How to Clean Your Nonstick Cookware
Although not as strong as cast iron, copper, or carbon steel pans, nonstick cookware can last for years with proper care and maintenance. While it's never a bad idea to refer to the manufacturer's care instructions for your particular pan, here are a few additional guidelines to keep in mind.
What to Do
Just be sure to let your pan cool completely before cleaning. Immersing a hot pan in cold water, or even pouring cold water on hot nonstick cookware, can warp the pan and create an uneven, unstable surface that results in uneven heating.
Clean your nonstick pans thoroughly after use. Simply rinsing or wiping away visible residue will not remove oily surfaces. Lingering residue can oxidize, create an odor the next time you cook, or worse, burn on your pan and be nearly impossible to remove, damaging the pan's appearance and nonstick performance. After cleaning, be sure to wipe the pan dry with a soft cloth before storing it.
What Not to Do
No matter how much you want to, never use steel wool or other harsh, abrasive cleaning materials or detergents to clean nonstick pans. Instead, use mild dishwashing liquid and a soft sponge, cleaning cloth, or gentle brush. If your pan is particularly difficult to clean, soak it in warm, soapy water for a few hours or even overnight and then try again to remove stubborn residue. If you're still having trouble cleaning your pan, use a paste of kosher salt and water as a mild abrasive.
Be careful with the dishwasher. If your cookware doesn't claim to be dishwasher safe, avoid the dishwasher entirely. While many nonstick pans are technically dishwasher safe, we still highly recommend hand washing in warm soapy water, as it's easy to do - the smooth nonstick surface cleans up easily - and it will prolong the service life of your pan. Dishwashers spray extremely hot water to sanitize the surface, which gradually wears down the surface of the pan and may even warp the surface of a lightweight pan.
Other Cleaning Tips
How to Clean Nonstick Cookware for The First Time
Before using nonstick cookware for the first time, be sure to clean it: rinse with dish soap and hot water, then dry thoroughly with a cloth or paper towel. You can do this in a step called "pre-seasoning" - using a disposable paper towel to lightly grease a pot or pan.
How to Clean Your Nonstick Pan
- Allow your nonstick pan to come to room temperature after each use.
- Rinse the pan with warm water and use a sponge, soft brush, or damp cloth to remove any residue, then apply a few drops of dishwashing liquid to remove any remaining grease.
- Rinse with warm water and dry with a towel.
What to Do If Your Nonstick Coating is Coming Off
We don't want to be bearers of bad news, but if your nonstick pan is severely scratched, peeling, or no longer nonstick, it's time to replace it. If the coating flakes off, a small amount of the coating flakes may end up in your food, and the pan itself will no longer be as good at what it was supposed to do.
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