It’s happened to all of us. You’re cooking dinner, and your non-stick pan isn’t living up to its name.
The food is sticking to the bottom and it’s a mess. Don’t worry, we’re here to help!
In this blog post, we will discuss how you can get your non-stick pan back to its former glory.
We’ll also give you some tips and tricks that will help you achieve better results with your cooking. Stay tuned for more information!
Reasons Behind My Nonstick Pan is Sticking
Before we get into the solutions, you may be curious about what you did wrong that caused the nonstick pan to start sticking.
This section will help you to keep the nonstick properties intact after you restore it. (Restoration process is explained in the next section.)
Here are the reasons that may have caused the issue-
Too Much Heat Can Damage Non-stick Coating
If you use too much heat while cooking, it can start to damage the non-stick coating. This usually happens when you forget to turn the heat down after preheating the pan.
Nonstick coatings are made of polymers that start to break down at high temperatures, generally when you cook at around 500 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
If you see the food starting to stick or smoke coming from the pan, it’s time to turn the heat down.
You can avoid this problem by using cooking spray or oil before adding food to the pan. This will help create a barrier between the food and the pan surface and allow you to cook in high heat.
The best way to avoid the damage, though, is by using moderate heat when cooking. If you’re not sure how hot your pan should be, err on the side of lower temperatures.
You can also use a heat diffuser to help distribute the heat more evenly and prevent hotspots from forming. Hotspots typically form at the center of the pan where the direct fire is the strongest.
Nonstick Pans Need to Be Seasoned
If you’ve just purchased a new nonstick pan but don’t season it properly, it may cause damage to the nonstick properties sooner than expected.
So, it’s important to season it before using it for the first time. Seasoning the pan will help create a barrier between the food and the pan surface.
It’s easy to do- simply heat up the pan on the stovetop and then rub some cooking oil into the surface of the pan. Wipe away any excess oil with a paper towel.
You can also use vegetable shortening or lard to season your pan. The key is to use an oil that has a high smoke point so it doesn’t start to break down at high temperatures.
Once you’ve seasoned your pan, it’s important to maintain that seasoning by cleaning it properly after each use.
Note that most nonstick pans nowadays come preseasoned from the factory. But some models require you to season the pan before use. It’s best to check the product packaging for information about seasoning to avoid issues popping up in the future.
Not Using Enough Oil or Fat
If you don’t use enough oil or fat in your pan, it will cause the food to stick. This is because there’s nothing for the food to slide around on – no lubrication.
The food will start to stick and then eventually burn if you don’t use enough oil. This is a common problem when people try to cook healthier by using less oil.
But you don’t need to douse the pan in oil to prevent sticking. Just add enough so that the bottom of the pan is coated and there’s a little bit pooled around the edges.
If you’re not sure how much oil to use, start with less and then add more as needed. You can always add more but you can’t take it out once it’s in there!
Scratching the Non-stick Coating
If you use sharp utensils or scrub the pan with abrasive pads, it will start to scratch the nonstick coating.
This may not seem like a big deal at first but those scratches will hold onto food and cause sticking problems down the road.
It’s best to use wooden or silicone spatulas when cooking with a nonstick pan. And if you need to scrub it, only use a soft sponge or brush designed for nonstick cookware.
You should also avoid stacking other cookware on top of your nonstick pans. This can cause scratching and damage as well.
Adding Wet Foods to a Dry Pan
This is a common mistake that people make – adding wet foods (like vegetables) to a dry pan. The water from the vegetables will start to evaporate and then form droplets on the pan surface.
These droplets will then start to stick and eventually burn. The food will also stick to the pan because there’s nothing for it to slide around on.
To prevent this from happening, make sure to add some oil or fat to the pan before adding wet foods. This will create a barrier between the food and the pan so that the water can’t reach the surface and cause sticking.
You can also preheat your pan before adding wet ingredients. This will help evaporate any water that may be present on the surface of the pan before you add your food.
Crowding The Pan
If you try to cook too much food at once, it will crowd the pan and make it difficult for the heat to circulate. This will cause the food to cook unevenly and can also lead to sticking.
To avoid this problem, make sure to cook in batches or use a larger pan so that the food isn’t crowded.
You should also leave some space around the edges of the pan so that hot air can circulate.
Bad Quality Nonstick Coating
Not all nonstick cookware is created equal. If you buy a cheap pan, it may not have a good quality nonstick coating.
This means that it won’t be as durable and will start to degrade faster with use. It’s important to invest in a good-quality nonstick pan if you want it to last longer.
Now that we know some of the reasons behind why the non-stick is no longer working as intended, let’s move on to the solutions
How to Restore a Sticking Non-Stick Pan?
If your nonstick pan is starting to stick, there are a few things you can do to try and restore the non-stick properties.
Before starting the restoration process, it is mandatory to inspect the pan carefully. Check whether the non-stick coating is damaged or it’s just another layer of grease and grime that’s causing the food to stick to the nonstick pan.
In most cases, the nonstick coating remains intact or somewhat manageable but the food particles that are stuck in the tiny scratches on the surface cause the pan to lose its nonstick properties.
To solve the issue, follow this method-
Use Dish Soap and Hot Water to Clean the Pan
The first step is to clean the pan thoroughly with dish soap and hot water. This will help remove any grease or food particles that are stuck on the surface.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
After cleaning the pan, make a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Apply this paste to the surface of the nonstick pan and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse with Hot Water
Once the time is up, rinse the pan with hot water to remove the baking soda and vinegar mixture.
Dry Completely
Lastly, dry the pan completely before using it again.
Once you are done with the process, inspect the cooking surface once again and see if it’s properly cleaned. In most cases, one round of this method will clean up the surface.
But on some rare occasions when the pan is too dirty, you may need to do the process a couple of times to have the nonstick surface perfectly cleaned up.
After you are sure that the surface is perfectly clean, season the pan-
How to Season a Non-Stick Pan?
Seasoning a nonstick pan is important to maintain its nonstick properties. The process of seasoning the pan helps create a smooth surface that is less likely to stick.
It also prevents the formation of rust and makes the pan easier to clean.
To season your nonstick pan, follow these steps-
Rub the Cooking Surface with Vegetable Oil
First, rub the cooking surface of the pan with a little vegetable oil. Make sure to use a clean and dry cloth for this purpose.
Wipe off Excess Oil
After applying the oil, wipe off any excess oil from the surface of the pan. You can use a paper towel or a clean cloth for this purpose.
Place the Pan on Medium Heat
Now place the pan on medium heat and let it heat up for a couple of minutes. This will help set the seasoning on the surface of the pan.
Once you are done with seasoning, your nonstick pan is ready to use again.
What if the Nonstick Coating is Damaged?
If the nonstick coating on your pan is damaged, it’s time to replace the pan.
You can check the condition of the nonstick coating by doing a simple test. Take a look at the surface of the pan and see if there are any cracks or flakes in the coating.
If you see any damage, it means that the nonstick properties of the pan are gone and it’s time to get a new one.
Using a pan that has heavily scratched or cracked nonstick coating can cause the food to contaminate with toxic materials. And there is no easy and effective way to restore a nonstick coating that has been damaged heavily.
So, we recommend letting the pan go and buying a good quality new nonstick pan. And follow our tips to maintain it in good condition for long period.
Conclusion
A nonstick pan is a great kitchen tool that can make cooking a lot easier. But like all other kitchen tools, it also needs proper care and maintenance to function properly.
Without proper care and maintenance, the nonstick properties of the pan won’t last long. It will become a headache instead of helping you in the cleanup process.
If you want your nonstick pan to last long and work perfectly, make sure to follow the tips given in this article. With proper care, your nonstick pan will serve you well for years to come.
Do you have any tips for cleaning or maintaining a nonstick pan? Share them with us in the comments section below!