I recently tried frying some eggs and ramen in a teflon lined frypan. I was using a snowpeak
isobutane stove with a flame spreader borrowed from an Outback Oven under the pan. I kept the stove flame pretty low, but still managed to either burn food in the center of the pan, or damage the teflon, not sure which. To get rid of the brown marks, which seem to be slightly raised, I have tried boiling vinegar in the pan, (with and without baking soda), leaving it overnight with dishwasher liquid soap and baking soda, scratching it with a plastic utensil, soap, and using a sponge with a scrubby top.

No luck!!!

Any suggestions on how to get rid of the marks? (without taking off the teflon)

Thank you!!!!

Have you tried a little Barkeeper's Friend with a plastic scrubby (not the scrubby top sponge, I mean the type that looks like plastic steel wool)?

I have also seen Barkeeper's Friend marketed under different names... it's a mild abrasive powder that takes the stains out of sinks and so forth. I doubt it would damage teflon.

Lori-

Thank you- I have not tried a Barkeeper's friend.

Is that a brand name or a generic description?

I will see if I can find one and give it a try

Don

Throw it in the trash or recycle it. Here's why: "Cooking with Teflon can make a per...rheated. "

Use stainless (or cast iron if you have a friend carrying the cookware <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Bill

I think it's a brand name - it's a white powder in a gold can, usually in the cleaners aisle. I've seen another version with a chick on the label but can't remember the name.

Though technically I'm with Bill - teflon is some dangerous stuff. I'd pitch the pan entirely if it flakes or there's scratches. And always cook in well ventilated areas - that goes for home use as well.

Lori-

Is the brand with the chick BonAmi??

Teflon is not flaking- just some small raised areas which I was hoping was burned on food
Each individual dark spot is very small

Whole damaged area is about the size of a quarter

Don

Yes! That would be it. I found it helped with stains and stuff that spray on stuff didn't help with. It's much milder than comet and it might do the trick if you add a little elbow grease.

I found some Bar Keepers Friend at the hardware store this evening
Have not yet found a plastic scrubby. I did find copper and stainless steel scrubbies, but I'm
sure if I use them there will be NO teflon left. Will continue the search for a plastic
scrubby and report back.

I am also going to try SoftScub to see if it might work

Thanks again

Softscrub took off the worst of the discoloration.

However, the teflon is looking a bit thin where I used softscrub

Pan looks much better. Thanks to all for ideas

Plastic scouring/scrubbing pads or Scotchbrite sponges are available in any supermarket. However, my experience is that once a teflon pan has been overheated, you might as well ditch it. Once teflon is damaged, it won't be nonstick, and it will continue to release nasty chemicals into the air. Teflon has its uses but you have to be super-careful with it. You have to be _extremely_ careful to keep the heat really low for teflon. On an electric range at home, the heat should be no higher than Medium (about halfway). For a gas range at home, a bit lower. For a canister camping stove, on simmer. Judging from the latest reports, overheating teflon may result in you (or at least nearby birds) becoming kaput, too. Consider anodized aluminum pans instead, with a bit more cooking oil. Most backpacking diets could use more fats anyway, since fatty foods don't dehydrate well. Monounsaturated fats such as olive oil or canola oil are good for you!

Easy enough to carry a can of cooking spray like PAM, and use it on non teflon coated pans. Teflon and camping cookware are not a good match IME or from the andedotes of others here <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Anodized aluminum or Titanium is better than non stick. Stainless steel will clean easier and last longer than both of the above in a quality make like MSR. I have 20 year old MSR SS pots that are nearly ding free! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Earthling is right on about camping and Teflon cookware being incompatible. For one you have a smaller burner which tends to concentrate the heat in a small area. Then the pan is pretty thin compared to home cookware - saves weight but is not conducive to even heating. Without the thermal mass of a thicker pan, heat can't spread before hot spots exceed the coating's maximum design temperature.