The best way to clean a non-stick pan without damaging it
/I’ve ruined a few non-stick pans in my youth. Putting them in the dishwasher is the worst possible.
Eventually I got to soaking them for a while so that most of any burnt-on food comes off and then cleaning softly. But even then, I found they never really lasted as well as I expected. Let’s assume too that we’re not doing the obvious bad things like using metal utensils.
But eventually I found the best way to preserve the life of a teflon or ceramic non-stick pan, and it’s as follows:
clean it with a silicone ‘brush’ (something like this https://amzn.to/39WqoVU )
as soon as you have finished cooking,let it cool and bit and clean it as soon after as you can - do NOT shock it with cold water to cool it
do NOT add any soap or fill it with water and leave to stand
instead, use the oils that are the pan, along with your silicone brush, to wipe round and and round and remove any food debris, while running under the tap
any oil in the pan will help to smooth the rubbing action and also leave a small amount of protection on the surface
keep going under the running tap until you are clear of oil and food - and particularly stubborn caramelised food remnants can be scraped off with your finger nail or a magic eraser (gently) [ e.g. https://amzn.to/4dhRd6p ]
if after this there is still a film of oil in the pan, then NOW is the time to use a small amount of washing up liquid to remove it
HOWEVER, used a VERY small amount, literally a drop, swish it round the pan with your brush away from the tap, then continue to brush while you run the pan under the tap. In a few seconds you should be clear of any oil/soap lather
leave to dry, job done!
The surface of your pan will be immaculate and suffered minimal abrasion - maintaining its life to the maximum extent possible
