Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with cookware and pan

Is my nonstick pan ruined?

TSGlenn — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:19:49 -0800

I left my new non-stick pan on the hot stove with nothing in it. Is it ruined? The burner was on medium heat (electric range), between 5-6 out of 10 (still plenty hot for cooking). I had just taken some eggs off of it, so there was a little bit of Pam on the pan, but nothing else. It was on there empty for 15 minutes. When I caught it, I took it off immediately and let it cool off.

It looks okay... there is some kind of sticky residue around the edges (not on the main flat part, only on the curved edges) that isn't coming off very easily. I know you aren't supposed to use harsh cleaners on it, so I haven't tried very hard to get the stuff off. The pan isn't warped or anything. But I also know there are chemicals in there you aren't supposed to let get too hot.

The pan is a $50 Calphalon. Is it okay to use?

Choosing cookware

benjh — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 08:51:50 -0800

I'm looking for some cookware, and need some help choosing. [mi] My basic needs are non-stick cookware, semi-decent looking to leave out in the kitchen. Right now, I don't have much but a few pieces, so I would like to buy a set.

I was looking at a T-Fal Jamie Oliver set, but thought MeFiers might know better.

How to keep a cast-iron pan clean

starvingartist — Tue, 20 Jan 2004 07:16:53 -0800

How do I keep a cast-iron pan clean? [more inside] First of all, the pan is already seasoned. I know how to do that. But I've started eating bacon in the morning, and the cast-iron seems to do the best job (I can't stand microwaved bacon, and the non-stick isn't big enough). I read somewhere that you shouldn't wash the pan, just coat the inside with salt right after cooking and then wipe it out a bit later. But the bacon leaves spots of cooked fat that don't come off with just a salt wipe. Can I wash it with mild dish detergent?

Cleaning stainless steel cookware

The Michael The — Fri, 16 Jan 2004 16:09:43 -0800

I just got some new stainless steel cookware, and now I have some (grease?) gunk stuck on the bottom of my frying pan, along with a yellowish hue, likely from mildly overheating the bare pan while cooking. I tried soaking it for a few hours in water and soap, and scrubbing really hard with a plastic scouring pad, all to no avail. How do I get it clean? Steel-wool? Different soaking? Special cleanser? Other?