Cleaning Non Stick Pans

Although cleaning non-stick pans is considered as a very easy task, which takes only a few seconds, it sometimes becomes very tough at times, particularly when the pan has scratch marks. The process becomes all the more difficult when there are burn marks as well, along with the scratches. Many-a-times, it becomes impossible to get rid of these marks, leaving people with no other option but to discard the utensil. However, with our help and some easily available materials, you can easily clean your non-stick pan and remove any kind of stain. All you have to do is follow the simple steps given below and you will find your pan as good as new.

How To Clean Your Nonstick Pan

Non-stick pans are the easiest utensils to clean and maintain, because of the nature of the product. The problem arises only when the pan surface is damaged with scratch marks. These marks cause the food residues to stick to the surface of the pan and removing them can be quite messy at times. Let us explore how to clean the pan, in such cases as well as otherwise.

General Cleaning

The regular method of cleaning a non-stick pan is by scraping out any left-out food particles, using a plastic or a wooden spatula. Next, submerge the pan in a bucket containing warm water, to allow it to return to the normal temperature.
Clean the pan by using a piece of non-abrasive nylon scrubber or by using a simple washcloth.
For drying the pan, you can either make use of a towel or leave it open for air-drying. Once done, carefully store the pan, avoiding any kind of scratches or grazes.

Specific Cleaning

A mild stain or a small white mark on the pan can be easily removed by using a dishwasher. However, it is important to read the guidelines for using the washer properly, to avoid any damage to the pan. In addition, not all non-stick pans should be cleaned using a dishwasher. Use the process only when specified by the manufacturer’s instructions.
If non-stick pans are used for a long time, they might get burn marks that are very difficult to remove. Very often, such pans cannot be saved, but if the degree of burn is not severe, it might actually be possible to remove the stains. All you have to do for this is to make a paste of baking soda and water and allow the paste to stand overnight. The next morning, using a soft sponge, mildly scrub the pan with the paste. After this, rub a little vegetable oil all over the cooking surface, to season.
Non-stick pans also tend to grease a bit as they age and the accumulation of such particles might affect the taste or flavor of the food cooked in them. A technique that can be used to remove these stains is to make a mixture of 1-cup boiling hot water, ¾-cup white vinegar and 2 tbsp baking soda in the pan and place the pan over flame for about 15 to 20 minutes. After this, cleanse the mixture from the pan, by using a mild detergent and season with vegetable oil.

Tip

The cleaning process of non-stick pans actually depends on the variety and the particular type of pan used, as different brands have their own definite procedures of cleaning. Many products even have their own user manual providing instructions to remove any grime or stain. In such cases, it is better to follow the same.

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