Every kitchen needs some nonstick cookware. Many benefits come with cooking with nonstick cookware. First, they are ideal for health conscious people and want to limit the amount of oil in their food. Nonstick cookware also provides easy cleaning because food doesn't stick on the surface like other cookware.
Nonetheless, you should understand using your nonstick cookware right to last many years. Some best uses of nonstick cookware to help you get the most from it.
Here are some foods that cook well on nonstick cookware:
Pancakes
Making pancakes for breakfast is easier when you have nonstick skillets. Heavier skillets give better results and make your pancakes fluffy and perfectly cooked.
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Fish
When you are preparing delicate fish like scallops and salmon, nonstick pans are the best to use. They create less mess and give even cooking and crisp fish.
Eggs
When making your breakfast and brunches, a nonstick skillet will come in handy when cooking eggs. They make your omelets fluffy and also work well on scramble eggs.
Cheesy Dishes
If you are fond of cheesy dishes, you can prepare them better if you have nonstick pans. They cook well, and your cheese will not stick like when using other cookware.
Foods to Avoid On Nonstick Cookware
Nonstick cookware is not suitable for preparing all kinds of meals. Certain foods damage your nonstick cookware, so you should avoid cooking them on this cookware. Some include:
Acidic Foods
Avoid cooking lemons and tomatoes on your nonstick cookware. These foods cause the coating on the nonstick cookware to peel off, and the pans don't last long. If you love making acidic foods, then consider stainless steel cookware.
Pan Sauces
The cookware doesn't work well when making pan sauces. This is because it ensures bits don't brown, so your sauces will lack maximum flavor.
Browning Butter
Avoid browning butter with your nonstick cookware because you will not get a better outcome. Instead, use stainless steel cookware for that job.
Searing
If you prepare meats, it will be hard to achieve the browning and crispness you want with nonstick cookware. It would help if you used stainless steel cookware or cast iron cookware to get delicious and evenly cooked food.
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How to Care for Nonstick Cookware
Nonstick cookware can serve you for up to 5 years if you take the right care measures. There are numerous stuffs you should know concerning care and maintenance of your nonstick cookware. These tips will help you care for your nonstick cookware the right way.
- Avoid stacking your cookware when storing because this can lead to scratches or chipping on the cooking surface.
- Always use a soft sponge, warm water, and dishwashing detergent to clean your nonstick cookware. Do not use abrasive cleaners.
- Even though some nonstick cookware sets are dishwasher safe, it is recommended to wash them manually.
- Use baking soda paste to remove stuck-on food instead of abrasive cleaners.
- Avoid metal utensils on nonstick cookware because they scratch the cooking surface. Instead, use wood, plastic, nylon, and silicone utensils.
- Do not use cooking sprays because they have lecithin that results in gummy nonstick cookware.
- Always use your nonstick cookware on medium heat because high heat leads to damages.
- Avoid preheating empty nonstick pans; use oil and preheat for some seconds and then add your food.
- Before you clean your nonstick pans, let them cool to room temperature, and then clean them. Abrupt temperature changes can cause metal warping.
Learn more: Safety and Maintenance Tips to Take Care of Nonstick Cookware Sets
What to Do with Old Nonstick Cookware Sets?
After using your nonstick cookware for several years, they will stop being useful because of wear and tear. You can easily tell when you should buy new cookware, especially when all the coating on the nonstick cookware no longer exists. So, what do you do with your old nonstick cookware sets?
Imagining what to do with old cookware can be hard. These are not things you can break easily and recycle. So, you need to be creative. I will give you some top ideas on what you can do with your old nonstick cookware.
- Kitchen Décor and Kitchen Hooks
If your old pans and pots are beautiful but unfunctional, you can use them for home décor. You can attach the lids of your old nonstick cookware on a piece of wood and mount it on the wall for kitchen hooks. The hooks are ideal to hang your kitchen towels and aprons conveniently.
- Camping
For camping lovers, you can use the old cookware at the campfire. Therefore, no need to buy new cookware.
- Play Kitchen
For kids who love playing chef roles, you can give them your old nonstick cookware to make their dreams come true.
- Pot Planters
For kitchen gardeners, old nonstick cookware can work well to plant your herbs and other plants. However, it would be best if you made some hole on the cookware’s bottom for effective draining.
- Melting Candles
There are many creative ways for art and craft lovers to make good use of old nonstick cookware. You can use then to melt wax instead of using your functional cookware for cooking.
Finally, throwing away the old nonstick cookware that has served you for many years is not the right thing to do. While you might not need them for cooking, there are many creative ways you can make good use of them. Upcycling old cookware in the above ways gives them a new life, and you can enjoy their usefulness in other great ways.
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Final Words
Having nonstick cookware is great, but you should know how to it correctly. The cookware coating is delicate, so you should understand the types of food you should cook on nonstick cookware. We have provided you with some tips on what you should cook and what you should avoid on your nonstick cookware. On top of that, we have also given you some tips for the best uses of nonstick cookware and take care of your cookware so that it can serve you for many years.