How to Clean and Care for a Nonstick Pan
Updated: Nov. 01, 2023
Wondering how to clean a nonstick pan? We're tackling your toughest questions.
Just like a good set of knives, the nonstick pan is a kitchen essential. Let’s say you used our guide to find the perfect skillet and can’t imagine scrambling eggs with anything else. How do you keep that beloved pan in tip-top shape?
Here’s what you need to know about how to clean a nonstick pan!
How do you clean a burnt nonstick pan?
Hand-wash your nonstick pan after each use with mild soap and water. Don’t put it in the dishwasher, even if the manufacturer claims the pan is dishwasher safe. Harsh dishwasher detergents and scorching-hot water can cause the pan’s nonstick coating to deteriorate. Instead, use warm water and a brush or sponge to gently scrub your pan. (Here’s how to know when you should replace those cleaning tools.)
Test Kitchen tip: Avoid scouring pads and steel wool, which will scratch and damage the nonstick coating.
How do you get burnt food off a nonstick pan?
Oops! You got distracted while you were making a skillet dinner and now your nonstick pan is covered in a stubborn burnt mess. You can save it, though. Here’s how:
- Put your pan back on the stovetop.
- Fill it with ¼ cup of baking soda and 2 to 3 inches of water.
- Simmer for about 10 minutes.
Let the baking soda-water mixture cool, and then wash your pan like normal with soap and warm water. It should be clean and back to its nonstick glory!
How do you make a nonstick pan nonstick again?
When you’ve had a nonstick pan for a few years, you might notice a sticky buildup. If your food is starting to stick, don’t replace it quite yet. Vinegar to the rescue! Bring one part vinegar and two parts water to a simmer, and then cool and wash with soap. This should take care of all the sticky residue that has built up on the pan over time.
Test Kitchen tip: Don’t use cooking sprays on your nonstick pan. Most brands contain soy lecithin, which leaves a sticky buildup.
What kind of cooking utensils should I use with a nonstick pan?
Step away from the metal tongs! You want to avoid scratching the nonstick surface at all costs—and that means no metal utensils. Use only wooden or heatproof silicone utensils when cooking with your nonstick pan. (Both are on our list of 21 essential kitchen tools.)
Is it OK to use high heat with a nonstick pan?
The quick answer is no, do not use high heat with a nonstick pan. Keep your burner on medium or low to protect the pan’s surface. High heat can warp the coating and ruin the pan. Keep in mind most nonstick pans should never go in the oven.
When should you replace a nonstick pan?
Unfortunately, nonstick pans do not last as long as some other types of cookware. If your pan is sticky even after cleaning, the coating is flaking off or the interior is badly scratched, then it’s time for a new one. Your nonstick pan should last about 5 years when it’s properly maintained.
What's for Dinner Tonight?
Gnocchi Chicken SkilletStovetop chicken and gnocchi recipes like this one make for a homey dinner in a hurry. Personalize it with your own favorite sauce and seasonings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pair this meal with one of our favorite skillet side dishes.
Beef Stew Skillet PiePuff pastry makes a pretty topping for this homey skillet potpie. —Josh Rink, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Bacon Mac ‘N Cheese Cornbread SkilletMy cast-iron skillet is a workhorse in my kitchen. I just love it for cooking and baking. This mac and cheese recipe makes for a perfect smaller-portion side. —Lisa Keys, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Check out our favorite skillet recipes for two.
One-Skillet Pork Chop SupperMy husband, Clark, and I reserve this recipe for Sundays after the grandkids have gone home and we're too tired to prepare a big meal. It's comforting and quick. —Kathy Thompson, Port Orange, Florida
By the way, here's how to fry pork chops to perfection.
Italian Sausage Veggie SkilletWe love Italian sausage sandwiches, but because the bread isn't diet-friendly for me, I created this recipe to satisfy my craving. If you like some heat, use hot peppers in place of the sweet peppers. —Tina Howells, Salem, Ohio
Szechuan Skillet ChickenMy whole family loves this Szechuan chicken. My husband prefers it without peppers, but he is happy to let others have his! I use the ginger paste that comes in a tube and pre-shredded carrots to save time. —Christine Snyder, Boulder, Colorado
Too many skillets? Check out our best pan storage ideas.
Taco Skillet Pizza with Cornbread CrustOur family loves taco pizza, and I have made so many versions of it. This recipe is like a deep-dish skillet pizza. It is a hearty meal and can be served straight out of the pan. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Get our best Southwestern skillet recipes.
Meat Lover's Pizza Rice SkilletFor a quick dinner, I threw this together from what I had in the fridge and pantry. Add any other pizza toppings you desire. I often add black olive slices or mushrooms. My son loves this and calls it pizza rice. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Ground Beef Spaghetti SkilletI remember my grandma making this stovetop supper many times—we always loved Granny’s spaghetti! My husband and I now enjoy making this for our dinner. You can easily use ground turkey instead of ground beef if that’s what you happen to have on hand. —Jill Thomas, Washington, Indiana
Turkey Biscuit SkilletMy mother always made this while I was growing up. Now I make it for my husband and kids. I cut the biscuits into smaller pieces so they will brown nicely on top. I also sometimes add mushrooms to this recipe because my family likes them so much. —Keri Boffeli, Monticello, Iowa
Greek Tortellini SkilletLooking to please picky little palates? One tester loved this simple skillet entree so much, she made it at home for her 2-year-old daughter, who said "Mmm!" after every single bite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Easy Sausage and Vegetable SkilletThis is an old recipe that has been passed down in our family through my sister-in-law. When I was a child, she did most of the cooking in our house, and this was my favorite meal. The variety of vegetables makes this an attractive dish, and the cooking time is minimal. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
BLT SkilletThis quick weeknight meal reminds me of a BLT, with its chunks of bacon and tomato. The whole wheat linguine gives the skillet dish extra flavor and texture. —Edrie O'Brien, Denver, Colorado
Beef Skillet SupperSometimes I'll make extra of this comforting, noodle-y supper to guarantee leftovers. It's a great take-along dish for work or school. Trim calories from the entree by substituting ground turkey for the beef and low-fat cheese for the full-fat cheddar. —Tabitha Allen, Cypress, Texas
Easy Beef Taco SkilletBusy day? Save time and money with this stovetop supper the whole family will love. It calls for handy convenience products, so it can be on the table in minutes. —Kelly Roder, Fairfax, Virginia
Skillet Pork Chops with Apples & OnionSimple recipes that land on the table fast are lifesavers. I serve skillet pork chops with veggies and, when my husband lobbies, cornbread stuffing. —Tracey Karst, Ponderay, Idaho
Cajun Shrimp SkilletThere’s plenty of sauce with these shrimp—I always have some bread on the side to soak it up. Make the dish your own by using your favorite amber beer or flavorful broth. —Mark Oppe, North Pole, Alaska
Au Gratin Sausage SkilletUsing frozen vegetables and a package of au gratin potatoes, I can get this satisfying stovetop supper on the table in no time. Even our oldest daughter, who can be a picky eater, loves it - and it is an excellent way of getting her to eat her vegetables. —Penny Greene, Lancaster, Ohio
Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken with PotatoesThis is a meal I have my students make in our nutrition unit. It has a delicious lemon-herb flavor and is simple to make. —Mindy Rottmund, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Potato Kielbasa SkilletNo need to hunt through kielbasa and potato recipes, this smoky take steals the show as a hearty home-style, all-in-one meal. It's especially perfect on those cold late fall and early winter nights. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Skillet Chicken StewIt's been 20 years now since I adapted this from a recipe for beef stew. We like it so much that, in all that time, I have never changed any ingredients or amounts - unless it was to double them! Our home's on a river, and my husband, our three boys and I enjoy camping and boating. — Valerie Jordan, Kingmont, West Virginia
Chili SkilletLike most farmers, my husband loves a good hearty chili. With all the vegetables, cheese and meat in it, this dish makes a super supper—and it comes together in one skillet on top of the stove. I serve it frequently in fall and winter. —Katherine Brown, Fredericktown, Ohio
Pierogi Beef SkilletHearty and thick with beef, veggies and potatoes, this is a complete meal in one. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mexi-Mac SkilletThis is the yummiest, quickest recipe I have. There’s no need to precook the macaroni. Everything comes together in one smart skillet. —Maurane Ramsey, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Pretty Penne Ham SkilletI'm a busy nurse, so fast meals are a must. This pasta is a tasty change of pace from potato-ham casseroles. —Kathy Stephan, West Seneca, New York
Sausage and Vegetable SkilletThis hearty stovetop entree has been a family favorite for years. The variety of vegetables makes this dish attractive. Cooking time is minimal. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Skillet Chicken with OlivesWhile I was visiting my cousin Lilliana in Italy, she made this heavenly chicken for lunch. Now it's a family favorite stateside, too. —Rosemarie Pisano, Revere, Massachusetts
Barbecue Pork and Penne SkilletI'm the proud mother of wonderful and active children. Simple, delicious and quick meals like this BBQ pork skillet are perfect for us to enjoy together after school activities, especially if I have leftover pulled pork. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
Skillet Steak SupperWith all the ingredients cooked in one skillet, this steak dish couldn't be quicker to prepare—or to clean up! But the wine and mushroom sauce makes it seem special. —Sandra Fisher, Missoula, Montana
Originally Published: September 28, 2018
