Caring For Your Non Stick Cookware

Caring For Your Non Stick Cookware

Nearly all of us have owned Non Stick Cookware and some can be very expensive.  So when you've spent some money on a Frying Pan you would expect it to last for a long time right?  Well, that is half right.  You also have to look after your Non Stick Cookware and take care with it.  Follow these instructions and advice from us and expect that piece of cookware to last for years.

Do You Put Oil In The Pan Even Though It's Non Stick?
We would suggest just a little oil or butter Which ever your preference.  We've found a little can go a long way and even though your pan is Non Stick, having a little bit of oil will help keep your Non Stick pan in good condition

What Heat Settings To Use When Cooking 
Our advice would be low to medium heat settings.  In our experience when you cook on a high heat you can burn oils onto the Non Stick pan, making it difficult to clean afterwards.  This can be problematic as when this happens the pan will be used again and again forming layers on top of your Non Stick surface.   This can lead to people thinking that the pans Non Stick is not working when in actual fact there is a layer of burnt on oils on top of the Non Stick surface.

What Sort Of Utensils To Use When Using Your Non Stick Pan
We always recommend, Silicone, Wood or Nylon.  Never use any metal utensils as they will scratch your pan which will ruin your Non Stick surface

Should You Put Into Dishwasher 
Most Non Stick pans will go into the dishwasher with no problems.  But here's a handy tip to keeping your pan for longer in better condition.  Let your pan cool down after use, then soak in warm soapy water for 10-15 minutes, scrub with a nylon brush or cloth, rinse again and dry.  The reason being that some dishwashing can be harsh on your pan because of the chemicals and the extreme heat inside a dishwasher, there's no problem with this but we do have pans that have lasted longer than has expected when we follow our method of cleaning.

How To Store Your Non Stick Cookware
When you've finished using your Non Stick cookware it's easy just to stack everything together or on top of each other in cupboards to save space, but did you know when you do this to Non Stick cookware you are actually scratching the surface with other pots and pans.  Try and keep your non Stick cookware away from situations where they might get scratched, either store them separately or hang them up

Is Cooking On Non Stick Cookware Bad For You?
Basic answer to this is, No.  A lot of science and testing is involved when Non Stick cookware is being made.  Most reputable brands have stopped using PFOA in their Non Stick cookware.  There is no evidence that Non Stick cookware is bad for you.  Check this article here if you would like to find out more.

What Choices You Have When Choosing A Non Stick Pan
There are a number of different Non Stick surfaces to choose from

• Enameled - Not completely Non stick but when you cook on a low to medium heat it is a good alternative to using Non Stick Teflon (Le Creuset, Le Chasseur & Stellar Easy Lift Cookware)
• Ceramic Titanium - Found on Scanpan Cookware.  The titanium provides a very durably cooking surface, while the ceramic part provides the non stick side of things. The titanium aspect of the coating provides two major benefits.  Firstly, it means you can use metal utensils when you are cooking, with no worry about damaging the nonstick coating.  The next major benefit this titanium coating provides is the ability for it to be used in the dishwasher.
• Dupont Teflon - Found in most Non Sticks (Stellar, Judge, Le Creuset Toughened Non Stick) Been around for over 50 years and are the originals when it comes to Non Stick.  Click here to read more about them
• Cast Iron Seasoned - Lodge cookware.  Not fully a Non Stick but another alternative.  Cast iron cookware which has been seasoned with vegetable oils.  Click here to see how to look after it (A big favourite of ours and most professional cooks)

Le Creuset

Home Favourites - Le Creuset
We have all seen Le Creuset cookware somewhere, like movies, TV shows, adverts, friends house or your own families.  Le Creuset is a French Cookware Company that stills manufactures cast iron cookware in France ever since the company was founded.  It's so reliable that we have people coming in to our stores telling us they still use their grandmothers pan which has  been handed down through the generations.  Fun, colourful and very durable you can't really go wrong when you purchase one of these pots, like most of our Le Creuset customers, we find they come back for more and add to their growing collection of Le Creuset cookware.

This week we finally got our long awaited collections of Le Creuset back into our store where we carry one of NZ biggest collections from the TNS Bakeware to the Le Creuset Utensils and crockery.  Now expanding into Stainless Steel & Cast Aluminium, Le Creuset has nearly all the tools you need for your kitchen.  It was just this week that we saw a Le Creuset mad customer who showed us pictures of their kitchen, where every pot and kitchen utensil of theirs is Le Creuset!  Now that's dedication to a brand, but we must say it made their kitchen look absolutely alive!

Still the most popular in the range is the Cast Iron Pot.  Great for casseroles and slow cooking but also very good for storing any food you want keeping cold in the fridge, like pasta salads or deserts.  Because it's Cast Iron, it makes it a poor heat conductor which is why it's used for slow cooking.  Just leave it on your element on a low temp, cover with the lid and leave it to cook while you go off and do your own thing.  There is something very homely to coming home to a casserole slow cooked in a cast iron pot, you lift the lid, serve the food, cut some fresh bread and it just smells heavenly.  For some of us, it takes us instantly back to our days as a kid.