How to Repair Nonstick Skillets
While pans coated with Teflon and other types of nonstick coatings help busy cooks by making clean-up a breeze, the coating can become scratched or damaged due to the rigors of daily use. While the FDA offers reassurance that accidentally ingesting flaking particles of non-stick cookware poses no health hazards, most people want to avoid this scenario if possible. By fixing loose or damaged hardware at home and sending your skillet to its manufacturer or a commercial re-surfacing company for repair, you can help extend the life and functionality of your cookware. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Examine the skillet carefully to determine the extent of damage and to identify the areas needing repair. Many companies sell replacement handles so you should be able to reattach broken hardware easily. According to the Michigan State University Extension, repairs to the non-stick coating involve high temperatures and need to be handled by professionals.
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Look at your original manufacturer's warranty to determine whether it covers repairs. Many companies offer generous warranties on their non-stick cookware and will repair or replace it free of charge if the coating proves defective.
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Contact companies that provide commercial re-urfacing services, such as OPI Inc., E.L. Stone Company or Continental Coating Corporation (see Resources for links), to obtain an estimate for the cost of repairing your skillet. Charges will vary according to the size of the item needing repair and you will usually need to pay shipping charges in addition to recoating costs.
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Send extensive repair jobs or items that need complete resurfacing to the original manufacturer or, if no longer covered under a warranty, to another company that specializes in resurfacing non-stick cookware.
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Tips & Warnings
Many cookware companies, such as Calphalon, offer trade-in or recycling programs for outdated cookware. If repair or resurfacing is not possible, you might consider replacing it and purchasing a new skillet.
Even if the warranty will not cover the repairs you need, ask the manufacturer's customer service department for recommendations of companies that resurface or repair your type of cookware.
Warranties will usually not cover scratches, stains, discoloration and other damage caused by misuse, such as using metal utensils with non-stick pans or placing them in the dishwasher against the manufacturer's guidelines.
DuPont, the manufacturers of Teflon, recommends using the cookware at a maximum temperature of 500 degrees F to avoid adversely affecting its performance and appearance.
