Is non-stick cookware harmful to health? It is a critical question that almost every home cook wants to get an answer. Many culinary experts have indeed heard of warnings about using Teflon coated pans and keep wondering whether their non-stick cookware is safe to use. The truth is no one would want to have their deliciously cooked meals stuck on the pan, but is it safe? Continue scrolling down to know whether your non-stick pans are safe and when to throw them away.
What Is Non-Stick Cookware?
You must understand what non-stick cookware is before you know whether they are safe or not. Hence, non-stick cookware gets made of aluminum material coated with either Teflon or ceramic.
Are These Non-Stick Pans Safe?
It is a reality that many people are concerned about ingesting Teflon coating just in case it flakes off the cookware. Health experts agree that Teflon material is not a big issue. The good news is that the layer is considered harmless and non-toxic to health even if you ingest the small flakes.
When Is Non-Stick Cookware Harmful To Health?
There were some instances when Teflon coated pans are considered toxic. What happens to Teflon when heated above 600 degrees? It is where the problem begins. When your Teflon non-stick cookware gets too hot, the coating starts to disintegrate, leading to the release of harmful gases into your kitchen environment.
What Are The Effects Of Toxic Fumes From Non-Stick Pans?
When the Teflon pan heats up, toxic fumes get produced. When you inhale these toxic fumes, it may cause health complications such as:
• Polymer fume fever
Polymer fever is hazardous to your health. It is a severe condition that is characterized by shortness of breath, weakness, and high fever.
• Cancer
When your Teflon cookware gets too hot, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is released. The harmful chemical hence causes cancer and thyroid diseases. Unfortunately, lots of Teflon coated pans have gotten associated with many cancerous conditions such as live tumors, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and infertility among women and men.
How To Use Non-Stick Cookware Safely
Having understood the situations when non-stick pans are not safe, how can you safely use your cookware? So long as you adhere to the precautionary measures, you can still use your non-stick pans safely. There is hope! Here are a few tips to follow when using your favorite pans in the kitchen.
• Don't pre-heat an empty non-stick pan.
Heating an empty pan would lead to toxic fumes produced on a Teflon coated cookware. Avoid pre-heating it at all costs to avoid the hazardous fumes getting into your body system.
• Avoid cooking on high heat.
Put enough cooking oil on the pan and cook using medium or low heating temperatures. Using low heat to cook is unlikely to cause problems. To stay safe, set your knob to medium and avoid placing your cookware on a power burner.
• Have a well-ventilated kitchen
Ensure that your exhaust fan in your kitchen is on when cooking. It would help you to clear any toxic fumes produced.
• Avoid broiling or searing meat on non-stick cookware.
Use iron-carbon steel for cooking meat as broiling and searing require high cooking temperatures. Non-stick cookware cannot withstand high heating temperatures.
• Avoid chipping non-stick cookware.
When cleaning up your non-stick pans, don't use metal utensils to scrape off charred food. It may cause your pan to flake, making it release harmful Teflon compounds. Instead, use wood sticks to stir food or scrape off stuck food remains.
What Are The Alternatives To Non-Stick Cookware?
As much as we would love our non-stick pans for their convenience, you can also decide to ditch non-stick cookware altogether for the sake of having good health. With the current trend towards adopting a healthy lifestyle, many people are getting conscious about using non-stick cookware. The good news is that there are other best alternatives that you can opt to purchase, such as:
• Ceramic cookware
If you love non-stick cookware without toxic chemicals used to manufacture it, then ceramic pans are an ideal option for you. The sweet part about this cookware is that they are budget-friendly, and most importantly, they are Teflon free.
• Stainless steel pans
Stainless steel cookware is another alternative that you can go for instead of a chemical coated non-stick pan. They last for almost forever and are easy to cook with once you have mastered how to use them. Although the pans are a bit expensive, they are worth the value of your money. You don't have to worry about cooking using high heat as they can withstand it with them.
• Cast iron cookware
It is a perfect choice, especially for broiling and searing meat. If you are cooking foods such as meat that requires high heat, cast iron pans are the best option. Besides, you won't have to stress yourself about toxic chemicals leaching into your sumptuous meals with such cookware. You can freely cook on high heat, and nothing serious would happen. If you can withstand its heavyweight and maintenance, then you are good to go for it.
Final Thought
It is a bitter reality that many people still value their non-stick pans without knowing the adverse effects. Health should get on the priority list when it comes to purchasing cookware. It is essential to know the different coating materials used in cookware to avoid irreversible problems using a pan with toxic materials used in its manufacturing.
That is why going through this incredible masterpiece is vital to all culinary experts and home cooks alike. Ensure that you read through the article to master the facts on whether non-stick cookware is harmful to health. You will get surprised by the truth.