The Ultimate Guide To Caring For Non-Stick Pans

Non-stick pans are a popular choice for home cooks due to their convenience and easy cleanup. However, they require special care to maintain their non-stick properties and prevent scratching, peeling, or warping. Here's an introduction to pretreatment techniques and general care methods for non-stick pans to ensure their longevity.

To pretreat a new non-stick pan, it is recommended to wash it with hot, soapy water and thoroughly dry it before its first use. This removes any residue from manufacturing and packaging. The next step is to season the pan by lightly rubbing cooking oil over its surface and heating it over medium heat for a few minutes. Once cooled, wipe out any excess oil. This process evens out imperfections in the coating and helps the pan last longer.

When cooking with non-stick pans, it is essential to use wooden or silicone utensils as metal utensils can scratch and damage the coating. Avoid overheating the pan and always add cooking oil or other ingredients before turning on the heat to prevent dry heating. Clean the pan with mild dish soap, warm water, and a soft sponge after each use, ensuring no food residue is left behind.

Wash and season non-stick pans before first use

To wash and season non-stick pans before their first use, follow these steps:

Wash the Pan

• Wash the pan with hot, soapy water. Use a soft cloth or sponge to scrub the pan gently. Avoid using abrasive tools such as steel wool, scouring pads, or stiff scrubbing brushes, as these can damage the surface.
• Rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to remove any soap residue.
• Dry the pan completely with a soft cloth or paper towel. Make sure the pan is completely dry before proceeding to the next step.

Season the Pan

• Lightly rub cooking oil (such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil) onto the cooking surface of the pan. Avoid using non-stick cooking spray, as it contains lecithin, which can make your non-stick surface gummy over time.
• Place the oiled pan on the stove and heat it over medium heat for two to three minutes. This will help the oil fill in any imperfections or pores in the coating, improving the non-stick properties and prolonging the life of the pan.
• Turn off the heat and let the pan cool down completely.
• Once the pan is cool, use a paper towel to wipe out any excess oil. Your pan is now ready for storage or its first use.

Remember to always follow the manufacturer's instructions for caring for your non-stick pans, as specific care directions may vary between brands.

Use the right cooking utensils

When it comes to non-stick pans, the utensils you use are important. The non-stick coating is often delicate, so choosing the right utensils will help to preserve it and prevent scratches and chips. While non-stick pans are durable, using the wrong utensils can result in a loss of non-stick properties.

So which utensils should you use? Here are some options:

• Wooden utensils are ideal as wood is naturally soft and won't damage pans. It's a malleable material that can break up chunks of food or scrape up fond without causing scratches. Wooden spoons have been used for a long time and can withstand extreme heat. However, wooden utensils require more maintenance as they can't be put in the dishwasher and shouldn't be left wet for too long. They also need to be oiled occasionally to prevent cracking.
• Silicone utensils are super gentle on non-stick pans and can withstand high temperatures. They are flexible, durable, and easy to clean, making them a great choice. However, some silicone utensils may not be heat-safe and could melt if exposed to high temperatures for too long. Also, be careful not to use sharp knives with silicone utensils as they can be damaged.
• Nylon utensils are rigid yet flexible and won't leave deep scratches or chips on the non-stick surface. They are also extremely durable and sturdy, making them great for mixing and flipping. However, food can sometimes stick to nylon, making it harder to clean. Nylon utensils also have a low heat safety rating and could melt if exposed to high temperatures, so be cautious when using them.

By choosing the right utensils for your non-stick pans, you can help extend their lifespan and keep them in good condition.

Don't use non-stick spray

Why You Shouldn't Use Non-Stick Spray on Non-Stick Pans

Non-stick pans are a godsend when it comes to whipping up frittatas, pancakes, stir-fries, and anything that might stick to the pan. However, they do need a little extra care to keep them in good condition. While most people know not to use metal utensils or put non-stick pans in the dishwasher, there is one more important thing to remember: don't use non-stick cooking spray on your non-stick pans.

Non-stick cooking sprays, such as PAM, are a surefire way to ruin your skillet's non-stick coating. These products are essentially cooking oil in a can, but they also contain lecithin, an emulsifier; dimethyl silicone, an anti-foaming agent; and a propellant such as propane or butane. Over time, the lecithin in the non-stick spray will cook onto the surface of your pan, building up and becoming nearly impossible to remove. This will completely degrade the non-stick coating, causing food to stick.

Cookware manufacturers, such as Anolon, agree that cooking sprays should not be used on non-stick pans. They warn that cooking sprays burn at lower temperatures, damaging the non-stick coating, and that an invisible buildup will impair the non-stick release system, causing food to stick. Instead, they recommend using a refillable manual oil mister, filled with your preferred cooking oil.

In addition to the issue of lecithin buildup, non-stick cooking sprays can also leave a stubborn film on the non-stick surface, which is resistant to conventional soap and water cleaning methods. This accumulation can compromise the efficacy of the non-stick coating over time. The chemical composition of these sprays can interact with the non-stick coating, potentially compromising its integrity and reducing its non-stick properties. Regular use of cooking sprays without thorough cleaning may lead to a gradual build-up of residues, diminishing the pan's effectiveness.

So, if you want to keep your non-stick pans in good condition and avoid ruining their non-stick coating, it's best to avoid using non-stick cooking sprays. Instead, opt for a manual oil mister or simply use a paper towel or clean kitchen towel dipped in your favorite cooking oil to coat the pan before cooking.

Don't overheat non-stick pans

Non-stick pans are a great addition to your kitchen, but they do require some special care to keep them in good condition. One of the most important things to remember is to avoid overheating your non-stick pans. Here's why:

Non-Stick Pans and Heat

High temperatures can be extremely damaging to non-stick pans. Heating a non-stick pan above 500° Fahrenheit or 260° Celsius will burn off the non-stick coating, releasing toxic vapours that can be harmful to your health. The non-stick coating on these pans is typically made from a type of plastic that will begin to flake and break down at high temperatures. This process can cause the release of fluorocarbons, which are polymers commonly found in household products. Inhaling these polymers has been linked to respiratory illnesses, so it's important to avoid overheating your non-stick pans to protect your health.

How to Avoid Overheating

To prevent overheating, it's best to use your non-stick pans for cooking at low or medium heat. They are ideal for cooking foods that require gentler heat, such as eggs and vegetables. For cooking that requires high heat, it's recommended to use a stainless steel pan instead. Stainless steel can withstand higher temperatures without the same risk of coating breakdown. Additionally, always ensure there is oil, water, or food in the pan before turning on the heat source. This will help protect the non-stick coating and serve as a temperature gauge, as most oils start to smoke at 400° Fahrenheit or higher.

Other Tips for Caring for Your Non-Stick Pans

In addition to avoiding overheating, there are a few other key tips to keep in mind when caring for your non-stick pans:

• Wash and season your non-stick pan before its first use.
• Avoid using metal utensils with non-stick pans, as they can scratch the coating. Opt for wooden or silicone utensils instead.
• Avoid using non-stick cooking sprays, as they can create a residue that builds up over time and ruins the non-stick surface. Stick to oils or butter instead.
• When cleaning your non-stick pan, avoid using abrasive tools like steel wool or scouring pads, as they can damage the surface. Hand wash the pan with mild dish soap and a soft cloth or sponge.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for care and cleaning, as they can vary between brands.

How to clean a burnt non-stick pan

Method One: Soap and Water

• Wash the surface of your non-stick pan with dish soap, hot water, and a dish sponge.
• If food has been burnt onto the surface of your pan, let the pan soak in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen the dried-out food.
• After the pan has soaked, add dish soap to both your dish sponge and the pan. The soap will help break down oil, grease, and burnt food.
• Using the rough side of your dish sponge, scrub the burnt areas of your pan clean. Avoid anything more abrasive, like chain mail, steel wool, or heavy-duty scrubbing brushes, as these can scratch and damage the coating on your pan.

Method Two: Vinegar and Baking Soda

• If your non-stick pan is visibly charred, create a mixture of white vinegar, water, and baking soda directly in your non-stick pan. Pour in enough water to cover the bottom of the pan, along with 2 tablespoons of both white vinegar and baking soda.
• Bring the mixture to a boil and stir to dissolve using a silicone or wooden spoon. Continue stirring for 5 minutes to encourage any burnt residue to loosen.
• Allow the mixture to cool completely after boiling.
• Discard the vinegar solution and rinse the pan with warm water.
• Using a non-abrasive sponge or cloth, scrub the surface of the pan to remove any remaining food particles.
• Rinse the pan again.
• Using a clean towel, dry the surface of the pan.

If you've tried both methods and the burnt food or residue remains stuck to the surface of your pan, it may be time to replace it. Once the non-stick coating of the pan has started to break down, it will only continue to do so, making it easier for food to stick to its surface.

Frequently asked questions