Yes, non-stick pans are amazing aren’t they? Can’t imagine a life without them! But hold up. They require care so that they can take care of you! They don’t require a whole lot of attention, but a little bit of TLC really can go a long way.
Here is our compilation of the best tips for caring for your pan:
Prep your pan before use
Just unboxed your beautiful new pan? You might want to hold on and read up first before you make that fancy dinner.
Wash your pan in warm water. Washing it like this helps to get rid of any bacteria or dust from packaging and delivery. After you wash it, dry it off with a paper towel.
Watch that heat
Now, on to cooking. Fire up your stove and follow these dos and don’ts.
- Season your pan before use. To do this, heat your pan on low heat for 30 seconds, then rub some light vegetable cooking oil onto the pan’s surface with a paper towel. Do this every few months to keep your cookware from deteriorating quickly.
- Ceramic coated pans cannot withstand too much heat. So, make sure you’re using low to medium heat while cooking. Yes, it is sufficient to cook all your dishes!
Use the right utensils
Metal is a big no-no. Never use metal spatulas, forks, knives or any other metal objects with your pan. Use these instead for cooking:
- Nylon
- Wood
- Silicone
- Plastic
Clean up, wash up, ease up!
This is perhaps the most important part of this article. Your pans will be long lasting as long as you clean them well. So follow these instructions carefully:
- Always hand-wash your pan. Never put it in the dishwasher.
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature such as running a hot pan under cold water to cool it down. Always wait for your pan to return to room temperature before washing.
- The ideal way to wash your pan is in warm soapy water.
- Don't scrub too hard or use any abrasive materials on your pan. Use a soft dishcloth instead.
- Make sure you wash the entire pan. It's not enough to clean only the cooking surface.
- Rinse and dry properly after cleaning.
Don’t miss out on the burn marks or stains
We've all burnt something in our lifetime of cooking, no shame there! But make sure to give your pan some extra care after that.
To get rid of any extra burn marks or food stains on your pans, soak your pan in warm water for a few hours, then gently rub off the stains with a soft sponge. If marks still remain after that, gently heat the pan with a little water in it before rubbing lightly with a sponge. For extra cleaning power, you can use baking soda on your pan too!
Just remember NEVER to use steel wool on your pan!
DO season your pan before and after use
Seasoning your pan will help preserve the non-stick coating - especially non-stick ceramic coatings. This is easy to do. Ensure that the pan is clean. If not, give it a wash with warm, soapy water and make sure to dry it well, then heat a small amount of oil in the pan on the stove over medium heat. Remove it from the heat and wipe the pan down with a paper towel to remove the excess oil.
The same steps can be applied after you have used the pan. It is now ready to be stored until the next usage.
Store it right
Your pan may be durable, but even the toughest things deserve some love.
When storing, do not stack your pan. This can heavily damage your ceramic coating. If you have to stack them, use a paper towel or cardboard piece between pans. Always store your pan on flat surfaces and in concealed cabinets for the best protection.
Now, your pan is ready to take care of you!
It’s really that simple! Remember these steps and you will have a long and happy cooking experience with your pan. So go on and break out those new recipes you've been wanting to try. Turn up the heat, cook up a storm and bask in the joy of it all.
