What is being said about non-stick pans?
There has been many videos, articles and influencers saying that Teflon pans are the bane of cookware. “They contain toxic chemicals like PFAS and other forever chemicals”. But is this true? Should we throw out all our non-stick cookware? Not so fast…
What is the reality about Teflon non-stick pans?
According to actual experts and research, Yes, non-stick pans are made of “forever chemicals” as they are unavoidable, to give it it’s non-stick properties. Teflon is PolyTetraFluoroEthylene(PTFE), a highly unreactive chemical in the right conditions. Thus, you can use Teflon pans, as long as you don’t mishandle or use them improperly. Certain foods just don’t turn out right, if not made in a non-stick pan, so you can still enjoy making them! Most people on the internet just love to fearmonger, mainly for their own benefit, probably selling their own line of cookware…
If you are still sceptical, let me inform you that, you more likely to accumulate “forever chemicals” in your body from your water supply, microwaving foods in plastic containers and other inconspicuous ways. Once it enters your bloodstream, it can’t be removed, hence the worries of what it can cause to your body. Research so far shows that it might affect woman more than men, especially hormonally, but further research needs to be done. The good thing is that PTFE is generally unreactive. The more dangerous chemical is PFOA(PerFluoroOctanoic Acid) and PFAS, the helper chemicals that are used to make PTFE, which are actually reactive and harmful for the environment, and living beings.
How to actually use Teflon pans safely?
So how do you actually use them safely? First, do not heat it past 260°C/500°F. That should be quite difficult on a home stovetop, and ensuring you don’t preheat it while empty. Also, do not use metal utensils when cooking with the pan, as that can cause scratches, leeching the Teflon coating into your food(even if that does happen, it’s generally not harmful). It’s best to use wooden or silicone utensils. Lastly, don’t shock the pan by running it under cold water, or pouring in water, while it is still hot. This can cause the non-stick coating to separate from the pan and end up in your food. Always replace damaged or flaky pans, roughly every 2-3 years. Even though Teflon pans are safe when used properly, I would still recommend to invest in a carbon-steel pan for your other food cooking needs. I would not recommend wasting your money on ceramic-coated pans, as they are not durable compared to Teflon pans. Teflon lasts for 3000+ heating cycles(at higher temperatures), compared to silicone’s 250-300 coating life.
Sources:
Consumer Reports on PTFE
Veritasium Video on Forever Chemicals