How To Make A Stainless Steel Skillet Non Stick

A nonstick skillet is a kitchen essential for cooking eggs, omelets, and other foods that are delicate when cooked. It may seem like an easy enough task to buy a new one, but there are various reasons as to why you would want to use the same pan for years without having it lose its non-stick ability.

In this article, we will discuss the best tips to ensure that your skillet lasts for long when it comes to its non-stick properties – let’s dive deep into the topic.

Why you should have a stainless steel, non stick skillet 

In many ways, having an anti-stick property is convenient. You can cook a lot of things without worrying about the pan getting damaged or food sticking to it. Anti-stick coatings are also very easy to come by at stores – you’ll find them in virtually every kitchen appliance nowadays. Also, if well cared for, a stainless steel skillet can stand the test of time.

How to ensure a non-stick stainless steel skillet lasts for a long time.

We’ll cover features and tips that will help your anti-stick pan stay in tip-top shape for many years to come. Follow these steps to make your stainless steel skillet non-stick.

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1). Clean the pan before use

You should clean the surface of your pan after every use, especially if it was used for cooking meat or eggs (which are more prone to sticking). Cooking acidic foods in a stainless steel skillet can lead to pitting and rusting, so always be mindful when preparing food that may leave behind residue. If you have an electric stovetop, avoid using harsh metal scrubbers, as they can cause damage to the coating.

2) Never use metal utensils to stir food or cut things 

Avoid using sharp utensils like knives to stir food in your skillet. A common mistake is also to cut eggs with a knife or move them around the pan using its handle. Although it may seem harmless at first, this can damage the surface and take away from the non-stick property you worked hard to maintain. Invest in wooden or silicone spatulas, turners, and spoons; they will be gentler on your non-stick surface.

3) Do not clean immediately after cooking

Letting your dish sit for 30 minutes is optimal as it gives time for juices and fats to cool down so that you can simply wipe off any residue with a cloth or sponge. Wash with warm water only.

Paying close attention to these steps can ensure that your non-stick skillet will retain its abilities and last for years without losing the quality of its surface. In addition, it’s also recommended to use a stainless steel cleaner when you feel like things are getting too stuck in your pan – with regular maintenance and care, you can extend its lifespan for many more years to come.

4) Wash with soap and water, then dry thoroughly

As with other cookware, wash your stainless steel pan with warm soapy water. You can also use a mild cleaning agent if necessary. Make sure to rinse well and then dry thoroughly before putting away or storing (so that it doesn’t rust). Never leave your pan lying in water or you could ruin the non-stick property. If it does get rusted, take a little white vinegar and scrub the rust off with a scouring pad. That should do the trick.

5) Don’t set high heat

Avoid cooking at very high temperatures, since this can lead to burnt food and sticking. Medium to medium-high is ideal for most meals – just be careful when first putting your skillet on the stovetop (you never know what might have been left behind).

Tips on caring for nonstick skillets

void using sharp utensils

Although they may seem harmless, knives and forks can scratch the surface of the skillet over time which takes away from that non-stick property you worked hard to maintain. The scratches are microscopic on any one dish, but when repeated every single day over months or years, you will see an effect on cooking ability. Invest in wooden spatulas and spoons which will be gentler on your nonstick surface.

Do not use steel wool, as it will scratch the surface

A great thing about a stainless steel skillet is that you don’t have to worry so much about scratching its surface (with regular use). However, if using too much force when cleaning, you can end up damaging the nonstick coating which could make cooking difficult in the future. 

Even though steel wool may seem like an easy choice for cleaning because of its rugged texture and power to scrub away burnt bits of rice from pans – do not use this method with a nonstick pan. The rough texture will damage the surface and leave tiny holes for food to get stuck during meals. Use regular dish soap and a gentler cleaning method; it is still effective at removing dirt and grime without any consequences.

Ensure that any food or oil is cooled before placing it in the dishwasher

When you first use your non-stick skillet, it will most likely be covered with grease and used to store leftovers. Washing these away right away might seem like a good way to start, but if they contain grease and are hot when placed into the dishwasher, this could lead to discoloration on the surface of your pan – not something you want. 

Some manufacturers do not recommend putting their products into dishwashers at all – so take care to wash off excess dirt or oils by hand before sticking the pan in there with other dishes. It’s always best to give cookware a little break before subjecting it to the dishwasher.

void using cleaners with ammonia

The reason for this is that some chemicals can damage the non-stick surface over time. If you’ve ever accidentally rinsed some soap or detergent into a pan before putting it into the dishwasher, you might have noticed that these substances tend to leave a residue on the bottom of your skillet. Even if it’s not visible, the coating underneath may be affected – so try washing by hand and avoid harsh cleaning products altogether. 

This goes without saying – but never put sharp objects in your pans or they could scratch your surface and remove its nonstick ability. Wooden spoons and spatulas are the best choices, but nylon tools can also be great if you don’t have either of these on hand.

void cooking overly fatty foods in your skillet

The more fat there is in your pan, the harder it will be to clean up later. This means that every time you cook bacon or fry an egg, you’re making your dishwasher’s job more difficult and requiring a little extra elbow grease before finishing up. Better yet – when possible use olive oil. Its natural nonstick properties make food slide right off of its surface so that cleaning becomes a breeze. 

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Not only is this good for keeping your cookware in shape, but it’ll also save you some hard scrubbing effort later on.

Other tips for stainless steel kitchenware

The more you cook with it, the easier cleanup will be due to the experience that you’ll gain over time. Also, try heating water and washing off any excess fat that might remain on its surface. 

It’s better however to avoid this problem at all costs – so try keeping an eye open for excessive amounts of fats/oils going into your pan before cooking begins.

Final thoughts on how to make a stainless steel skillet non stick

In conclusion, if you want an anti-stick feature, buy a good quality stainless steel skillet. The brand is not as important compared to the actual material itself – lookout for materials such as aluminum or Teflon.

Both of these are durable, conduct heat well, and can resist high temperatures well enough – this is perfect if you’re planning on cooking at high heat settings often. Just take care when using sharp objects, which aren’t ideal when dealing with nonstick surfaces like stainless steel.

Finally, be sure to avoid cooking overly fatty food in your skillet or you risk causing yourself some trouble.

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