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)

Take A Tour Inside The Homestore In Wellington

Take A Tour Inside The Homestore In Wellington

We've recently added our store to Google Business View where you can browse our store online and virtually!  Click here to see it in action.  Sometime in the future, The Homestore will start product demonstrations on our YouTube channel which you can also find here so subscribe to the channel to keep informed!

New Stellar James Martin Bakeware has arrived which now compliments the whole range.  Now you can buy cookware, utensils, knives & cutlery from this fantastic range endorsed by James Martin himself. 

We have recently set up out top sellers this year on our website which you can find here.  These are are a small selection of products we sell online and in store that fly out our doors every month.  Our fastest selling items are the new Braun Hand Mixers.  These German innovative mixers are made to last, hence why we are selling out of these every month so far!

We have our competition still running for signing up to our newsletters and this month's prizes are Le Creuset cookware worth just under $1000!  Just click here to see how to enter and sign up to this fabulous prize

Looking after Non Stick Cookware

How to look after your non stick cookware

Sometimes it’s very easy just to put your dirty or used cookware through the dishwasher, and yes most are dishwasher safe, but from experience if you learn to look after these very important pieces of cookware then we can guarantee they will last longer than you would think.  There are various non sticks out there, teflon, ceramic titanium, enamel, silicone  etc etc, but they all need looking after just the same.  Some people think that a non stick pan means nothing will stick to it no matter how high the heat is, wrong, when cooking you should only really be using a low to medium heat setting.  If you keep to that piece of advise then your frying pan won’t look like it’s been through the wars after only a year.  The main reason for this most people will put oil in their pan, which is a good idea, but what some people don’t know is that a lot of cooking oils out don’t work well with non stick pans.  Classic one we’ve seen through our stores is Olive Oil being burnt on the pan.  What happens is, the pan will get returned to us with the common conception that their non stick isn’t working anymore.  True, but this is down to how you clean and care for your pan.  What happens is, the oil cools down and makes another layer on top of your non stick which ruins the non stick properties of your pan.  We are all guilty of leaving the pan out after using it, then putting it through the dishwasher later.  The right way is to let your pan cool down and soak in warm soapy water for 20 minutes, with a nylon brush give it a scrub, then rinse and dry and put away for next time.  If you follow this method, that non stick pan of yours will last you a very long time.