5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Nonstick Cookware
Nonstick cookware is quite a versatile tool in the kitchen and an absolute essential for home chefs. These pans are easy to use and easy to clean. When used incorrectly, though, it's also easy to damage and ruin your nonstick pan.
From cooking to cleaning, here are five common mistakes people make when using nonstick cookware, along with our tips on how to avoid them and make them last longer.
When cooking, keep the heat at medium or lower to protect the pan's nonstick surface. Exposure to high heat will deteriorate the nonstick coating on the cookware and can also sometimes lead to the release of unhealthy, potentially toxic vapors. To avoid warping and for safety concerns avoid putting nonstick pans in the oven!
Cooking spray is not compatible with nonstick cookware and is an absolute no-no! Using the spray over and over again will result in a build-up that is almost impossible to remove. Use a minimal amount of oil, such as canola, olive, vegetable or corn oil, as well as butter. If you are trying to cut calories, invest in an oil mister, which allows you to coat a pan with a small amount of oil.
This goes for both cooking and cleaning. Using sharp objects like knives or metal spatulas to stir food or remove it from the pan, along with things like steel wool for cleaning, can scratch and damage the coating on the pan. Stick to the best utensils for the pans: wooden spoons and heat proof silicone spoons and spatulas!
Nonstick pans may claim to be dishwasher safe, but the hot water and harsh detergents aren't good for the nonstick coating. For cleaning, stick to sponges and soft brushes with dish soap. Do not use abrasive cleaners such as scouring pads and steel wool. Wash non-stick cookware by hand. It will help your pans last a lot longer.
After cooking, transfer the food into bowls or containers. Storing the food in the pan is just one more thing that can cause additional wear and tear on the nonstick coating. On a similar note, don’t soak the pan in water overnight, it’s better to wash the pan before heading off to bed!
Shop Waxonware’s Nonstick Frying Pan Set HERE.
From cooking to cleaning, here are five common mistakes people make when using nonstick cookware, along with our tips on how to avoid them and make them last longer.
- Cooking Over High Heat
When cooking, keep the heat at medium or lower to protect the pan's nonstick surface. Exposure to high heat will deteriorate the nonstick coating on the cookware and can also sometimes lead to the release of unhealthy, potentially toxic vapors. To avoid warping and for safety concerns avoid putting nonstick pans in the oven!
- Using Cooking Spray
Cooking spray is not compatible with nonstick cookware and is an absolute no-no! Using the spray over and over again will result in a build-up that is almost impossible to remove. Use a minimal amount of oil, such as canola, olive, vegetable or corn oil, as well as butter. If you are trying to cut calories, invest in an oil mister, which allows you to coat a pan with a small amount of oil.
- Using Wrong Cooking Utensils
This goes for both cooking and cleaning. Using sharp objects like knives or metal spatulas to stir food or remove it from the pan, along with things like steel wool for cleaning, can scratch and damage the coating on the pan. Stick to the best utensils for the pans: wooden spoons and heat proof silicone spoons and spatulas!
- Washing Improperly
Nonstick pans may claim to be dishwasher safe, but the hot water and harsh detergents aren't good for the nonstick coating. For cleaning, stick to sponges and soft brushes with dish soap. Do not use abrasive cleaners such as scouring pads and steel wool. Wash non-stick cookware by hand. It will help your pans last a lot longer.
- Using For Storage
After cooking, transfer the food into bowls or containers. Storing the food in the pan is just one more thing that can cause additional wear and tear on the nonstick coating. On a similar note, don’t soak the pan in water overnight, it’s better to wash the pan before heading off to bed!
Shop Waxonware’s Nonstick Frying Pan Set HERE.