Oils and fats are an effective way of cooking food, as they have a high calorific value and therefore add taste to your meal. However, there are times when you might be left with some residual grease in your pan after cooking. Regardless of how careful you are, it is almost inevitable that at some point, non-stick pans will become coated with a sticky layer of fat. So what do you do when this happens? Keep reading to find out how to remove grease from your non-stick pan again!
How To Remove Grease From A Non-Stick Pan?
Baking soda and dishwasher detergent
Baking soda is a great way to clean a non-stick pan as it has a very high alkaline content, which means it is very effective at cleaning grease and other stains from your pan. – Add a small amount of baking soda to a pot of water and bring it to a boil. – Pour the mixture onto the pan and let it sit for a while.
Vinegar
Another great alternative for cleaning a non-stick pan is vinegar. Vinegar is very effective at removing grease and acidity levels are high enough to break down grease and stains. Add a small amount of vinegar to a pot of water and bring it to a boil. Add a small amount of baking soda to the pot and let it sit for a while.
Professional oven cleaner
Professional oven cleaner is an effective way of cleaning a non-stick pan, but only if you use it carefully. Be sure to follow the instructions on the cleaner and wear the right protective gear to avoid getting hurt. – Sprinkle some cleaner on the pan and let it sit for at least a few hours.
Salt and ice melt
Another effective way of cleaning a non-stick pan is by using salt and ice melt. – Add a small amount of ice melt to the pan and pour a little bit of salt on top of it. Let it sit for a while until everything melts and then wash it off.
Dry baking soda
Dry baking soda is an effective way of removing grease from your non-stick pan. – Add a small amount of baking soda to the pan and let it sit for a while. – Wash off the pan after the grease has dissolved.
Why It’s Important To Remove Grease From Your Non-Stick Pan?
It’s the only way to prolong your cookware.
If you allow food and grease to sit on your non-stick cookware for too long, it can break down the coating on your pan and cause it to peel off. If this happens, your non-stick pan will no longer be non-stick. Once you’ve reached this point, you’ll need to replace your pan. However, if you clean your pan regularly, the coating should be able to last for several years. It’s important to remember that you should only use non-stick cookware for cooking low-fat foods. If you’re cooking with high-fat ingredients, you should avoid using non-stick cookware. Doing so will help you extend the life of the non-stick coating by preventing it from coming into direct contact with high amounts of heat and grease.
It can save you money.
Not cleaning your pan regularly can also cause damage that will lead to you needing to replace your non-stick cookware sooner than necessary. When grease builds up on the surface of your pan and is left there, it can cause a sticky substance called “carbon” to accumulate. If you don’t clean your pan properly and this carbon remains, it can lead to your pan overheating and catching on fire. If this happens, the damage will most likely be irreparable. If you’ve had this experience, you know that it can be extremely costly to replace your non-stick pan. If you regularly clean and maintain your non-stick pan, this shouldn’t happen. Regular cleaning will also help you prolong the life of your cooking utensils. If you’re cooking with a non-stick pan, you’ll likely use wooden or plastic utensils to stir food and serve meals. If you’re not cleaning your non-stick pan regularly, these utensils can absorb grease from the surface. This can cause the wooden handles on your utensils to break down more quickly.
You’ll have better-tasting food.
The non-stick coating on your pan allows you to cook certain types of foods without using any oil or grease. Cooking foods without adding grease or oil can be beneficial for a number of reasons, but one of the biggest advantages is that it can increase the nutritional value of your food. For example, if you’re cooking vegetables for dinner, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t use too much oil so that the vegetables retain their vitamins and minerals. If you’re using a non-stick pan, you don’t need to worry about this. If you’re regularly cleaning your non-stick pan, you’ll also decrease your risk of ingesting harmful toxins that are released when oils start to break down.
You’ll protect yourself from toxins.
When food is cooked in a non-stick pan without any added oil or fat, a chemical named perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) can be released into the air. PFOA is considered to be a “potent health hazard” by the Centers for Disease Control and can cause a number of health issues, including kidney disease and thyroid disease. However, the CDC states that “not everyone is equally at risk.” This is why it’s important to be aware of how often you’re cooking with non-stick pans and for how long. If you’re regularly cooking with non-stick pans, you may want to consider investing in a carbon filter for your kitchen. This will help to reduce the number of toxic fumes being released into your home.
Tips To Remove Grease From Your Non-Stick Pan
Turn up the heat
One of the first things to try when grease is a problem is to turn up the heat. If you reduce the heat, you’ll increase the amount of time it takes for your food to cook through. This can cause your non-stick pan to remain covered with grease and food particles for longer, making it harder to get rid of it. If you turn up the heat, you’ll increase the rate at which your food cooks, meaning that the grease will have less time to build up. This can be a good way to help prevent grease buildup in the first place. It can also be helpful to use a quick cooking method, such as stir frying or sauteing, for when you need to get rid of extra grease.
Use soap and water
If the grease is still present on your pan despite the temperature increase, you can use soap and water to help remove it. This can be especially useful if you’re using a non-stick Teflon pan, as soap and water are less likely to scratch the surface than certain cleaning products. Make sure you remove any excess water, though. Using a paper towel to dry the surface will help prevent water stains from being left behind. Once the pan has dried, you can use a non-scratching sponge to help remove the remaining grease and grime. If you’re worried about scratching the surface, you can use a soft cloth instead.
Use cooking oil
If the grease has already baked into your pan and is harder to remove, you can try oil instead. Like soap and water, you’ll want to let the oil sit on your pan for a while to break down any grease. You can then use a paper towel or cloth to wipe away any excess. You can also use oil for maintenance purposes as well. If you notice that your non-stick pan is feeling less smooth than it used to, you can use oil to help prevent further damage. As long as the oil is safe to use on non-stick surfaces, this can help prevent your pan from becoming less effective over time.
Try a specialty cleaner
If you’ve tried everything and you’re still struggling to get the grease off your pan, you can try a specialty cleaner. These are designed to help break down grease and food particles that have become baked onto your pan. Just like soap and water and oil, you’ll want to let the cleaner sit on your pan for a while before using a paper towel or cloth to wipe away the grease and grime. Make sure you select a cleaner that’s safe for non-stick pans, though. You can also use a specialty cleaner before you start cooking. This can be helpful for the first fry or two in a new pan, as it can help prevent grease from building up. Keep in mind that these cleaners aren’t a long-term solution, though. They can harm your non-stick pan if you use them regularly.
Conclusion
Grease is something that every cook needs to be aware of. There are many ways to remove grease from your non-stick pan, but you should always be mindful of the fact that it is harmful to the environment. If you find that you are constantly having to remove grease from your pan, you may want to think about buying a stainless steel pan or a cast iron one. They are a lot more durable and the only maintenance they need is a quick wipe-down with a wet cloth.