Nonstick Tawas are a favourite among Indians owing to their ease of use and clean up. But, they are quite delicate and needs to be handled with care. Else, the nonstick coating flakes off, exposing the aluminium underneath. Though it has a high level of stick resistance, sometimes, food could get burnt and stubbornly stuck on nonstick Tawas. Not to mention, the oil stains could get deposited on the edges of the Tawa too. Using steel wool, baking soda or any harsh chemicals is not advised for cleaning nonstick Tawa because it may damage the coating.
Let us explore a much better and easier alternative to clean nonstick Tawas.
How To Clean Nonstick Tawa?
Time needed: 30 minutes
This method can be used on both new and old nonstick Tawas and other types of cookware. However, take care not to overheat the Tawa in the process, as the nonstick coating may break down and emit fumes. Using these methods, you can get rid of oil stains and burnt residue stuck on the cooking surface.
- Method- Soak and Wash
The first step to cleaning nonstick Tawa is by scrubbing it gently using a soft sponge and dishwashing soap. Do not scrub with too much force as it may damage the coating. If there are stubborn food residue that won’t budge, consider soaking the Tawa in warm water overnight. The next day, gently scrub the utensil and the food residue would have dislodged by then.
- Method- Boil Diluted Dishwashing Liquid
If you are in a hurry and do not wish to wait for a long time, the alternative method is to add a few drops of diluted dishwashing liquid to the Tawa and pour enough water to immerse the stains completely. Once it starts boiling, lower the flame and scrape it gently using a wooden spatula. Never use metal spoons on nonstick.
Once you have scraped off the burnt residue, wait for it to cool down. Then clean as usual using a soft sponge.
- Method- Boil Diluted Vinegar
This method is pretty much similar to the previous one. Just that instead of using dishwashing liquid, use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. The acidic nature of vinegar will dislodge the burnt residues and help clean them up.
Other Tips To Keep In Mind While Cleaning Nonstick Cookware
- Never clean a hot nonstick pan that you have taken right out of the stove. Wait for it to cool down. Nonstick cookware have a thin aluminium base that are prone to warping. If you pour water on a hot nonstick pan, the drastic temperature difference will cause the cookware to bend, resulting in a warped cookware.
- Discard the cookware once the nonstick coating starts flaking. Though many claim that our body passes these flakes without absorbing them, it is not a risk worth taking.
- While trying method 2 and 3 mentioned above, do not overheat the pan. Ideally, keep it on a low flame and scrape the base of the cookware. Nonstick cookware when heated above 260 C breaks down and emits fumes which are damaging to your health.
- Avoid using baking soda, salt and such abrasive agents to clean nonstick cookware. They may scratch the nonstick coating and affect the durability of the cookware.
- Avoid cleaning nonstick cookware in dishwasher as the strong detergent and the water spray may damage the nonstick coating.