Nordic Ware - Fun, Novelty Bundt Pans

1. Apply vegetable oil to the inside of the bundt cake tin. Cooking Oil sprayers and basting pumps are perfect but a basting brush will work just as well providing you get oil into all of the tricky grooves that provide the detail on the cake. Turn upside down on a paper towel to rid the pan of excess oil.

2. Try to avoid bubbles in the batter that may spoil the detailed design of the cake. Slowly pour a fist sized amount of batter at a time and run it all around the grooves of the pan. Half-way through, give the pan a good shake or tap on the table so air bubbles rise to the surface and ensure all gaps are filled in.

3. Use a silicone or wooden spatula to spread the batter around and fill up to about 1-2cm from the top pushing the mixture up around the walls to help it rise. This will ensure optimium detail on the finished results.

4. Once baked, allow 10mins to cool before inverting.

5. Darker coloured (dark brown/black) pans need a reduction in the indicated tempreture of around 10 degrees centigrade (25 degrees farenheit) as darker materials conduct heat better than mettalic/grey coloured pans.

Nonstick coatings on cookware and bakeware provide for healthier cooking using less oils and also reduce cleaning time. But improper care can ruin the finish on non-stick pots or baking pans, causing foods to stick. It can also make cleaning your best nonstick pots more difficult, and reduce the lifespan of your pans. Here are 10 ways you can ruin a non-stick pot or pan if proper care and maintenance isn't applied. Protect your non-stick cookware or bakeware investment by avoiding these and enjoy your non-stick pots and pans for many years.

1. Cutting Serving Portions With a Metal Knife or Utensil
Cutting desserts or meatloaf in the pan with a metal knife or utensil can pierce the coating leaving your pans unsightly, cause foods to stick and rust to form. Use rubber or silicone spatulas to portion and serve from your cookware or bakeware.

2. Storing Pans Improperly
Storing pans haphazardly along with other metal implements, can cause scratches in the finish. Always nest your nonstick frypans and bakeware carefully, and do not alloy other metal pan covers with thin sharp edges to sit inside your pans.

3. Drastic Water Temperature Changes
Placing a very hot non-stick frypan into cool or lukewarm dishwater can cause your pan to warp. A warped pan will not have even heat distribution and cooking abilities will be reduced. Always allow your pan to cool completely before immersing it.

4. Using Metal Spatulas, Whisks or Tongs
Refrain from using any metal utensils in your nonstick to stir, turn food, scrape food residue, or blend foods right in the pan. The best utensils to use are wood, plastic, or silicone. Many companies are now making silicone whisks which are terrific for that quick blending. Even occasional fork-turning can nick and scratch your pan.

5. Cleaning With a Scouring Cleanser Pad
Using scouring products that are metal based or have harsh cleansers, can wear off the coating on your pans. Always use plastic scourers or soft sponges. Allowing your pan to soak for a moment will usually loosen foods and enable you to clean it with just warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth.

6. Cleaning Pans in a Dishwasher
Dishwasher detergents generally are too harsh for most nonstick cookware and kitchenware, and will eventually cause the finish to wear off. Bakeware that has scratches in it may also not dry completely and could rust. Handwash your nonstick implements and dry completely before storing.

7. Cooking on High Heat
Most nonstick cookware is made for low and medium heat cooking. Too high a heat can wear down or blister the finish, as well as cause pans to warp. To maintain your pan and increase its lifespan, follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding cooking heat.

8. Storing Foods in Your Nonstick Pans
Foods should never be stored in the pans but should be removed and pans should be cleaned carefully and dried before storing.

9. Cutting Your Pizza With a Cutter
Cutting your pizza right in the nonstick pizza pan will mar the finish. Always slide your pizza out unto a wooden cutting board, and then apply the pizza cutter to portion servings.

10. Using Your Bread Pans for Meats or High Acid Foods
Nonstick bread pans provide for easy removal of fresh baked bread. But using these same pans for meatloaf or other foods will wear off the finish quicker, as some foods reduce the lifespan of your pans, making them harder to clean and more prone to rust. Keep bread pans just for bread, and designate another pan for other foods. This way you'll ensure no pan residue ends up on your freshly baked bread.

Original Article: What Not to do and How to Keep Your Non-Stick Pans Looking Good
By Mariette Mifflin, About.com Guide

1. Heat the pan as you pre-heat the oven then spray or use a silicone pastry brush to apply oil or your preferred non-stick substance before pouring in the mixture

2. Fill smaller cups 1/3 or the way or the bigger one-piece tins half an inch from the top to allow it to rise

3. To flatten the bottoms, remove the hump by drawing a sharp knife or cheese wire across in line with top of the pan to get a smooth edge. Be careful not to scrape the pan itself

4. Once out of the oven, leave the cakes to cook for 8 - 12 mins (depending on how large the individual cake are)

5. Use a hotter oven with a shorter baking time (if necessary) to further define the edges and grooves of the designs

...And one free: Do not put in the dishwasher or use cleaning utensils/detergents. Rinse while hot and put back into the warm oven to dry