Nonstick pans are the heart of any kitchen, especially if you want to use little oil or butter when cooking your meals. They are also ideal for cooking delicate or sticky dishes like eggs and pancakes.
Like any other cookware, you need to clean your nonstick pans after use. Many people don’t know the right way to clean and store their nonstick cookware and this renders them useless after some time. So, what is the right way to clean nonstick pans?
Can you put your nonstick pans in the dishwasher? You can clean your nonstick pans in the dishwasher if the manufacturer has stated that they are dishwasher safe. However, handwashing is recommended because the dishwashing process can damage the coating, making it flake off when cooking. Let’s find out more in our detailed guide.
Why It Is Not Recommended To Put Nonstick Pans In The Dishwasher
Dishwashers are handy appliances that save you more time and effort. However, not everything goes into the dishwasher. While many manufacturers indicate that their nonstick pans are dishwasher safe, the high water temperatures in the dishwasher and the harsh cleaning detergents can damage the pan’s coating.
Handwashing your nonstick pans are recommended to extend their life. This method doesn’t put your pans under stress or high temperatures that can damage the nonstick coating.
If your nonstick pans contain PTFE or Teflon, they are more likely to get scratches in the dishwasher than nonstick pans with ceramic coating. The peeling of this nonstick coating when cooking can lead to health problems.
What Are The Right Way To Clean Nonstick Pans? (Six Tips For You)
Apart from the dishwasher, there are better ways to clean your nonstick pans without damaging them. Maintaining your nonstick pans will extend their life, and you will not spend money on replacements. Follow these simple cleaning tips to leave your nonstick pans sparkling.
1. Clean The Pan After Every Use:
If you cook and leave your pan dirty, the harder it will be to clean. Maintaining hygiene is great by cleaning your pans after use. this prevents food from sticking, which can be difficult to clean. Cleaning oil, grease, and food particles after cooking is easy because the nonstick surface is easy to clean.
2. Avoid Hot Water:
One of the reasons why you are avoiding the dishwasher is because they use very hot water, which might not be gentle on your nonstick pans. Always use lukewarm water when washing your nonstick pans. Using hot water makes the nonstick coating deteriorate easily.
On the other hand, do not use too cold water to wash your nonstick pans because it can cause warping. When your pan gets warped, it affects even heat distribution and you might not end up with even cooking.
3. Use Mild Detergents:
Look for gentle cleaning detergents for your nonstick cookware. Avoid harsh detergents that have sulfates and other strong chemicals. These harsh detergents are not only bad for your nonstick pans but also for your health. Harsh detergents weaken the coating and make it peel off with time. Mild detergent always works well for your nonstick pans.
4. Use Soft Sponge And Scrubbers:
Abrasive sponges and scrubbers are not good for your nonstick pans. The rough surfaces cause the pans to get scratches when cleaning. One scratch can spread and become bigger hence ruining your nonstick surface. So, always use soft sponges to clean nonstick pans.
5. Soak The Pan To Remove Sticky Residues:
If there are stuck on food particles, you might be tempted to scratch the pan. Doing that can cause permanent damage to your nonstick pan. You should soak the pan in warm water and wait for the sticky residue to come off on its own. The slight temperature of the warm water makes the stuck-on residue soften. After that, you can clean the pan with warm water and mild detergent.
6. Dry The Pan Immediately:
Nonstick pans are made of metal bases like aluminum, steel, or iron. Such metals are prone to rust if you expose them to moisture. As a result, cooking hard foods can be tricky. Removing the rust can be tough and such pans become unusable. You should dry the pan immediately after washing and store the pans. Use a dry and soft towel to dry the pan and store it in your kitchen cabinet.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
What Will Happen To My Nonstick Pan If I Clean It In The Dishwasher?
Cleaning your nonstick pan in the dishwasher can result in the breakdown of the nonstick coating. Eventually, the pan flakes when cooking and this ruins your pan’s nonstick finish.
Can A Nonstick Frying Pan Go Into The Dishwasher?
You should hand wash your nonstick frying pans gently and then dry them after cleaning with a soft towel. It is not recommended to pit such pans in the dishwasher.
How Should I Deal With Stubborn Residues On My Nonstick Pans?
When cooking, spices and meat might stick on the nonstick surface hence making it harder to clean. Soak the pan in warm water and allow the residue to soften. You can then clean with a soft sponge and some mild detergent.
How Do I Know If My Pan Is Dishwasher Safe?
Many pans have a label at the bottom or an engraving on the handle that indicates it is dishwasher safe. If you can’t see the label, know the material that your pan is made of. Aluminum and stainless steel materials are dishwasher safe.
Conclusion
Every kitchen has at least a few sets of nonstick pans. They come in handy when you need to prepare delicate food like eggs and the like. Many people treat their nonstick pans like stainless steel and they become useless after a few uses.
It is good to take proper care of your nonstick pans to enjoy long use. Even if your nonstick pans are indicated as dishwasher safe, cleaning them manually is recommended to preserve their coating. The high water temperature and the harsh detergents in the dishwasher can damage the nonstick coating. Use the above methods we have covered to clean your nonstick pans and you will get the best from them.
Hello, This is Annie Walker, a 36-year-old blogger, founder, and editor of Cookware Guider from NY, USA. I am a cookware fanatic and passionate cooker. I love to cook with different types of cooking appliances (example: all types of cookware, rice cookers, slow cookers, etc) almost every day in my kitchen. I love to share my experience with my readers in my blog. Also, I enjoy helping people to solve their problems through my website. You can follow me on Twitter & Pinterest. To know details about my blog please check the about us page.