Why a Pancake Sticks to the Pan and How to Avoid It

There’s nothing sadder than a beautiful, golden-brown pancake that just won’t let go of the pan, turning into a broken mess as you try to pry it up. But why does this happen? There are actually a few different reasons why pancakes can stick to the pan:

• You didn’t grease your pan well beforehand.
• Your pan wasn’t fully clean before you started. If there’s residual debris on the pan, the batter is more likely to stick to it.
• You set the heat too high.
• You’re using a pan that’s too thin. Thinner pans tend to heat unevenly.

Here are a few tips to help you ensure that your pancakes don’t stick:

• Make sure that your pan is clean and dry before you start cooking.
• Dip a paper towel in vegetable oil or canola oil and wipe the pan down until it has a light sheen of oil on it.
• Set your burner to medium-low to keep the pan from overheating.
• Consider using a nonstick frying pan or a cast iron pan. If you find that pancakes still stick to a nonstick pan, it’s possible that the nonstick coating has worn off and the pan needs to be replaced.