Taking care of your nonstick cookware

Nonstick cookware was introduced as a answer to ensure that food would not stick to the cookware when cooking. It uses a special nonstick layer either single or several coating on the cookware surface to ensure this. You'll be able to make a high quality professional cooking with it so long as you are using the correct cooking and cleaning method as well as storage condition. I would suggest that to always check with your product's manufacturer for specific usage and cleaning suggestions.
First time cleaning of the nonstick cookware before you use it is a must. An effective way to get this done is to clean it using warm soapy water and then dry it with a clean linen cloth. It is also recommended that you do seasoning or conditioning before using it to cook after cleaning it for the first time. The way for you to do this is to rub a small amount of oil or butter and bake it for a short time. Once done, just wipe it off clean. Do note that not all requires this type of seasoning or conditioning. You will have to get the manufacturer suggestion about this.
Nonstick cookware cooks perfectly at a specific temperature range. This is usually at a temperature much lower that you would use with your normal cookware. You do not have to actually measure what’s the best cooking temperature. There is a simple test that you can do to determine this, it’s known as "butter test". Simply heat up the pan until the rim feels hot. Then add a small amount of butter. If you see bubbles, then that indicates the temperature is just right for perfect cooking.
The greatest advantage of nonstick cookware is that it needs no butter or oil to release the food cleanly, but you can certainly add fats for flavor and texture. It's the perfect cookware for people who are watching their weight and cholesterol levels or who are following a heart-healthy menu. You can find fat-free cooking sprays on the market perfect for use with nonstick cookware. They ensure easy release, even with fried eggs and will not add any fat or calories to the food.
Probably the most important guideline with nonstick cookware is to by no means use metal utensils on the nonstick surfaces, they can damage the coating within a split second. Choose instead for materials like wood, nylon, plastic, rubber or silicone, or use specially coated utensils made for nonstick surfaces. Under no circumstances cut into the food you happen to be cooking with a knife. It's a guaranteed way to ruin the surface and void the warranty. Also, do not use a nonstick pan under the broiler or bake at temperatures higher than 450 degrees. The extreme heat will ruin the finish.
Maintain your nonstick cookware clean for consistent, quality performance. Any food remains or leftover grease will cook into the surface and carbonize, causing food to stick. That cooked-on residue is usually hard to see and even more difficult to remove, therefore wash carefully and thoroughly every time.
It is also advisable for you to ensure that the cookware is cool before you start to clean it. Immersing or pouring water on the nonstick surface while the cookware is hot will cause the cookware to warp or even worse, damage the coating surface. Do not clean the cookware with your dish washer. Cleaning it by hand and soapy water is sufficient enough. The heat generated by the dish washer is able to ruin the nonstick coating. Often, the manufacture warranty will be void if you do so. Ensure that you do not use any abrasive, harsh cleaning agent or other types of chemicals to clean it.
You would still able to use sponge or nylon scrubber if there are any stubborn messes that is hard to come off from the nonstick coating. It would be a good practice to always clean the cookware twice. This will help to ensure that every last trace of food or oil is remove before they start to carbonized. As per the type of utensils that you use, do not use any metal based wool or scoring pad to clean it. Always remember that the nonstick coating is actually fragile.
Finally, careful storage is essential for the lifespan and performance of nonstick cookware. Most manufacturers recommend keeping your cookware on a hanging pot rack with plenty of room in between items. Safely store your cookware inside a cabinet by layering a soft cloth, such as a baby's receiving blanket or a dish towel in between each pot and pan to protect the nonstick surface from coming into contact with bare metal that can scratch or damage it.
Whether you invest in a high-quality set of cookware or purchase one bargain pan, you can greatly extend the lifespan of your nonstick cookware with careful use, meticulous cleaning, and good storage condition.