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So.. does that mean there isn't actually anything to worry about with teflon pans? I've certainly heard claims that you can end up with particles in your food,

So.. does that mean there isn't actually anything to worry about with teflon pans? I've certainly heard claims that you can end up with particles in your food, which is bad somehow. Seems unlikely there's evidence behind that given that the pans are still sold, but then, plenty of dangerous things are. Sounds like even if it does flake off in your food, no big deal? Or can cooking it make it into something more reactive?

skywal_l 4y ago
Have a look at this Ted-ed video [0]. What they basically say is that Teflon is not dangerous in itself, what is dangerous is the product they use to glue it to the pan. [0]: https://youtu.be/uXaP43Zbz7U https://youtu.be/uXaP43Zbz7U
- throwaway290 4y ago
  If manufacturer has convinced regulators that Teflon isn't dangerous just because the danger is in something that always has to be used with Teflon and not Teflon itself, surely that's criminal?
  - lazide 4y ago
    Only if it’s still present in the final product. It’s not uncommon in chemistry for two very reactive elements/compounds to combine into a molecule that is very stable and relatively benign. Sodium and Chlorine == table salt, for instance. Another example - Aluminum is pretty safe to be around, especially if it’s anodized. Anodized aluminum is even perfectly safe for use as a pan for cooking pretty much any food. Non-anodized is decently safe, just don’t use it with acidic foods. It’s common in large commercial cookware, though stainless is steadily replacing it. You really don’t want to be exposed to the chemicals used to refine aluminum or anodize aluminum though, as they include fluorine gas, chromic acid, etc. Same with titanium, stainless steel (albeit stainless generally doesn’t need a secondary coating), etc. [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall–Héroult_process https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall–Héroult_process] [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoopes_process https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoopes_process] [https://www.anoplate.com/finishes/anodizing/ https://www.anoplate.com/finishes/anodizing/]
nicoburns 4y ago
If you overheat it (which might happen if you leave the pan on heat with no contents, or you’re trying to cook something like steak at high heat) then it breaks down into a fairly nasty gas which is fatal to birds and gives humans flu like symptoms (exact health effects of this aren’t known). And as other people have mentioned, the manufacturing process involves some really nasty chemicals, which often end up leaking out into the environment.
- jameshart 4y ago
  Adam Ragusea made a great video on the subject: https://youtu.be/5FNNKhVoUu8 https://youtu.be/5FNNKhVoUu8

skywal_l 4y ago

Have a look at this Ted-ed video [0]. What they basically say is that Teflon is not dangerous in itself, what is dangerous is the product they use to glue it to the pan. [0]: https://youtu.be/uXaP43Zbz7U https://youtu.be/uXaP43Zbz7U

throwaway290 4y ago
If manufacturer has convinced regulators that Teflon isn't dangerous just because the danger is in something that always has to be used with Teflon and not Teflon itself, surely that's criminal?
- lazide 4y ago
  Only if it’s still present in the final product. It’s not uncommon in chemistry for two very reactive elements/compounds to combine into a molecule that is very stable and relatively benign. Sodium and Chlorine == table salt, for instance. Another example - Aluminum is pretty safe to be around, especially if it’s anodized. Anodized aluminum is even perfectly safe for use as a pan for cooking pretty much any food. Non-anodized is decently safe, just don’t use it with acidic foods. It’s common in large commercial cookware, though stainless is steadily replacing it. You really don’t want to be exposed to the chemicals used to refine aluminum or anodize aluminum though, as they include fluorine gas, chromic acid, etc. Same with titanium, stainless steel (albeit stainless generally doesn’t need a secondary coating), etc. [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall–Héroult_process https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall–Héroult_process] [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoopes_process https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoopes_process] [https://www.anoplate.com/finishes/anodizing/ https://www.anoplate.com/finishes/anodizing/]

nicoburns 4y ago

If you overheat it (which might happen if you leave the pan on heat with no contents, or you’re trying to cook something like steak at high heat) then it breaks down into a fairly nasty gas which is fatal to birds and gives humans flu like symptoms (exact health effects of this aren’t known). And as other people have mentioned, the manufacturing process involves some really nasty chemicals, which often end up leaking out into the environment.

jameshart 4y ago
Adam Ragusea made a great video on the subject: https://youtu.be/5FNNKhVoUu8 https://youtu.be/5FNNKhVoUu8