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How to Care for and Use your Nonstick Frying Pans

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Nonstick cookware can be found in a great variety of presentations and not all are created with the same quality and durability. You will find that different manufacturers recommend different levels of care. To make things simple, the following article will provide some important perspectives on properly caring for and maintaining your nonstick cookware.  

Nonstick Frying Pans

Wash Your Nonstick Pans Before Using 

Before you place any foods in your nonstick pans, it is a good idea to wash them well. Nonstick pans, such as this popular brand, are the result of an advanced manufacturing process and can still carry much of the dust, oils and residual matter from the process. This is not good for your health and you should thoroughly wash your pans before their use.  

 

 

Use Gentle Utensils in Nonstick Pans 

You will see that some nonstick pans specify that only plastic or wooden utensils should be used for cooking and only soft sponges and dishcloths used for cleaning with these nonstick surfaces. Others state that all types of utensils can be used. No matter what the indications say, it is always best to go soft and gentle on your nonstick pan surfaces. Wooden, silicone, plastic and melamine are the best options.  

 

Even when using these utensils, it is a good idea to be as gentle as you can.  Once the surface of your nonstick pan has been scratched or nicked, the cooking processes will begin to deteriorate the fine nonstick surface.  

 

Use Oils Nonstick Pans 

 
Even though nonstick pans have an impressive capacity to resist foods sticking to the surface, you will find that a little oil is a good idea. Not only will this make cooking easier but it will preserve the nonstick coating of your pans. There is some especially high-grade nonstick cookware that specifies that no oil is needed for cooking. Nevertheless, you will find that a little bit of oil will preserve the surfaces of these costly nonstick frying pans.  

 

The best idea is to use a little grease, coconut oil or butter carefully matching your oils to the foods being cooked. Avoid using the cooking oils sprays because these typically contain additives that can deteriorate the surface of the pans.     

  

 

Use Low to Moderate Heat for Nonstick Pans 

Part of being gentle with your nonstick cookware includes using moderate cooking temperatures. Most nonstick cookware, especially the lower tier options, will not withstand high temperatures well and overtime will begin to lose their full functionality. Even some of the higher quality ceramic nonstick cookware can be heated to high temperatures for those dishes that require this. But if this is done for prolonged periods of time, the longevity of your cooking pans will be reduced considerably.   

 

Never Store Foods in a Nonstick Pan 

Many people have the habit of placing the entire pan of uneaten food in the fridge for storage. This is not a good idea for several reasons. For one, this is not the proper way to store food and will affect the delicate flavor array of some foods and adds to the funky smell of a fridge. But foods stored in nonstick frying pans, especially slightly acidic foods, will deteriorate the surface and compromise that nice nonstick quality.     

 

Avoid Drastic Temperature Changes 

 

It is always a good idea to allow your nonstick pans to cool completely before they are fully immersed in water. This is because the rapid temperature change can cause the nonstick pan itself to become warped and this will ruin the structural integrity of the nonstick surface.  

 

Always Hand Wash Nonstick Pans 

For best results and increased longevity for your nonstick cookware, take a couple minutes to carefully and lovingly wash your nonstick pans by hand. Dishwashers and dishwasher detergents can be a little too harsh on nonstick surfaces and this can lead to damage. The good news is that if you are faithful and careful with your washing, you will greatly preserve the life of your nonstick surfaces and this will mean cleaning is easier.  

 

Store Nonstick Pans Properly 

Finally, store your nonstick pans carefully. If you will be nesting your pan for storage in the oven, place a soft fabric to act as a cushion between each one, this will ensure that they are not scraped and damaged during storage.