Caring for Your Nonstick Skillets
You’ll be spending a lot of time with them, so treat ‘em right and they’ll keep coming back for more—low-fat cooking that is.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding cooking heat. Most nonstick cookware is made for low- and medium-heat cooking. Too high a heat can damage the surface and cause pans to warp. A warped pan cooks unevenly.
Don’t use metal utensils that will damage the finish; use wood, plastic or silicone ones. Don’t cut food in the pan. Don’t store food in the pan.
Don’t put a hot nonstick pan into cold or lukewarm water because the rapid temperature change could cause the pan to warp. Wash your nonstick pans by hand with plastic scourers or soft sponges. Dry them completely before storing.
Store your nonstick pans carefully. Put a paper plate or paper towels between pans when stacking them to avoid scratches.
Article copyright © 2011 American Heart Association. This article is brought to you by the American Heart Association’s Simple Cooking with Heart Program. For more articles and simple, quick and affordable recipes, visit heart.org/simplecooking.
