Every kitchen deserves a quality nonstick pan to cook delicate meals like scrambled eggs, fish, omelet, and the like. Using a nonstick pan is also healthy because you don’t need to use too much oil in your food. Therefore, you can minimize the number of calories in your meals.
After buying your nonstick cookware, you need to do the first thing before you start cooking to season it. The cookware can lose its nonstick properties with time, and you will begin to see some scratches on the cookware’s surface.
Seasoning your nonstick cookware will prolong its life, reduce food in your diet, and give you better tasting food. I will show you how to season a nonstick cookware pan like a professional chef. Let’s get right into it.
What Is Nonstick Pan?
This is a type of cookware that features a coating for browning food without sticking. The nonstick coating refers to the coating surface made of PTFE, and the most popular brand you will find is Teflon.
Unlike before, today’s nonstick surfaces are made of new technology, and they last longer. They have quality metals that give you the chance to use the cookware on high and low heat.
Additionally, if you season your nonstick pan, it will be more flexible and durable. The surface will also be slippery, so your food will not stick on the surface. There are three types of nonstick pans you can choose, which include:
What Is The Meaning Of Seasoning Nonstick Pan?
What does seasoning a nonstick pan mean? Seasoning refers to the process of adding a thin oil layer to fill the tiny pores on the coating’s surface. This is essential to prevent food from sticking to your nonstick pan.
If you season your pan properly, you will not end up with excess fats in your food. Seasoning eliminates uneven spots on the coating with continuous use. After applying the oil, you need to heat the pan so that the oil can synch with the nonstick pan. This is a nice trick to do which also prevents corrosion.
What Is The Reason A Nonstick Pan loses Its Nonstick Qualities?
After using your nonstick pan for some time, you might not start to lose its nonstick properties. What causes this? Several things can make your pan to lose its nonstick properties.
For instance, if your pan has a dent resulting from scratching, it will begin to lose its nonstick properties.
Scientists also argue that food will also stick even if you use a nonstick pan and oil, possibly because of convention. When you heat a pan, it establishes a temperature and tension gradient on the oil film, creating convention.
Do I Need To Season My Nonstick Pan Before Using It?
You don’t need to season your nonstick cookware after buying it. You can start seasoning it once you notice that it is losing its nonstick capabilities. This will happen when your food sticks on the surface of the cookware when cooking.
When you season your cookware several times, the longer the seasoning will last. However, this will depend on how many times you use your nonstick pan.
According to some manufacturers, they recommend seasoning the pans about seven times based on the type you are using. Regular seasoning is crucial because it improves the surface of the pan. It fills the tiny pores hence giving you a consistent finish.
Your pan will also last longer, so you don’t need to spend your money buying nonstick pans often. Lastly, seasoning your pan ensures no sticking when cooking. Therefore, you will not experience rust, oxidation, or damages.
What happens if you don’t season your nonstick pan?
If your nonstick pan starts to stick food and you fail to season it, you will end up destroying your food. Food will always stick on the surface of the cookware, which makes it inedible.
How To Season A Nonstick Pan?
There is no specific method you need to follow when seasoning your nonstick pans because it varies from one manufacturer to another. So, you need to follow the guidelines provided by your manufacturer strictly.
If your pan has a quality nonstick surface, then you will get better performance and efficiency when cooking. You should season your nonstick pan after every six months. Here are some steps that will help you season your pan correctly.
Step 1- Clean the Pan: Before you season your nonstick cookware, make sure it is clean first. You can use vinegar and baking soda solution to remove food scraps and stains.
Step 2: Dry the pan properly with a paper towel or a clean dishcloth.
Step 3: Rub one tablespoon of oil on the pan’s surface and ensure you cover all the parts, including the rims.
Step 4: Put the pan on the stove on medium heat and heat it for about 60 seconds.
Step 5: Remove your nonstick pan from the stove and let it cool down.
Step 6. After cooling down completely, use a paper towel to wipe excess oil. At this point, you have successfully seasoned your nonstick pan, and it is ready to cook.
How To Season A Nonstick Pan In The Oven?
You can also choose to season your nonstick pan in the oven, and you will get the same results when using a stove. To season your nonstick in the oven, follow these simple steps.
Why Can't I Season A Nonstick Pan With Olive Oil?
You should not use olive oil to season your nonstick cookware. However, some manufacturers recommend seasoning with olive oil, but it is not the best approach.
Why can’t I use olive oil to season my nonstick pan? This is because the oil has a low smoke point. This means that the oil will begin to break when heated from medium to higher temperatures. Also, you should not use butter or any other oil that has a low smoke point.
Peanut oil is recommended for seasoning your nonstick pan. Unlike olive oil, peanut oil has a high smoke point which works well for seasoning. Other types of oils that you can use include grapeseed and canola oil.
Can I Season A Teflon Pan?
Teflon pans are nonstick pans with a PTFE coating. You can season Teflon pans, but you need to follow the manufacturer's instructions for nonstick seasoning pans.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
Q: How do you season a nonstick pan for the first time?
A: You can season your nonstick pan by applying a tablespoon of peanut oil on the pan’s surface to the rim. After that, put the pan on the stove under medium heat for about 60 seconds. Take out the pan from the stove and allow it to cool completely. Rub off excel oil using a paper towel.
Q: How do you make a nonstick pan nonstick again?
A: It's easy to make a nonstick pan nonstick again through seasoning. To do this, add a cup of water, two spoons of baking soda, and half a cup of vinegar to the pan. Put it on the stove and heat it for about 10 minutes. Clean the pot normally, and then add some vegetable oil to season the pan. This will help in restoring the nonstick surface back.
Q: Can you fix a scratched nonstick pan?
A: You can fix it with a nonstick cookware repair spray. Coat the pan with the spray and ensure you cover all the surfaces. These sprays are mostly transparent, so it will be easier for you to see the old scratches on the even coating layer.
Q: Should I use oil in a nonstick pan?
A: Many people choose to use sprays on nonstick pans, which is not recommended because they don’t match well with nonstick pans. It is great to use a little oil like olive oil, corn oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil.
Q: Does high heat ruin nonstick pans?
A: High heat is the number one enemy of nonstick pans. These pans are not made for high heat because the high temperature will damage the nonstick coating. This can also lead to the release of toxic chemicals depending on the coating your nonstick pan has.
Final Words
Nonstick cookware makes a great addition to any kitchen. They help you cook healthy meals because you don’t need to use much oil. Food doesn’t stick on the cooking surface, and they are also easy to clean.
After using your nonstick pan for some time, it can start to lose its nonstick abilities. This happens when you experience sticking or burnt food. You can give the pan its nonstick capabilities back through seasoning. I hope you have learned some essential tips on how to season nonstick pans in this guide. Apply the above tips and extend the life of your cookware.
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.