Table of Contents
- How to fix a scratched nonstick pan?
- What is a nonstick pan?
- 8 Ways to fix a scratched nonstick pan that actually work!
- 4 bad habits that cause scratches on a nonstick pan surface
- Reasons why using a scratched nonstick pan is a big no-no!
- Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
- Final Thoughts
How to fix a scratched nonstick pan?
If you’ve ever owned a non-stick pan, then you know that it can be pretty handy in the kitchen. However, if your non-stick pan becomes scratched, it’s not so useful anymore.
There are a couple of ways out there to fix a scratched non-stick pan.
So, how to fix a scratched non stick pan? The best way is to purchase a non-stick pan cover. As long as the scratch isn’t too deep, you can stop it from getting worse with this solution.
But this is just one out of numerous ways to fix this issue. This blog post will show you how to fix a scratched non-stick pan using some simple household items. So read on to learn more!
What is a nonstick pan?
Nonstick pan invention dates back to the 1950s. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that it was marketed to consumers. Originally, Teflon is a brand of non-stick pan coating. It’s a trademarked product and is made by 3M Company.
Nonstick pans are extremely useful in the kitchen because it makes cooking so much easier. The food doesn’t stick to these pans, which means you can frequently use less oil or butter when cooking with them.
What makes nonstick pans unique is that they have a special nonstick coating. This is how it got its name since the food doesn’t stick to the pan. However, the downside of using a nonstick pan is that it’s not scratch-resistant. This is what this article aims to address.
Let’s get started!
8 Ways to fix a scratched nonstick pan that actually work!
Coconut oil
One popular way to fix nonstick pan scratches is by putting some coconut oil on the surface. Coconut oil contains moisturizing agents that will help heal the scratch. Plus, because coconut oil has anti-bacterial properties, it can also prevent bacteria from growing in the affected area.
Step 1
Simply apply a small amount of coconut oil to a clean paper towel and thoroughly wipe down the surface of the scratched nonstick pan. Work your way around all the edges of the pan, making sure that you thoroughly apply coconut oil to all areas of the damaged area.
Step 2
Don’t forget to wipe down the handle as well! You can then place your nonstick pan in a preheated oven (300 degrees Fahrenheit) for about an hour. The heat will help melt the coconut oil and cure it onto the pan. After an hour, turn off the oven and let it cool down in there until it’s completely cooled down.
You’re good to go! The scratch should be gone by now!
Baking soda & lemon juice paste
Because baking soda has mild abrasive properties, you can use this to smooth out deeper scratches on your nonstick pan. And because lemon juice has acidic properties, it can break down the scuffed area to make it smooth again.
Step 1
Start by putting together a paste using baking soda and lemon juice (1 teaspoon of each). Mix them thoroughly until you get a nice paste. Make sure that you don’t use too much of either ingredient since too much of either ingredient will make the pan more difficult to clean.
Step 2
Now that you have your paste, put it on the scratched area and use a soft bristle toothbrush to work it around. You can then let this sit for about an hour before cleaning the surface off with water.
You now have a nice-looking nonstick pan with no scratches on it.
Baking soda & vinegar paste
Just like the baking soda and lemon juice paste, you can also use this method to fix scratches on your nonstick pan. However, rather than using lemon juice, you’ll be using vinegar.
Step 1
To start this off, you need to put together a paste out of baking soda and vinegar (2 tablespoons of each). Again, make sure that you don’t use too much of either ingredient.
Step 2
Apply the paste to an area with a scratch on your nonstick pan and let it sit for about an hour. Use a cotton cloth to wipe off the paste and then wash the surface thoroughly with dish soap and water. You’ll now have a nice nonstick pan that doesn’t have any scratches on it!
Car wax
If you have a newer non-stick pan, you can use car wax to get rid of any scratches. Even if your nonstick pan is pretty old, car wax will be able to fix the scratch marks and make it look new again.
Step 1
Put some car wax on a clean paper towel. Then, using the paper towel, rub it against the scratch marks on your nonstick pan.
Step 2
If deep scratches won’t go away after doing this, you’ll have to do this about 3 or 4 times until they’re all gone. You can then wash off your pan with soap and water.
And there you go! Your nonstick pan should now be good as new again.
Flour & olive oil paste
This is another great way to fix any scratches on your non-stick pan that you might have. Plus, it’s also very easy to do! You just need a few ingredients.
Step 1
To start this off, mix a tablespoon of flour and a tablespoon of olive oil in a clean bowl. Make sure that they’re mixed thoroughly so you have a nice paste.
Step 2
Put the paste on the scratched area of your nonstick pan and leave it for an hour or until it dries up. Once it does, use a cotton cloth to wipe the paste off. You can then wash it with soap and water.
So there you go!
Cream of tartar & olive oil paste
Just like baking soda and vinegar, cream of tartar is another mild abrasive that you can use to fix scratches in your non-stick pan. And just like the other two, you can use olive oil to smooth out any marks that cream of tartar leaves behind.
Step 1
Start off by putting together a paste using the cream of tartar and olive oil (2 tablespoons each). If it’s too thick, add more olive oil.
Step 2
Put the paste on the scratched area and let it sit for an hour. Once that time is up, use a cotton cloth to wipe off the paste and then wash with soap and water.
So there you go! Your non-stick pan should now be good as new and free of any scratches.
Wax paper
Wax paper is one of the more uncommon household supplies that you can use to fix scratches on your non-stick pan. However, it does work and will make your nonstick pan look brand new!
Step 1
Start by putting a small sheet of wax paper over your scratched area. Then, using the back of a spoon or a butter knife, rub the wax paper back and forth over the scratched area.
Step 2
Once you’ve done this for a few seconds, remove the wax paper to see whether or not there’s any noticeable difference. Continue doing this until the scratches are gone and then clean it with soap and water to remove any wax paper particles.
Buy a nonstick cover
Another way is to buy a nonstick pan cover. This way, you don’t have to worry about getting scratches all over your nonstick pan and ruining it. Plus, they’re very cheap products to buy and you can get them online at Amazon or any other retailer!
A great advantage of this is that the cover is also microwave-safe which makes these covers a lot easier to use than the ones without the microwave’s safety.
So there you go!
Now that you know how to fix scratches on your non-stick pan, make sure to keep this in mind next time it happens.
4 bad habits that cause scratches on a nonstick pan surface
Mishandling the pan
Using metal utensils is one of the most common causes for scratches on a non-stick pan. It is recommended to use nylon or wooden utensils instead.
Temperature too high
When cooking with a nonstick pan, heat should be set between low and medium. Exposing the pan to very high temperatures can cause damage that is almost impossible to fix. This can also result in warping of the pan and loss of non-stick properties.
Putting away wet
Other than this, keeping your non-stick pans in the oven and stove when they’re hot can also cause them to get scratched. You should also avoid washing them with soap and other abrasive materials that might damage them.
Using harsh soap
Using harsh soap that contains bleach or other chemicals can cause the non-stick coating to be dissolved and your pan might end up looking like an old worn-out pan.
Reasons why using a scratched nonstick pan is a big no-no!
Difficult to cook
There are a lot of reasons why you should keep your non-stick pan in good condition. First off, a nonstick pan with scratches will be difficult to cook with as food will easily stick on the surface and burn.
This can also result in a foul smell that might end up sticking to your walls and furniture. No one wants this so keep your pan in good condition!
Less non-stick performance
Non-stick pans work most effectively when their surface is scratch-free. You can test this by trying to make a fried egg on your pan – if it slides easily, then it’s still alright, but if you have to use a lot of force for the egg to move, chances are it’s already starting to lose its non-stick properties.
Food will stick in the pan
Using a scratched pan is also very dangerous as food can easily burn and stick to your pan. This is true especially when you’re cooking with oil – even when the temperature was just right, the food will still be stuck on your pan.
Coating with mix up in the food
Food can also mix up in your pan when it’s scratched. If you’ve ever made fried rice before, you’ll probably know what I mean – when the rice was cooked in a scratched nonstick pan, bits of meat and vegetables will end up sticking to the rice grains.
Hard to clean
A scratched pan is also harder to clean as food might stick on top of the scratches. This can be very difficult to remove and you might end up damaging your pan even more!
Permanent damage
Non-stick pans are made with a special coating that keeps them non-sticky even after multiple uses. But when it’s scratched, you don’t want to use them anymore as they will never be the same again!
Most non-stick pans are expensive and you should take care of them. You can do this by learning how to fix scratches on a nonstick pan so that your pan stays new for a longer time.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Can I reuse a scratched nonstick pan like a regular pan?
In some cases, yes you can use a nonstick scratched pan like a regular pan. All you need to do to remove all the damaged coating with steel wool or replace it with another nonstick coating. However, most people don’t even use scratched pans anymore because they’re dangerous to use.
How much does a nonstick pan cost?
A nonstick pan can cost from US$20-100. However, it is important to only get high-quality pans as they usually last for a long time and don’t get damaged easily.
What are some of the best companies of nonstick pans?
Some of the best companies that make nonstick pans include GreenLife, Ti-Cook, Calphalon, Cuisinart, and Anolon.
What are nonstick coating pans made out of?
Nonstick coating is most commonly made out of an industry-standard polymer known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). This is what you can find in products like Teflon pans.
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, a nonstick pan can easily be fixed using coconut oil or the application of some paste. Just read the above-mentioned ways to solve this issue and choose what suits your case.
Above all, prevention is better than anything else, so try not to use harsh soaps, sponges, and utensils on your nonstick pan surface.
Happy Cooking!
