Ceramic cookware pans come with a coating on the surface. Ceramic pans are usually made of hard-anodized aluminum and covered with a layer that is non-stick.
The non-stick coating is made of minerals like oxygen and silicon. After a while, ceramic pans might lose their non-stick properties.
If this is happening to your pan, read more to find out why they are losing their non-stick coating and what you can do to prevent it.
Why Do Ceramic Pans Lose Their Non-Stick Coating?
Ceramic pans are durable and extremely resilient. However, they can lose their non-stick coating over a period of time if you don’t use them properly.
If you expose your ceramic pan to high temperatures on the stove and the oven, it will slowly cause the coating to deteriorate. It won’t happen immediately but over time, the non-stick coating of ceramic pans will start fading.
Your ceramic pan can also lose its coating if you use sharp utensils on it. For example, constant scraping because of forks and knives will weaken the coating over time.
This means your ceramic pan won’t be as strong as before, which may result in food sticking to the surface of the pan. This can make your pan greasier and harder to clean.
How to Use Non-stick Ceramic Pans Properly
Non-stick ceramic pans can last for a long time depending on how you use them. Here are a few ways to make sure your non-stick pan lasts you a long time.
Wash Your Ceramic Non-stick Pan before Cooking
Before using your pan for the first time, a good idea would be to wash it thoroughly. You can do this by simply using soapy water, dish soap, and a soft sponge.
Not only will this make your pan clean and ready to use, but it will also remove any dirt, grime, and oil that may be stuck to it.
The great thing about non-stick ceramic pans is that you don’t have to prepare them for anything – just wash them and start cooking.
Use Safe Utensils on Your Ceramic Non-stick Pans
Since using sharp utensils is one of the major reasons why your pan may lose its coating after a while, a good idea is to use utensils that are not too rough on your pans.
Metal utensils are strong and sturdy, but they can easily leave scratches behind. After the first scratch, your coating will slowly start peeling off, which means food will start sticking to the surface.
These utensils also may have rough or sharp edges, which can damage the sides of your pan.
It is safe to use wooden, plastic, and silicone utensils on your ceramic pans because they won’t harm the coating. Using safe utensils will increase the life of your pan.
Add a Little Oil
When using your ceramic non-stick pan, a good tip is to always add a little oil. If you don’t want your food to be oily, you can even add a little butter or margarine.
This can prevent the food from sticking to the surface of the pan and make cooking much smoother. Oiling your pan regularly will also make your coating lasts much longer.
It is best to avoid cooking oil sprays because they have additives that can damage your non-stick ceramic coating.
Use Low Heat on Your Non-stick Ceramic Pan
If you want to prevent the coating from fading or crumbling, always make sure to use your ceramic cookware on low or medium heat.
Non-stick coatings cannot stand extremely high temperatures.
If you constantly heat your ceramic pan at high temperatures, your coating will damage in no time. Try to use your ceramic pans for items that don’t need too much heat.
Don’t Store Food in Your Non-stick Ceramic Pan
Many people do not realize this, but non-stick ceramic pans are not made for storing food.
If you don’t have enough storage boxes or don’t have enough space, it is never a good idea to turn your non-stick pan into a storage item.
Acidic foods can be very harmful to the coating if they are left in the pan for a long time, so it is always better to transfer your food to proper storage boxes instead of using your non-stick ceramic cookware.
Keep Away From Extreme Temperature Changes
Your non-stick pan is very sensitive to drastic temperature changes. For example, removing your hot pan from the stove and directly submerging it into cold water can cause it to warp and lose its coating.
Similarly, putting your pan on a hot stove right after washing it with cold water can damage it. Avoid extreme changes because they can weaken the non-stick ceramic coating of your pan.
Store Your Non-stick Pan Properly
When storing your non-stick pans, it is always a good idea to keep a paper towel or a soft cloth between them. This will keep your coating safe and also prevent scratches.
You can do this with other pans too since it will only increase the longevity of your cookware.
Avoid Dropping Your Non-stick Ceramic Pans
It is never a good idea to drop any kitchen utensil on the floor since you can scratch, or worse – break them. With ceramic pans, you have to be a little more careful.
The coating on your ceramic pan is sensitive and if you constantly drop your pan, it can cause your coating to crumble and cause your pan to bend or warp.
Safety Precautions
Many people believe that non-stick pans are unsafe for them and their families because they contain harmful chemicals that can be bad for your body.
These chemicals are rumored to migrate to your food through the pan when the pan is heated.
This is untrue because non-stick ceramic pans are made of high-quality materials that meet all the safety guidelines.
You can easily use non-stick pans for all your cooking needs.
Even though non-stick pans last a very long time, it is always a good idea to replace them when food is constantly sticking to the surface or when you see chipping and a lot of scratches on the sides.
Also read: Are Nonstick Pans Bad For You
How to Clean Ceramic Non-stick Pans
Below are few tips to help you keep your ceramic pans clean.
Read the Instructions Carefully
Since there are various types of pans and cookware, each and every one of them comes with their own set of requirements. It is best to read the instructions given on the manual before using a cookware item.
You will learn more about how to wash it, how to use it safely and also how to store it when you’re done.
Hand Wash Your Ceramic Coated Pans
Ceramic pans have a non-stick coating. Hence, it is better to hand wash them rather them throw them in dishwashers. Dishwashers are not prohibited, but they are very likely to damage the coating.
Always let your pan cool before putting it under cold water. You can simply use a soft sponge and some soapy water to hand wash your ceramic pan. It is best to avoid using abrasive products like steel wool or hard-bristled brushes since they can easily damage your non-stick coating.
If you want to remove burnt food, let the pan soak in hot water for at least half an hour. This will allow you to clean the pan faster. When washing your pan, don’t forget to wash the sides and the bottom.
The sides and bottom will get rusty if you don’t clean them enough. Make sure to rub thoroughly until there is no grease left. If grease is left behind, it can cause discoloration and slowly affect your coating.
After you’re done, dry your pan with a soft cloth until it’s completely clean. Store it in a dry place – make sure not to stack them on top of one another.
Deep Clean The Ceramic Pans
Hand washing your pan after every use is great but sometimes, you need to do something more. When the grease stains are not going away and you feel like your pan is getting rusty, deep cleaning is the way to go.
You can do this by using baking soda and some warm water. First, make a paste with the baking soda and water by mixing them together.
Stir until it has turned into a paste and then apply it to all surfaces of your pans. Let it stay like that for at least 30 minutes.
The next step is to wash your pan thoroughly. Baking soda is guaranteed to clean all the grime and grease that may be present on your pan.
Season The Ceramic Pans
Since ceramic cookware pans already come with a coating, they don’t need seasoning. If you want to be extra careful, it is always a good idea to season your pan before using it. It doesn’t take very long and ensures durability.
Rinse your pan and dry it before you season your cookware.
The best oil to season your pan with is vegetable oil, so it’s best to use that. Gently rub vegetable oil on the entire surface of your pan.
If your ceramic pan is safe to keep in the oven, it is better to keep it in the oven; otherwise, you can simply keep it on the stovetop.
After keeping it in the oven, turn the temperature up to 350 degrees and let the pan stay there for at least 30 minutes. This will make sure the seasoning sticks to your pan and lasts a long time.
If you’re heating it on the stove, heat your ceramic pan for at least 20 to 30 minutes before removing it and letting it cool. After your pan cools down, simply wipe all the vegetable oil that may be left on the sides with a soft, dry cloth.
You can season your ceramic pan every six months so it stays in good condition.
Benefits of Ceramic Cookware Pans
Even though Ceramic non-stick pans can lose their coating over time, here are a few reasons why you should still get a non-stick ceramic pan today:
They Are Healthy
If you’re looking for healthier cookware options, ceramic pans are a great choice. They use less fat and oil in cooking, which is great for people who are trying to lose weight or lower their cholesterol level.
Since they come with a coating, you can always avoid oiling the pan before you start, which makes it a great choice for people who are trying to eat healthily.
They Are Super Easy to Clean
If you enjoy cooking, you probably hate seeing all the dirty pans in the sink after you’re done. After a long day of work and cooking, the last thing you want to do is clean the pans, too.
This is where ceramic pans come in. They’re easy to clean so you won’t have to spend too much time on them.
Free of Toxins
Ceramic pans are one of the safest cookware out there.
They don’t contain toxins and their non-stick coating is made of completely safe materials that don’t transfer to your food.
Nonreactive to Acids
Ceramic cookware pans are mostly nonreactive. The good thing about this is that even if you cook acidic food on them, the coating will not be affected in any way.
Metal pans that don’t have a ceramic coating can cause the chemicals from the pan to migrate to the food and even change the color of the food. This is why ceramic pans are much safer and are a better option to cook acidic foods.
Affordable
One of the best things about ceramic pans is that they are extremely affordable.
You can easily get them at a low price – no matter what brand you’re getting. They will last you a long time so you won’t have to worry about them chipping or warping.
Various Colors
Most cookware comes in grey or black colors, which might make your kitchen seem dull after a while. Ceramic pans are available in various different colors. Whether you want to go for a pastel color or a dark, bold one, ceramic pans are your friend.
Ceramic non-stick pans can lose their non-stick properties if you are not careful while using them in the kitchen. If you want your pans to last for a long period of time, make sure to follow the steps mentioned above.
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