We all know that cooking in a non-stick pan is much easier because we don’t have to use as much oil or butter. But what happens when your non-stick pans are no longer “non-stick”? Although nonstick pans are great because they make cooking and cleaning so much easier. However, many of them have a lifespan that is shorter than we would like it to be. You may think you need new cookware, but there are other options!
Do you know how to tell if your non-stick pan has been ruined? Read on for some tips on how to tell if your pan has been damaged and what you can do about it.
What does non-stick pan mean
The meaning of a “non-stick” pan can vary depending on the circumstance. One definition is that it is a type of metal (typically aluminum) cookware which does not have any coating, but also typically has a special lining on the inside that prevents food from sticking to the surface. A sticky or oily pot will also be labeled as being non-stick because these substances do not stick to the surface and are easily cleaned off after washing with soap and water.
Another definition refers to cookware that contains polytetrafluoroethylene, a chemical material called PTFE. This material has low friction properties so instead of sticking when it comes into contact with food, it just slides around making for very quick cooking times!
How long does non-stick pan last?
Non-stick pans typically have anywhere between two years up to ten depending on how often you use them. Another factor that affects how long they’ll last is how often you clean them. The type of brand of the non-stick pan you are using can sometimes determine its durability and how long it will last.
How to tell if non-stick pan is ruined
1. The pan is scratched
The first thing you should notice is how scratched the bottom of your pan is. If it has deep scratches on the surface, then it’s likely that you cook food with metal utensils in this pan and probably use a dishwasher as well.
If somebody else cooks for you or someone who doesn’t know how to clean pots properly, these are two common reasons why your non-stick pans will be scratched up. Using metal utensils can damage the coating over time so what may have been shiny new once becomes dull and less effective at preventing stickiness!
A dishwasher is also not good because typically soap gets left behind which causes high heat from cooking to create more sticking problems than even without using soap. This residue remains after washing out your dishes if you don’t
2. Coating has been chipped or peeled off
The non-stick pan has a coating that makes it non-stick. And when it is ruined, it will make it less effective and may change how the food tastes as well.
This is a situation that usually happens when you cook something like eggs or bacon in your non-stick pan and bits of it have stuck to the bottom after cooking. However, if you notice this happening frequently even with lighter foods such as vegetables then there is probably something wrong with how often you are washing it!
It should be cleaned every time before use so any residue left over from your last meal won’t affect how things taste later on down the line. If not washed correctly, repeated contact with heat can cause some problems for coating integrity — eventually leading to chipping or peeling off altogether. It’s important to take care of these pieces though because they may accumulate into larger debris which will require
3. Inner core metal becomes visible
Due to the coat peeling off, the metal is exposed and can become visible. Food will stick to the surface of your pan much easier when this happens and it may lead to some sticking problems for you, too!
Depending on how severe they are as well, these damages can sometimes be fixed by a bit of cooking oil or butter before adding meat or vegetables — but there’s only so much that can be done if fixes don’t work. However, the best thing is always prevention in cases like these which means being proactive about how often you clean your pans and how they’re washed.
4. You can see a dark residue on your food as it cooks
This is usually caused by overheating at high temperatures, which causes damage to the coating’s protective properties and leaves behind a dark residue. Bits of pan coatings can be found on your food and that’s the least you’d want to happen. It can pose health issues and may also leave icky stains on your food.
5. Food gets tucked on the pan even at lower temperature
It might just be grease that has hardened over time after years of use, but this can happen if there is buildup as well. Grease can build-up due to how often you cook certain types of foods like bacon which leaves behind residue easily cleaned off with soap and water (even without scrubbing). If not washed properly then bits will accumulate into larger pieces which can be difficult to remove.
6. Has a metallic smell
If you have a sensitive smell, you will notice this right away because it is very distinct. If you notice that the metal cooking surface on your non-stick pan starts to smell like it’s burning then this usually means that the coating has been damaged due to overheating or scratching and should not be used anymore for cooking since there will always be an element of risk when using a potentially dangerous product.
Why is it important to know if your pan has been ruined
If bits of the coating start to break down over time, then your food will often have dark pieces of it inside or around it. It also limits how well the surface can work in preventing foods from sticking on it. It can also cause health issues due to the coating of pan that is not safe for consumption.
What to do if your pan has been ruined
If you have found that the coating on your non-stick pan is ruined, then it’s time to replace it! It might be a good idea to buy two or three pans just in case one gets damaged and doesn’t work well anymore which can make cooking food more difficult. If not replaced soon enough then there could be some health risks associated with how often this product should never come into contact with any form of heat.
If you’re not sure how bad the damage is then try scrubbing off some metal coating with a degreaser and a scouring pad which might work in removing some surface debris or bits of food residue that have been left behind, but anything more than this will only be damaging your pan further.
If something wrong with how often you are washing it! It should be cleaned every time before use so any residue left over from your last meal won’t affect how things taste later on down the line. If not washed correctly, repeated contact with heat can cause some problems for coating integrity — eventually leading to chipping or peeling off altogether.
Ways to prevent scratches and damage from happening in the first place
If you want your non-stick pans to last longer, here are ways on how to improve it:
Don’t use metal cooking tools
This is often the main reason why coating pans easily get scratched and damaged, so it’s best to avoid using these types of utensils.
Don’t use abrasive cooking sprays
This type of product is not meant for non-stick pans as well — even if your intention might be good because the coating will get ruined from how often this gets into contact with heat. Using a gentle spray that doesn’t leave behind any residue can also help in preventing scratches or buildup on the surface as well.
Don’t use abrasive cleaning pads to scrub off anything stuck on the surface
This is definitely a no if you want your non-stick pan to last longer. Do not use hard and rough cleaning pads when cleaning this type of product, or else it could end up in a worse state than how you found it. It just removes too much of the surface material which can make them useless for cooking food later on down the line.
Don’t use too much heat
This is easy to do if you have not been cooking for a while and notice that there are still bits stuck on the surface. When using high heat then over time these will become more difficult to remove which might lead to other problems like chipping off paint as well. If anything needs some more love after how long they’ve gone without being washed then opt for medium-high instead!
Don’t let pans boil dry
To avoid overheat and damage do not let your pan boil dry, or else the coating will start to break down more quickly.
Don’t use a dishwasher
This will also increase how often your pan is scratched which can lead to other issues in the future. However, hand washing with warm soapy water works just fine for getting rid of any bits of food residue left behind. In fact, you should be doing this every time before use anyway!
How to store your pans after use
Nothing beats proper storage and how it can help extend how long non-stick pans last. If your pan is in a good state and there are no scratches or damage then putting them away after use will prevent any from happening down the line thanks to constant contact with air.
Put it in a dry cabinet to avoid any moisture or water getting into contact with how long non-stick pans last.
If you have a drying rack then it is best to hang this up, and not just leave them on the ground where dirt can get in there too!
Always close any lids when storing away as well if possible — better yet, store your pan somewhere that’s out of reach from pests like rats which will only make things worse for how often this product should never come into contact with any form of heat.
Place paper towels between pans to avoid scratching. Packing paper towels between the different pieces will make sure that they don’t come into contact with each other which would only lead to more problems for how often this product should never come into contact with any form of heat.
To prevent one pan from coming in contact with another, it’s best to do this spacing out when storing them — preferably three inches apart or else there could be issues like scratching later on down the line!
Final Words
Non-stick pans are an essential part of any kitchen. But how do you know when it’s time to replace your pan? If you notice that the non-stick coating starts peeling off, or if food is sticking and burning excessively, then it may be time for a new one. Keep track of your frying pans so that they don’t go unused in favor of another pot or dish that doesn’t need replacing quite as often! Remember to replace them every few years depending on their use — your patience will pay off with fewer burnt meals at dinner time.