How to fix scratched non-stick pans: Baking soda trick to 'greatly improve' kitchen items

NON-STICK pans are great for frying until the coating fades away. While you can just replace a damaged pan, there's an even cheaper way to get the non-stick back up to scratch on your kitchen items. Here's how to do it using baking soda and a few other simple ingredients.

By Phoebe Cornish, Senior Lifestyle Reporter

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Food particles, grease, and dirt can cling onto surfaces without non-stick coating, leaving scratched patches of pots and pans covered in a black residue. Once the slippery coating is gone, it can seem impossible to get it back without replacing the pan, but there are plenty of DIY remedies you can instead of paying out for new ware. is one of the best natural ingredients to use for household , but how can it be used to “re-season” damaged non-stick pans? Express.co.uk reveals the best method to try at home.

How to fix scratched non-stick pans

Non-stick coating can fade away through everyday wear and tear or from being cleaned with harsh ingredients.

When this happens, tiny food particles start to build up in the exposed areas, leaving your pan, and the food cooked in it, to become one big sticky mess.

Re-seasoning a damaged pan can be done in just a few simple steps, and all you need is baking soda, , and plenty of vegetable oil to coat the surface.

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Spoonful of baking soda/Non-stick pans

How to fix scratched non-stick pans: Baking soda trick to 'greatly improve' kitchen items (Image: GETY)

Scrubbing dirty pot

Non-stick coating can fade away through incorrect cleaning or simple wear and tear (Image: GETTY)

According to the household hacks experts, Bruce and Jeanne Lubin, this simple mixture is guaranteed to “greatly improve” the problem in just 10 minutes.

Start by placing the pot or pan on the stove, and fill it with the following ingredients:

  • One cup of water
  • Two tablespoons of baking soda
  • Half a cup of white vinegar

Heat the solution in the pan until it begins to boil and leave it to simmer for 10 minutes.

Man sprays cooking spray into pan

Cooking oils should be avoided while using non-stick pots and pans (Image: GETTY)

Empty the pot and wash as normal using warm water, dish soap, and a soft sponge.

It is important to use warm water to keep some of the heat on the surface of the pan.

Once the pan is clean, dry, and still a little warm, begin rubbing vegetable oil where the non-stick coating would have been.

You can do this using a clean cloth or your bare hands depending on how deep the pan is.

This step is crucial to stop the pan from sticking in the future, as melting butter or oil in the pan before cooking isn’t enough once the non-stick coating has gone.

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Cleaning pan with soapy water

Soap and a soft sponge should be enough to clean non-stick pans between uses (Image: GETTY)

How to care for non-stick pans

Fixing a damaged non-stick pan is easy to do, but it can be easily prevented with the right cleaning and storage techniques.

Avoid over-heating them

To keep your non-stick pan in working order for longer, you should always consider the strength of the flame you’re cooking over.

Avoid frying items on high heat, as this can cause the coating to deteriorate more quickly.

Food52 recommended using low or medium heat to maintain a “smooth, stick-free surface”.

Use paper plates to protect the coating

If you stack non-stick pans up in a cupboard or drawer, a few paper plates could really help to prolong the life of your kitchenware.

Simply place the paper rounds on top of the non-stick surface to prevent scratches.

Avoid cooking sprays

Oil should always be used over cooking sprays when it comes to pre-heating your pan.

According to Ashley Holmgren, GreenPan’s Head of eCommerce, emulsified sprays will quickly develop a residue that can shorten the lifespan of non-stick cookware.

Never use abrasive cleaning materials

Harsh, exfoliating sponges and scrubbers can scratch off the non-stick coating almost instantly.

Instead, stick to soft sponges and clothes to gently cleanse the surface of your pan and avoid damage.

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