Nonstick coatings are made from silicone or fluorocarbon and applied in layers using spraying, curtain lining, or roller coating. The coating is cured at high temperatures and should have a matte, smooth surface with at least three layers. Use wooden or nylon utensils and avoid high heat to protect the coating. Hand washing is recommended as the dishwasher’s high heat tumble cycle can wear down the finish.
Nonstick coatings are popular for their easy cleanup and low-fat cooking because they don’t need oil to prevent sticking. Most nonstick coatings are made from one of two bases, silicone or fluorocarbon. Silicone-based nonstick coatings are used in baked goods and generally considered dishwasher safe. Quality non-stick coating for stovetop cooking will be made with polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE which is a fluorocarbon.
Non-stick coatings are applied in layers. Each layer can be applied in one of three methods. Spraying will give a thick finish but must be done by hand. The curtain lining will take blanks of layers that will be applied to the metal when it is formed, on a press, on a conveyor belt. Finally, the roller coating will roll your pans or baking pans through the rollers, applying a thin, even layer of coating. Roll coating is the least expensive process.
Once applied, the non-stick coating is cured at a very high temperature to bond the coating to the metal. This results in ridges. Those ridges can be felt by running your fingers over the nonstick coating. They could also use a silicone exterior if the finish is glossy. Silicone and animal fats don’t mix, so keep silicone only for cooking.
When looking for a quality, longer lasting non-stick coating, look for a matte surface that is absolutely smooth to the touch. Your new cookware should contain instructions for use and cleaning. Some quality cookware will even have copper in the layers for better thermal conductivity. Look for at least three layers of nonstick coating on cookware. The non-stick coating on the outside of the pan is another sign of quality and will help with cleaning.
Cleaning, tools and heat applications are very important to protect your investment. You should use wooden or nylon utensils to avoid scratching the layers. The nonstick coating is intended for medium heat only. High heat can damage nonstick coatings causing fumes that could be fatal to birds. People with asthma should also be extra careful. Unless a pan needs to be preheated, it’s never a good idea to reheat an empty pan. When heating non-stick cookware, keep in mind that most aluminum cookware heats up quickly.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. Most nonstick coatings don’t hold up well in the dishwasher, but maybe not for the reasons you think. It is the high heat tumble cycle that will wear down the finish. So even if your pans are dishwasher safe, consider taking them out before the dry cycle. The safest method is always hand washing and thanks to its non-stick coating, it’s easy too.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
