Maintenance guide for non-stick pot sets: practical tips to extend service life

1. Immediate treatment process after use

Temperature management during cleaning

After cooking, the pot set should be allowed to cool naturally to below 60℃ (slightly warm to the touch) before cleaning to avoid cracking of the coating due to sudden cooling and heating (experiments show that the coating breakage rate increases by 300% when the temperature difference exceeds 200℃). When rapid cooling is required in special circumstances, it is recommended to use warm water to gradually cool down instead of directly rinsing with cold water.

Removal of residues

For ordinary food residues: After gently scraping off large pieces of residue with a silicone spatula, wipe with 45℃ warm water + neutral detergent and microfiber cloth (rough cloth will accelerate coating wear).

Stubborn scorch treatment: Use white vinegar and water solution (1:3 ratio) to boil, and easily wipe after cooling, which is more than 3 times safer than physical scraping.

2. Scientific cleaning method

Choice of tools

When cleaning pots, do not use hard tools such as steel wool and metal brushes. It is recommended to use sponges (green soft side) or bamboo fiber cleaning cloths. For deep cleaning, soaking can be done with food-grade citric acid solution, which has a significantly better decomposition effect on protein stains than strong alkaline cleaners.

Disinfection and antibacterial solutions

Regularly wiping the handles and pot edges with 75% medical alcohol cotton pads can reduce the growth of E. coli by 99% (especially for products with rubber parts in the set). It is recommended to fumigate with boiling water steam for 3 minutes before long-term storage, which is safer than chemical cleaning agents.

3. Drying and storage specifications

Drying process optimization

After cleaning, wipe dry with a microfiber absorbent towel immediately, focusing on the water accumulation in the grooves at the bottom of the pot (residual water stains will cause corrosion of the metal matrix).

When drying naturally, it needs to be placed upside down in a ventilated place to avoid moisture accumulation. A drying rack with UV sterilization function can reduce the risk of mold.

Storage specifications

The set of pots should be stored in layers and isolated. It is recommended to use silicone spacers (thickness ≥5mm) to prevent scratching each other. When hanging storage, choose hooks lined with flannel, which reduces coating wear by 67% compared to direct contact with metal.

4. Periodic deep maintenance

Coating activation technology

Oil film maintenance every 3 months: Apply linseed oil (smoke point 107℃) and bake at 180℃ for 10 minutes to fill micro cracks. Ceramic coating sets require the use of special nano-repairing agents, and annual treatment can restore 92% of the original oleophobicity.

Performance test indicators

Water drop test method: Drop 5ml of water into a cold pot. If it rolls in a complete ball shape, it means that the coating is intact; if it spreads and absorbs, be alert to failure.

Fried egg test: If the fried egg can be completely detached without oil, it proves that the non-stick function is normal; otherwise, consider replacing it.

5. Health and safety warning

Emergency treatment of coating damage

If the coating peels off more than 1cm², it should be stopped immediately. Minor damage can be temporarily repaired with food-grade epoxy resin.

There is no need to panic if you accidentally ingest the detached coating, but long-term use of damaged pots may increase the risk of ingesting base metals such as aluminum.

Replacement cycle recommendation

The ideal replacement period for ordinary households is 18-24 months, and professional kitchens recommend mandatory elimination after 12 months.

Performance degradation judgment criteria: oil consumption increases by 50% or obvious adhesion occurs, which means replacement is required.