Nonstick Pan Ruined in High Heat?
I bought a nonstick Greenpan at Williams and Sonomo. It was kind of expensive like $100. It was working great. Then someone used it on high heat. Now it sticks a lot. Visually, I don't see anything wrong with the pan, but it seems to be totally broken.
I'm surprised that using it just a single time with high heat was enough to ruin the nonstick surface entirely.
Was this my fault? Or should an expensive nonstick pan be a bit more durable than that? (I am new to cooking so sorry if it's a newbie question. Any info appreciated!)
Best Answer
Yes high heat can burn off the nonstick coating.
My roommate's girlfriend did one of my pans that way, heating it very hot while dry. It was pretty spectacular. Everyone in the house had this weird little cough like from dilute pepper spray. Anything silver in the house tarnished. I presume the nonstick was burned off and floated around in the house, causing these effects. The pan was still usable after, just no longer nonstick.
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Quick Answer about "Nonstick Pan Ruined in High Heat?"
First and foremost, nonstick cookware is not designed for high heat. Higher temperatures will damage the coating over time and high heat can also cause the release of harmful toxins, depending on the type of coating on your pan. When you need to really sear a steak, reach for a stainless steel or cast iron pan instead.How do you fix a scorched non-stick pan?
White vinegar is an excellent solution for salvaging burnt non-stick pans. Once the pan has cooled, pour in a generous glug of white vinegar, along with enough warm water to cover the burnt areas. Stir in two tablespoons of baking soda, heat the mixture up, and bring it to a boil for a couple of minutes.Can you burn off nonstick coating?
Yes high heat can burn off the nonstick coating.Can you ruin a non-stick pan?
Most nonstick cookware is made for low to medium heat cooking. Too high a heat can wear down or blister the finish as well as cause pans to warp. To maintain your pan's finish and increase its lifespan, follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding cooking heat.How do non-stick pans lose their coating?
Too much heat on your nonstick frying pan can cause it to warp, and the nonstick coating to bubble and lose some if it's nonstick properties.Nonstick Pan Safety ANSWERS
More answers regarding nonstick Pan Ruined in High Heat?
Answer 2
A single session at temperatures above 500F/260C is sufficient to ruin any PTFE-based nonstick pan, regardless of price or "quality". PTFE is base for the vast majority of all nonstick coatings, and goes by the brand name "Teflon". Degredation can happen at lower temperatures (anything above 400F), but at 500F or above it is both certain and swift.
You haven't said how hot the pan got, but assuming that it did get to 500F, then (a) yes, it is your fault, and (b) no PTFE-based nonstick pan is going to be more durable against excess heat than that, no matter how much you paid for it.
At a high temperature, PTFE undergoes "pyrolysis", during which some of its flourine compounds vaporize (which isn't good for your lungs, and can outright kill birds). After pyrolysis, the coating loses a lot of its nontstick properties, even though it may appear undamaged. In my personal experience, there is a subtle change to a more "matte" appearance to the nonstick surface.
Manufacturers of Non-PTFE nonstick claim that their cookware can withstand higher temperatures without loss of nonstick properties. GreenPan, for example, claims to be good to 850F. However, to date these claims have not been verified by independent authorities. Also, note that some cookware which claims to be "non-Teflon" or "PFOA free" is still based on PTFE (such as ScanPan).
Answer 3
Heating nonstick pans above 500° Fahrenheit or 260° Celsius will burn off the nonstick coating
The toxic vapors released can cause serious problems for some animals like birds that are more sensitive to polluted air, which is why it is frequently recommended that a person be very careful with nonstick pans if they have those animals.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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