Don't Use Metal Utensils on Non-Stick Pans

Metal spatulas, forks, and whisks scratch the non-stick coating, creating grooves and exposed spots where food starts sticking. Once the coating is compromised, the pan progressively gets worse — food sticks, burns, and cleaning becomes a fight.

Use silicone, wood, or heat-resistant plastic utensils on non-stick surfaces. Avoid stacking non-stick pans directly on top of each other without a cloth or paper towel between them. When the coating starts flaking or showing bare metal, replace the pan — a damaged non-stick surface is neither functional nor safe.