Tillie Doyle
Nonstick pans are a kitchen essential, but they do require some care to keep them in good condition. One of the most common issues with nonstick pans is that they can start to smell, which can ruin the flavour of your food. This is often caused by using high temperatures, cooking oils or sprays, or foods with strong odours. To get rid of the smell, you can try cleaning the pan with a mixture of vinegar and water, or soaking it in warm water. It's also important to avoid using metal utensils or abrasive cleaning materials on nonstick pans, as these can scratch and damage the coating. With proper care and maintenance, your nonstick pan can last for years.
What You'll Learn
Avoid cooking sprays and harsh cleaning agents
To keep your non-stick pans in good condition and avoid flavour build-up, it's important to avoid cooking sprays and harsh cleaning agents.
Cooking sprays can burn at lower temperatures, which will burn into the coating of your non-stick pan, resulting in spray build-up. This can cause the non-stick coating to become damaged, and may give the pan a "rusty" look.
Harsh cleaning agents, such as those found in dishwashers, will also break down the surface of your non-stick pan. The high heat and harsh conditions of a dishwasher will deteriorate the non-stick coating much faster than hand-washing.
Instead of using cooking sprays, try using oils such as olive, coconut, vegetable, sunflower, or butter. These oils are healthier options, especially when used sparingly, and will contribute to great-tasting meals.
When cleaning your non-stick pans, always wash by hand using a gentle dish soap made to cut grease. Wash the entire inside and outside of the pan with soap, warm water, and a microfiber cloth or soft sponge. Avoid using anything metal on non-stick surfaces, as this can scrape the coating off. Instead, opt for wooden or non-stick-friendly utensils and sponges.
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Use low heat
Nonstick pans are designed for low heat. Using high heat can damage the coating over time, and may even cause the release of harmful toxins, depending on the type of coating on your pan. High heat can also cause an unpleasant chemical-like smell.
To avoid this, use low to medium heat when cooking with a nonstick pan. This will preserve the nonstick coating and prevent any unwanted smells.
If you need to sear or brown your food, it's best to use a cast iron or stainless steel pan instead. Nonstick pans are not designed for high-heat cooking techniques such as searing or browning, which require hotter temperatures.
By using low heat and avoiding high-heat cooking techniques, you can help prevent unwanted flavors from developing in your nonstick pan.
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Clean with vinegar and water
To clean a non-stick pan with vinegar and water, follow these steps:
Method 1: Cleaning a burnt pan
- Allow the pan to cool down completely before cleaning it. Washing it when hot or warm may ruin its surface.
- Pour two tablespoons of baking soda, white vinegar, and a little water into the pan to form a white solution.
- Place the pan on the stove and let the solution boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pan from the stove and let the solution cool.
- Pour out the solution and rinse the pan with warm water.
- Scrub the non-stick pan with soap and a sponge or washcloth to remove any remaining food particles.
- Rinse the pan again and let it dry.
Method 2: Alternative for less burnt pans
- Mix a cup of water and half a cup of distilled white vinegar in the pan.
- Bring the solution to a boil. You will notice an oil layer rising to the top.
- Pour the oil and water into the sink and let the pan cool for a few minutes.
- Wash the pan in warm soapy water with a nylon scrubber.
- Rinse the pan and let it dry on a rack.
Method 3: Cleaning a burnt pan without baking soda
- Mix one part white vinegar with one part water in the pan. If the vinegar is undiluted, use two parts water.
- Use a wooden spoon to scrape off any stuck-on food.
- Soak the non-stick pan in hot soapy water for a few minutes.
- Wipe off any remaining food particles.
Additional tips
- Do not use steel wool or abrasive cleaners to clean non-stick pans, as they can scratch and damage the surface.
- Be cautious when using vinegar, as overusing it or leaving it on the pan for too long may damage the non-stick surface and cause it to lose its non-stick properties.
- Never use undiluted vinegar on a non-stick pan, as it may break down the coating and cause it to peel off.
- Avoid using the pan on high heat to prevent stains and discolouration.
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Avoid metal utensils
Non-stick pans are a great investment, but they can be easily damaged by metal utensils. The non-stick coating on these pans is often made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known as Teflon. Metal utensils can scratch this coating, especially if it is a PTFE-based coating. While small scratches may not impact the pan's performance, deeper scratches can compromise the non-stick surface, causing it to flake into your food. This is not only unpleasant but also potentially dangerous, as the chemicals used in non-stick coatings can be toxic.
To avoid this, it is important to use utensils made from materials that will not scratch your non-stick pans. Wooden, rubber, or silicone utensils are ideal for use with non-stick pans. These materials are soft enough that they won't scratch or damage the coating. Silicone utensils, in particular, are a great option as they are easy to use and dishwasher-safe. If you don't have any of these utensils on hand, nylon or plastic utensils can also be used without causing damage.
In addition to using the right utensils, there are a few other things to keep in mind to protect your non-stick pans. Avoid using abrasive cleaning pads like steel wool, as these can also scratch the coating. Always hand wash your pans with a soft sponge, as dishwashers can cause scratching. When storing your pans, use a separator or a cloth towel to prevent scratches from stacked pans.
By following these simple tips, you can help extend the life of your non-stick pans and avoid the release of toxic chemicals into your food.
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Soak and scrub burnt pans
Burnt pans are a common problem, but there are several ways to clean them without damaging the non-stick coating. Here are some methods to try:
Soaking and Scrubbing
Start by removing as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, fill the pan with warm water and add a few squirts of degreasing dish soap. Let the pan sit for about an hour, or until the burnt-on food has softened. For very tough stains, you can place the pan on the stove and heat the water and soap mixture until it boils, then turn off the heat and let the pan cool. After this, the burnt food should be easy to remove with a nylon scrubber. Rinse the pan with cold water and dry it with a paper towel.
Baking Soda and Water
Make a paste from a mixture of baking soda and water and apply it to the burnt parts of the pan. Let the paste sit for a few hours or overnight, then scrub it with a gentle nylon scouring pad in the morning. Rinse the pan with cold water.
Vinegar and Water
Fill the pan halfway with water and add about half a cup of vinegar. Bring this mixture to a boil for 5-10 minutes, then turn off the heat. The burnt food and oil residues should rise to the surface, where they can be removed with a paper towel or a perforated plastic spoon. Carefully pour out the water, then wash the pan with a soft sponge, rinse, and dry.
Salt Water
Fill the pan with hot water and add about three tablespoons of salt. Let the pan sit for a few hours, then place it on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Pour out the dirty water and wash the pan with soap and water.
Bar Keepers Friend
If you don't want to make your own cleaning solution, you can use a product like Bar Keepers Friend. Sprinkle the powder onto the soiled areas of the pan and add a little water. Use a wet sponge to gently scrub the bottom of the pan, then rinse thoroughly within one minute.
Olive Oil and Sea Salt
This method is ideal for extra tough burnt food stains. Pour two tablespoons of olive oil into the pan and add three tablespoons of sea salt or table salt. Shake the pan to distribute the oil and salt, then turn off the heat and let the pan cool. Wash the pan as usual.
Deglazing
This method involves first removing as much burnt food as possible, then placing the pan on the stove and adding a cup of water or a mixture of half water and half vinegar. Bring this to a boil, then use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening the burnt-on food. Pour out the liquid, then sprinkle the bottom of the pan with baking soda and let it cool. Scrub the pan with a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, then wash and dry as normal.
Special Mixture
Mix one cup of water, two tablespoons of baking soda, and half a cup of white vinegar. Place the pan on the stove and heat the mixture until it boils, then let it boil for ten minutes. Wash the pan as usual, then rub vegetable oil or olive oil onto the surface to re-season the pan.
Spray
Wash the pan thoroughly and let it dry, then apply a non-stick pan repair spray. Place the pan in the oven at 500°F for ten minutes, then turn off the heat and let the pan cool down inside the oven. Wash the pan again with dish soap and a soft sponge.
Coating Specialist or Manufacturer
If your pan is very damaged, you may want to contact a specialist who can recoat the non-stick surface. Some manufacturers may also offer this service, especially if your pan is still under warranty.
Prevention
To prevent food from burning and sticking to your non-stick pan, always use low to medium heat. Never use metal utensils or abrasive cleaning materials like steel wool, as these can damage the non-stick coating. Always allow the pan to cool completely before cleaning, and never submerge a hot pan in cold water or run cold water over it, as this can cause warping.
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Frequently asked questions
To get rid of a bad smell from your non-stick pan, fill it with a mixture of one part vinegar and three parts water and bring it to a boil. Once it reaches the boiling point, remove it from the heat and let it cool down. Then, use a soft-bristled brush to clean the pan, rinse it, and let it dry.
To remove burnt food from a non-stick pan, fill it with 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup of baking soda and simmer the mixture for about 10 minutes. Let the mixture cool, then wash the pan with soap and warm water.
To restore the non-stick properties of your pan, bring a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts water to a simmer in the pan. Let the mixture cool, then wash the pan with soap and warm water.
To prevent food from sticking to your non-stick pan, avoid using cooking sprays, as they can cause a sticky buildup over time. Instead, use pure oils like olive oil, and apply them with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel before cooking.
