What kind of cookware is safe?

[nelloyello11]

I'm working on putting together my wedding registry and I want to ask for a new bird-safe set of cookware.
I currently have a set of non-stick teflons, which I know can be hazardous if they overheat.
But there are so many different types and finishes available that I am a little boggled.
-Cast iron is out of the question- I want a good cast iron skillet, but don't want the hassle of a full set of cast iron (though I think I would develop some amazing biceps if I used these on a daily basis! Haha)
- hard anodized aluminum, like Calphalon, I think. It's not Teflon, but it's still non-stick, so is it safe?
- ceramic- I like the look of these sets, but can't find one in colors I like. Plus I've read some mixed reviews re: finish wearing off and exposing lead into your food... But some sites I've found say it depends on where it's made, so I don't know the truth behind it.
- stainless steel - poor conductor, so it doesn't heat as evenly as other types, plus it's not non-stick
- glass- I would break them.

Does anyone have any reliable info on this stuff? It's kind of overwhelming, with everything else I've got to do!!

[debbie276]

Here's a link to a previous discussion about teflon
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... on#p236896

[Ria]

Nelissa, I just got a new stainless steel set last Christmas, and I like it a lot! the newer sets these days have other more-conductive metals bonded into them to help them heat faster and more evenly. Mine is Farberware.

I don't know anything about ceramic, or calphalon (except it's expensive!). However, stay away from glass - they are actually pretty solid, but should not be used on stovetops. gas stoves and the new electric stoves heat up too fast, and the glass is more likely to crack or even shatter from the sudden temperature change.

And congratulations!! Registries are lots of fun...

[carlamay]

I looked back on this forum for still another discussion and could not find it - I have discarded all Teflon cookware and its sort...mainly from wearing out...but have found many Earth Friendly brands that do not emit PTFE or the other one(having brain cramp but think it is PFT). I went to our higher end stores in search of safe cookware and was shocked by the prices!! Then I went to the discounters like Ross, TJ Max and Marshalls and found Exactly what I wanted and needed for prices equal to the teflon and non-safe pans! For some reason, the discounters tend toward European manufacturers and they have gotten the message! The Walmarts have not begun stocking but I do believe that you will find Target has at least one line. It is my understanding that these harmful cookware additives are to be banned by 2015.
Please do be mindful of the self-cleaning feature on many ovens. Check your manual and be sure that Teflon is not used and gasses emitted.

[ac12]

carla
What do you look for to determine that they don't emit PTFE?
I would sure like to be able to fry egg and rice again w/o dealing with stuff sticking to the stainless steel pan.

[Asym]

I got a set of stainless steel from sears (Kenmore brand). Very reasonably priced and I got a lot for my money. I threw out all my teflon. My next door neighbor lost a set of Lady G b/c of teflon. It took me a week to figure out what the problem was. The pans were older and had scratches in them. Their son used them and wasn't careful about not letting them overheat etc. They ended up tossing their pans when they got new birds.

[nelloyello11]

Oh, yes, Teflon is not even in the running. Whatever we put on our registry is intended to replace our current Teflon set. Just trying to figure out what is safest, without losing all convenience....

[debbie276]

From the Calphalon web site:
http://calphalon.custhelp.com/app/answe ... n%E2%AE%3F

Teflon® is a registered trademark of DuPont and a brand name for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) a nonstick finish. While Calphalon cookware features polytetrafluoroethylene-based nonstick finishes, we are not associated with, nor do we use, Teflon® branded products.

Be aware you are not looking for "teflon" as much as PTFE and PFOA

http://calphalon.custhelp.com/app/answe ... xobA%3D%3D

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is a resin used in a large number of consumer applications, including nonstick coating for cookware. Because PTFE is durable and long lasting, it is used in a wide range of consumer products, including stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, medical devices, electronics and fireproof coatings. PTFE is well suited for cookware use and is the nonstick coating of choice for high-performance results.
PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) is used as a processing aid during manufacturing to help nonstick coatings adhere to pan interiors.

You will be surprised how many products contain PTFE if you do a search "products that contain PTFE"
Here's just one:
http://forums.avianavenue.com/safety-av ... -ptfe.html

[nelloyello11]

From the Calphalon web site:
http://calphalon.custhelp.com/app/answe ... n%E2%AE%3F

Teflon® is a registered trademark of DuPont and a brand name for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) a nonstick finish. While Calphalon cookware features polytetrafluoroethylene-based nonstick finishes, we are not associated with, nor do we use, Teflon® branded products.

Be aware you are not looking for "teflon" as much as PTFE and PFOA

http://calphalon.custhelp.com/app/answe ... xobA%3D%3D

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is a resin used in a large number of consumer applications, including nonstick coating for cookware. Because PTFE is durable and long lasting, it is used in a wide range of consumer products, including stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, medical devices, electronics and fireproof coatings. PTFE is well suited for cookware use and is the nonstick coating of choice for high-performance results.
PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) is used as a processing aid during manufacturing to help nonstick coatings adhere to pan interiors.

You will be surprised how many products contain PTFE if you do a search "products that contain PTFE"
Here's just one:
http://forums.avianavenue.com/safety-av ... -ptfe.html

Thanks for the links Debbie!
I was pretty much set on Calphalon until very late last night... When I googled "Calphalon ptfe" and found that it is used there too...
So I'm kinda back to square one.... I love the ceramic look, but the colors are so limited, I can't find one I like! Grrrrrrrr Looks like I may be going with stainless steel.

[nelloyello11]

Now I'm looking at stainless steel sets, and I notice many of them also have a non-stick coating, but I can't find out if it's PTFE- based or not....

[carlamay]

ac12 I just pulled my pans out of the dishwasher - one is Dannyseo and can be reviewed at www.dannyseo.com, one is Healthy Earth aka Earth Pan and I also have Ecolution - see www.ecolutionhome.com. All are PTFE free and PFOA free. Remember that I was able to buy these at discounters like Ross and Marshalls and paid no more than a moderately priced regular pan. I see in looking at these websites that Amazon has all of them. Hope this helps - I hate to scrub pans!!