Cleaning crud from non stick skillets

[question everything]

I have always found helpful hints here so am hoping for one more.

I see several YouTube videos about mixing vinegar and baking soda but this clears the bottom not the sides.

Any suggestions will be gratefully appreciated.

Also, any suggestions about the bottoms?

[Kali]

1. I would think if crud is sticking to a "nonstick" pan it might be time to replace it?

[question everything]

2. It is relataiely new. Two years. But I use it alot.

When I purchased it at William Sonoma it said not to use oil which did not make sense to me. Certainly not with eggs. And when I add liquid to scrape the browning of the chicken, it spread to the sides..

[Kali]

5. I don't use them, but seem to remember reading

to stay with cheap ones and replace regularly. I bet 2 years of regular use is about end of life. have you tried cast iron? or even good stainless works really well with a little oil.

I was a cast iron freak for a long time and still have a bunch of pans that are totally slick even for eggs, but got a couple of all-clad pans and since they are so much lighter I now use them all the time. not much sticks if treated right and even if it does it is ok to scrub them.

[question everything]

6. Thanks. Will consider this. I have a cast iron but it is heavy and then of course, once I wash it

in sudsy water I have to towel it completely and then I put a thin layer of oil on it so it won't rust.

I know that some never wash their cast irons but I cannot see myself doing this.

[lastlib]

9. Soap never touches my iron.....

...and very little ever sticks to it unless I happen to scorch it, wich is damn rare. I boil water in it after use, give it a light scrub, and oil it for next time.

[Kali]

10. I have a small cast iron frying pan for eggs only

and a flat round griddle for pancakes and toasted cheese sandwiches - those two almost never get washed, just wiped with paper towels. but all the others - various size frying pans - get washed after use, with dish detergent. and yes dried either with towel or just put on the stove to evap water off and then a swipe with paper towel and a bit of oil on inside only.

I do live in a mostly dry climate that I am sure allows me to be a bit more careless with oiling but all my pans have a good finish after plenty of use over the years. that is the key to cast iron - regular use.

but...the good stainless has been a real nice change in terms of my wrists! and they are even more even-heating and almost as good retention.

[Nittersing]

16. I'm gonna echo what Kali said

I read this review and decided to quit worrying about being so careful with them. Just buy a cheap replacement when you need it.

[question everything]

17. Thanks. You convinced me

I am still using old Celphanon which are not non stick. What I like about them is that I can use the green side of the scotch bright sponge to scrape them. They even recommend Bar Helper Friend, provided samples wit them.

But for eggs one has to use non stick.

As for “filling landfill” that your very helpful link mentioned, last time I took them to the recycle center.

Thanks, again.

[Nittersing]

18. You're welcome!

Yeah, my lone nonstick is pretty much just for eggs now.

I made a switch over to stainless steel a while back and I love them!! I gave away my 12" cast iron because it was too heavy for me. The 10" is quite a bit lighter so I'm holding on to that one for a while. And I keep a couple of little 6" cast irons that I make small dish pizza in.

[question everything]

20. 'tis done! Went to Bed Bath and Beyond - I needed more items - and got their brand "Our Table"

"Compatible with all cooktops, including inductions."

"Forged aluminum construction offers exceptional durability and fast, even heat distribution."

"Titanium reinforced ceramic non-stick."

But then it says: "Do not use over direct flames." I hope they refer to grilling outdoor since my gas range certainly has flames but I think that they stay below the grid.

$30 for a set of 8" and 10" . If they will not work, will not be a loss of too much money...

Again, thank you and everyone on this thread for helping.

[Beartracks]

3. Depends on the crud, maybe, but... denture tablets?

[question everything]

4. I think that it is too thick

[Beartracks]

13. Then a BOX of denture tablets?

==============

[cate94]

7. Best bet

Put water and Dawn in pan and bring it to boil. When it cools enough, but is still hot, most stuff will wipe out easily. It’s been my experience that when this doesn’t help, it is time to get a new pan.

[question everything]

8. Thanks. Will use it.

[Beartracks]

14. I like this idea!

[UTUSN]

11. Soaking, either a while or overnight, with dish soap

[sinkingfeeling]

15. I just fill my skillets with very hot water with a drop of Dawn and

let them sit overnight. Pour it out in the morning and quickly wipe it with a sponge, rinse in hot water, and wipe dry.

[jmowreader]

19. An angle grinder usually works

The pan won't be nonstick after you do it, but that's a minor quibble.

No, seriously, when one of the few nonstick pans I have (most nonstick pans won't work on an induction range) gets crud on it I just set my dishwasher to "pots and pans" mode and let it deal with the problem.