For how long should I wait for a non stick pot to cool down before i wash it?
Question:I guess washing it when its warm would damage the non-stick coating. The usual is to touch the pot and see if its cool enough but in general how much time would be necessary for a non stick pot/pan to cool down if its been used for frying or making a curry before washing it? If I cooked something at 9:30 pm I don't want to be up too late to do the washing up.
Answers:
According to the instructions that came with mine, there is nothing wrong with washing it after use- you just don't want to run COLD water over the hot teflon because it can cause cracking. If I already have soapy water in the sink, I place mine straight in after washing; I will make the point though that since my hot water heater has a bad thermostat I can get water out of the tap that's practically boiling, so my 'hot soapy soaking water' is probably hotter than most people's.
Remember, your dish and rinse waters are usually hot. If the pan is cool enough for you to handle it, its fine.
I'm no pro, but I say if you can touch it with your hand, you can wash it. I have heard that it's just dramatic temperature changes that can warp the pan.
Hold it upside down under a stream of water. The water won't touch the teflon surface, and it will cool the pot fairly quickly. Let it sit for a minute or so after that; then it should be fine.
If you are up late at night just but soap and water in the pan and let it sit overnight and come back to it tomorrow.With non-stick just do not use any abrasives on it. They are made to handle the heat, it should not be an issue. You let it cool down when frying because when oil hardens it is easier to clean off.
The pan will cool down fairly quickly. Wait about 10 - 15 min and wash after it cools down enough to handle
You may consider switching to a stainless steel pan due to the fact that the chemicals used to make that non-stick surface can cause illness.
Teflon is the trade name for Tetrafluoroethylene. The gas fumes from that, when heated, form Polytetraflouethylene (PTFE), which, like carbon monoxide, is odorless and invisible. It travels through the air unnoticed. In humans PTFE causes flu-like symptoms, as well as long term health problems.
Therefore, the best way to clean it would be not to clean it, but to throw it away.
You can wash a non stick pot or pan at any temp. Its how you wash it. If it is non stick when your done cooking wipe it out with paper towel. When it cools then wash with a gentle soap and a non abrasive towel or pad. Also do not use metal utensils it will scratch the surface and will no longer be non stick
Run it through stream of water, directly from faucet. I guess it's okay if you do this holding it upside down or vice versa.
Wait until it's cool to touch.
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