While non-stick pans are commonly used by chefs, there may be times when a regular pan needs to be substituted. Here are some quick and easy tricks to turn your regular pan into a non-stick pan in no time!
Tricks to Make Your Regular Pan Non-Stick
1. Use Cooking Oil
– Place a clean pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Add 2-3 tablespoons of cooking oil.
– Carefully hold the pan’s handle and gently tilt the pan to coat the entire surface with oil.
– Add another 2-3 tablespoons of cold oil. You’ll notice that the first layer of oil has formed a thin film at the bottom of the pan. This acts as a non-stick coating, so you can confidently stir-fry without worrying about food sticking.
2. Use White Vinegar
White vinegar is another great option to transform your regular pan into a non-stick wonder.
– Pour a small amount of white vinegar into a clean iron pan. Turn on the stove and heat the vinegar over high heat until it almost evaporates.
– Using a long-handled brush, dip it into the vinegar in the pan and scrub the pan’s surface. Be cautious as the vinegar will be very hot.
– After scrubbing, discard the vinegar and rinse the pan with clean water.
– Place the pan back on the stove and heat it over high heat until all the water and vinegar have evaporated.
– Once the water has evaporated, adjust the heat to medium and add oil. Tilt the pan to coat the entire surface with oil.
– After a few minutes, turn off the heat, discard the oil, and wash the pan as usual.
Now you can use the pan for frying, stir-frying, or sautéing without worrying about sticking.
3. Use Potato and Salt
Potatoes and salt are an effective combination to make your iron pan non-stick. Here’s how:
– Peel and cut a potato in half. Sprinkle salt on the cut surface and rub it onto the pan’s surface to remove any remaining rust and make it shiny and clean.
– With the other half of the potato, rub the bottom of the pan vigorously for a few minutes, then wash the pan.
– Dry the pan, and it’s ready to be used for frying as usual.
4. Use Coconut Oil and Salt
If you have coconut oil at home, you can use it to create a natural non-stick coating for your pan.
– Pour some coconut oil into the pan and tilt it to coat the entire surface.
– Heat the pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes to warm the oil, then discard the oil.
– Sprinkle salt over the pan’s surface to cover it completely.
– Use a paper towel to rub the salt onto the pan’s surface several times, then wipe away all the remaining salt and oil.
5. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda, also known as “miracle salt,” is great for cleaning and can also make your iron pan non-stick. Here’s how:
– In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda, ½ cup of vinegar, and 1 cup of water until the baking soda dissolves.
– Pour the mixture into the pan and place it on the stove. Heat it for about 10 minutes.
– After heating, discard the mixture, wash the pan, and it’s ready to be used for frying. With this simple trick, your pan will feel like new, and you won’t have to worry about food sticking during cooking.
Some Tips for Using Non-Stick Pans
When using non-stick pans, keep the following in mind:
– Avoid heating non-stick pans for too long, as high temperatures can damage the non-stick coating and reduce its effectiveness.
– Use wooden or silicone utensils during stir-frying to protect the pan. Avoid using sharp objects that can scratch the surface and damage the non-stick coating.
– When washing the pan, use a soft sponge or cloth. Avoid using hard objects like steel wool, which can damage the pan’s coating and reduce its lifespan.