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Gentle Reminder: Nonstick Pans Don't Last Forever

2008_09_16-nonstickpan.jpgWe got some good advice from a magazine food editor long ago: Don't spend a ton of money on a nonstick pan. They don't last forever.

Well, we had a frittata incident last week that made us realize ours is, lamentably, dead to us...

 
 

We prefer stainless steel cookware, but we like having one good nonstick pan, especially for cooking eggs. Our current one is several years old, and we've noticed scratches and marks on the surface, even though we use wooden spoons and rubber spatulas on it and never put it in the dishwasher.

Eggs started sticking a little too much. And then, when trying to turn out our frittata onto a cutting board a few days ago, the whole thing just stayed put, lodged in the pan.

And we should note that this pan was no cheapie. But we just think nonstick surfaces have a shelf life, and eventually they lose their luster. So we're in the market for a new one, and we're not planning on spending more than $40 or so, since there are plenty of good options in that price range and we know we'll eventually replace it.

We know there are those of you out there who have an entire collection of nonstick cookware. Do you find that they stay slick and shiny? Anyone in our boat?

Related: Good Questions: What Kind of Nonstick Pan Should I Buy?

(Image: Martha Stewart 12-inch Nonstick Fry Pan, $19.99 at Macy's)

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Cookware & Tools, nonstick, skillet, pan

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Comments (13)

I use a well seasoned cast iron for all that kind of stuff. I use non coated stainless steel for everything else. I was tired of the nonstick peeling and I heard it can be bad for you so I stick to my cast iron when i need non stick and I love it!

posted by luv2cook on September 16th 2008 at 7:39am
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my well seasoned cast iron pan is not non-stick by any stretch of the imagination.

posted by ronzorelli on September 16th 2008 at 7:49am
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Ronzorelli, I'm with you.

I've been putting off buying a non-stick pan in part because I um... actually I'm not sure why. I need one for eggs and such so maybe that'll go on my "to buy" list for next month.

posted by Tiamat_the_Red on September 16th 2008 at 8:21am
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a little bit of olive or canola oil in the bottom of the nonstick and even the cornbread I baked in it last week doesn't stick.

And it's terribly unhealthy but every now and again husband will cook eggs in the bacon grease when we're having breakfast.

Lodge. $20. Never use soap. It'll rock your world. (Just ask Alton Brown.)


http://embritadesign.blogspot.com

posted by EmmieB on September 16th 2008 at 8:35am
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According to All-clad:
Almost all nonstick problems are related to a buildup of visible and/or invisible layer of cooking residue on the nonstick surface. We recommend cleaning the nonstick with a paste made of equal parts baking soda and water. Rub in a circular motion with a non-metallic scrubbing/cleaning pad recommended as being safe for use on nonstick surfaces, or perhaps a soft brush such as a vegetable brush. Then rinse well with water. If the baking soda mixture starts turning brown, you are on the right track. Rinse well with cool water and dry.

posted by rmarcus on September 16th 2008 at 9:19am
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Thanks for passive the info from All-clad on, marcus! I will definitely be trying this on my Circulon pans, which clearly have some kind of residue on them.

posted by michpc on September 16th 2008 at 9:52am
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rmarcus - I use the same mix of baking soda and water to clean the terminals on my car battery - now that is an all purpose cleaner.

posted by baltimorerowhouse on September 16th 2008 at 11:17am
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I just cam eacross this Non-Stick pan. Y'all may want to look into it:

http://blogs.cnet.com/kitchen-gadgets/?tag=blgs.list

"Starfrit's Eco-Chef Fry Pan has a nonstick surface. Instead of Teflon, though, Starfrit uses Ceram-ECO, a proprietary ceramic powder that uses no chemicals to create a nonstick surface. Ceram-ECO is made entirely...."

posted by ronzorelli on September 16th 2008 at 11:41am
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There are all kinds of those new green "nonstick" pans out. Bed Bath & Beyond has the Cuisinart ones, Todd English has a line on HSN or QVC...look around! They're not cheap, but - they will supposedly last a very long time. I never spent more than $20 on a Teflon nonstick because you know going in that they will only last a few years.

(Note: Bed Bath & Beyond will accept those 20% off coupons you get in the mail, even if they are expired. I collect them and take a few with me whenever I go. But if it's something that has to be ordered off their website, you have to make the store do it in order to use your coupon.)

posted by cara_mia on September 16th 2008 at 12:32pm
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I was just thinking about replacing my not-so-nonsticky skillet. I bought a five-piece set at Target several years ago, from Bialetti, for something like $30. It got a lot of use; I'll see if I can find the same or a similar set.

posted by elkit on September 16th 2008 at 2:23pm
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I like the All Clad non-stick skillet and it lasts a long time with care. But the non-stick pan that changed my world is made by Swiss Diamond and is reinforced with diamonds. It is so durable and browns better than "teflon". The other benefit is that there is No PFOA in this product which is the gas that can be found in all "teflon"

posted by den on September 17th 2008 at 3:42am
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den,

$100 for one non-stick pan is a bit out of most people's price range... glad you can afford that. you're blessed.

posted by ronzorelli on September 17th 2008 at 7:36am
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I've never owned a nonstick pan. Put me in the cast iron crowd.

I have some nonstick bakeware more by accident than anything (just bought what I could find when I needed it). With the exception of one really great bundt pan (don't remember the brand, but it was expensive!) I wouldn't bother.

posted by Charlotte on September 18th 2008 at 1:31am
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