The $8 thrift store pan that nearly caught my kitchen on fire

I stopped at a Goodwill in Des Moines last Saturday and grabbed this beat-up nonstick skillet for $8. It looked fine on the shelf, no visible warping, so I thought I scored a deal. Got it home, heated it for a burger, and the coating started bubbling and smoking like a science experiment. Turns out the Teflon was already degrading, and I spent 20 minutes airing out my whole apartment. The smoke alarm went off twice and my roommate yelled "what are you cooking, asphalt?" from the other room. I am done buying used pans that have any scratch or wear, the $12 at Target is worth avoiding a trip from the fire department. Has anyone else gotten burned by a thrift store pan or is it just me?

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mila_harris2mo ago

Funny how nobody checks the bottom of these things before buying. Flip that pan over and look at the heat ring, if it's uneven or has discoloration, the pan's been overheated before and the coating is toast. That's the real tell, not just scratches. Thrift stores don't test this stuff, they just slap a sticker on and hope it sells. You basically paid eight bucks to learn a lesson about thermal damage. Next time, bring a flashlight and inspect the cooking surface at an angle, any weird shine means the Teflon is already breaking down.

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