Using your bread pans for meats or high-acid foods: Nonstick bread pans provide for easy removal of freshly baked bread. But using these same pans for meatloaf or other foods will wear off the finish more quickly. Some foods reduce the lifespan of your pans, making them harder to clean and more prone to rust. Keep bread pans just for bread, and designate another pan for other foods. This way you’ll ensure no pan residue ends up on your freshly baked bread.

Cutting serving portions with a metal knife or utensil: Use rubber or silicone spatulas to portion and serve from your cookware or bake ware.

Storing pans improperly: Storing pans haphazardly along with other metal implements can cause scratches in the finish. Always nest your nonstick frying pans and bake ware carefully, and do not allow other metal pan covers with thin, sharp edges to sit inside your pans.

Drastic water temperature changes: Placing a very hot nonstick frying pan into cool or lukewarm dishwater can cause your pan to warp. A warped pan will not have even heat distribution and its cooking abilities will be reduced. Always allow your pan to cool completely before immersing it in water.

Using metal spatulas, whisks, or tongs: Refrain from using any metal utensils on your nonstick cookware to stir, turn food, scrape food residue, or blend foods right in the pan. The best utensils to use are wood, plastic, or silicone.

Cleaning pans in a dishwasher: Dishwasher detergents are generally too harsh for most nonstick cookware and kitchenware, and will eventually cause the finish to wear off. Bake ware that has scratches in it may also not dry completely and could rust. Hand-wash your nonstick cookware and dry completely before storing.

Cooking on high heat: Most nonstick cookware is made for low- and medium-heat cooking. Too high a heat can wear down or blister the finish, as well as cause pans to warp. To maintain your pan and increase its lifespan, follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding cooking heat.

Storing foods in your nonstick pans: Foods should never be stored in the pans but should be removed. Pans should be cleaned carefully and dried before storing.

Cutting your pizza with a cutter: Cutting your pizza right in the nonstick pizza pan will mar the finish. Always slide your pizza out onto a wooden cutting board, and then apply the pizza cutter to portion servings.

Sara WAU

Source : Household Helpers