A good non-stick frying pan is essential in any kitchen. Use it to cook pancakes for breakfast, omelettes for lunch, steak for dinner – and since you only need very little oil, your fry-ups are healthier.
If you've never given non-stick a go, or if your non-stick frying pan is starting to lose its 'non', read our tips for choosing the right pan and how you can keep it in good condition.
On this page:
- Is non-stick cookware safe?
- How much do non-stick pans cost?
- Features to look for
- Caring for your non-stick frypan
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Is non-stick cookware safe?
You've probably heard conflicting reports about non-stick coatings like Teflon giving off harmful chemicals when heated. But the chemicals used in non-stick coatings only start to break down and release harmful toxins in temperatures above 260°C, and research suggests that no toxins are released from cookware used at or below normal cooking temperatures. The toxins seem to be lethal to birds and may cause headaches, nausea and damage to the respiratory tract in humans.
You can reduce the risk of toxins being released by using your frypan properly and looking after it so the non-stick coating isn't damaged.
- Don't overheat an empty non-stick pan or leave it unattended on the cooktop.
- Never heat fat or oil at maximum temperature to the extent where it overheats.
- Only use wooden or plastic utensils to avoid scratching.
- Hand wash your pan with a sponge and slightly warm water; let it soak in hot water to remove stubborn residue.
- Never use steel wool or heavy-duty scrubbers.
How much do non-stick pans cost?
Non-stick frying pans can cost as little as $5 and as much as $450 (or more). In our latest non-stick frypans review, where we tested the heating performance and durability of over 30 frypans, we found that you do generally get what you pay for – with the exception of Kmart's $18 Anko frypan which wowed our testers and outperformed pans from Tefal, Scanpan and Chasseur.
Features to look for
Cooktop suitability
If you have an induction cooktop, you'll need a pan that's made of ferrous metal (metal that can be magnetised). For ceramic cooktops (or induction), your pan will need to match the size of your cooktop elements. For a solid/radiant electric cooktop your pan will need a flat, steady base.
Cleaning
For easy cleaning, avoid painted exteriors and grooved surfaces, and make sure the frying pan isn't too big to fit in your sink.
Weight
Will you be able to handle the load when the pan is filled with food?
Handle
Look for a handle with a soft, moulded grip. For larger pans, look for a handle that's long enough to hold with two hands and an extra support handle for lifting heavy loads.
Base
A thick, heavy base generally has better heat distribution and cooking performance; a too-thin base can burn you food. Assess the flatness of the base before you buy – generally, a pan that is slightly concave (like a wine bottle base) will flatten on heating as it expands. If your pan turns concave on heating, you may find the food runs to the sides of the pan.
Caring for your non-stick frypan
Non-stick frypans are great for the minimal oil they require for frying and sautéing and for their "non-stick" capabilities. However, they do require a lot more attention when it comes to maintaining them. Here are our tips for getting the most out of your non-stick frypan and making sure it lasts a long time.
Condition your frypan before first use. Wash it in warm soapy water and once dry, wipe oil on the surface and rub away any excess.
Don't use metal utensils on your non-stick frypan. Don't cut food in the pan, don't flip eggs with a metal egg flip, don't turn steaks with metal tongs, just don't do it. Silicone coated, plastic or wooden utensils are the way to go.
Avoid extreme temperature changes. Don't put your hot pan in the sink straight after cooking and run cold water on it. This can warp the base so the pan won't sit flat next time you want to cook with it.
Avoid using cooking oil sprays. The sprays can burn at low temperatures and leave behind an invisible build-up of residue that can affect the performance of the non-stick surface.
Don't overheat an empty non-stick frypan or leave it unattended on the cooktop. In extreme cases it can cause the surface to bubble and blister, rendering the pan unusable. Preheat and cook using a medium high heat. For searing meats which require high temperatures it's best to use a stainless steel or cast-iron frypan. Also, be sure to check the manufacturer's instructions regarding the maximum temperature for oven-safe use.
Clean your non-stick frypans with non-scratch scouring sponges. Don't try to scrub off baked on residue straight away. Soak the pan in warm soapy water to loosen any residue and then gently use a soft or non-scratch scourer to wash it away.
Don't put non-stick pans in the dishwasher. The detergent is too harsh for the coating. Leave your pan to soak if it needs it and wash it by hand.
Store non-stick pans properly. Make sure the pans are dried well before storing and don't stack other cookware on top as it can easily scratch the non-stick surface.
It's time for a new non-stick frypan... if foods start sticking (you can try to fix this by rubbing a layer of oil on the surface to season it again), if the pan is warped (you'll no longer get even heat distribution) or if there are noticeable scratches or chipping of the non-stick coating with bare metal showing.
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
