You’ve had your cookware and you’ve loved your cookware for a while. It has reliably helped you try out new dishes and whip up old favorite meals for ages. But it has begun to show wear and tear. You know there are some things you can do to clean, repair, and extend the life of your favoritenonstick andstainless steelpans, but when do you need to replace it? Read up on our reliable industry replacement guidelines.
Common Cookware Problems: Warping, Loose Handles, Weak Joints
Weak Excessive heat can cause cookware to twist out of shape, or warp. You can check if your pot or pan has warped by simply setting it on a flat surface. If the pan rocks, it has likely rounded or warped. This rounding can cause cooking hot spots because the pan can no longer retain full contact with a heat source and food may burn.
Weak or loose joints on a pan can allow liquid to leak out while cooking. Carefully examine all handles and rivets.
VERDICT: Either scenario creates a good case for a replacement.
When Should I Replace My Nonstick Pan?
A few minor scratches on nonstick coating is expected over the life of a pan, even if you follow propernonstick cookware use and care. If your nonstick pan or bakeware is extremely scratched and/or the nonstick coating is beginning to chip off, not only will food begin to stick to the pan, but bits of the coating will mix in with your food.
VERDICT: It’s time to let that pan go.
Should I Replace My Stainless Steel Pan?
Modern stainless steel pans are a compilation of stainless exteriors and aluminum or copper centers. You can maintain the sheen and effectiveness throughproper stainless steel care, but if the core is beginning to peek through the stainless it can react with certain acidic foods, like tomato sauce, causing discoloration.
VERDICT: It is time to source a replacement pan.
Time to Cast Out My Cast Iron?
Battling rust on your cast iron pans with vinegar, steel wool and dish soap to no avail? Excessive rust can result from a pan constructed from miscellaneous metals. And no one wants to eat rust.
VERDICT: Add a new pan to your list.
How Long Should I Keep My Enamel Cast Iron Pot?
Over time, chips will occur in the enamel at the top of lined cookware. Those aren’t too troubling, but once the enamel starts flaking along the bottom or sides where you stir or scrape, it will continue to fragment and can get into your food.
VERDICT: The pan should be retired.
Can I Make My Cookware Last?
All cookware should come withinstructions for proper maintenanceto get the longest return on your investment. American Kitchen offersalimited lifetime warrantyto cover your cookware investment. Be sure to check your options for repair or replacement before discarding your existing cookware.
Beyond the physical cookware aspects that can compromise cooking, consider these questions:
Are the exterior surfaces of your cookware dented or discolored?
Is your pot and pan collection mismatched?
Does the style of your cookware clash with your kitchen?
Do you find yourself using pans that are too big or too small for your needs?
Do you use one cookware piece more than any other?
Does your cookware dampen your joy of cooking?
If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions,you could be ready to invest in a piece of new non-stick or stainless steelcookwareor acookware set. We know replacing or upgrading cookware can be time-consuming, expensive and stressful. Check out our cookware knowledge resource to find the best cookware for your needs, whether you’re a fledgling foodie or a seasoned pro!
FAQs
It's advisable to replace your pans once you notice that the surface has begun to peel. If the surface is peeling, the coating underneath could mix with the food cooked on it and become a health hazard.
How often should you replace your cookware? ›
For a home cook, a decent set of cookware should last between five and ten years, depending on the frequency of cooking. "The best type of material to use in general is stainless steel, with the exception of using non-stick for omelets," explains Scott Clarke, a chef and owner of Blue Monkey Catering.
How do you know when you need new pans? ›
Common Cookware Problems: Warping, Loose Handles, Weak Joints. Weak Excessive heat can cause cookware to twist out of shape, or warp. You can check if your pot or pan has warped by simply setting it on a flat surface. If the pan rocks, it has likely rounded or warped.
When should you throw away cooking pans? ›
A good rule of thumb is to replace them approximately every five years. Look at your pans frequently. When they start to appear warped, discolored or scratched, be sure to stop using them.
What is the life expectancy of cookware? ›
The pots and pans
According to TheKitchn, you can expect about five years out of your non-stick pots and pans; it's time to retire anything with a surface that's pitted or starts to peel (to make sure it lasts that long, they offer some tips for taking care of them).
When should you throw out nonstick pans? ›
We advise replacing your nonstick pans whenever the coating starts to degrade or is scratched—or about every three to five years.
What kind of cookware lasts the longest? ›
The classic stainless steel cookware is a definite workhorse when it comes to lasting longer than others, plus they don't have any coating on them.
When to throw out a ceramic pan? ›
If you notice scratches or chips on the surface of your pan, it's time to replace it. These imperfections can harbor bacteria and the ceramic coating can flake off into your food, making it unsafe to use. Older nonstick cookware produced before 2013 may be dangerous since they include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
How long can you keep pans? ›
While there is no exact timeframe of when you should replace your cookware, most nonstick cookware items will remain good for about five years. This being so, you can do things to ensure that your pots and pans remain in good shape for as long as possible.
How long do nonstick pans last? ›
Ten years ago, the life expectancy of a nonstick pan was two to three years. These days the technology has improved. One can expect five to seven years from a pan with a quality coating, according to Fran Groesbeck, managing director of the Cookware and Bakeware Alliance.
If you've tried all of the above cleaning methods and your stainless steel cookware is still scratched, stained, dented, or rusted beyond repair. Then you'll want to replace it. This is especially so if your pots and pans have been scratched to where the material beneath is showing.
How do I know if my pans are safe? ›
Non-toxic cookware is any cookware made without the use of nonstick coatings, like PFAS. This means any cookware that is made of stainless steel, cast iron, or carbon steel—essentially any cookware that doesn't have a coating—is the least toxic product available on the market.
Is it safe to use old cookware? ›
Vintage aluminum cookware that is pitted, scratched, or worn out can be unsafe to use for cooking. Severely worn out vintage aluminum utensils can leave behind toxic metals in food after cooking, and cooking acidic foods in vintage aluminum cookware should be avoided.
How long should you use cookware? ›
While there is no exact timeframe of when you should replace your cookware, most nonstick cookware items will remain good for about five years. This being so, you can do things to ensure that your pots and pans remain in good shape for as long as possible.
Is it worth it to buy expensive cookware? ›
Sometimes, it's better to buy an expensive pan once rather than buying an inexpensive one every few years. While even the most durable pans can become unusable if you're abusing them, they can also last for decades if you take care of them.
How many years do stainless steel pans last? ›
When taken care of, a stainless steel pot and stainless steel pan can last for decades. One of the most popular types of cookware, when purchasing stainless steel cookware, it is important that you buy pots and pans of good quality.
