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1. Common non-stick coating materials on pans
Below are the commonly used non-stick coating materials on pans:
Granite stone non-stick material
This non-stick pan has a surface made of hard steel material, with a granite stone pattern that effectively prevents sticking and scratching. Particularly, the non-stick coating layer does not contain PTFE or PFOA (types of substances that can cause cancer), so it is trusted by many families.
The pan has a 5-layer non-stick coating, ensuring durability and excellent non-stick properties. Users only need to use a very small amount of cooking oil to fry food, reducing the absorption of fat into the body. Additionally, the design of the pan is quite heavy compared to other materials.
Ceramic Non-Stick Material
This type of pan is crafted from 100% various inorganic mineral and oxide compounds, offering excellent scratch resistance, superior non-stick properties, high heat endurance, and is free from cancer-causing PTFE or PFOA, ensuring user safety.
Moreover, Ceramic is free from metals, cadmium, and lead, earning it high safety ratings and widespread usage.
Teflon Non-Stick Material
Teflon, an organic compound, boasts high durability and longevity, withstanding decomposition at temperatures above 300 – 400 degrees Celsius (the most resilient organic compound), while typical cooking temperatures range from 130 – 190 degrees Celsius.
This non-stick material exhibits prominent features such as corrosion resistance, heat tolerance, and a sleek, non-stick surface.
Are non-stick pans harmful after prolonged use?
Most modern non-stick pans are equipped with Teflon coating which decomposes at high temperatures ranging from 300 to 400 degrees Celsius, while cooking temperatures never exceed 250 degrees Celsius.
However, the main harmful component is the Teflon adhesive on the pan's surface. This adhesive is easily degraded by heat, releasing harmful substances into the air at high temperatures. If used extensively, the non-stick coating along with the adhesive will peel off into the food, posing health risks to humans. Therefore, it is advisable not to continue using old pans with heavily deteriorated non-stick coatings.
Additionally, it is important to avoid purchasing low-quality non-stick pans, as they may emit smoke containing harmful particles when exposed to high temperatures during cooking, leading to symptoms such as difficulty breathing and chest tightness if used frequently.
How often should non-stick pans be replaced?
After prolonged use, non-stick pans become less effective. Especially, low-quality pans deteriorate even faster. Cooking at high temperatures can generate toxic substances. If the pan's surface appears scratched or food sticks to it, it's recommended to replace it with a new one after 1-3 years to ensure safety for health.
Tips for using durable and safe non-stick pans
Avoid using non-stick pans for baking or roasting
Despite their effective non-stick coating, using non-stick pans for baking or roasting will quickly damage the coating. It's best to use them for frying and sautéing only.
Avoid cooking at excessively high temperatures
There are various types of non-stick pans available such as Teflon, ceramic, granite, and diamond coatings. Adjust the heat level based on the quality of the non-stick coating.
However, cooking at excessively high temperatures can degrade the adhesive bonding the non-stick coating, posing health risks. Therefore, use low or medium heat to prolong the lifespan of the pan. Ensure the flame is centered at the bottom without spreading to the sides of the pan when cooking.
Preheat the pan before adding oil
Many households have the habit of heating the pan before adding cooking oil for frying. However, this method is only suitable for regular aluminum or cast iron pans. When using a non-stick pan, heating the pan before adding oil can cause the temperature inside the pan to become too high, leading to peeling of the non-stick coating and reducing the pan's lifespan as well as producing harmful substances, affecting health.
Therefore, with non-stick pans, you should pour oil into the pan first before placing it on the stove.
Avoid using metal utensils on the pan
Metal utensils can scratch the non-stick coating surface, leading to quick deterioration of the pan. Therefore, use wooden utensils to prevent scratching the pan surface when flipping food.
We hope through this article shared by Mytour, you will learn when to replace non-stick pans as well as how to properly use them to prolong their lifespan and ensure safety for your family's health.
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