Non stick cookware

[animallovinmom]

so i feel really dumb not knowing this before but I recently found out that nonstick cookware kills birds I dont know how i never knew this, anyhow now i am so nervous to cook on the stove lol so my question is does it actually have to burn to kill them or just overheat?

 

[MonicaMc]

Non-stick cookware does not kill parrots.

PTFE kills parrots.


PTFE is *ONE* kind of non-stick coating, and it is this stuff that is deadly.


Hard anodized pans without PTFE coating are non-stick and I have not heard of any issues with these pans. In fact, I have two sets (only use one).


If you don't know if your pans are safe or not, then find out! Contact the manufacturer!



But you need to understand... PTFE is in a lot of things. Self cleaning ovens. Hair dryers. Toasters. Toaster ovens. The heating coil on dryers. It can even be found on silicone bakeware or regular bakeware that goes in the oven. It could potentially be hard to find everything in the house that contains PTFE.

That doesn't mean that the things I listed *all* have them... but that some do.

 

[MeganMango]

You saved my favorite pots! They are nonstick but not PTFE!

 

[animallovinmom]

does anyone know what PTFE stands for just wondering .. Thanks for the info MonicaMc Im going to check now

 

[wenz2712]

PTFE stands for Polytetrafluroethylene, otherwise known as Teflon!!

 

[Akraya]

It's early so I just want to get something clear, so ONLY non-stick pans with PTFE are dangerous? All others are ok? Just don't want to misunderstand =)

 

[mrgoogls]

i had a whole new set of teflon pans. we got them about a month before we found out that they could kill birds. so they were brand new and we had to get rid of them. lol. we gave them to our family. now we have all stainless steel pots and pans. i acually like cooking with them more they are much more durabke too.

 

[MonicaMc]

All Teflon is PTFE. However, not all PTFE is Teflon.

Teflon is a brand name like Kleenex. Kleenex is a brand name of tissues, but not all tissues are Kleenex.


MeganMango, welcome!



It would probably be best not to burn plastic, metal or foods.

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

All Teflon is PTFE. However, not all PTFE is Teflon.

Teflon is a brand name like Kleenex. Kleenex is a brand name of tissues, but not all tissues are Kleenex.


MeganMango, welcome!



It would probably be best not to burn plastic, metal or foods.

Correct MonicaMC!!! The majority of non-stick cookware contains PTFE even though it may not be a DuPont Teflon product. Your best bet is to completely avoid all non-stick products.

For example, this high quality Calphalon does not contain Teflon but it does have PTFE. See the link please: http://www.calphalon.com/Product-Support/Pages/FAQs.aspx

Finally from the T-Fal website, see answer #8 in the FAQ's: http://www.t-falusa.com/tefal/Consu...and+answers/FAQ.htm&NRCACHEHINT=NoModifyGuest

"8 - What is T-fal non-stick made of and how safe is it?"

All non-stick coating contains PTFE which is the abbreviated name for a remarkable polymer called polytetrafluoroethylene.
The non-stick coating is not attacked by acid or alkali bases and is very stable when heated to temperatures of up to 750 deg F.
Since in a domestic kitchen the maximum temperature possible with a pan is about 570 degrees F, there is no risk should a pan be accidentally overheated.
Health authorities in France, Europe, United States and other countries have approved non-stick PTFE coatings for use on cookware because it is an inert substance which does not enter into chemical reactions with food, water or household cleaners.
If ingested it is totally innocuous in the body.
In fact, non-stick PTFE is so safe it is used by the medical profession for coating heart stimulators, coating small pipes used as replacement arteries and has even been injected into patients with serious kidney conditions.

Remember that birds respiratory system is much more sensitive than ours so regardless what they say about safe temperatures, remember that is in regards to humans health. Better safe than sorry!

 

[animallovinmom]

this really clears up alot for me thanks so much !

 

[MonicaMc]

I've heard that PTFE can be dangerous in temps as low as 400° F, so it's better to be safe than sorry.

I recall one owner who went through all precautions to make sure her cookware, bakeware and everything was safe! Did not use anything with a PTFE coating. One Christmas, relatives came over, one with a pan of food that needed to be heated up. Unfortunately, that pan contained PTFE and she lost most of her flock.

Another owner used a silicone cookie sheet, which are supposed to be non-stick and easy to clean without any extra need of coating. Unfortunately, this silicone *WAS* covered in PTFE coating... and she lost her birds. I don't recall if it was all or some.


It's best if you can stay clear of it for the safety of your birds. I've been lucky, as we used to own a George Foreman Grill. At the time, I knew even less and didn't realize it had PTFE. Thankfully we didn't use it much, and later got rid of it. Then, we were given a Cuisinart Panini Grill. That thing was never allowed inside the house! Needless to say, we no longer have that, either! The grills can make some *delicious* foods, but it's not worth the risk of my birds!