The nonstick skillet is perfect for quick cleanings in the kitchen. However, the nonstick coating can wear down over time, especially if it is not cleaned and cared for properly. Scratches or smudges on the surface of the non-stick coating can damage the pan and not function properly, which can be a pain if you've already spent a lot of money on a fancy frying pan. Luckily, you can fix a sticky pan by cleaning and "coating" it with oil to patch up the scratched area and re-strengthen the nonstick coating. This process of re-coating a nonstick pan is quick, simple, and much cheaper than buying a new pan.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Thoroughly Clean the Nonstick Frying Pan
Step 1. Put the water, baking soda and vinegar in the pan
Before coating a non-stick pan, clean it thoroughly to either remove stains or food residue that can also make the pan sticky. Start by adding 240 ml of water, 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 120 ml of white vinegar to the pan.
Step 2. Heat over medium heat until it boils
Heat a nonstick skillet on the stove over medium heat. Heat until the vinegar and baking soda mixture boils for about ten minutes, then remove the pan.
Step 3. Wash the pan
Once the pan is removed, throw the vinegar mixture into the sink. Then, wash the pan as usual with mild dish soap. Be sure not to use wire cleaners or other cleaning tools that are abrasive and can scratch the pan even more.
Step 4. Dry the pan
After washing the pan, dry it with a soft, dry cloth. It is very important to dry the pan completely before you coat it so that the oil can stick to the surface of the pan properly.
Method 2 of 4: Coating the Frying Pan with Vegetable Oil
Step 1. Warm the skillet over low heat
When the pan is completely clean, you can begin the process of coating and repairing the nonstick coating. Place a clean, dry pot on the stove, then turn on low heat and allow the pan to warm up.
Step 2. Preheat the oven to 150 degrees Celsius
When the pan becomes warm, preheat the oven to 150 degrees Celsius. You will allow the oil to seep into the pan so that it coats the bottom perfectly.
Step 3. Coat a frying pan with vegetable oil
Pour unsalted vegetable oil into the skillet. The amount is enough so that the oil covers the entire bottom of the skillet to a depth of about 1 cm.
Step 4. Heat the pan in the oven for two hours
After pouring the oil into the pan, put the pan in the oven and heat it for two hours. The heat of the oven will allow the vegetable oil to soak and coat the bottom of the pan.
- Only use this method on oven-safe pans.
- You don't have to preheat the oven completely before adding the pan.
Step 5. Turn off the oven and leave the pan in the oven overnight
After two hours, turn off the oven. Instead of removing the pan, leave the pan in the oven overnight to keep it hot and dry.
Step 6. Take out the pan and use it
After leaving it overnight in the oven, remove the pan. Your nonstick skillet should be nice again and ready to go!
Method 3 of 4: Coating the Frying Pan with Coconut Oil
Step 1. Heat a skillet over medium heat for three minutes
If you're not sure if your pan is oven safe, you can also coat a nonstick pan with oil on the stove. Start by heating a clean, dry skillet over medium heat for three minutes.
Step 2. Put two tablespoons of coconut oil in a frying pan
When the skillet has preheated for three minutes, add two tablespoons (30 ml) of coconut oil to the skillet and wait for the oil to melt for about two minutes.
You can also use vegetable oil if you want or if you don't have coconut oil
Step 3. Rotate the pan so that the oil coats the entire bottom of the pan
When the coconut oil has melted, lift the pan and tilt the pan, then shake it in a circular motion. This will evenly distribute the oil on the bottom of the pan so that it can coat the entire bottom of the pan.
Step 4. Heat the oil until it smokes
After turning the oil, place the skillet back on the stove. Leave the pan on the stove until the coconut oil starts to smoke. This means the oil gets very hot and starts to seep into the pan.
Step 5. Set aside the pan to cool it down
When you start to see the oil smoking, remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside to cool. Keep the oil in the pan and let the pan cool to room temperature.
Step 6. Rub the oil so that it soaks into the pan
When the pan has cooled, you can see the remaining oil coating the bottom of the pan. Take kitchen paper towels and rub gently so the oil soaks in. This scrubbing will allow some of the coconut oil to seep into the pores of the pan while absorbing excess oil with a paper towel. Your pan is lined and ready to use.
Method 4 of 4: Coating the Frying Pan Before Cooking
Step 1. Clean and dry the pan
Even if you use vegetable oil or coconut oil to coat and repair a nonstick pan, it's a good idea to coat it again with oil before using the pan to lubricate and protect the nonstick coating. Make sure your pan is clean and completely dry before coating with oil.
Step 2. Pour the oil onto a tissue
Pour about two teaspoons of unsalted oil such as vegetable or canola oil on a paper towel. You can also use butter if you want by putting a few crackers of butter in the pan.
You only need a little oil. So, it's better to pour the oil on the paper towels first instead of directly into the pan
Step 3. Rub the pan with oil or butter
Use a paper towel to rub the oil or butter on the bottom of the pan in a circular motion and absorb the excess oil with the paper towel so you don't affect the taste of your food. Then, use the skillet to cook as usual.
Tips
- Make sure you're using your nonstick pan properly by not using a metal spatula or spoon on the pan and avoiding abrasive cleaning tools like wire cleaners.
- If your nonstick pan is releasing plastic debris, it may be time to buy a new pan instead of putting your health at risk by ingesting harmful chemicals.
