Sentry Page Protection
Caring for Non-Stick Pans - Tuesday 1st September 2015
1. Don't overheat the pan i.e. use medium heat (over 500 degrees is dangerous). Use the extractor fan. Non-stick pans are not meant for searing.
2. Don't use spray oils, they contain silicone, lecithin and chemical propellants.
3. Oil the pan and rub the cut side of half an onion over it - this should stop food sticking.
4. Several ways to restore non-stick surface:
• a paste of baking powder,
• try a cut lemon,
• alcohol on a cotton wool ball,
• boil a little water in the pan, empty water, cover bottom with vinegar and wipe with a folded paper towel using a silicone spatula,
• mix 3 parts water to 1 part white vinegar and boil on medium heat , cool and wash with warm soapy water,
• as a last resort cover pan bottom with water and use wet/dry 400/600 sandpaper to remove the hard pyrolytic carbon which causes the problem. Angle tip the pan and rub where it is still wet. Change the water as necessary. Job is done when surface no longer stays wet (non-stick surface repels water), but care is needed as the non-stick surface is soft and the problem carbon is the same black colour as the non-stick surface.
Contributed by Beverley Lippett
2. Don't use spray oils, they contain silicone, lecithin and chemical propellants.
3. Oil the pan and rub the cut side of half an onion over it - this should stop food sticking.
4. Several ways to restore non-stick surface:
• a paste of baking powder,
• try a cut lemon,
• alcohol on a cotton wool ball,
• boil a little water in the pan, empty water, cover bottom with vinegar and wipe with a folded paper towel using a silicone spatula,
• mix 3 parts water to 1 part white vinegar and boil on medium heat , cool and wash with warm soapy water,
• as a last resort cover pan bottom with water and use wet/dry 400/600 sandpaper to remove the hard pyrolytic carbon which causes the problem. Angle tip the pan and rub where it is still wet. Change the water as necessary. Job is done when surface no longer stays wet (non-stick surface repels water), but care is needed as the non-stick surface is soft and the problem carbon is the same black colour as the non-stick surface.
Contributed by Beverley Lippett