The Nonstick Pan Cleaning Tricks You Should Be Using Yourself
By RYAN HAYWARD
Nonstick pans are often found in kitchens, because they help you create amazing meals without the use of extra butter or oils. The friction-free coating used in nonstick pans is a synthetic chemical called Teflon, and you shouldn’t use the pan at temperatures above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, as the Teflon can degrade and release harmful chemicals.
Nonstick pans should only be used when cooking delicate dishes, like eggs, omelets, thinly sliced meats, or breaded fish. Before you clean your pan, let it fully cool down, and then use a dishcloth, soft sponge, or dish brush to gently wipe it down.
Never use a rough sponge on a nonstick pan, because that will scratch the coating and cause damage, and never put your pan in the dishwasher, as it will cause the coating of your pan to flake off. For a thorough clean, use a soft sponge with dish soap and warm water, or create a paste made of one part baking soda and two parts water.