Non-stick utensils for your Kitchen

Non-stick pans are the go-to kitchen utensils for the chef in us. They are the perfect alternative for healthier cooking- less oil, less grease, and much less of a mess made in the kitchen. Just like a good set of knives, the nonstick pan is a kitchen essential. They say that a typical non-stick pan should last you ideally for about 5 years. While half a decade seems like a lot of time, a lot of people complain that their non-stick pans lose their ability in just a year or two. This is because most of us treat them as regular dishes- which is not the case. Today on The Clean Slate, we will understand how to take care of our non-stick essentials and how to make them last longer.

What are Non-stick utensils?

According to Healthline, Nonstick cookware, such as frypans and saucepans, has been coated with a material called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known as Teflon. The nonstick surface makes Teflon-coated cookware convenient to use and easy to clean. It also requires little oil or butter, making it a healthy way to cook and fry food. 

Non-stick pans, cooker, casserole, etc. are some of the many non-stick utensils you can find in the market. 

While both stainless steel and non-stick utensils have their own advantages and disadvantages in terms of what and how you’re cooking, you will at least find one non-stick pan in a regular household nowadays. 

Don’t use this on a non-stick pan: 

When cooking on a non-stick pan or any similar utensil, do not use a metal or steel spatula. They can scratch the coating of nonstick pans when you use them and thus shorten their life. Always use silicone or wooden spatulas when cooking in non-stick pans.

How to Clean your Non-stick Cookware

Nonstick, like many other cookware materials, can be a little tricky to take care of. It is always a good idea to carefully read that small font instruction manual, however tedious it may sound. This is because there are different types of non-stick material coatings and the user manual can best guide you on how to take care of it, properly. Here are some general tips you should keep in mind while cleaning your non-stick kitchen tools:

Washing your Non-stick utensils

When using a non-stick it is always a good idea to rinse it off almost immediately. However, do not burn your fingers! Keep your non-stick soaked in lukewarm water for 5 minutes and then use a microfiber towel and Koparo’s natural dishwashing liquid to get rid of all the debris. 

Do not put them in your Dishwasher

Even if your non-stick pan is “dishwasher-friendly”, do not put it in. The hot temperatures and rough detergents will eventually cause a strain on the non-stick surface. You should always hand wash your non-stick dishes. Always choose a natural dishwashing liquid because added phosphates, chlorine, ammonia, and EDTA can ruin your non-stick cookware in the long run.

Removing Burnt food off a non-stick pan

The best part about non-stick utensils is that they are very easy to clean and usually most of the food remnants are easily removed with water. If your non-stick is covered in burnt food, do not use a ladle or stick to scrape it off. Add water to your span with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Put it on a stovetop and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Let this mixture cool and proceed to wash your non-stick pan normally.

Do not use high heat on your non-stick utensils

This is the most important tip if you want to ensure that your utensils last long. High heat can warp the coating and ruin the pan. 

How to store them

Always air-dry or towel dry your non-stick utensils before storing them away. Put a paper towel or a cotton cloth over the surface of the utensil so that there are no scratches on the non-stick end. It is advisable to not stack your other utensils on top of it. 

Repurpose your non-stick pan

If your non-stick utensils are not so non-stick (for the lack of a better word) anymore, we might have a solution for you. When you’ve had a nonstick pan for a few years, you might notice a sticky buildup. Add a cup of vinegar to two cups of water in the pan and bring it to a simmer. That should do the trick. Remember to do this after every 15-20 days and wash gently after. 

Hope we covered all the grounds for your non-stick cookers and pans. Happy Cleaning!

If you are looking for a gentle and natural Dishwashing Liquid, make sure to check out Koparo’s Dishwashing Liquid: