This post is sponsored by RACO. You can check out their range of cooking and bakeware at RACO.com.au and don’t forget to use my code KIDGREDIENTS to get 20% off storewide.
I’m a messy cook. I am a baked on, stuck to the pan kind of cook. I like to cook things that take time and energy but I don’t like to clean up after them.
So: for the majority of my every day cooking I use RACO non stick pans. I want to teach you how to look after your non stick pans and get the most out of them. But I’m also going to say: I LOVE STAINLESS STEEL PANS, particularly the RACO Contemporary range too! So I’m not going to leave you out in the cold if you’re a stainless steel lover.
The benefits of RACO non stick pans
- They are non stick! i.e. most messes can be wiped off quickly with a sponge after cooking and then set aside for cleaning after dinner
- You can cook things like pancakes or fried eggs without worrying about them getting stuck and ruined.
- You can cook with little to no oil.
- No matter whether you choose pans from RACO’s Smart Release ceramic range (like I used for this delicious French toast) , or their Bravo range like I used for this delicious Chilli, you know you are always getting an awesome non stick surface.
How to extend the life of your non stick pans
I’ve seen so many people in groups saying “I need a good non stick pan- I’ve been through three this year already!” and I wonder what they are doing to their pans! I’ve put together my tips and tricks for non stick cooking and cleaning.
When you make something like the chilli I made in this post, you are going to get stuck on mess!
Cooking in non stick pans:
- Don’t use spray oils in non stick pans. The spray spreads to thinly and can damage the surface.
- Use silicone or plastic utensils, never metal and most definitely never cut anything with a knife in the pan!
- Wipe off spills that occur down the sides of the pan or sticky food from the top of the pan with a paper towel.
- Avoid using continuous high heat and/or overheating the pan as this can cause discolouration and permanently damage your non-stick surface. Preheat the pan for 1-2 minutes on a medium heat and then do your cooking on medium/ low heat.
- Do not store food in cookware after cooking.
- Do not leave utensils in cookware during cooking.
- Do not allow cookware to boil dry and never leave empty cookware on a hot burner.
Cleaning non stick pans
- Don’t clean your pans whilst hot! Leave them to cool down off the hob until you’ve finished your meal.
- Never add cold water to a hot pan to clean it- it might warp or harm the surface
- Clean any leftover food out with paper towel before washing
- Make sure any sponges or brushes you use are labelled for use with non stick pans
- Store your pans in a rack so they aren’t touching each other or place a piece of paper towel between each one if stacking.
- I put most of my RACO non stick cookware through the dishwasher, and unless the label says not to, it’s the quickest way to clean them.
For burnt on dried up mess on non-stick pans, follow this simple method to get them clean again!
- Partially fill the pan with three (3) parts water to one (1) part detergent or vinegar
- Bring the pan to the boil.
- Turn off the heat and set aside until cool
- Wash the pan with mild dishwashing detergent and hot (not boiling) water using a non-abrasive mesh pad.
How to extend the life of your stainless steel pans.
I love the clean-ness of stainless steel. The shiny surface and the way things cook in it can’t be matched by anything else. But stainless steel pans can be hard work. Especially because they aren’t….non stick! In the photo below I was mixing marshmallow and butter- and it was left for a while in the pan and got sooo sticky!
So let’s talk about how to cook with stainless steel and…ugh…how to clean it.
Cooking in stainless steel pans:
- Don’t leave the pan on the heat empty
- A funny one: never salt your pasta water when the pan is cold- or the salt stays on the bottom and can pit your pan.
- Never use knives or sharp metal objects in the pans. You can use metal utensils in stainless pans, but I still tend not to, as I like to keep the surface all pretty and shiny!
- Use oil or butter to stop your food from sticking.
Cleaning stainless steel pans
- Allow pans to cool before attempting to clean
- If stuff is stuck on, fill the pan with warm soapy water while you eat dinner- you’ll be surprised how effective that is for removing baked on food.
- Anything still stuck after that can be scrubbed with a non abrasive brush (try this one!) or sponge.
But my mess won’t come off with that cleaning
Oh dear. Ok. Let’s talk about your new best friend. Baked on food that is stuck to the pan needs special treatment. This Stainless Steel and Copper Cookware Cleaner from RACO is designed to basically take your messy stainless steel pans and turn them new again. And it works. If you want to return your pans to their original state, this powder is the bomb!
You just sprinkle it onto a damp cloth, clean the pan with the cloth and rinse off to reveal a gorgeous shiny stainless steel surface.
Kate Nelson says
I am big on soaking. It has the added advantage of needing longer to sit (aka I can’t wash up immediately and can also leave for 24 hours if necessary). If after soaking and usual scrub with the brush and warm soapy water doesn’t shift the baked on food, I have had success with those magic sponges...