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In the last decade, there has been a revolutionary change in using nonstick pans as the cookware of choice in many homes.
There are a lot of things that can harm the Teflon layer and create a scratch on it, like metal spatulas and accidental sharp objects.
One option is to replace it with the latest non-stick cookware that is scratch-proof, like the copper-infused ceramic cookware.
Since Teflon bits flaking into cooked food is not healthy to use for family meals, read on to find out how to fix a scratched non-stick pan.
Nonstick pans have a Teflon layer on top of the pan that prevents foods from sticking to the pan.
No one can say they have not faced such a problem, and many of us do not know how easy it is to fix scratched nonstick pans.
Here’s how to fix nonstick pans at home rather than getting new ones.
How to Fix Scratched Non Stick Pan in Just 5 Steps
First, clean the pan thoroughly with a nonstick pan cleaning kit to remove the rust, stains, and tarnish. Dry your pan. Apply coconut oil thoroughly on the nonstick part. Then, heat it up on the medium-high setting. Wait for the pan to cool and wipe it with a dry microfiber cloth. This process will fix your scratched non-stick pan.
If you have a cast-iron pan, use a cleaning kit to remove the rust spots and restore the pan. Then season the pan with cast iron oil or coconut oil.
Step 1: Clean the pan using a nonstick pan cleaner
A nonstick pan cleaner kit will remove the rust, stains, and tarnish from pots, pans with the liquid cleanser and scrubber pad.
Tired looking nonstick cookware will look fresh again.
After you have cleaned the pan, dry it with a towel. Keep it in the open air will dry the rest of the water left on it.
Pot cleaning sponge
Step 2: Use coconut oil spray
Use coconut oil and spray or wipe it thoroughly on the non-stick side of the pan.
Give the pan an even coating of the coconut oil.
Step 3: Heat it up
After you applied coconut oil on the nonstick cooking side of the pan, heat it on medium-high heat.
Then, let the pan sit for around 30 to 40 minutes at room temperature.
Now, the nonstick surface will work well as a nonstick pan again.
How to Fix Scratched Nonstick Cast Iron Pans
Step 1: Clean the pan using a cast iron cleaner
A cast iron cleaner kit will remove the rust and stains the liquid cleanser and scrubber brush.
Old cast iron skillets will look fresh again.
After you have cleaned the pan, dry it with a towel. Keep it in the open air will dry the rest of the water left on it.
Step 2: Season with cast iron oil
Use cast iron oil or coconut oil and wipe it thoroughly on the non-stick side of the pan with a small towel.
Give the pan an even coating of the oil.
Step 3: Bake It
For cast-iron pans, preheat your oven to 500-degree Fahrenheit. You need to bake them for around 45 minutes at 500 F degrees.
Put your pan in the oven on the middle rack. Close the oven and bake it for around 45 minutes.
Baking the pan will let the oil set on the surface of the pan properly and give it a nonstick, seasoned surface.
When the baking is complete, let the pan sit for around one hour or more in the oven to cool down.
Bring the pan out and let it sit at room temperature until the surface cools down.
Step 5: Wash the pan properly
After the spray was baked on top of the pan and left to cool for a while, you can clean and wash the pan once again.
Wash the pan using lukewarm water and sponge the pan gently to clean the spray off.
Take a look at the pan to see if there is a proper coating of the seasoned oil.
If yes, then your pan is ready for use as a nonstick pan once again.
Caring for Nonstick Teflon Pans
Using stainless steel or metal cooking utensils can scratch your Teflon coated pan.
Instead, use silicone utensils or bamboo cooking utensil sets to cook on nonstick pans. Besides, it will sound nicer than metal-on-metal while you are cooking.
As the Teflon layer protects the food to get stuck on the surface, so it is better to make sure that you use wood spatulas for cooking food.
The wood spoons will help you to keep your nonstick pan as good as new for a long time.
How to Season a Nonstick Cast Iron Pan?
To use the nonstick pan in the best way is to season it before you use it. The seasoning of the pan is very easy.
All you need to do is to clean your pan and grease your pan with canola oil or coconut oil.
These oils have a high smoke point so that it will not simply burn onto the pan. It will stay as an active layer of season to keep your cast iron pan non-stick.
After greasing it, put it on the stove and heat it for half an hour.
Then leave it to cool down. After the pan has cooled down, wipe off the excess oil.
And your seasoned pan is ready for use. Do not scrub the seasoned pan while washing. Scrubbing will remove the seasoning from it.
When Should You Throw Away Non Stick Pans?
Every utensil has a lifetime. And the expired lifetime may show a signal to you that it is time to throw them away.
Even nonstick pans have that life span. If you see that the core of the pan is showing, or the handles cannot be reattached, then it is time to replace your nonstick cookware.
You can replace it with a high-quality non-stick pan.
Or you can invest in the latest non-stick technology with copper-infused ceramic.
This kind of cookware is scratch proof, even with metal utensils. There’s no need for added calories of oil or butter, food just slides right off the pan.
How to Make a Ceramic Pan Non Stick Again?
Re-seasoning your ceramic pans can help you with making your pan nonstick again. Just put a coconut oil coat and heat it.
After cooling down, wipe away the excess oil. And your pan is nonstick again.
Takeaway
With these simple techniques, you can refresh the look of your cookware and make the cooking surface nonstick again.
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