How To Maximize the Life of Your Nonstick Pans

There’s nothing like having a brand new nonstick pan fresh from the box. You use it to make fluffy eggs in the morning and burgers for dinner. For months, it feels as if nothing can stick to it. All of a sudden, food starts to cling. Then it becomes a challenge to clean.

While nonstick pans are great, they rarely last as long as conventional ones due to the coating. So why does this happen? Spoiler alert: It could be how you cook with and clean the pan. Here’s how to extend the life of your nonstick pans.

Why Doesn’t Nonstick Cookware Last as Long as Regular Cookware?

According to Shiza Shahid, founder of Our Place, nonstick cookware has a coating that can wear off over time. While that sounds scary, as long as you have nontoxic cookware, you should be fine.

Shahid says, “This is why it’s important to shop from toxin-free and sustainable brands using ceramic nonstick, which are safe for not only your health but also the environment. For example, at Our Place, we’ve taken our sustainability efforts a step further by using 100% recycled aluminum in our Always Pan.”

How Long Should Nonstick Cookware Last?

The lifespan of your nonstick cookware depends on the quality of the pan itself, how often you use it, and how it is cared for.

According to Jeff Malkasian of Viking Culinary Products, “The cookware (substrate) itself will last as long as traditional cookware, but the coating is not designed to last indefinitely. Depending on the amount of use and the type of nonstick coating used, it may last anywhere from several months to a couple of years.”

So, the trick to making your investment worthwhile is to avoid anything that would cause the nonstick coating to come off.

Don’t Make These Mistakes

Using High Heat

Both Malkasian and Shahid recommend keeping the heat to low or medium. If you accidentally use high heat once or twice, you should be fine but don’t make a habit of it.

Putting Pans in the Dishwasher

It’s also crucial to wash your pan by hand. “The chemicals in dishwasher detergent may also degrade the quality of the coating in addition to movement while the pan is in the dishwasher,” says Malkasian. So take the extra minute at the sink and use non-abrasive dish soap should get the job done. 

Washing with Super Hot Water

Another no is taking the pan directly from the stovetop and blasting it with hot water. This is because the heat from the water can degrade the coating. 

Using Cooking Sprays

Avoid those nonstick cooking sprays. While you might think this makes a pan less sticky, over time it wears out the coating. 

Cooking with Metal Utensils

Do you want your non-stick cookware to last? Stick that metal spatula and spoon in the back of the drawer where you can’t find it because metal utensils cause nonstick coating to wear out. This also means you need to avoid using forks and knives to cut directly into the pan. While you might be tempted to try a taste, just use a silicone or wood spatula and slide your food onto a plate instead. 

Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Cookware

If there is evidence your nonstick coating has worn off or if it’s chipped or scratched, you should probably replace the pot or pan. But that's not the only sign. “Signs that it's time to replace your nonstick cookware include visible wear-and-tear, foods sticking to the surface (if deep cleaning doesn’t help), uneven heating, or warping,” says Shahid.