Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Cookware Tips

  • Did you know that overheating cookware with nonstick coating can be dangerous to your health? Teflon can release toxic gases in the air, according to a study by the Environmental Working Group. A light weight pan can reach over 500 degrees in less than two minutes according to research done by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute. (here's a link about it)  Overheating above 500 degrees causes the surface to start breaking down releasing toxins; overheating at higher temps will cause it to break down and start to flake off. 
UPDATE: Don't just take my word for it that non stick is dangerous....read the comments below about birds!

  • If you use nonstick cookware, never preheat a pan before beginning to use it and never use it over high heat. Try to always buy heavy duty cookware for extra safety and ventilate your kitchen while cooking. While I have a small non-stick pan for eggs, I say the best way is not use it at all. 
  • Overheating cast iron can cause the ‘seasoning’ to begin to peel flaking black specks into your food; if that happens, you can use steel wool on it to scrub the loose 'seasoning' off and re-season.
  • Stainless steel is typically a safe cookware choice but overheating can cause discoloring and cause aluminum or copper bottoms to separate or bubble.
  • Overheating any cookware can cause it to warp or bow up in the middle. 
  • Do not place hot cookware into cold water, that can cause it to warp also.
Good cookware is an investment that will last many years if you take proper care of it. Be careful in the kitchen and don't overheat your cookware. 


I link at these parties. 



I have had a lot of content theft lately. If you are reading this post anywhere else but at Family Home and Life then it was used without permission! Copyright© Family Home and Life 2012 All Rights Reserved

40 comments:

  1. The danger of non-stick is the reason i won't use it. Never had an issue with my cast-iron pans. But, good info all the way around.

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  2. This is great info to know. Thank you for sharing it! My mother gave me a pricey set of non-stick pots and pans, and I have been looking forward to replacing them but wasn't sure what to switch to. I'll probably go with stainless steel, or maybe enameled cast iron.

    I'd love if you'd come join my How To Tuesday link party, too.
    http://housewifehowtos.com/link-party-2/how-to-tuesday-link-party-9/

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    1. If you buy Stainless, make sure it's a heavy good quality or you will be screaming at all the burned on food. ;)

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  3. I have cast iron pans that I use frequently, but my real splurge some years ago (before I retired) was to get a few AllClad pans. Pricey, but so easy to use and to clean.

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  4. This was a great post!..I agree about the non stick.. I do use a small one every morning for eggs.. I have a beautiful set of Calphon Stainless steel pots and pans but Im so afraid to use them because I always end up burning them.. Maybe I should take them out again and learn to cook slowly.. What do you use on a regular basis?
    Robyn :)

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    1. Hi Robyn, I use Stainless a lot! I have heavy good quality pots and pans and they have lasted me for a good 30 years now. I also have a couple of cast iron pans I love.

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  5. Timely post for me - starting a kitchen remodel and promised myself new pots and pans. I've been thinking about ditching the nonstick for awhile, and you helped convince me to go the stainless route. And thanks for the warning about overheating! Visiting from the Muster Party.

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  6. These cookware tips are helpful to know. Are all non-stick pans "teflon"? I was hoping that some types might be safer than others.

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  7. Wow..so much info I wasn't aware of. Thanks for sharing all these tips!
    Selene @ restorationbeauty.com

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  8. So good to know about the non-stick. I don't use it very often, but this is very good to know, thanks for sharing!

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  9. I have a wonderful set of Kitchen Aide cookware but I really want a cast iron skillet (or maybe a set!). I've added it to my wishlist and dropped lots of hints to Grampy and the kids. My birthday is coming...

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  10. You've reminded me how badly I need to add a cast iron skillet to my pan collection. Thanks for the detailed post Connie!

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  11. hi, i'm following the "fluster creative muster" hop. i would love for you to visit my blog and follow if you like it.

    http://www.blackinkpaperie.blogspot.com

    thanks
    new follower bev

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  12. We have just bought some new cookware, and this is a great reminder to keep the heat down! Thanks.

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  13. I have to have non-stick for my eggs, but I've found some ceramic coated cookware that I really love.

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  14. I really have to get rid of my non-stick pans. I have really tried to make my home a "clean" one, this is one more step I need to take. Hope you can stop by the enchanted oven to say hi.
    xo,
    Lisa

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  15. great post. I really need to get rid of my non-stick but want a GOOD pan to replace it! Thanks for sharing!

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  16. My favorite has always been my cast iron. Thanks for sharing at Fluster's Creative Muster. I'm looking forward to seeing what you link up next week.

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  17. Thanks for the tips!
    This will help out in the kitchen..... :)
    hugs x
    crystelle

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  18. Perfect timing reading this post. I'm so ready to replace my pots and pans. Def need to get something goof this time around, AND stop overheating them.

    Thanks so much for all the info. I really can't imagine cooking eggs in anything but a non stick? Is it even possible?

    Have a wonderful day, and stop by anytime to say hello if you can.

    P.s. After coming back from an extended blogging break, I've started a 40 day challenge to get HEALTHY by my birthday. If you get a chance to check it out, I could sure use the support!
    Hugs, Bella :)
    Bella's 40 Day Challenge

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  19. My mom and grandmother both always swore by cast iron. I never liked it until I got a little older, and now I love it. Thanks for the tips, really good to know on the no-stick.

    Visiting today from Raising Imperfection. :)

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  20. Thanks for the cast iron info! That's what we prefer to use :)

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  21. Such great tips ... I don't own a cast iron pan yet but I have always wanted one.
    Thank you for linking to Raising Imperfection.
    Please come back Friday to see if you were featured. :)

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
    www.raising-reagan.com

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  22. I love cast iron pans!

    Thank you for linking up to Raising Imperfection!
    Leslie

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  23. Connie, thanks for the great info and for linking up at A New Creation! I'm on my second set of pans now; wish I had known this info when I got married and registered for/received pans at the ripe old age of 23!

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  24. I am a veterinarian and have known for years that non-stick pan fumes will kill budgies and other birds. I figured if it killed them, what was it doing to us humans! I have cast iron skillets and love them. They apparently also leach iron into your food which is good for us as well!

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  25. I own a parrot and one of the first things the store I adopted her from told me was, "get rid of your non-stick cookware!" The whole canary in the mine was because birds have more sensitive lung membranes. When a toxic gas was emitted in the mine, the canaries were the first to die. Pet birds are the same way. Overheated teflon pans kill pet birds. I switched out all my pans for cast iron and stainless steel. Couldn't be happier with it. Not only do teflon pans emit fumes, but it comes off in your food! Do you really want to eat teflon? I don't!

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  26. Great info! Thanks for linking up at Show Me Your Plaid Monday's!

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  27. My cast iron skillet looks horrible... lol Thanks for sharing @ Submarine Sunday!

    T'onna

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  28. Hi Connie, I never preheat my pans but hubby always does. Guess I am going to have to have him read this. Now he'll know why. lol! Thanks for sharing with SYC,
    hugs,
    Jann

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  29. I was just telling my husband tonight that I wanted new pots and pans... your post couldn't have come at a better time! Thanks so much;)

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  30. Great info! Thanks so much for sharing this on The Creative HomeAcre! I can't wait to see what you share next time at...
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/02/the-creative-homeacre-hop-5.html

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  31. Believe it or not, I've never owned a cast iron skillet. My mom always had them, but I've yet to get my own. I want to, and I will one day.

    Thanks for linking!

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  32. I love my cast iron skillet! I cook with it almost every day. A long, long time ago, dh had a nonstick pan and then he discovered Calphalon. That's his favorite, though occasionally he'll use the cast iron.

    Thanks for linking up at Fabulously Frugal Thursday. Happy Thursday!

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  33. I love my cast iron skillets, as well, but my Club aluminum cookware has served me well for nearly 40 years now. Because aluminum is a good and even heat conductor they always cook things perfectly and rarely burn!

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  34. Thought provoking post! I think we have some non-stick that I need to get rid of!!

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  35. GReat information! Thanks so much for sharing on Busy Monday!

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  36. I always use my cast iron skillet from Rachel Ray until now. Thank you for sharing this good info.

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  37. I've been cooking peppers and onions in the skillet on the grill a lot lately. I'll have to add jalapenos next time. Yum. I like cooking bacon that way too, although hot fat + open flame adds a nice element of danger. I used to get flank steak, but my husband got me to try the carne asada cut from our local market, and I prefer it. Not sure if it's thin-cut flank or skirt (I'll have to ask), but it looks like this 

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