features of ScratchDefense™ Clad cookware is its seamless, polished stainless steel exterior.
Like all premium stainless steel cookware, the exterior may naturally develop marks or discolouration through everyday cooking. This is completely normal and does not affect the performance of your cookware.
To help maintain its beautiful finish:
- Hand wash rather than using the dishwasher.
- Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaning products.
- Dry thoroughly after washing.
- Avoid leaving cookware wet for extended periods.
- Clean spills and cooking residue promptly once the cookware has cooled.
With regular care, your cookware will continue to look as good as it performs.
Caring for your glass lids
If your cookware includes a glass lid, allow it to cool before washing.
Avoid sudden temperature changes and always handle with care.
When lifting a lid during cooking, take care when removing it as hot steam can escape.
How should I store my cookware?
If you’re stacking your pans, try to avoid placing heavy or sharp objects directly onto the non-stick cooking surface.
For extra protection, place a soft cloth, pan protector or piece of kitchen towel between stacked pans.
This simple habit can help protect both the polished exterior and cooking surface from unnecessary marks during storage.
A few simple things to avoid
Your ScratchDefense™ Clad cookware is built for exceptional durability, but following these simple tips will help you get the very best from it:
- Don’t put your cookware in the dishwasher.
- Don’t use excessively high heat unnecessarily.
- Don’t leave an empty pan heating for extended periods.
- Don’t plunge hot cookware into cold water.
- Don’t use harsh or highly abrasive cleaning products.
- Don’t use sharp knives directly inside the pan.
- Don’t drag cookware across glass or ceramic hob surfaces.
- Don’t store cookware while it is still wet.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use ScratchDefense™ Clad on an induction hob?
Yes. ScratchDefense™ Clad is suitable for induction, as well as gas, electric and ceramic hobs.
Can I use metal utensils?
Yes. ScratchDefense™ Clad has been designed with a durable, metal-utensil-safe ScratchDefense™ non-stick surface.
Is it dishwasher safe?
No. To help preserve the beautiful mirror-polished stainless steel exterior, ScratchDefense™ Clad cookware should be hand washed.
Is it oven safe?
Yes. ScratchDefense™ Clad cookware is oven safe up to 260°C.
Do I need to season the pan?
No. Simply wash your cookware by hand before first use, dry thoroughly and you’re ready to start cooking.
Do I need to use oil?
Not necessarily. The ScratchDefense™ non-stick surface allows you to cook with little or no oil, although oil or butter can still be used when your recipe calls for it.
Why does my stainless steel cookware have marks or discolouration?
Changes in appearance can happen naturally with stainless steel cookware through everyday cooking and heating. This does not affect the performance of your pan.
Regular hand washing, gentle cleaning and thorough drying will help maintain the polished finish.
Built for performance. Designed to last.
ScratchDefense™ Clad brings together the beauty and performance of premium multi-layer stainless steel with Circulon’s toughest-ever non-stick technology.
It’s cookware designed to be used, enjoyed and relied upon – from everyday dinners to ambitious weekend cooking.
Treat it with a little care, hand wash after use and enjoy the confidence of exceptional non-stick performance, meal after meal.
Need more help?
For further product support, care advice or frequently asked questions, visit our Help & FAQs or contact the Circulon customer care team.
Happy cooking!
