Wooden utensils are gentle enough to use on nonstick cookware, cast iron skillets, and other materials that can't always handle metal or even hard plastic. They can deal with hot liquids and high temperatures in any situation.
To prevent scratching and scraping on the nonstick surface, stick to the best utensils for the pans: wooden spoons and heatproof silicone spoons and spatulas. Nothing that's metal (tongs, silverware, etc.) should ever touch the pan's interior.
The safest utensils for non-stick pans are made from silicone, wood, or nylon that won't scratch the surface. Food-grade silicone spatulas are my favorite as they're heat-resistant, multifunctional, and made of a material that won't produce any hazardous fumes.
Wood is generally fine, you just want to make sure you don't use metal utensils on nonstick.
Avoid Metal Utensils
Instead, stick to wooden or silicone utensils , like these. They're not only gentle on your cookware but also heat-resistant and BPA-free, making them safe and effective for everyday use.
To minimize exposure to harmful chemicals and microplastics, consider replacing black plastic cooking utensils–and all plastic–with safer eco-friendly alternatives like stainless steel, food-grade silicone, or sustainably sourced bamboo and wood.
Don't use metal utensils
To avoid scratching and damaging the non-stick coating of your cookware, we recommend using utensils that are made from either nylon, silicone or wood.
It's just not practical or cost-effective from a business perspective to buy non-stick pans when that means frequently replacing them as they get damaged. Those working choices often translate to home use for professional chefs too, although they might prefer a nicer metal brand than the standard restaurant supply.
Use the Right Utensils
Remember: while non stick may be stick-proof, it isn't scratch-proof. Tools made from wood, silicone, and nylon are all fair game when it comes to cooking with non stick, as they're sturdy enough to scrape up fond yet soft enough to leave the coating intact.
If you've heard of HexClad cookware, it might be because Gordon Ramsay dubbed them "the Rolls-Royce of pans." The brand claims they offer the searing power of stainless steel combined with the nonstick ease of cooking delicate foods like eggs.
Avoid metal utensils. Metal can scrape or otherwise mar the nonstick surface, causing food to stick and making the pan hard to clean. Also, you don't want to be ingesting flakes of coating in your food. Once the finish on your pan is damaged, you'll have to discard it.
Our top pick is the OXO Good Grips Silicone Flexible Turner. It's nimble, sturdy, and versatile—pretty much everything we want a nonstick turner to be. For a longer spatula, we recommend this turner from GIR. If you cook frequently, you probably have multiple spatulas in your arsenal.
Try not to use food-based oil like vegetable or olive oil, since these can go rancid. Wooden spoons can eventually split as they dry out or are exposed to extreme temperature changes.
Nylon. Like silicone and wooden utensils, nylon utensils are great for nonstick cookware because they won't damage the slick coating. They're also extremely durable and sturdy, which means they're great for mixing, flipping… basically all the tasks.
Overheating is the big destroyer of non-sticks.
A certain minimum mass (i.e. thickness of metal) Ability of the metal to transmit heat fast around the pan (e.g. Copper or Aluminium both fast conductors of heat)
There are three categories of utensils we recommend: Wooden, silicone, and nylon. All three of these materials have different properties that are ideal for use with non stick cookware, mainly their soft, scratch-free nature.
We advise replacing your nonstick pans whenever the coating starts to degrade or is scratched—or about every three to five years.
Nonstick pans that aren't labeled PTFE- and PFOA-free: If a nonstick pan is made with the newer PTFE- and PFOA-free green materials, those are potentially better. A pan that just says “nonstick” and doesn't give any kind of description? That's likely one you don't want.
But stainless steel cookware is the most prized and frequently sought-after by professional chefs and serious home cooks alike. Known for its durability and high heat retention, it can achieve an excellent sear or perfect sauté. And it can last a lifetime.
You can find nonstick cookware at much lower prices than HexClad. If you have the budget, however, HexClad is the better option. It's nonstick, it's more durable, and it provides a superior cooking experience.
Wood and bamboo cooking utensils are gentler on your non-stick cookware, making your life easier when it comes to cooking and cleaning but also adding to the longevity of your favorite non-stick pots and pans.