Nonstick coatings in cookware and appliances are never created equally, and their lasting depends on how you use them. Most manufacturers encourage specific use and maintenance, and others even recommend that you avoid them totally if you are not the best at caring for kitchenware.
They are great until they stop working! Here is how you can fix them and get that non-stick back.
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What To Do If Your Nonstick Pan Sticks
Nonstick pans start sticking when the grease and tiny food particles build up. It affects the efficiency of the pan, causing foods to stick. Not to worry, all you have to do is thoroughly clean and re-season stained and scratched parts.
Recoating a nonstick pan
Seasoning with peanut oil
Before seasoning your pan, it is essential to clean it thoroughly so that no stains are left. Add water, 2 tbsp of baking soda, and ½ a cup of white vinegar.
Put it over the stove and heat it for about 10 minutes. Remove it from the heat wash and wipe it. Wash it using soap and dry it gently with a cloth. Avoid using harsh tools to clean it to prevent scratches, which damage the pan even more.
After that, apply a thin layer of peanut oil to fill the pores and keep the non-stick element effective. Apply heat to the pan again for about 2 minutes. Let it dry then cool. Wipe any excess oil that may be dripping.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is also another option you can use. Start by applying heat to the bottom of the pan. Not too much to avoid burning yourself when applying coconut oil. Let it warm as you preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Apply the oil on the surface of the pan, making sure to fill in the pores. Just a thin coating of oil is enough-next, heat the pan in the oven for 2 hours. The heat from the oven will bake the coconut oil and coat the surface completely. After the two hours are over, remove the pan and use it any time you want.
In the oven
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, not more than 500 to avoid damaging the pan more. Season with the peanut oil, but now put the pan in the oven and let it stay for an hour.
Keep in mind that non-stick pans cant take severe heat and overheating them may cost you more than just the pan. A tip to note is to stay away from olive oil. It has a low smoking point, which is dangerous if heat is applied. Avoid any oils that have a low smoking point because they are a fire hazard.
Using a Non-stick Cookware Repair spray
This is usually one of the first calls to action when a non-stick pan becomes inefficient. This is for when the damage isnt as severe. You can find Pan repair sprays online or from any home improvement store near you.
Thoroughly wash the pan and make sure there are no food residues on the surface. Give it some time to dry then apply the repair spray. Apply a good amount of it, ensuring that it gets a thick and even coat on the inside, covering it completely.
Let it sit for 30 minutes. You will need to use the oven, so preheat it to 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Put the pan in the oven and let it sit for 45 minutes. Turn the oven off after the time is up, then let it sit inside the oven to cool down on its own.
Once it dries, rewash it using dishwashing soap and a sponge. Store them properly using a separator to ensure scratches are avoided. Some of the non-stick sprays you can get from Amazon are:
Services of a Coating Specialist
Another option that does not need you to do anything is getting services from someone specializing in coating cookware. They know how to treat damaged pans.
Despite it being so expensive, the outcome will be close to perfection. You can also get in touch with your pans manufacturers, especially those with top-quality pans, which give a warranty which will come in handy when you want to recoat and repair.
Some may ask for some payment, but most dont. Compare the costs involved in restoring the non-stick ones with what you would use to purchase a new set. If the charges are the same, then get new ones.
What Causes Nonstick Pans To Stick?
Non-stick pans do not last forever, and using metallic utensils on them will cause the surface to get scratched. Using an abrasive cleaning pad cold also damage the coating.
When you combine time, usage of the pan and food, and oil build-up, these non-stick pans get worn out and destroyed. If you just got new non-stick pans, avoid or minimize the following:
Using aerosol cooking sprays
These sprays are quite efficient, and they help reduce the amount of oil you use when cooking food, but they burn at lower temperatures burning the coating while at it.
This makes the pan stick while cooking and may give the pan a rusty look. Use margarine, coconut oil, or peanut oil with the pans. When you use them and spray the whole pan, the food does not reach every part of the pan.
This will cause the unutilized sprayed oil to bake onto the non-stick pan. It will cause a film to form and cancel out the non-stick properties.
Inadequate Cleaning
Use warm soapy water with a soft sponge after each use. Do not leave the pans with food residue to avoid build-up, which will, later on, cause the sticking. Washing dishes as soon as you are done is an extreme sport, but it is worth it.
High temperature
As we saw earlier, high temperature is not the most favorable for non-stick pans since they damage them. Use low to medium heat, and the pans will serve you.
Not all non-stick cookware has a lifetime guarantee because some have a shorter life than regular pans regardless of how you maintain it. The non-stick properties are likely to decay eventually.
It does not make sense to get pans with the coating, which peel off after using them for a while. Look into the risk that may be caused by trying to recoat the pans that may have already served their time.
If you have repaired the pans once or twice, then purchase new ones of high quality. Get your information right before getting new ones
