5 things you shouldn't do with non-stick cookware
What not to do with non-stick cookware (illustrative photo: Freepik)
Although non-stick cookware significantly facilitates cooking by preventing food from sticking, sometimes products unexpectedly begin to stick to the surface. Often, this happens due to mistakes in the cookware's use, according to Real Simple.
Using maximum heat
It's recommended to choose low or medium heat settings to heat non-stick cookware, as using high heat can quickly damage the material. If you accidentally use high heat once or twice, it's OK, but it's not recommended to make it a habit.
Dishwashing non-stick cookware
It's important to wash pans with non-stick coatings and other similar cookware by hand rather than in a dishwasher.
The temperature and chemicals in dishwasher detergents are believed to potentially degrade the quality of non-stick coatings. Therefore, it's better to spend extra time hand-washing such cookware without using abrasive materials.
Washing non-stick cookware with hot water
Often, there's a desire to clean non-stick cookware immediately after cooking with hot water for better cleaning. However, high water temperatures, even during manual washing, can damage the quality of the coating.
Using cooking sprays
To prolong the lifespan of non-stick cookware, it's advised to avoid cooking sprays that create additional non-stick coatings. While they may seem to reduce stickiness, they contribute to faster coating wear.
Using metal spatulas and spoons
If you want your non-stick cookware to last longer, it's not recommended to use metal spatulas and spoons, as metal utensils cause wear and tear on the non-stick coating. Instead, wooden spatulas are recommended.
This also means avoiding using forks and knives for cutting directly in non-stick cookware.
While there may be a temptation to taste the food, it's better to use a silicone or wooden spatula to put a piece on a plate.
By the way, we previously discussed what not to cook in stainless steel cookware.
