How To Make Stainless Steel Pans Nonstick For Easier Clean Up

With their durability and ability to retain heat well, stainless steel cookware is a popular choice in professional kitchens. In a home kitchen, it can even work as both beautiful and functional decor, especially when displayed. Of course, the effect works better when the pans are clean and shiny. Although stainless steel is often considered easy to clean and care for, especially because it is usually dishwasher-safe, when items get burnt or stuck on the pan, you will have some serious scrubbing to do in order to return it to its pristine state. If you are tired of soaking, scrubbing, and trying hacks like the tomato trick that makes stainless steel pans look brand new, then learning how to make the pan non-stick using oil should be next on your to-do list.

The process of making your stainless steel pan non-stick is very simple and fast. What you need to do is add some oil, such as olive oil, to your pan and then turn on the burner and leave it until the oil smokes. The smoking oil will let you know that the pan is hot enough. Then, you can add some cold (room temperature) oil to finalize the non-stick transformation. Add whatever you want to cook, and you should see the food move around the pan with ease. After cooking, cleaning the pan will be easy, as the oil should have prevented any food residue from burning onto the pan or getting stuck. Simply wash the pan with warm water, some dish soap, and a gentle sponge to remove any leftover oil. 

When you heat a stainless steel pan, the metal expands and closes some of its pores, as well as the gaps where food can get stuck. Adding the first portion of oil, which will eventually reach its smoking point, helps you see exactly when the pan is hot enough. The cold oil you then add will almost immediately heat up to the right temperature and visibly change texture. This is a convenient sign that lets you know you can then add food to the pan. The double oiling also helps ensure that you use enough oil, as using an adequate amount and keeping the pan hot are the two main things that reduce sticking during cooking.

Adding oil to your pan twice may also mean that you are using more oil than normal, which could add up in cost over time. To reduce the amount of oil necessary, some stainless steel pan users heat the pan without the first addition of oil. Instead, heat the empty pan and test the temperature using a splash of water, which should form little beads that move around the pan when it's hot enough. No matter which non-stick method you try out for easier cleaning, you should still know when your stainless steel pan needs a deep clean to lengthen its lifespan and keep it looking nice in your kitchen. This will work on all pans, from the old one you thrifted to the top-rated pots and pans you can buy from Costco for under $200.