Teflon pans: benefits and harms, coating restoration

The frying pan is, if not the queen of the kitchen, then certainly a valuable and important "character" of the kitchen space. A properly selected high-quality frying pan will last more than one year, and the owners will not suffer from burnt dishes and prolonged cleaning of utensils. Often the choice falls on Teflon pans, and we'll talk about them in our article.

A teflon frying pan is a metal cookware with a special non-stick coating. The very coating of the Teflon pan is what such an acquisition is appreciated for. Thanks to its characteristics, food does not burn, oil consumption is reduced to a minimum, which in itself makes food healthier.

However, if you compare a Teflon-lined pan and ceramic cookware, the latter will benefit from environmental friendliness. The fact is that if you damage the Teflon during cooking, toxic substances can be released when the coating is heated. Of course, the developers were worried about this and began to make the dishes strong, protected from damage, but minimal risks remain.

What is Teflon? In terms of its chemical properties, it is similar to plastic, but more elastic and glides better. Teflon is used in various fields - in the manufacture of paper products, plastic packaging, clothing.

Teflon pans have an important advantage - they are lighter in weight than ceramic ones and, of course, lighter than cast iron ones.

Why is Teflon better than ceramics, we have already said - by weight.The price can also differ favorably. But this does not convince many buyers: they have heard that Teflon pans are harmful and dangerous, which means that it is better to stay away from them. Judge for yourself - the table puts everything in its place.

If you come to a store that specializes in kitchen utensils and utensils, there is usually a wide range of models. Eyes run up, and it often happens like this: you go to buy one frying pan, and you get a whole set.

1. The weight. We'll have to find a compromise - the ideal balance of weight and functionality. If a frying pan is like a feather, how many dishes can you cook on it? The lightest models are generally not durable and durable, and the coating can deform relatively quickly.
2. Bottom thickness. The size of the bottom layer affects the strength of the pan when heated. The thicker the bottom, the less risk of warping the pan.
3. Handle type. Can be cast or bolted. The first option is definitely more reliable. If the handle is bolted on, they will loosen over time. There are also models with a removable handle: they are convenient for use in the oven, as well as for serving food directly in the pan (which is appropriate, for example, if you decide to have a country-style dinner).
4. Coating. Finally, it's time to take a closer look at him. There should be no visible damage to the new frying pan. Bumps, dents, "bald spots" are a factory defect or deformation during transportation and storage. One-piece surface layer guarantees uniform heating and, which is no less important, the quality of the prepared food (the release of damaged Teflon microparticles is dangerous to health).

How long can you use a Teflon pan? It depends on the intensity of use. If you cook with it every day, even the highest quality and most expensive frying pan will “retire” in two years. And it's not so important whether you fry, stew or put it in the oven. The life of the frying pan also depends on how you use the dishes, carefully or not, according to safety rules or neglecting them.

The following operating rules must be adhered to.

• It is definitely impossible to use metal accessories to control cooking - paddles and similar structures must be silicone or wooden.

• If the surface already loses its uniformity, scratches have formed on it, the layer can be considered partially damaged, therefore, after washing and drying, lubricate the inner surface with a couple of drops of linseed oil, the remnants of which are well removed with a paper towel.

• You can put a frying pan in the oven, but do not exceed the temperature in the oven (the maximum heating temperature is indicated on the packaging of the dishes). Both handles and other accessories must also be prepared for heat exposure.

Restoring the deformed coating of a Teflon pan is not the most rewarding operation. A professional restoration, if you go for it, will be so expensive that it makes more sense to buy a new frying pan. Judge for yourself: "resuscitation" of dishes consists in cleaning the walls and bottom with a drill, after which the dishes are polished. After that, she says goodbye to her non-stick properties. But it is also impossible to say that all polymer particles will be removed from the surface.

If the food in the Teflon skillet is already burning, if you see scratches, then you should not try to cover it with something new (this may not be compatible with cooking). The application of any chemical composition is dangerous, only masters can do this. You, as already mentioned, can only grease the pan with a very modest amount of linseed oil.

It is easier to establish proper care for a new frying pan and teach all family members to this. But even with the most delicate handling, do not flatter yourself: two or three years is the period after which the frying pan needs to be replaced.

Taking care of teflon-coated dishes is not difficult, but a certain system and commitment are needed.

Let's take a look at 9 tips for caring for a Teflon pan.

• Knives, spoons and forks, as well as metal shovels are the main taboo for such dishes. Do not sign her verdict in one lazy step, work hard so that the silicone spatulas are always available in the kitchen. Do not flip the pancakes with a fork, even if you think you are doing it delicately.

• Coarse spices, salt crystals - this is what the Teflon coating of the dishes "perceives" as an abrasive. Therefore, it is believed that in such a dish it is worth stewing and boiling, and not frying.

• Avoid placing a hot skillet under cold running water. A calm attitude to temperature extremes is not yet a readiness for such stress for a thin production coating.

• You need to wash the dishes with a soft sponge or cloth made from natural materials. Of course, you cannot clean Teflon with a wire brush or a washcloth.

• Do not leave toasted food in the pan after cooking. Burnt food is the enemy of dishes.

• Some models of Teflon pans can be loaded into the dishwasher, if the manufacturer permits this in the instructions.

• Buy dishes with a thermospot (temperature indicator). This will save it from the danger of overheating. As soon as the thermal spot has become bright, it is time to lower the temperature.

• Even if the manufacturer writes that the service life of the dishes is 6, or even 10 years, this does not apply to the frequent use of the utensils. If you cook scrambled eggs on Teflon every morning, and in the evening you also fry potatoes or potato pancakes in a pan, 2 years of service will be an enviable period for such intensive use.

• If greasy food dries out in the pan, it is dangerous for Teflon. Even if just a thin layer of fat without food residues was left uncleaned in time, it is highly likely that later it will be possible to remove it only with Teflon.

It would be nice to have several pans in the kitchen arsenal: classic cast iron ones are suitable for complex dishes that require a long preparation, and teflon ones are suitable for quick manipulations. And this separation of duties will allow all the dishes to serve for a long time, without requiring frequent replacements.

For information on how to check the Teflon coating of a frying pan, see the next video.