topic Re: Lifespan of Nonstick. in Kitchen

Lifespan of Nonstick.

PA Mom-mom — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 19:43:49 GMT

I was watching GZ's presentation of his nonstick cast iron pans today, and I wondered how long they stay nonstick. Some of the reviews said they stopped being nonstick after a few uses. I have a few Gotham Steel copper pans that were nonstick for about a half a year and then just stopped being nonstick. They still clean up with the use of Bio Cleaner, but they are certainly NOT nonstick anymore. My ceramic lined Lodge Dutch oven has a permanent dark stain on the bottom, but it still cooks well. What's your experience?

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

brandiwine — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 20:07:44 GMT

I NEVER put my pans in the dishwasher and I have pans that are 10 years old. (Kirkland hard anodized from Costco.)

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

Kachina624 — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 20:10:59 GMT

There are too many variables to list a lifespan for non-stick cookware.

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

loriqvc — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 20:24:52 GMT

@PA Mom-mom - I have a set of Rachael Ray pots and pans that is 12 years old, and its nonstick interiors are like new (though the exteriors are not nearly as pretty as they originally were). I also have a few skillets and pieces from other brands, but none perform as well as my RR cookware, so I've never been able to justify getting rid of it when I pick up new things. Based on more recent reviews, it is possible that the quality of the line is not quite as good anymore, but I got my mother a set of RR pots and pans for Christmas and she loves them as much as I love mine. (Plus I'm always a bit skeptical in reading cookware reviews because I feel like many people don't follow instructions or even use common sense when handling kitchen tools.)

It is always best to hand wash all metal items, so that will increase the life of any pot or pan regardless of the nonstick. I have never even been tempted to put my RR set in the dishwasher because food releases so easily. I may sound a bit obsessed in this reply, but I truly love this set!

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

PA Mom-mom — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 20:35:22 GMT

@loriqvc and @brandiwine I always hand wash my nonstick until they become no longer nonstick. I've never used the RR set or anything from Costco, but they are worth a try. I'm kind of frustrated at this point. I sear at pretty high heat, and I'm thinking that might be an issue. However, GZ says he treats his pans just like regular cast iron.

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

Still Raining — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 20:39:34 GMT

Just for me, nonstick and cast iron don’t belong together. A well seasoned cast iron IS nonstick.

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

SilleeMee — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 21:58:18 GMT

Usually when you cook on high heat or use spray-on no-stick products (like Pam), you will cause it to lose the non-stick surface. Always wash them with soap and water after each use and don't just wipe them off after cooking. Using a small amount of cooking oil to cook with will help extend the life of the non-stick surface.

Searing should be done on stainless or cast iron. Avoid using nonstick for searing.

@PA Mom-mom

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

jannabelle1 — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 22:28:32 GMT

I have a T-fal nonstick cookie sheet that I bought in the late 1970s, and I'm still using it. Granted, the nonstick surface in the center isn't what it used to be, but it's still fine on the rest of the pan. I never put it in the dishwasher, and only use soap/water to clean it. I no longer use it for cookies, but anything else is fair game!

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

alicedee — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 01:16:45 GMT

Through the years I never had good luck with nonstick pans, and started to read about cancer risks once they start to wear. Years ago I switched to a seasoned Lodge cast iron frying pan, and a couple of good steel pots. I never have problems with food sticking in them.

I hand wash everything.....don’t use the dishwasher at all.

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

Eileen in Virginia — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 13:36:29 GMT

I’ve had GZ’s large nonstick skillet (the one with the helper handle) for about 4 months now and it’s doing well. Admittedly, I only use it a couple of times a month for searing chops and finishing them in the oven. DH washes it by hand, dries it and puts it in the warm oven to finish drying.

My go-to nonstick cookware is Scanpan. I've got about 6 skillets, some of which are several years old, and use at least one of them everyday. Again, we hand wash them and their nonstick finish is as good as the day we bought them. I also have a RR 3-quart steamer that I use almost daily, for cooking as well as steaming. It doesn’t look that substantial, but it has very good heat distribution. DH puts it in the dishwasher and it comes out looking like new.

I’ve had lots of other nonstick cookware over the years of decent quality. Generally, the nonstick surface either lost its nonstick-ability or started wearing off. Those I listed above have worked the best.

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

Eileen in Virginia — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 13:41:48 GMT

@PA Mom-mom wrote:
@loriqvc and @brandiwine I always hand wash my nonstick until they become no longer nonstick. I've never used the RR set or anything from Costco, but they are worth a try. I'm kind of frustrated at this point. I sear at pretty high heat, and I'm thinking that might be an issue. However, GZ says he treats his pans just like regular cast iron.

@PA Mom-mom GZ recommends against using high heat with his pans. During a presentation he said the highest heat he’d use with his pans is medium to medium-high. I’ve followed this recommendation and gotten a nice sear when I use my GZ skillet.

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

wagirl — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 14:03:53 GMT

I got rid of all my black nonstick stuff and bought Curtis Stones ceramic nonstick cookware---have had a few of his pieces for almost 5 years and they are still nonstick. I love it !! But I never coat it with non stick spray or heat the pan on high heat first and also I NEVER take the hot pan and fill it with water---I let it cool down first. Prevents the pan from warping.

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

coco14 — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 15:08:50 GMT

I have a set of TFal purchased through QVC in December 1995 - they are still as good as the first day I used them - even the outsides of the various pots and pans are in great condition.

However, my friends have had various non-stick items, purchased in recent times, which lost the non-stick feature after about a year's use - as we know, nothing is made to last long these days and I feel current non-stick is the same way.

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

giddy up — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 15:10:43 GMT

I have a few Rachael Ray hard anodized pans that I prefer to use on most occasions. They are the easiest pans to clean afterwards and I like the way my food cooks up in them overall. I hand wash all of my pans since I don't have a working dishwasher but these pans are so easy to clean out anyhow. Also, when I brown something I only use medium heat that seems to be enough without going full high heat which I think extends the life. A recent find that I really like also is the Deen Brothers ceramic nonstick pans which I use from time to time also. Their pans have a really nice stainless steel exterior which looks high end. RR pans have pretty enamel colors on the outside to choose from.

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

PA Mom-mom — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 23:28:57 GMT

Thanks everyone for your contributions! As suggested, I have never put the pans into the dishwasher - until they lost their nonstick qualities. I'm still thinking about the GZ, but your suggestions are worth checking out. I also agree that I may have heated them too much.

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

okaywitheasypay — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 14:26:09 GMT

I agree with @giddy up on the Deen Brother's pans. I have 2 of the 10" skillets and love the way they clean inside and out (SS) . I have had some pans with painted exteriors that just cannot be cleaned after awhile. I hang mine on an open rack so this is important to me.

I thought the copper brand that QVC and many places sell was the new hope . Alas , mine after about 6 months stopped being non-stick . I only hand wash all of my pans . I do love the size of one of them though . The square one with a long handle and helper handle. I laugh when I hear them touting the 'non-stick' of them

I ordered one from Wolgang Puck's shows yesterday. They look about like the Deen Bro. I needed an 8" and they offered a 20% off cpn. It has SS on the outside. Can go up to 400 degrees and is supposed to be metal utensil safe .

The new line is called Plasma. Which made me think of blood and I wondered who named it . When I looked up the definition of plasma it also includes a gemstone-- I guess that was why.

OK crosses her fingers!--maybe this is the one

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

Ilovetea — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 16:27:40 GMT

@Eileen in Virginia wrote:
I’ve had GZ’s large nonstick skillet (the one with the helper handle) for about 4 months now and it’s doing well. Admittedly, I only use it a couple of times a month for searing chops and finishing them in the oven. DH washes it by hand, dries it and puts it in the warm oven to finish drying.

My go-to nonstick cookware is Scanpan. I've got about 6 skillets, some of which are several years old, and use at least one of them everyday. Again, we hand wash them and their nonstick finish is as good as the day we bought them. I also have a RR 3-quart steamer that I use almost daily, for cooking as well as steaming. It doesn’t look that substantial, but it has very good heat distribution. DH puts it in the dishwasher and it comes out looking like new.

I’ve had lots of other nonstick cookware over the years of decent quality. Generally, the nonstick surface either lost its nonstick-ability or started wearing off. Those I listed above have worked the best.

I agree with Scanpan. Got 8 and 10 “ try me skillets at Burlington and I use at least one of them everyday. I also have Deen Bros, Staub and the last LC TSV. I was expecting to send the LC one back but it cooked first time out like I had it for years.

As for the GZ line, I got the 9x13 pan to try it out. First thought it is heavier than it looks. Second, it is rough on the underside. After that, nothing sticks to it, it is impressive and my go to pan for the oven. I even tried it as a skillet initially and it was excellent.

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

SilleeMee — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 18:34:47 GMT

I love the Deen Brothers' GranIT pans. I bought a whole set of them. Really nice quality and nothing sticks.

Re: Lifespan of Nonstick.

J Town Girl — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 21:04:55 GMT

I'm sure most of you already know that you should never use any non-stick skillets or appliances if you have a bird.

PTFE and PFOA are deadly to them. Many people say if you are careful and don't heat them at a high temperature they are fine to use. The problem is the unknown factor of when exactly the chemicals used to make them non-stick begin to give off the toxic fumes that will kill pet birds.

I use Stainless Steel skillets and pans exclusively. I search every appliance that I buy to make sure there is no PTFE or PFOA coating on them. I do have one Waffle Iron that has a non-stick coating but when I use it I take it outside to my patio and make the waffles there. If I am the least bit unsure of an item I always use it outside.

When our first bird came into our home many years ago all of our non-stick went to the Goodwill. My husband said if it is toxic to pet birds do we know what damage it may be doing to us over time.

He often makes the comment that our birds have probably helped our health as much as we have helped them.