Can Non-Stick Pans Be Re-Coated? (And How To Re-coat it)

The ease of use and cleaning endears non-stick pans to most professional cooks and households. You won’t find food sticking to the surface of the pan after cooking.  

However, these non-stick pans also require proper care. Unfortunately, not everyone can devote time to do that. Even those who do, don’t appropriately clean up their pans. And this can lead to deterioration of the pan’s non-stick abilities, making it unsuitable for use. You may be forced to splash the cash on a new non-stick pan. 

But buying a new non-stick pan would be a waste of money. Instead, try to fix the pan.

If you’re seeking ways to fix a non-stick pan and make it useable, you’re not alone. Excitingly, we have provided a simple-to-understand guideline on how to get your non-stick pans back to shape.

Can Non-stick Pans be Re-coated?

Yes. Your non-stick pans can be re-coated. That’s the straightforward answer to this question. 

In this case, the non-stick feature might have decayed. It happens over time and could be much quicker when you don’t take proper care of your pan. 

A re-coated non-stick pan might be just as good as new if you do it properly. And there are diverse ways to re-coat non-stick pans, which practically involves cleaning and seasoning the pans. 

Using the methods below will help fix the stains and scratches on your non-stick pans and make it safe to cook in. 

So, instead of discarding your deteriorated non-stick pans, try to fix them. You’ll be saving money by doing so.

Now, let’s talk about how you can re-coat your non-stick pan without breaking a sweat.

How To Re-coat a Non-Stick Pan? (5 Methods)

There are several ways you can restore the non-stick properties of your cookware. And the beautiful part is you don’t need to have any expertise or special tools to do this. 

If you’re on a tight budget, knowing how to fix your pans will be of great benefit to you. 

You’ll be saving money and ensure that your pans are always available for use and in good shape.

Now, how can you tell when your pan needs re-coating? When the Teflon (special coating responsible for the non-stick surface of pans) starts peeling off. When this happens, know that your pan is due for re-coating. 

However, most non-stick pans have a lifespan of 5 years. But the high-quality ones usually last for more than five years. 

A simpler way of re-coating or restoring pans’ non-stick properties is by using a special spray or coating the pan with vegetable oils.

So, are you ready? Let’s throw light on the various ways you can re-coat your non-stick pan and make it useable again. 

1. Use the expertise of a coating specialist

If you can’t do the re-coating yourself, don’t worry. Coating specialists can help with that. What they do is re-coat the decaying or scratched non-stick pan with Teflon, and it will become as good as new. 

However, the only challenge is that you have to pay for this service. 

2. Get in touch with the manufacturer

Warranties are there to help buyers get replacements or repairs for damaged products. Most manufacturers keep to their words and respect warranty.

So, another way you can fix your deteriorating non-stick pan is to contact the product’s manufacturer. Most reliable manufacturers produce top-quality non-stick pans and offer warranty for their products. They can help with the repair or re-coating of the pan, according to specified terms. 

3. Using a special homemade mixture and peanut oil for seasoning

If the two processes above don’t sit well with you, then you can try this method. 

Items you need for seasoning are as follows:

• Baking soda – 2 tablespoons
• White vinegar – ½ cup
• Water – a cup
• Peanut oil 
• Clean cloth
• Soft sponge (non-metal)
• Heat source 

Before you proceed, make an effort to clean up your pan. After that, you can use your homemade mixture. Remove every particle that can jeopardize the success of the seasoning process. 

Here’s how you should go about seasoning your pan with peanut oil. First, add the baking soda and white vinegar, two tablespoons, and ½ cup, respectively. You need to pour a cup of water into the pan. 

Now start applying heat. After a while, 15 – 20 minutes, the items added will turn into a mixture. Please note that you have to stop heating at this point. 

Allow the pan to cool down a bit so you don’t get injured. Then start washing it. You need to wash with soap and water, and afterward, dry it up with a clean cloth. 

Please note that harsh chemicals or products shouldn’t come anywhere near the pan. They can damage the non-stick surface and jeopardize your effort to re-coat the pan. 

Gently wipe the surface. Ensure the cloth is neat and not too hard. After wiping, make sure there isn’t water on the pan’s surface so that the seasoning can occur smoothly. 

Next is to apply your peanut oil into the pan. Let the oil occupy every single pore and ensure the non-stick element remains effective. Then heat for 1 to 2 minutes.

Again, give the pan some time to cool for 3 to 5 minutes. Afterward, wipe the peanut oil from the pan. And finally, wash the pan with soap and a gentle sponge. 

Having your damaged non-stick pan seasoned this way would extend its lifespan and make it useable. It’s advisable to repeat this process thrice a year. That is once in 6 months to keep the non-stick property intact. 

4. Seasoning non-stick pan with coconut oil

First, clean up the pan. You can use a sponge or non-metal scrub brush to remove food particles or stains. It’s also possible to use a little bit of water and coarse salt as abrasive. Don’t worry, it won’t harm or peel off the non-stick surface. 

To use this seasoning method, here are the things you need:

• Coconut oil (virgin or refined)
• Non-metal brush or sponge
• Heat source (stove, and oven)

The first step is to heat the pan. And while doing so, turn up the microwave oven. Get the temperature up to between 300 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

So, after heating the pan on the stove, your next step should be to apply the coconut oil. You can choose to use virgin or refined coconut oil. They both work well for pan seasoning. 

You can apply the oil to the pan with your finger or sponge after it has cooled down. The oil should be within 1- 1.27 inches in thickness. 

Now bake the pan in the oven for 90 to 120 minutes. Keep your windows open for proper ventilation. 

The heat applied will cause the coconut oil on the surface to bake, ensuring that the surface is adequately seasoned. 

After heating for the set time (90 – 120 minutes), turn off the microwave oven. Let the re-coated pan remain in the oven for 1 to 2 days. After that, you can start using the seasoned pan again.

5. Use a non-stick pan repair spray

The use of the non-stick spray is quite simple, less time-consuming, and quick. It’s usually the first step most people use to re-coat their non-stick pans. But keep in mind that this process is more suitable for less severe damages. 

What you need for this process is as follows:

• Non-stick repair spray 
• Microwave oven
• Non-metal scrub brush
• Dishwashing soap

First, wash the pan thoroughly. Remove any food particle stocked in the pan. Once it dries up, apply the non-stick spray. Ensure the spray is applied evenly and is thick enough. 

Give the non-stick spray 30 minutes to sit properly on the surface of the pan. Now, preheat the microwave oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, for 10 minutes. Please ensure you don’t overheat to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, as this could cause massive damage to your cookware. 

Now place the pan inside the microwave oven. Then heat for 45 minutes. After that, turn off the oven, but allow the pan to remain inside it to cool down.

Once it cools down, wash with your dishwashing soap and non-metal scrub brush. And that’s it. You have successfully re-coated your damaged non-stick pan. 

What Causes the Non-stick Coating to Come off?

Several factors can cause pans to lose their non-stick properties and become unusable. Let’s look at them briefly, so you would know how you have been damaging your cookware without knowing. 

1. Overheating

High-heat cooking is one of the reasons the coating on non-stick pans come off. If you have been making this mistake, please take caution. 

To safeguard your pan, use low to medium heat when cooking on the stovetop. And before placing your pan in the microwave oven, go through the pan manufacturer’s manual to know the ideal temperature to use on the pan. It’s better that way. 

2. Improper washing

Using harsh chemicals or a metal scrub brush on a non-stick pan is not advisable. These could damage the cookware in no time. 

It’s best to check the pan manufacturer’s manual to learn about the safest way to wash the pan. A soft sponge and dishwashing soap are ideal for non-stick pans, in most cases. However, to be on the safer side, you should consider washing with your hands.

3. Using inappropriate utensils

The utensil you’re using on the non-stick pan could cause the coating to come off. The appropriate utensils to use on the non-stick surface include wooden spoons, spatula, and heatproof silicone spoons. 

Note – All metals, such as tongs and silverware, aren’t appropriate for non-stick pans. They can damage your pan before you know it. 

4. Aerosol cooking spray

Using aerosol spray for cooking can damage the coating on your non-stick pan. 

Aerosol spray burns under lower temperatures and could burn into the pan’s coating to cause a spray build-up.

Why Should You Season Your Non-stick Pans?

First, what is non-stick pan seasoning? It involves placing a thin layer of vegetable oil and other shortening products on the damaged non-stick pan’s surface and subjecting the pan to heat. 

Once you season your non-stick pan, you can reinstate the non-stick properties of your cookware. And this would help to prevent food from sticking to the pan. 

Cast-iron pan seasoning, for example, helps to prevent the cookware from rusting. But for carbon-steel pans, you need seasoning to ensure it maintains its non-stick property for a longer time. 

So, when food starts sticking to your pan, know it’s time to have it seasoned. Seasoning will not only return the non-stick properties. It will make washing the pan a breeze. 

Are Non-stick Pans Worth the Money?

Yes, non-stick pans are worth the value for money, provided you aren’t looking to use it for high-heat cooking. Non-stick pans have a reputation for being super easy to use. Cleaning is also a breeze when the non-stick surface is still intact, though. 

The coating on non-stick pans doesn’t only make cleaning easier. It also makes cooking with less oil possible, something that sits well with health-conscious cooks.

So, compared to coated cookware, non-stick pans make cooking with less oil possible.

But keep in mind that non-stick pans don’t heat up fast. The non-stick coating does inhibit heat transfer. 

Conclusion

Non-stick pans can be re-coated in diverse ways. Apply vegetable oil to the pan and heat for a certain period. You can also use non-stick repair spray or seek help from a coating specialist.

Re-coating your non-stick pan will make it safe, appealing and super easy to use. We have highlighted several ways that you can re-coat your pan. So start re-coating your damaged pans, instead of discarding them.

References:

https://madeincookware.com/blogs/beyond-the-burner/seasoning-your-non-sticks

https://www.thespruceeats.com/nonstick-vs-stainless-steel-cookware-908922

https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/is-expensive-cookware-worth-it.htm