You ’ve made the investment in nonstick cookware — don’t destroy its integrity by excise the airfoil with metal kitchen utensils .
We ’ve all been there — it ’s early in the morning and you require to get ready for work . You ’re under - caffeinated , athirst , and attempting to make somedelicious scrambled orchis . You reach for a spatula and actualize the wood , charge card , or silicone one you normally use is dirty . But there ’s a clear metal one within reach . So you involve yourself if it ’s really all that defective to apply it . You might end up scratching your expensive cooking utensil , but is that such a big deal ? Unfortunately , the answer is yes . But why ?
If you ’ve ever wondered why you should n’t utilise a alloy spatula on a nonstick pan , here ’s what to know .

Credit:Grace Cary / Getty Images
Grace Cary / Getty Images
The Hard Truth About Nonstick Pans
According to Jeff Malkasian atViking , a culinary brand known for its lavishness appliance and high - quality cooking pan , “ Metal utensils can scratch nonstick coatings , especially if it is a PTFE - found coating . ”
On the other hand , if your pan has a ceramic coating , that metal spatula may not do too much damage because ceramic coating can be more durable , explains Malkasian .
“ Since most coating are multi - level , small open scratches that find when using a metal spatula or spoonful are normal and ornamental in nature , ” he say . “ Small surface scratches in the finishing do not touch the integrity of the coating or the performance . ”
So , if you ’re in a pinch and cook on aceramic pan , as long as you ’re careful , using a metal spatula on juncture wo n’t cause too much damage . Just do n’t make a use of it .
“ If you were to cut into the goat god through all layers of the coating , to the substrate ( metal of the pan itself ) , you would probably get a lack of performance in that region of the pan and it would make horse sense to replace the cooking pan , ” Malkasian say . “ [ This is why ] most maker recommend that you never cut off your food with a knife in a nonstick genus Pan . ”
What Happens If Your Nonstick Pan Coating Becomes Scratched?
According to Malkasian , little surface scratches are normal and will not bear upon performance at all .
“ proceed to use the pan as you normally would , ” he say . “ If you scrape up the goat god down to the substrate , you may be capable to continue using the pan count on where the loot is . If you find the nonstick has stop performing in domain you are cooking , it may be time to replace the goat god . ”
What Spatula Should You Use Instead of a Metal One?
Malkasian paint a picture using nylon or wooden utensils to help slenderize those small lucre . Alternatively , silicone spatula are very easy to use , dish washer - safe , and work smashing when cooking all types of knockout . If you choose using a metal spatula , considerpurchasing cookwarewithout a nonstick coating rather .
Ca n’t give up yournonstick cookware ? flush your kitchen of metallic element spatula altogether so you are n’t tempted to use them . But , if you are n’t quite prosperous take out your metal spatulas wholly out of rotation , stash them away in a drawer instead : out of mess , out of mind .