Do you know something about TEFLON ? Is it harmful to use in cookware ? What about other materials for cookwar

Answer 1

In chemistry, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer which finds numerous applications. PTFE's most well known trademark in the industry is the DuPont brand name Teflon.

PTFE has an extremely low coefficient of friction and is used as a non-stick coating for pans and other cookware. It is very non-reactive, and so is often used in containers and pipework for reactive and corrosive chemicals. Where used as a lubricant, PTFE significantly reduces friction, wear and energy consumption of machinery.

Every Friday I turn the e-Alert over to HSI members who post comments on the Healthier Talk community forums. Last February I featured a very informative conversation about alternatives to Teflon cookware. Here are a few of their remarks…

A member named R.B. wrote: "I bought a very expensive frypan with glass lid to avoid the aluminum dangers and the mess of stainless steel sticking. It is made of titanium and can be used on extremely high heat without oils and will never warp or be damaged. Nothing sticks to it at all."

Stainless steel is another alternative, although stainless steel often contains nickel, which is toxic. But a member named M.K. offered this clever tip for easily gauging nickel content: "There is a simple test to determine if your stainless - or the stainless you wish to purchase - is okay or not. If a magnet sticks to your pot/pan - you are safe. If it does not, there is too much nickel."

While PTFE itself is chemically inert and non-toxic, it begins to deteriorate after the temperature of cookware reaches about 460 °F (237 °C), and decompose above 660 °F (350 °C).[citation needed] These degradation products can be lethal to birds, and can cause flu-like symptoms in humans.

By comparison, cooking fats, oils, and butter will begin to scorch and smoke at about 392 °F (200 °C), and meat is usually fried between 400–450 °F (200–230 °C), but empty cookware can exceed this temperature if left unattended on a hot burner.

Answer 2

How can people claim to know things to be true while there is disputes with in the community?

There is evidence to suggest both ways that Teflon and aluminum products are both safe and dangerous.

Personally I have been subject to experiences where the use of these products seem to cause problems in health. Having said that, I have been using these products for over 20 years and have not become aware of any major health problems.

It can be difficult to prove if something is good or bad for health.

Some countries ban aluminium cookware, at no short term economic gain. So this could suggest a strong reasoning for banning the products for health reasons.

As for Teflon, I don’t use these products (I use iron pans) and I actually would be more concerned about DDT in your food and water then Teflon toxins :P

10 cents :P

Answer 3

Teflon has been used in cookware for decades; it is basically inert. It will deteriorate at very high temperatures, but such would destroy any food long before they would damage the Teflon coating. Stainless steel and aluminum are also safe for cookware.

Answer 4

TEFLON is a brand name for PTFE ( polytetrafluorethylene). It is a hard plastic with a ery high melting point and is not flammable. It had ben used for many years to coat cookware to mae them " nonstick". and hence it is fine for cooking in. Most other plastics would melt if used for cooking.

Answer 5

As used on cookware it is quite safe. PTFE itself if burned gives off toxic fumes, even in small amounts.