4. Wash and season nonstick pans before the first use
This is one mandatory thing you must know before cooking in your brand-new nonstick pan: You have to wash it very well! Make sure you clean it properly to remove any type of dirt from the packaging by using hot water and mild soap.
Seasoning nonstick cookware is another important thing. It evens out any irregularities or pores in the coating and will make your pan last longer, much like the process for seasoning cast-iron skillets. Cookware that is nonstick can be seasoned by lightly sprinkling some cooking oil over the surface and then heating the pan for two to three minutes over medium heat. When it has cooled, use a paper towel to remove any extra oil before storing.
5. Don’t overheat your panÂ
In most cases, a lot of recipes require medium-high heat in order to cook the dish faster. But is this the right approach? Well, regarding nonstick pans, most manufacturers recommend sticking to low to medium heat while cooking because the high heat can damage the pan coating pretty badly. Did you know that a lot of pans can release potentially harmful fumes? If this thought scares you, try protecting your skillet by avoiding heating it while it’s empty (always put the food and water or the oil in before turning on the burner).