Cleaning up leftovers in pots or pans can be a chore. However, nonstick cookware makes this task a lot easier. Teflon is considered to be the only compound that even a lizard cannot stick to its surface. This nonstick coating usually makes food easy to clean. For general cleaning, or when charred food remains on the surface, there are a few easy solutions that will make your pan look and use as good as new.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning Teflon Pans After Daily Use
Step 1. Remove any food residue that doesn't stick
Once the pan or pan is cool and safe to handle, use a paper towel, or a plastic or wooden spatula to remove any non-stick food residue on the pan. Be sure to use a napkin to hold the pot handle if it's still warm.
- Make sure you use a non-metallic tool on the Teflon surface. Metal cookware can scratch and remove the Teflon coating on pots or pans.
- If you want to store leftovers in a pan, use a non-metallic cookware to scoop up the food and place it in a container for later storage.
Step 2. Place the pot in the sink
Wait for the pan to cool before putting it in the sink. Your pan may go all the way in, or some of it will still come out depending on the size of the sink. You'll be holding and rotating the pan as you wash it, so it's okay if the pan doesn't go all the way into the tub. Open the faucet and run warm or hot water.
The pot will be cool enough to hold when you can hold it comfortably without fear of burning your hands. Remember that cleaning cooking utensils is sometimes easier if they are still warm. However, cooking utensils need to be cooled for a while to be safe when handling
Step 3. Wash the pan
Use a nylon scourer, sponge, or tissue paper with a few drops of dish soap to clean the Teflon surface. Be sure to scrub all areas inside the pot, also scrub the outside and bottom of the pan, and the handles. Then, rinse all the soap from the pan.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners on Teflon pans. Abrasives can damage and remove the nonstick coating of the pan.
- This cleaning method can also be applied to various types of Teflon-coated cooking utensils because Teflon is mostly used in cooking utensils. However, this cleaning method is not limited to Teflon-coated pans.
Step 4. Dry the pan
Use a rag, paper towel, or drying rack to dry the Teflon pan. Thus, the pan is ready to be used again or stored.
Method 2 of 3: Removing Food Leftovers from Teflon Pans
Step 1. Put the vinegar and water mixture in a saucepan
If your Teflon-coated pan has only oil or some food residue, wait for the pan to cool and then fill the pan with water until it is half full. Then, add half a cup of vinegar.
Step 2. Boil the vinegar and water mixture
Place the pot on the stove, and bring the vinegar and water mixture to a boil. This process may take between 5-10 minutes depending on the size of the fire.
As the mixture heats up and begins to boil, the oil and food residue will begin to float to the surface of the water
Step 3. Take the oil
When the oil starts to float on the surface of the water, reduce the heat and use a paper towel to absorb the oil. The water will be very hot so be careful not to touch the water while it absorbs the oil. After absorbing most of the oil with a tissue, throw the tissue away. If there are any leftover food floating around, use a slotted spoon to scoop it up and throw it in the trash.
- It is recommended that you use a slotted plastic spoon to make it easier to pick up leftover food without taking the water away.
- When all the food residue has been cleaned, slowly pour the remaining water into the drain hole.
Step 4. Wash the pan
Let the pans sit in the sink and cool before washing them. To cool the pan quickly, you can rinse it in cold or warm water for a few minutes. Use a nylon scrubber, sponge, rag, or paper towel with a few drops of dish soap to gently clean the pan in the sink. Gently scrub the surface of the pan to remove any remaining food residue.
Rinse thoroughly with water to remove soap residue
Step 5. Dry the pan
Use a drying rack or rag to wipe and dry the pan. The pan will be ready to use or stored for later use.
Method 3 of 3: Cleaning the Teflon Pans
Step 1. Sprinkle the burnt area with baking soda
Once the pan has cooled, pour a little baking soda on the burnt area. Then, add a little water to the baking soda, and let the pan sit overnight. The baking soda and water should look like a paste.
Step 2. Scrub the rest
After leaving the pan overnight, scrub the pan with a soft nylon scourer or sponge to remove any scorched food.
The leftovers should be easy to clean up, but if they get stubborn, try scrubbing them a little harder
Step 3. Wash the pan as usual
After the burnt food is cleaned, wash it in the tub as usual. Use warm, moderately hot water and a soft nylon scrubber, or a sponge, as well as a little dish soap to clean all areas of the pan.
Rinse the pan with clean water to remove any soap residue or food residue
Step 4. Dry the pan
Use a rag, paper towel, or drying rack to dry the pan. Once the pan is dry, it's ready to be used again for cooking or just for storage.
Tips
- Instead of spraying nonstick cookware with aerosol spray oil, apply a small amount of olive oil to the pan with a pastry brush. This will prevent the hard-to-clean layer of oil from leaving the nonstick cookware.
- Try to avoid using metal cookware with nonstick cookware. The metal can scratch the surface of the pan. Just use wood, plastic, or rubber cookware.
- Always read the cookware manual to see if the pan is dishwasher safe.
