The fresher the coating on the dishes, the easier it is to remove. That is why many housewives prefer to wash a hot pan, barely finished cooking. But is it possible to use cold tap water? Not. Too sharp a temperature difference will lead to deformation of the product. The pan may become cracked and the non-stick coating may go “blisters”.
Why is cold water dangerous for hot pans?
When heated, the material expands, and when cooled, contracts. The naked eye does not make out. But then you can observe the effects of thermal shock. Many people saw firsthand how the mug bursts if you take it out of the refrigerator and pour boiling water. The same thing happens with the pan.
As tests have shown, a pan with a diameter of 25 cm when heated to 200 degrees increases by 1.3 mm. If you remove it from the fire and leave it at room temperature, it will gradually decrease to its previous size. Sudden cooling causes a violation of the structure of the material. Therefore, cold water is contraindicated in hot pans.
In order for the dishes to serve for a long time, they need to be heated and cooled gradually.
Other cons
It is not recommended to wash a hot pan with cold water for other reasons:
- Once on a hot surface, the water is mixed with soot, and then evaporates. A vapor filled with toxic substances is released. Inhaling it is harmful to health. At a minimum, a headache may hurt, throat locked.
- If hot oil remains in the pan, when cold water is added, the burning drops will scatter to the sides. And if with proper dexterity it is still possible to avoid a burn, then you can’t get away from pollution of nearby surfaces.
What pans are afraid of thermal shock?
Everything. Even old grandmother's Soviet pans can crack due to temperature differences. But the frying pans with non-stick coating are especially afraid of the thermal shock. The base and non-stick layer expand and shrink in different ways. The result is spray deformation. It acquires a hilly shape, cracking. Example in the photo:
It is strictly forbidden to wash hot pans with cold water:
- with non-stick coating;
- with ceramic coating (stone);
Cast iron, aluminum and high-carbon steel pans are not so sensitive. But the risk of damage, although minimal, is still there.
How to wash a hot pan?
There are several options. You can let it cool for 10 minutes and wash it with cold water. You can immediately use hot or warm water.
What if the pan is cracked or blistered?
Unfortunately, such a frying pan will have to be thrown out. With the appearance of even slight damage to the spraying, food can no longer be cooked - it will turn into poison. And even welding will not help to repair a crack. From constant heating and cooling, the pan will crack more and more.
Even if you poured a hot pan with cold water for many years, this does not mean that you can do this. The laws of physics apply whether you know them or not. Your pet may crack at any time. Particularly severe deformations from heat shock are susceptible to non-stick coating, ceramic, stone. We advise you to abandon the habit of washing a hot pan with cold water now. Wait for it to cool slightly. Pour it with warm or hot water. The pan will say “thank you” for proper care and will delight you with delicious dishes for many years.