Many Nonstick Pans Can’t Be Used with Cooking Spray

Many of us can appreciate the ease of cooking with nonstick pans. Their sleek coating ensures everything from eggs to delicate fish doesn’t stick, allowing us to enjoy a balanced meal with none of the frustration. So many of us own nonstick cookware sets, so it was a big surprise to find out that we’re likely making a grave mistake that’s causing serious damage to our pans.

Those nifty cooking sprays that make it easy to evenly coat the bottom of your pans are a big no-no, according to experts. “[The sprays] create a sticky layer that is harder to remove,” says Bryan Quoc Le, Founder and Principal Food Consultant at Mendocino Food Consulting. Quoc Le, Ph.D. in food science and M.S. in chemistry, explains that it has to do with the interaction of materials commonly associated with nonstick pans and oil sprays, particularly the Teflon in the former and lecithin in the latter. “In an older study that evaluated the attachment of lecithin to Teflon, the nonstick coating material used in pans, the combination of food proteins and lecithin leaves a residue that is challenging to remove,” he explains.

“Lecithin contains both water-loving and oil-loving parts to the molecule. The oil-loving part attaches to the Teflon coating while the water-loving part attaches to any proteins found in the food. This build-up becomes increasingly difficult to remove as the protein is heated and denatures,” Quoc Le warns. Because of that, you’re likely left scrubbing your pan for ages—undoubtedly damaging the coating.  

While the mistake is irreversible, the fix is simple: Use an oil without lecithin. There are so many clever options to replace those grocery store finds, from ready-to-go lecithin-free oil sprays to spray dispensers and squeeze bottles that hold and dispense your personal favorite oil. These five editor-approved picks start at just $7. 

Editor-Loved Oil Dispensers 

Evo Oil Sprayer

I love this oil sprayer and use it often for grilling, roasting and searing thanks to the mist-like spray it releases. Its simple design has no aerosol or unnecessary added ingredients. Just fill it with whatever your preferred oil is (I love olive oil) and you’re good to go. Its curved spout seamlessly reaches the bottom corner of the bottle, helping you get to every last drop. The tint also protects my oil from sunlight while it’s on the counter, though we use it so often that it doesn’t last long enough to even worry about it. 

Uzoai Oil Sprayer

This nifty oil spray bottle is only $10. It has a spray nozzle to release ¼ teaspoon of oil at a time, so it’s ideal if you want added control. It comes with a convenient funnel to make transferring oil mess-free. Plus, you get the added perk of filling the sprayer with whatever oil you prefer, and the clear bottle makes it easy to know when you need to refill it. 

Aozita Glass Olive Oil Dispenser

Sometimes all you need is a drizzle oil dispenser for your skillet or pan. This is the one I use (in conjunction with the Evo one above). It’s quick, fuss-free to use and refill and lets me dispense more oil quickly. Despite that, I still find that I can control how much I want in the pan, even if it’s a teaspoon’s worth. The bottle has a dark green tint to protect my olive oil, and there are two spout types: a flip-top and a covered top. The flip-top is my preference because I don’t have to do a thing—oil dispenses when it’s tilted, but it stays covered when it’s upright. 

OXO Good Grips Chef’s Squeeze Bottle Set

“I’ve used a squeeze bottle to store olive oil since working the line in a restaurant. I love how easily I can control the amount of oil used and never have to deal with oil rings on my counters, said writer and recipe developer Liv Dansky. “Traditionally, it’s better to store olive oil in a dark container; I go through it so quickly (and keep it in a dark pantry when not in use), so rancid oil has never been an issue for me.”

This set of squeeze bottles is lightweight and very practical for folks who cook often. And, at $12 for two, it’s an inexpensive addition to your kitchen tool collection. 

Graza Frizzle Oil Spray

If your heart is set on an aerosol spray, this recent Graza launch is a solid option. It only has two ingredients: olive pomace oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The pomace oil is derived later in the oil-making process and uses the pomace, or residual olives, after the initial extraction. Because of that, it’s a high-heat oil, which is the entire point of this spray—you can use it on the grill, in the oven or in your pan without fuss. I appreciate the easy-to-use design and the fact that even though it has been naturally refined, it still has a nice subtle, fruity taste.