22/09/2026
Properly heating your stainless steel pan helps prevent food from sticking. Give it a couple of minutes, or use the water droplet test to check when it’s ready💧
Once your pan has been heating, add a few drops of water. If they form a ball and glide across the surface, your pan is ready to use. If the water just sits, bubbles or evaporates straight away, give it a little longer. If it breaks into lots of tiny droplets and evaporates quickly, your pan may be too hot - lower the heat slightly and let it settle.
The exact heating time will vary depending on your pan and hob, which is why the water droplet test is such a useful guide.
Try it next time you cook with stainless steel and see the difference proper preheating makes!