How to Care for a Frying Pan

Non-Stick Frying Pan

• 1

  Wash your frying pan in warm, soapy water before you use it the first time. Rinse, then dry it completely with a soft cloth.

• 2

  Treat your pan before its first use. Do this by putting a small amount of cooking oil on a clean paper towel or napkin and swipe it around the non-stick pan surface. After a moment, wipe dry with a new paper towel. Repeat this every few months to extend the life of your pan.

• 3

  Use only silicon, plastic, wood or rubber utensils. Metal utensils will scratch the smooth non-stick coating of your pan.

• 4

  Do not put your non-stick frying pan in the dishwasher. Instead, wash it by hand in warm water using a mild soap.

How to Wash a Stainless Steel Frying Pan

• 5

  Immerse pan in warm water.

• 6

  Create a paste by adding a little water to a fine soap powder such as dishwasher soap.

• 7

  Use a soft cloth with the paste and rub it on the frying pan in a gentle circular motion until no cooking residue remains.

• 8

  Avoid harsh cleaning materials such as steel wool or harsh scouring pads. Soft scouring pads are fine to use on stainless steel and if you dislike washing by hand, most stainless steel cookware is fine to put in the dishwasher.

Enamel-Coated Cast Iron Frying Pan

• 9

  Use low to medium heat settings when cooking.

• 10

  Use large stove elements for large frying pans and small stove elements for small frying pans.

• 11

  Only use cooking utensils made from rubber, silicone, wood or plastic that won't scratch the coating.

• 12

  Lift, rather than slide the frying pan from surface to surface.

• 13

  Allow the pan to cool before washing. Enamel-coated frying pans are usually dishwasher safe, but when hand-washing, refrain from using harsh scouring pads or steel wool.