Nothing is worse than setting out to cook a delicious meal only to have your hard work quite literally stick to the pan. Not only do you have a mess to now clean up, but often it can ruin your meal altogether.
It is super important to ensure that you use non-stick cookware in your kitchen. But it is equally important to remember that they are not all created equal. This means that you need to do your research and understand the type of non-stick cookware that is safe to use. In our opinion, ceramic non-stick pans are often the best, but you do have many types to consider.
But before we list the factors to consider when it comes to non-stick pans, let’s first explain what they actually are.
A non-stick pan is designed to help ensure that whatever you bake or cook, the food is going to easily be released and not form a big clumpy and sticky mess instead. You technically can cook almost any type of food on a non-stick pan and if you have a quality one, there really is no reason to have a bunch of other cookware either.
The reason that a pan is able to be non-stick is based on the coating materials used. This ranges from aluminum to stainless steel and ceramic. The non-stick part is simply the external coating—which is also why you need to be extra careful when caring for it so it does not all get washed off.
In general, there are a few layers of the external coating, but it comes down to the manufacturer and who designed it.
Here are the various factors you should be considering when searching for the best non-stick cookware to use in your own kitchen.
1. Research the Types of Non-Stick Coatings
As we just alluded to, there are various types of coatings used to ensure food does not stick. If a pan is coated with PTFE or Teflon, then there is a risk that it could end up actually releasing toxic fumes if it is heated too high. So if you do have non-stick cookware that is coated with PTFE, make sure you never let it get to over 500 degrees.
2. Ceramic Coatings Offer More Safety
With the knowledge being quite well established now that certain non-stick coatings can actually be harmful, it has equally brought to light the extra safety precautions that certain non-stick coatings like ceramic can offer instead. These pans are designed to be equally tough and versatile but do not require the use of PTFE at all. This means that there is zero risk of toxic fumes being released when you cook.
Ceramic coatings also help ensure that your food will be cooked safely every single time, especially if you take the extra precautions to care for it the right way.
3. Anodized Aluminum is the Fake Non-Stick
There is also another type of non-stick pan that offers a less toxic alternative. This is known as anodized aluminum and is actually a fake non-stick coating. This means that technically it is not non-stick under the normal definition and criteria. But it still ensures that food does not stick to the pan when you cook with it. Using anodized aluminum, the pan becomes toucher so it is much harder for things to stick—but not it is not actually non-stick proof!
4. Cleaning Care Tips Matter
Another thing to consider when it comes to figuring out the type of non-stick cookware to get is the way you need to clean and care for it. Depending on the type of non-stick coating, the instructions for care will vary. In most cases, you will need to hand rinse and follow a process that prevents the cookware from getting damaged or warped. In general, all non-stick coating cookware will need to cool first before being washed.
5. The Brand of the Cookware
Finally, you should always consider the actual brand of the non-stick cookware you are considering purchasing. The best brands are ones that have created their lines specifically to ensure toxins never get into your kitchen. But they do so in a super stylish way where the cookware looks extremely modern and helps you feel like Martha Stewart. You should enjoy cooking after all.
When you consider getting non-stick cookware, you should also look for collections that offer you a range of pots and pans made from the same material and done in the same design. That way the look and feel of your kitchen will equally be enhanced.
Conclusion
There are many different things to consider when it comes to selecting the best non-stick cookware for your home. First and foremost, it should be based on ensuring no toxins get into your kitchen!
