Taking Care of Non-stick Cookware
We all have that trusted, handy dandy non-stick pan that we use day in and day out. We cook practically every meal in it and think nothing of it. We use and abuse the mess out of our non-stick pan, and for good reason too. Non-stick pans are some of the most durable and versatile pans on the market. You can make every meal, from breakfast to dessert- in a non-stick pan, truly making it the most essential piece of cooking equipment in your cabinets.
However, many people misjudge their non-stick pans and use them improperly, causing the non-stick to officially become ineffective. The biggest mistake people make when using their non-stick pan is to add cooking spray. This is a cardinal rule of what not to do when using a non-stick pan. After a while, you may find that your food is no longer sliding out the pan easily, but instead sticking to the bottom.
Lucky for you, remedying this problem is easy. To clean and repair your non-stick pan, here is what you can do:
To clean: Make a paste that is equal parts baking soda and equal parts water. Using a non-abrasive brush or sponge, gently rub your mixture into the pan, including the sides. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
To repair: Pour a small amount of vegetable oil into the pan and rub it in generously. You want to fully coat the pan in order to restore it. Any excess oil should be wiped off.
Going forward, you’ll want to hand wash your non-stick pan instead of putting it in the dishwasher. The mixture of detergent and heat from the dishwasher can speed up the weathering of the pan, shortening its life span. The average lifespan of a non-stick pan is 5-6 years. Some do last a little longer, but when it’s time to replace it, you’ll know.