Experts share 3 warning signs you need to urgently replace your cookware
Cooking experts have detailed the visible warning signs that indicate your nonstick, stainless-steel, and ceramic cookware is long past its best-before date.
Recently released data from Barclays Consumer Spend Report detailed how 40 percent of British residents are now cooking more from scratch at home.
And whether you’re a culinary wizz or a certified novice who only knows how to knock up a big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, you must be aware by now that having a good cookware set can make life a hell of a lot easier.
While you may be tempted to splurge, it’s important to know that nothing lasts forever.
Advert
Those pans you purchased a few years ago for a tidy sum? They may need to be replaced soon, as they could be causing serious health issues, according to experts.
Luckily, there are a handful of warning signs that indicate you need to switch up your kitchen pots and pans, including scratches, discolouration, and more.
Visible wear and tear
If your cookware appears to be scratched, has bits gouged out, or seems to be peeling, then it is time to say goodbye, says Ryan Jones, cofounder and executive chef of Free Reign Restaurants.
This is because deep, visible scratches and cracks in stainless steel or cast iron pans can harbour dangerous bacteria.
Speaking to Food & Wine, Jones also issued a warning about relying on nonstick items, such as pots and pans.
“Nonstick skillets need to be replaced when there are visible signs of wear on the coating, including scratches, peeling, or flaking, as this indicates the nonstick surface has broken down,” he said.
Non-toxic alternatives, such as stainless-steel skillets, anodised metal pans and ceramic pots - like the Our Place Always Pan - are preferred as nonstick coatings potentially contain damaging chemicals.
Our Place nonstick ceramic frying and sauté pan
£145
£125
Warped cookware
Pulled a rarely-used pan out of the back of your cupboard and suddenly noticed it was dented? This is probably because, unbeknownst to you, it was over-exposed to rapid changes in temperature one too many times.
A warped pan is a ‘critical replacement indicator’, says Brad Lampe, the principal research toxicologist at the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).
This is because not only can it be dangerous to cook with on a hob, but it may also conduct heat unevenly, reducing cooking efficiency and essentially making a right old mess.
Cheaper models are likely to warp so it’s best to invest in something a little bit more pricey, such as the Le Creuset Signature Caserole dish, which is currently on sale at Amazon for £177.99.
Le Creuset casserole dish
£275
£177.99
Rusty and discoloured pots and pans
Unfortunately, good things don’t last forever, no matter how much you paid for them.
And if you notice your go-to pan is looking a bit off colour, then it may be time to throw it away.
When a stainless steel pan shows signs of pitting and corrosion or has dark, oily-looking spots, then it’s probably done for, experts at Food & Wine stated.
However, some cookware made out of cast iron and carbon steel can be brought back to life by a deep clean and a proper re-season.
To correctly season a cast iron pan, make sure you rub it all over with oil and buff well before heating it up in the oven, according to professionals at Serious Eats.
Once it’s been in the oven for about 30 minutes, take it out, rub and buff it again, before putting it back in. Repeat this process three or four times, and you should be good to go.
If you’re looking to invest in a cast-iron kitchen hero, then Staub is a firm culinary favourite.
Some cookwear upgrade options
Red Chef ceramic set
£99.99
£49.99
Ninja nonstick ceramic frying pan
£54.85
Ella Scott