Idiot's guide to taking care of a frying pan?

[Aoi Magi]

Might I ask for a picture of your poor pan?

[SteelCurtain]

[Shell B]

Proper pan care from a pro:

1. If it's non-stick and you've worked your way down through the coating, it's not that big of a deal. When you're on a budget, just keep using it. You can keep it from rusting by drying it immediately after you wash it. Use plenty of oil/cooking spray, etc. on it to make up for the lack of non-stick surface. If there's oily build-up, soak it in soapy hot water, wash and dry immediately. A little bit of an oily coat is a-okay.

2. If you're using cast iron (which is really best for use in the oven), do not use soap when you clean, unless you are getting ready to re-season it. (Note: season here means cook with oil to get a protective coating). You do not want to use soap in-between because it will break down the oil coating that makes it non-stick and protects the metal. If you don't overdo it with the pan, you may be able to go without re-seasoning it for a long time or indefinitely. I use mine over high heat a lot, so I often had to pop it in the oven with some oil in it. When this happens, scrub it with soap like any other pan to get off the season that went to shit, coat the inside of the pan with oil and put it on the middle rack upside down. Put some tin foil on the rack below it and cook for around 375, I think for an hour.

3. If you have a non-stick pan that still has its coating, it is easy to maintain for some time. Do not wash the pan every time you use it! In restaurants, we could go all day without running our saute pans through a dishwasher (which you REALLY shouldn't do, but we didn't pay for them, so whatevs). Wipe a hot pan out with a dry towel or a cool pan out with a wet towel. Don't worry. The heat when you cook really makes up for the lack of soap here. Of course, your towel should be clean. Do not use abrasive sponges on your pan. If it's got shit on it, soak it. Do NOT EVER put your pan in the dishwasher. Once the coating is off, fuck it, but make sure you are on hand to dry that bitch as soon as the dishwasher stops.

I'm sure I have other tips, but I have to work. Good luck.

[ukatheist]

Depending on how health conscious you are go for stainless steel or ceramic for low maintenance. Don't know about ceramic but stainless steel requires more oil when cooking to prevent sticking, but will survive pretty much any treatment.

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[Chad32]

Might I ask for a picture of your poor pan?

I don't have a camera, or anything. But I guess I'll try the brown flour and oil idea. Thanks for the advice guys.

[KUSA]

I hope you don't use soap on a cast iron pan. Just scrape it out then wipe. It should never have any rust as the surface should be oiled all the time.

Flame thrower.

That will create carcinogens.

You can use hot water to rinse it out if you must but immediately coat it with vegetable oil.

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Might I ask for a picture of your poor pan?

I don't have a camera, or anything. But I guess I'll try the brown flour and oil idea. Thanks for the advice guys.

Damned bro, do you live in a third world country? Every phone has a camera.

[Crossless2.0]

[The Grand Nudger]

-cast iron dutch oven...you can use it as a skillet when you want, and as a baking pan when you need.  Plus, it doubles as a half assed pressure cooker by virtue of the weight of the lid.

[Chad32]

Flame thrower.

That will create carcinogens.

You can use hot water to rinse it out if you must but immediately coat it with vegetable oil.

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I don't have a camera, or anything. But I guess I'll try the brown flour and oil idea. Thanks for the advice guys.

Damned bro, do you live in a third world country? Every phone has a camera.

I'm still living in the eighties, where not everyone has a phone with a camera on it.

I bought a cast iron skillet, and am going to try to take good care of it. Thanks for the help guys.

[Shell B]

You can make everything from bread to pot pies in a cast iron skillet. You will love it.