Teflon Safety

Or lack there of. Why? Because within just of few minutes of heating a non-stick pan, it can get hot enough to emit toxic gases.

I heard about this years ago and paid it no mind, because what I didn’t know couldn’t hurt me right? Plus, I can’t afford to just toss all my pans and buy new! But alas, this info has come across my desk again, so I’m finally doing something about it.

Bird owners have known for years that using these pans at high temps can actually kill birds as it causes their lungs to hemorrhage. Will it cause the same to happen to you? Most likely not, as birds are a bit more delicate than we are, but didn’t we used to use canaries to help the miners in case of toxic gas build up in the mines? What effects them , may potentially effect us to some degree as these toxins can build up in our bodies. I won’t get into all the boring statistical details, but if you want to read more, you can head over to Environmental Working Group.

or this,

please throw them out! Sad to say, these were the actual pans I’d been using.

Better alternatives for cooking are going to be cast iron and stainless steel. (and glass for baking) And when you really sit down and think about it, buying cast iron or stainless steel really is a better bargain seeing as how they last so much longer. We even have cast iron pans from Todd’s grandma that are still usable today and they are old pans! My non-stick pans lasted only a few years before they got to the point you see above. I had to replace them anyways, so why not replace them with a better alternative that’s healthier for my family? I still have a few non-stick pans that I’ll be phasing out when money allows, but for now they’re all I’ve got.

To keep any Teflon pans you currently have in good condition to lower the risk of toxic fumes and pieces breaking of into your food follow these tips:

• Don’t put these pans in the dishwasher, hand wash only
• Use at lower temperatures than you would normally
• Don’t use metal utensils in them, and use wood instead of plastic.

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