Ceramic Pans: Stop Food Sticking With These Tricks

Ceramic pans are a great option for home cooks looking for a non-toxic, non-stick, and durable cookware option. However, ceramic pans can lose their non-stick properties over time, causing food to stick to the pan and creating a mess. To prevent this, it is important to properly care for and clean your ceramic pans. Here are some tips to prevent food from sticking to your ceramic pans:

- Wash your ceramic pan with a mild detergent and warm water before its first use to remove any dust or stains.

- Avoid using metal utensils on your ceramic pan, as they can scratch the surface and compromise the non-stick coating. Opt for plastic, silicone, wood, or nylon utensils instead.

- Do not use your ceramic pan as a storage container for leftover food, as cold temperatures can cause staining and damage the non-stick coating.

- Always wash your ceramic pans by hand with warm, soapy water after each use. Do not put them in the dishwasher, as this can damage the non-stick coating.

- To remove hardened food, soak your ceramic pan in warm, soapy water and scrub with a soft sponge. You can also make a paste with baking soda and vinegar to help loosen burnt-on food.

- Avoid stacking your ceramic pans directly on top of each other during storage, as this can cause scratches and damage. Use pot protectors or cloth napkins between each pan to cushion them.

Wash with a mild detergent before first use

To prevent food from sticking to your ceramic pan, it is important to wash it with a mild detergent before its first use. This will ensure that your pan is free of any dust, stains, or debris that may cause food to stick. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this:

First, fill your sink with warm water and add a small amount of mild detergent. You can use a gentle dish soap or a specialised ceramic pan soap. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning products, as they can damage the ceramic coating. Next, using a soft sponge or cloth, gently wash the entire surface of the pan. Pay special attention to the cooking surface, ensuring that it is thoroughly cleaned. Rinse the pan with clean water to remove any soap residue. Finally, dry the pan with a soft cloth or paper towel. It is important that your pan is completely dry before its first use.

By following these steps, you will ensure that your ceramic pan is properly prepared and ready for cooking. A clean pan will help prevent food from sticking and will also extend the lifespan of the non-stick coating. Remember to always refer to the instruction manual for your specific pan, as it may have additional recommendations or guidelines for first-time use.

Additionally, it is worth noting that proper maintenance of your ceramic pan doesn't end with the first wash. To keep your pan in optimal condition and prevent food from sticking, it is important to follow certain care and cleaning practices. Here are some general guidelines:

• Always hand-wash your ceramic pan with mild detergent and a soft sponge or cloth after each use. Avoid using abrasive scrubbers or steel wool, as they can damage the coating.
• Avoid stacking your ceramic pans on top of each other or placing them in the dishwasher. Instead, hang them on a pan rack or use pan protectors to separate them if you need to store them inside each other.
• Use gentle utensils such as silicone or wooden spoons and spatulas to prevent scratching the ceramic surface. Avoid metal utensils, as they can chip away at the coating.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes with your ceramic pan. Do not place a hot pan directly under cold running water or put it in the fridge or freezer. Similarly, do not preheat your pan on high heat.
• Season your ceramic pan periodically to maintain its non-stick properties. This process involves coating the pan with oil and heating it slowly, allowing the oil to fill in any inconsistencies in the surface. You can find detailed guides on how to season your ceramic pan online.

Avoid using metal utensils

When cooking with ceramic pans, it's important to use the right utensils to avoid damaging the non-stick coating. Metal utensils can scratch and damage the surface of your ceramic pan, compromising its non-stick properties. Lower-quality ceramic pans are particularly susceptible to damage from metal utensils, which sometimes have sharp or rough edges.

To avoid this, opt for plastic, silicone, wooden, or nylon utensils when cooking with ceramic pans. These materials are gentler on the non-stick coating and will help extend the life of your cookware. If you need to cut your food, always transfer it to a serving platter or cutting board before doing so—never cut food directly in the pan with a knife, as this can also damage the surface.

By choosing the right utensils and being mindful of how you handle your ceramic pans, you can maintain their non-stick properties and ensure that your culinary creations release easily from the pan.

Don't use as a storage container

You should avoid using your ceramic pan as a food storage container. Even if you've just finished cooking and want to store your leftovers in the fridge, resist the temptation to simply cover the pan and stick it inside.

Sudden temperature changes can be detrimental to the non-stick coating of your ceramic pan. Exposing your pan to cold temperatures can cause the surface to stain, which will likely lead to scrubbing or harsh washing to remove the marks. This can damage the non-stick coating, causing food to stick more easily.

Even the highest-quality non-stick coatings can warp and become ineffective when subjected to sudden temperature changes. If you must put your pan in water after cooking, opt for warm water instead of cold to minimise the chances of warping.

Clean by hand

To prevent food from sticking to your ceramic pans, it is important to clean them properly by hand. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Step 1: Allow the Pan to Cool

Always let your ceramic pan cool down completely before washing it. Ceramic coatings do not respond well to quick, drastic changes in temperature.

Step 2: Fill the Sink with Water and Dish Soap

Fill your sink or a dishpan with warm water and add a few squirts of mild dish soap. Avoid using harsh detergents, especially those containing bleach or citric acids, as they can be too harsh for the ceramic coating.

Step 3: Soak and Clean the Pan

Submerge the ceramic pan in the soapy water and use a non-abrasive sponge or soft dishcloth to clean all surfaces. Avoid using steel wool, abrasive nylon pads, metal pads, or abrasive cleaners, as they can scratch the surface and reduce the non-stick quality.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

Rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water and dry it with a soft dishtowel, or let it air dry on a dish rack.

Step 5: Remove Hardened Food with Baking Soda (if needed)

If food is burned and stuck to the pan, you can use baking soda to remove it. Soak the pan in warm, soapy water for at least 30 minutes. Then, dip a damp sponge into dry baking soda and scrub away any remaining food bits. For tougher stains, add a bit of white vinegar to the baking soda paste, creating a bubbling action that will help loosen the burnt-on food. Rinse and dry the pan afterward.

Step 6: Remove Discoloration with Hydrogen Peroxide (if needed)

If your ceramic pan has become discolored due to frequent use or burnt food, you can use hydrogen peroxide to lighten the finish. Pour enough 3% hydrogen peroxide to cover the bottom of the pan. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse and dry the pan. The slight bleaching action will help brighten the finish.

Additional Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Ceramic Pans:

• Wash new ceramic pans by hand with mild detergent and warm water before the first use to remove any dust or stains.
• Avoid using metal utensils, knives, or harsh scrubbers on ceramic pans, as they can damage the non-stick coating. Opt for plastic, silicone, wood, or nylon utensils instead.
• Do not use ceramic pans as storage containers, as cold temperatures and food can cause staining and damage the non-stick coating.
• Always hand-wash ceramic pans instead of putting them in the dishwasher, as the dishwasher can damage the non-stick coating.
• Avoid stacking ceramic pans without a pad or cloth between them to prevent scratches.

Remove food remnants with baking soda

If you have food remnants stuck to your ceramic pan, there are several methods you can use to remove them with baking soda. Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions:

Baking Soda and Water Method:

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Make a paste by mixing baking soda and water in a ratio of 3:1. Adjust the amount as needed to fully cover the burnt portion of the pan. For a pan with a fully burnt bottom, try using 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water.
• Generously apply the paste to the burnt areas of the pan. It should be thick enough to form a complete coating.
• Alternatively, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water, then add enough baking soda to create a paste.
• Let the mixture sit for a few hours or even overnight. If you don't want to wait, you can add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste, then place the pan on the stove and bring it to a boil. Remove it from the heat quickly to prevent burning.
• After the pan has cooled, wipe or scrub away the burnt residue.
• Wash and dry the pan as usual.

Baking Soda, Water, and Vinegar Method:

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Add enough white vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 1/2 inch of liquid.
• Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. This will create a fizzing reaction, so it's best to do this step in the sink.
• Set the pan aside and wait for the fizzing and bubbling to stop.
• Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary.
• Rinse and dry the pan.

Baking Soda and Lemon Method:

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Keep a thin layer of water in the pan and sprinkle baking soda liberally over the bottom.
• Cut a lemon in half and use the fleshy side to scour the pan, mixing it with the baking soda to form a slurry. The combination of acidic lemon juice and alkaline baking soda may cause a slight fizzing reaction, which is normal.
• If your pan has a copper bottom that has become blackened or tarnished, turn the pan upside down and use this method to remove the stains and restore shine.
• Remove burnt food and stains by scrubbing with a nylon brush or non-scratch sponge.
• Rinse and dry the pan.

Baking Soda and Boiling Water Method:

• Soak the pan in warm, soapy water for about 30 minutes. Use a grease-cutting dish soap.
• Remove the pan from the soapy water and sprinkle baking soda over it.
• Scrub away food residue and stains using a scrub sponge. For stubborn stains, add some white distilled vinegar to the paste.
• Rinse and dry the pan.

Baking Soda and Soaking Method:

• For persistent or years-old residue, sprinkle the pan with baking soda and add 2 tablespoons of water to form a slurry.
• Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes.
• Scrub away the caked-on residue with a sponge or kitchen scrub brush.
• Rinse and dry the pan.

Frequently asked questions