topic Re: Non Stick pans in Kitchen

Non Stick pans

bargainsgirl — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 01:41:11 GMT

Do you use non-stick pans? Lately been reading lots of mixed theories about PTFE. PFA and PFOA being possibley harmful to health. I guess we are doomed cause I've been using non stick for many years and still have many pans. I do replace as soon as they get scratched or get that fuzzy interior.

Re: Non Stick pans

SaveTheTurtles — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 01:48:01 GMT

Yes, oxo pans and I also get rid of them when they start to get bad.

Re: Non Stick pans

SilleeMee — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 01:48:19 GMT

The PFOA nonstick pans were banned in 2014. No longer made but people still have and use their old pans today. I threw mine out and bought ceramic ones.

Re: Non Stick pans

Mz iMac — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 01:52:53 GMT

Well, I must be a zombie. I've been using T-Fal since they were invented.

Re: Non Stick pans

Jersey Born — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 02:46:07 GMT

@bargainsgirl - I got rid of all my non-stick pans many years ago (like 18 - 20 years ago, I think?) and replaced them with stainless steel and copper pans from Cuisinart and from a company that no longer exists - Technique Ti. Titanium - which made the most wonderful stainless steel interior pots and pans. I wish they were still in business. I think QVC used to sell them.

To reduce the "sticking" of things cooking in a stainless pan, you need to heat the pan first. Cleanup is much easier when this is done. Regardless, I appreciate that there is no chemical residue added to the food I cook on my stovetop, even if cleaning the pots and pans takes a bit longer to achieve.

Re: Non Stick pans

ciao_bella — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 12:51:01 GMT

I got rid of those types of coated pans years ago. I either use cast iron or ceramic pans.

Re: Non Stick pans

Still Raining — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 12:56:19 GMT

It has been many years since I owned one. Tossed them years ago. The last thing I need is more chemicals.

Re: Non Stick pans

gardenman — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 13:36:50 GMT

As long as you use nonstick cookware properly it's probably safe. You don't want to use it at very high temperatures and I'd be hesitant to use it with highly acidic or highly alkaline foods that might be more inclined to break down the coating, but it's been in use so long that any major negative health effects would have likely already shown up and been thoroughly documented by now. If you cook tomato sauce (a highly acidic food) in a Teflon pan every day, you'd probably be smarter using something else. If you make soft Pretzels and dip them in a lye or baking soda solution before baking (a highly alkaline situation) you probably don't want to use Teflon for that.

And you're never going to avoid Teflon exposure as it's used everywhere. Teflon tape is a commonly used sealant on plumbing fixtures. It's also used in car parts, medical devices, and more. It's likely that anything you drink (water, soda, coffee, etc.) has come into some contact with Teflon at some point. Teflon in one form or another has been around since 1938. That's 86 years. I'm pretty sure if it was killing gazillions of people, someone would have noticed by now.

Re: Non Stick pans

wagirl — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 15:30:44 GMT

I use non stick ceramic pots and pans. Got rid of the old black stuff 10+ years ago----I bought a set of Curtis Stones durapan from HSN, that are still looking and performing as they did when new. I have one electric pot in the old nonstick that I still use--the surface is still pristine--no scratches or dings and I use it at lower temps too. But if I see any damage to the surface, then I will retire it.

Re: Non Stick pans

ID2 — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 15:41:07 GMT

I just got rid of 2 complete sets of All Clad cookware. I hated them. Everything stuck..yuck. My dh just got me a complete set of HexClad. LOVE!! Best thing since baked bread!

Re: Non Stick pans

Icegoddess — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 15:56:32 GMT

@ID2 wrote:
I just got rid of 2 complete sets of All Clad cookware. I hated them. Everything stuck..yuck. My dh just got me a complete set of HexClad. LOVE!! Best thing since baked bread!

@ID2 OMG, those things are so expensive. You better put them in your will. My husband used up a Curtis Stone Durapan, and decided he wanted one of those HexClad pans for Christmas. It was the smallest pan in the lineup. By the time I got through the process with tax and S/H it was like $150.00. Too much. He got a Blackstone griddle instead.

Re: Non Stick pans

Icegoddess — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 16:08:50 GMT

I'm still using the Kirkland Signature set of hard anodized I got over 20 years ago. I've only had to get rid of one pan. I replaced that with Curtis Stone's Durapan. I've found those to be the better of the nothing sticks to them cookware, all of which nothing sticks to until it does and then everything sticks.

I won't buy ceramic after my experience with my ceramic insert for my air fryer. It was another nothing sticks coating that now sticks, so I have to use a slicone piece I cut to fit in it.

As I mentioned in a post above, my husband has gone through a small Curtis Stone pan and he only cooked sausage and eggs in it. He just uses it very often. The largest pan in the set I use mostly for cooking catfish and I probably heat it too high, but if I don't, I don't get the browning I want. That interior is beginning to discolor. It's the same thing that doomed my one hard anodized pan, too high a heat. And yes, I preheat my pan.

I'll never go stainless steel only. I'm not a chef; I'm not even a good cook, but what I do cook is good. I will always use nonstick cookware.

Re: Non Stick pans

loriqvc — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 18:11:59 GMT

I'm still using a set of Rachael Ray nonstick pans that I purchased over 16 years ago; the porcelain enamel outside coloring has faded and rubbed off in a few spots, but the coated interior is still absolutely perfect on every pan and they cook everything brilliantly. I keep telling myself I can splurge on a new set when these pans stop performing, but that just doesn't seem likely to happen anytime soon.

However, I was totally disappointed when I purchased a similar set of RR pans for my mother three years ago—the interiors of those pans started flaking and chipping within about six weeks of moderate use, even with non-metal utensils. This deterioration could have been aggravated by the fact that my mother puts everything in the dishwasher (a no-no for my metal pans); that certainly ruined the outsides of her pans, which went from deep crimson to a splotchy pink within the same time period.

I replaced her RR set with a set of Ninja Foodi NeverStick cookware, and it has been wonderful for her! The nonstick coating is a bit unusual but does a fantastic job of preventing sticking and it cooks nicely. And my mother continues to put everything in the dishwasher, but after a year, these pans are still like new. I found a great deal on them at Amazon, but QVC sells them as well.

Re: Non Stick pans

BunSnoop — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 18:03:00 GMT

@ID2 , I'm surprised you're using HexClad as they're manufactured in China. You have often reminded all of us to purchase only items made in the USA.

Re: Non Stick pans

ncmama — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 18:17:57 GMT

A great alternative are carbon steel pans. America's Test Kitchen has you tube reviews on these. They come in all price ranges and will outlast most other pans.