Which Utensils Should You Use with Nonstick Cookware?

Nonstick cookware is a popular choice in many homes. It’s easy to handle, keeps food from sticking and requires less oil to cook your food in. But you have to use the right cooking utensils on your non-stick pans and pots to make the most out of them. Some utensils work well on non-stick, while others scratch or worsen. 

Let’s find out what utensils to use on nonstick cookware. Why choosing the right type of utensils is important, and a few good tips that will keep your non-stick cookware as good as new.

What Is Nonstick Cookware?

Non-stick cookware includes kitchen utensils treated with a special coating applied in order not to let the food stick to its surface. Such coating allows easier cooking of delicate dishes, like eggs and pancakes, without burning and tearing them apart. This enables the use of less oil or butter, and it is very popularly used for healthier cookery.

The non-stick surface is usually made from a material called polytetrafluoroethylene-more, more commonly known by the brand name Teflon. The other common choice for a non-stick coating, used by some cookware brands, is ceramic. Both types of coatings provide a smooth, slick surface that prevents food from sticking, even when a minimum amount of oil or fat is used.

Non-stick cookware is lightweight and easy to manage. It is ideal for everyday basic cooking tasks, from omelets to sauces, and cleans up afterward with much ease. Being sensitive in nature, the coating requires special care for long-term efficacy. Taking good care of the utensils used and being gentle with the nonstick cookware can let these survive well in shape for years together.

Why Does Choosing the Right Utensils for Nonstick Matter?

Non-stick appliances feature a unique surface that prohibits food from clinging onto them, thus making food preparation easy and fast, even when cleaning. Nevertheless, this surface is tender. With the use of coarse or sharp utensils, scratching could come to the nonstick layer. It does not only give you in-service defects through your pan but also reduces its life expectancy.

Using utensils that are easy on the nonstick will prolong the life of your cookware. The right tools will protect the nonstick layer and improve cooking results, saving you money in the long run by reducing replacements. Being nice to your nonstick cookware is quite easy and is worth the little extra effort that it requires.

Basic Rules for Choosing Cooking Utensils for Nonstick Cookware

Choosing utensils for nonstick cookware is quite easy, considering you follow these simple rules:

• Avoid metal: Forks, knives, and stainless steel spatulas scratch and wear off the coating. They are the worst enemy of non-sticking surfaces.
• Stick to soft materials: Utensils and tools made of soft materials, like silicone, wood, nylon, or plastic, are friendly to the coating and will not scratch or chip it.
• Handle with Care: Even with safe materials, it is still very important to stir or flip your food with gentle movements. With rough handling, there is a lot of possibility for minor scratches to form over time.

• Heat Resistance Counts: Opt for heat-resistant utensils. This will help prevent the material from warping or melting in case you are working with it at high heat.

Best Materials for Cooking Utensils Safe for Nonstick Cookware

Let’s delve deeper into the finest utensil materials you can use with nonstick cookware without causing damage. Each of these materials has its special advantages, so you can find what works best for your cooking needs.

Silicone Cooking Utensils

Silicone is one of the best choices for nonstick cookware. It is smooth, elastic, and heat-resistant, usually to about 400°F or even more. Silicone utensils do not scratch the surface. They come in a variety of colors and shapes.

Why You’ll Love It: Durable silicone is gentle on cookware. Easy to clean, dishwasher-safe, and won’t absorb odors.

Ideal uses: Silicone spatula, whisk, and tongs are perfect for stirring, flipping, and mixing liquids and solids. They can be used in sautéing, frying, and even baking.

Wood Utensils

For generations, wood has been the preferred choice for a number of kitchen utensils. They’re sturdy, gentle on surfaces, and add a natural feel to cooking. Wood does not conduct heat. It remains cool even if it is used in hot dishes.

Why You Will Love It: Wooden utensils can handle heat well and are tough to wear and tear but not harsh on the non-stick coating. They feel and also look terrific and work great in the kitchen, not reacting with acidic foods.

Ideal uses: These wooden spoons, spatulas, and forks are ideal for stirring, sautéing, and mixing ingredients. Though they’re versatile, hand-washing will help prevent them from cracking.

Nylon Utensils

Nylon utensils are inexpensive, very durable, and widely available. Heat-resistant to about 400°F. Although they will melt if left in a hot pan longer than needed. Nylon is somewhat rigid compared to silicone and safe enough on nonstick surfaces.

Why You’ll Love It: Nylon utensils come cheap, are lightweight, and great for regular cooking. Many of them are dishwasher-safe, too, to make things in the kitchen even easier.

Ideal Uses: Nylon spatulas, ladles, and slotted spoons work very well for serving, stirring, and flipping food. Avoid using them over direct heat for prolonged periods to avoid warping or melting.

Utensils from High-Quality Plastic 

The utensils of plastic material are non-destructive to nonstick utensils and safe to use when made from high-quality, heat-resistant plastic. They tend to be cheaper and have a wide color and design range. It is, however, very paramount to use these plastic utensils with caution and not expose them to high temperatures since they melt easily.

Why You’ll Love It: High-quality plastic utensils are very reasonably priced, non-abrasive to nonstick, and very lightweight. They will work great for fast, quick tasks in the kitchen.

Ideal for use in a multitude of applications: plastic spoons can handle stirring, serving, and mixing with ease. It cannot be used for high-temperature cooking but is rather useful for simple dishes.

Utensils to Avoid with Nonstick Cookware

Some utensils are too harsh for nonstick cookware and may damage the pans in no time. Here’s what to keep away from your nonstick cookware:

Metal Utensils: Metal utensils are abrasive on non-stick coatings. Trench forks, knives, and spoons must not be used while cooking in a non-stick pan.

Sharp Utensils: Anything sharp, like knives or sharp-edged tools, can scratch the coating. Do any cutting on a cutting board and not directly in the pan.

Abrasive sponges: Never clean your nonstick pan’s surface with steel wool or scouring pads because they scratch surfaces and soft sponges or dishcloths should be used instead to clean them.

Items such as these should not be used with nonstick cookware since they can scratch, chip, or wear out early. Therefore, they are best avoided in contact with a nonstick surface.

Tips for Taking Care of Your Nonstick Cookware

With a few care tips, keeping your nonstick cookware in good condition is pretty easy to do. A few little moments can make all the difference to the longevity and performance of your cookware.

• Hand wash when possible: Although some nonstick cookware are dishwasher-safe, the coating is treated a bit more gently by washing it by hand. The best results can be achieved by using warm, soapy water and a soft sponge.
• No High Heat: Nonstick cookware performs effectively at medium or low heat. High heat degrades that sort of covering over some time. It is much better to keep the heat moderate.
• Don’t Stack Unprotected: Lay a paper towel or soft cloth between the pieces of non-stick cookware, storing them separately. This will prevent other pots and pans from scratching or denting them.
• Preheat with care: A little amount of oil or butter is always added before heating the pan. Preheating an empty non-stick pan will destroy the surface.

• Store Properly: Try not to lean heavy items against nonstick cookware. Store them in such a way that they are in minimal contact with other items, thereby reducing scratches.
• Use the Right Utensils: Soft materials like silicone, wood, nylon, or plastic are best to keep utensils in close contact with cookware for safe cooking. These utensils do not scratch the coatings and will enable you to maintain that new look.
• Replace Worn-Out Cookware: If you notice any chipping or peeling, replace your nonstick cookware immediately. A damaged nonstick pan won’t perform well and may be unsafe.

The tips listed above should give your nonstick cookware a good, long life. Extend the investment and keep these tools in top shape in your kitchen.

Conclusion

Non-stick cookware is a great thing to have around the kitchen; it’s pretty low maintenance when there’s a little care involved. The proper utensils in use, like silicon, wood, nylon, and good quality plastic, will keep the non-stick item unscratched and working. Avoiding metal and sharp-corners utensils and tools, along with general care tips and proper storage, will help to extend the life of your nonstick pots and pans.

A little extra care goes a very long way. So next time you reach for that spoon or spatula, just remember to choose something that is friendly to your nonstick surface. Happy cooking, and continue enjoying scratch-free, nonstick cookware for many more years!

Frequently Asked Questions

And does this mean that if the pan says it is “scratch resistant,” I can use metal utensils?

No. Even if your pan says it is scratch-resistant, it is still best to avoid metal utensils. Even scratch-resistant coatings wear down over time with metal use.

How should non-stick cookware be cleaned?

Use a soft sponge and warm, soapy water. Refrain from using coarse abrasive pads, which will scratch the coating. If some foods have baked on, let soak the pan for any number of minutes.

Can you put nonstick cookware and utensils in the oven?

That depends upon the cookware. Most nonstick items can handle low to medium oven temperatures- up to 350°F or so-but again, it’s always best to check the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not use plastic or wooden utensils in the oven because they are not oven-safe.

Are there utensils for cooking at higher heat? 

Yes. Silicone and wood are best used for high-heat cookware. Nylon and plastic pièces support moderate heat, but they tend to melt or deform when exposed to very high temperatures.

Is Using Metal Utensils Bad for Nonstick Pans​?

Yes, using metal utensils on non-stick pans can strip away its delicate coating, as the scratch marks it provides make it inefficient as time goes by. Utensils made of silicone, wood, or nylon are preferably used to keep your nonstick pans in good shape.