Baking, Coffee, and popcorn.

Hello all,

I am in the middle of doing my research before I own a Conure for the next 25+ years. I have some questions I am having trouble finding answers to on the internet or in books about Conures/Parrots regarding cooking.

A little description on where I plan on putting the cage. In our house the living room is next to the kitchen. There is a wall between the two but it doesn't go all the way to the ceiling. The wall is about 8ft tall and we have10ft ceilings. That means cooking smells waft into the living room. I was planning on putting the cage in the living room because that is where I spend most of my time.

I know Teflon (any non-stick) is a big no-no. I am planning on replacing all my cookware with stainless steel. My questions are:

1. Can I Iron clothes on an ironing board in the kitchen?
2. Can I brew coffee in the kitchen in a coffee pot?
3. Can I make waffles in a waffle maker?
4. Can I make popcorn in a hot air popcorn popper?
5. Can I make a stew in a Crockpot thats simmering all day?
6. Can I bake bundt cakes using a bundt pan? (most all I can find are non-stick)
7. Can I bake a loaf of bread in a bread maker?
8. Can I use a rice cooker?

Some of these items have nonstick coatings on them even if they dont have that black nonstick coating on fry pans.

My house mates are supporting my bird effort and these are the questions they've come up with based on their research and how they use the kitchen.

Thank you for your time,
Jason

Hello and welcome to our forum. Let me see if I can help you with your questions.

1. If you have a teflon coated ironing board cover it should be replaced and then it would be safe.

2. Brewing coffee is fine.

3. If you can find an old fashioned iron waffle maker it would be best.

4. Popcorn ok.

5. Yes to the crockpot unless any part is nonstick.

6. Same on bunt pan. If non stick best not to use.

7. Are breadmakers non stick??

8. Same thing if rice cooker is teflon coated.

Most of what you list may have the teflon coatings. Sorry I guess you just need to call out for pizza!! Lol.

Cage placement is best where there is the most family activity and the bird can get 12 hrs. sleep without TV on, unless you have a sleep cage. Which conure do you want??

Thanks Spiritbird!

I am planning on a Conure from the Pyrrhura family. Maybe a Green-Cheeked, a Maroon-Bellied Conure or Pineapple. I am not apposed to a Aratinga Conure though. What I really want is for the Conure to choose me.

I do plan on having a sleeping cage set up in my bedroom. Since somebody is usually in the living room I think that would be the best place to put the day cage.

Thanks again for you reply.
Jason

There are only two major non-stick coatings on the market for cookware. PTFE and silicone. "Teflon" is the trade name of a particular brand (DuPont) of PTFE, but ALL PTFE is the same stuff. There are many "non-teflon" coated cookwares that are actually coated with teflon(PTFE)!

Bread machines are usually coated, many coffee pot hot plates are as well. Check the documentation or manufacturer websites to find out what kind of coating it is.

Some companies are reluctant to share much info, but this is something they like to advertise: "Look at our hi tech non-stick material..."

All that said I often argue that the PTFE scare is drastically overstated. The danger of vaporized PTFE is very real and could not possibly be overstated. If it gets into the air you can say good bye to birdies. However what is overstated is how likely it is to vaporize. If a PTFE coated pot or pan has anything in it, and it isn't on fire, there should be no worry about PTFE. The danger comes two ways: putting something on the burner then going out for groceries - yes, I've heard these stories: people say they 'forgot' something over an open flame in their kitchen and they went out shopping for the day. In these cases I would not say the PTFE killed the bird, rather the owners stupidity. If you leave a large open flame unattended in your kitchen while you skip town .... well I can't finish that thought without getting vulgar. The other way PTFE can be a danger is in items your 'pre-heat' dry. This is most common in pancake griddles, george forman style grills, and self cleaning ovens. These items and others like them can get hot enough to release PTFE.

Note also that PTFE is certainly not the only danger from the kitchen. Any smoke, any junk that builds up at the bottom of the oven, many cleaning supplies commonly used in kitchens - these are all much more realistic dangers (ie more likely to be an issue) when having a bird anywhere near a kitchen.

Welcome to the forum! It's good that you're doing your research before you bring your new conure home.

AD has great information on PTFE. My house isn't "non-stick" free, but I do my best to use it sparingly and make sure it's in good condition (no scratches, undue or excessive wear, etc). Being aware about the risks is half the battle.

Greeting to you Jason, you have joined a great forum.
Glad you are doing research, before becoming a guardian.
Great advise, from the above members, not much more to add.
Rather be safe than sorry.
Good luck

Thank you everybody.

This helps me out a lot. Thanks again.

-Jason