Non-stick Pans: Are They Safe?

[jamesndawson]

As food prices steadily rise, I've finally decided I need to start baking my own whole grain bread. I've been looking for bread pans, but most I've come across are "non-stick".

I've heard ominous things about non-stick pans, that they leach harmful chemicals into food, but maybe they're based on pseudo-science. I'd appreciate any opinions from "alternative" to "hard science" on the topic. Is some non-stick material reputed to be less harmful than others?

Also, I'm having trouble finding pans of the right size. I'd like bigger slices for my sandwiches. I measured the kind I buy as about 4 x 5 inches. Are there pans about that size? I'd prefer non-slanting sides if possible.

Thanks.

[fredrikw]

I really hope they are, because if not I'm doomed since I've been using non-stick pans for the last like 20 years or so

[Talyn]

I think using a non-stick pan is more safe than worrying about if non-stick pans are safe.

[vegan hal]

i think the problem happens on older "teflon" coated pans IF they get scratched. the exposed aluminum is the issue. But don;t quote me on it. and i still use scratched teflon pans for my own cooking. so i'm clearly not too worried.

[thestoatyone]

I think using a non-stick pan is more safe than worrying about if non-stick pans are safe.

QFT.

[jamesndawson]

Thanks, everybody.

Whether I'm "worried" about non-stick pans or just "want to know" if or how much validity there is to all the warnings I've heard about them may be a matter of semantics. Also, where to draw the line between "worry" and "rational concern" seems problematical to me.

I've heard non-stick pans were unhealthy not just from "fringers", but also on the national news, and the latter seems to side with consensus health, medicine & science on most controversies. But that isn't to say they could be wrong.

BTW, I also use a non-stick pan and have been for decades, so I can't be that worried about. But I am curious to know what others think. That's how we learn.

If that's all settled, now all I need to do is get any pan of the right size--- 4 x 5 inches.

(I also think I've heard concerns over aluminum are bunk too.)

[DB]

We bought a bread machine instead. LOVE it. Also a non-stick pan, but you just toss everything in there, turn it on, and you have fresh baked bread a few hours later. We never buy bread anymore and you can bake a huge variety of breads with whatever you want in there. Or set the timer and it's done just before you wake up. If you go that route, I can recommend the Panasonic SD-255. I researched it beforehand and it had good reviews. Not all bread machines are equal so check out plenty of reviews ahead of time. And the loafs make nice big slices. nomnomnomnom.....fresh bread.....

[jamesndawson]

Thank you! I'll check it out!

[Hiking Fox]

I put my bread on a baking sheet, to get a domed "cottage" style loaf.

I also have bread/cake tins (pans?) that are made of steel and certainly not non-stick; try a hardware shop.

[Hiking Fox]

Wikipaedia says this about teflon coatings:

Safety

The pyrolysis of PTFE is detectable at 200 °C (392 °F), and it evolves several fluorocarbon gases[12][13] and a sublimate. Animal studies (!) indicate that it is unlikely that these products would be generated in amounts significant to health at temperatures below 250 °C (482 °F),[14] although birds are proven to be much more sensitive to these decomposition products.[13][15]

While PTFE is stable and nontoxic, it begins to deteriorate after the temperature of cookware reaches about 260 °C (500 °F), and decomposes above 350 °C (662 °F).[16] These degradation byproducts can be lethal to birds, and can cause flu-like symptoms in humans.[16]

Meat is usually fried between 200 and 230 °C (392 and 446 °F), and most oils will start to smoke before a temperature of 260°C is reached, but there are at least two cooking oils (refined safflower oil and avocado oil) that have a higher smoke point than 260°C. Empty cookware can also exceed this temperature upon heating.

[Rach]

I read about these being dangerous for birds just the other week.

[DB]

No problem. Don't cook bird food in teflon pans.

[Sid Delicious]

If you buy bread then it's highly likely that it was made in a non-stick loaf tin, so there's really no difference between baking your own and buying bread. I've got a breadmaker; I bought it in 2001 and make 1-2 loaves per week. It's saved me several times the cost price of buying it, I highly recommend buying one. They are also good for making pizza dough. Besides saving money it also stops you having to dispose of hundreds of plastic bags.

[mabli]

what about silicone ones, they're really easy to use but not sure how safe they are