Pan sticks even with oil – what to do?
Common cause: the pan was heated too much before the oil was added, or the coating is damaged. Steps: heat the pan to a medium setting first, then add oil and wait briefly until it shimmers slightly. Never place food straight from the fridge into a hot pan – the temperature shock encourages sticking. Do not use metal utensils in coated pans, and clean them gently with warm water only – no steel wool. If the coating shows deep scratches or is flaking off, replace the pan – a damaged non-stick coating can be harmful to health.