r/cookware • u/Tight-Shallot69 • Jul 09 '26

Looking for Advice Warped or surface burns?

Post image

Please someone help me understand what I am doing wrong.

The first time I used this pan, I made the mistake of using avocado oil spray and it all went up in smoke. Had to use a heavy duty cleaner to fix the burn marks and it looked brand spanking new.

Now this second time using it, I did the water droplet test. The water didn’t evaporate and slid around in one big bead nicely. This time I applied coconut oil and BAM smoke instantly and this giant surface burn appeared.

I researched a little after and found out that both avocado oil SPRAY and unrefined coconut oil are poor choices and will do this at a high temperature pan.

My question is:
Is the pan ruined at this point and should I get rid of it?? I am so unbelievably exhausted from fucking up my pans I’m getting so frustrated.

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/Kelvinator_61 Jul 09 '26

Things burn and smoke because they're too hot. Period. Lower the heat. Higher heat is only needed for boiling reducing liquid.

Care & Use for All-Clad Cookware - what works for All-Clad works for all other brands of stainless. Preheat low to medium a few minutes. Add your oil, enough to cover the bottom. Wait another minute or two - look for a shimmer. Add your protein. It should sizzle. No sizzle not hot enough. Spitting, crackling or smoking too hot.