A chef has shared a simple preheating tip that she says can help stop fried or scrambled eggs from sticking to a stainless steel pan.
The chef, from Devon Cookery School, says the crucial step is preheating the pan to the right temperature before cooking begins. She says missing this step is what causes the sticking problem.
How to check the pan is ready
To check whether the pan is hot enough, she recommends adding a little water and watching how it behaves. She said: "Does this [sticking] happen every time you use a stainless steel pan? It's because you're missing one fundamental step, and I'm going to show you what that is.
"So, it's all about preheating the pan to the correct temperature. Put it on a medium heat and, every so often, splash in some water. We don't want it to sizzle away."
The chef then demonstrated water being dropped into the pan, where it formed small balls that glided freely across the surface.
Creating a non-stick base
She continued: "This is your sign that your pan is hot enough, and you have now created a non-stick base. You're good to go."
She added: "It really is that easy, and it's all about heat control. So, if this looks like a game changer for you, do let us know how you get on in the comments."
Viewers share their experiences
Scores of viewers flocked to the comments section of the TikTok video to share their own experiences with the technique.
One viewer wrote: "I use stainless steel and cast iron, both my favourite and I can handle them with no problems. Also, make sure the product you put on the pan is not straight from the fridge. Too cold can stick."
A second commented: "I get the pan to the right heat but I let the fat melt before using it. After watching your video, I notice you went straight in with the eggs straight after the butter so I'll try that next time."
A third added: "Managed to learn this recently after trial and error but then moved to induction hob and I'm ruining it every time."
