Buying a nonstick pot or pan is a step in the right direction if you're tired of food sticking or burning to your cookware. However, maintaining your pan and following other nonstick tips will not only make your swedish cookware last longer, but will also help you ensure that nothing ever gets stuck in your kitchen.
Protect Your Pan's Coating
Whether you choose a nonstick baking pan or a cast iron skillet, all nonstick cookware shares certain traits. One of these traits is that the actual nonstick layer that protects the metal underneath is fairly thin and can be damaged with misuse or improper care. For example, scrubbing a nonstick skillet with metal brushes or using a metal spatula when cooking may scrape away the top layer of coating, which means food will stick the next time you cook with it.
For nonstick cookware that isn't made of cast iron, temperature also matters. Unless your pan's manufacturer says otherwise, you should be careful about applying heat to a totally empty pan. In most cases, high heat and no content may cause permanent damage to the nonstick coating. Be watchful too, when cooking foods that burn easily, as burning food will not only make your pan difficult to clean, but will also reduce its nonstick properties.
If food does get burned onto your nonstick cookware, you should first soak it in cold, soapy water.Then, using a nonmetal cleaning tool like a brush or a touch sponge, rub firmly against the burned on matter. Never try to scrape out a nonstick pot with cutlery or hard tools, as this will tear up the coating. For absolutely stubborn burned on matter, you can try soaking the pan in a mix of vinegar and water and then scrubbing it with a mix of baking soda and water.
Never, ever put your nonstick pots and pans in the dishwasher. The high heat of the drying process and the harshness of the dishwashing detergent can cause the nonstick coating to crack or be scoured away.
Use Your Fats Wisely
Even the slipperiest of nonstick pans needs a little help every now and then, and that's where fats come in. Usually taking the form of oil or butter, fats can help form an additional layer of protection to keep food from sticking to the pan. However, they can also cause problems if used incorrectly.
Nonstick cooking sprays may make applying the fat to the pan much simpler, but they can also make cleanup more of a chore. These tenacious products often leave residue on the pan even after it's been washed, which can result in sticking and burning the next time you cook. Be sure the pan feels clean and dry after using cooking spray in it.
Be aware of the smoke point for whichever fat you choose to use. Conventional cooking wisdom says that anything tastes worse after it burns, and oil is no exception. Once oil begins to smoke, its flavor and nonstick properties may take a hit, so be sure you're cooking with the right oil in high-heat applications.
Whenever you plan to cook something exceptionally sticky, you can take extra steps to make sure it comes out clean:
- First, make sure the entire pan and its sides are coated in a thin layer of butter or oil.
- Next, get the pan to a nice high heat.
- If you're cooking with something solid, like a lean meat, try rubbing a thin layer of oil on the outside of it as well.
Nonstick cookware can seriously reduce the chance of food sticking when you cook it, but it still needs your help. Buying only quality pans, applying fats carefully and attentively, and cleaning out dirty pots and pans gently can all help to prolong the life of your pan and ensure your food comes unstuck every time.
Share
