How to Remove Non-Stick Coating From Cookware

Cookware can be coated with a non-stick coating to prevent food from sticking.

Non-stick coating, also commonly referred to as Teflon, is used to coat pots and pans to prevent food from sticking and burning during the cooking process. Over time, the Teflon can unevenly wear from the pots and pans, or begin to peel off. Instead of recoating the pans, you may wish to just remove the non-stick coating altogether. Non-stick coating can be removed from the cookware with a corrosive chemical called lye.

Things You'll Need

• Lye
• Bucket
• Sponge
• Liquid dish soap

Instructions

1. Fill a bucket with warm water and lye. Add 1 heaping tablespoon of lye per half gallon of water added. The bucket should be large enough to submerge the pot or pan.

2. Submerge the pot or pan in the solution. Allow it to sit in the water for one hour.

3. Wipe away the non-stick coating, using a sponge. If the coating does not just wipe away, allow the pot or pan to sit in the solution until the non-stick coating wipes off.

4. Rinse the pot or pan in water to remove as much lye solution as possible. Fill a sink with warm, soapy water and use a sponge to thoroughly clean the pot or pan. Lye must be completely cleaned and removed from the pot or pan before cooking. Rinse in cool water to remove soap residue.

Tips & Warnings

• Lye is a corrosive chemical. Wear protective gear at all time when working with it. Read and follow all lye packing instructions.

References

• Homemade Beauty Products: Lye Safety, Handling and First Aid
• The Set Master: How to Clean Burnt Pots and Pans

Resources

• Lye Depot: Home Page