How to use Teflon pans

The material they're made of is a carbon-fluorine compound called polytetrafluoroethylene. It has very useful qualities for cooks—for example, it's non-stick and allows for quick cooking—and so Teflon pans (the brand name for the compound) are ideal for certain dishes that tend to stick to the pan 's surface . But according to a widely held belief , this coating has a very serious drawback: it's carcinogenic. True or false? According to the ruling issued by the American Cancer Society, and detailed on the website of the American Cancer Society's Foundation for Cancer Research (AIRC) , polytetrafluoroethylene is not carcinogenic as such and poses no health risks at the doses at which it is normally used.

Having established that Teflon pans are not carcinogenic as such, it's now a matter of better understanding what they're for and how to use them. Teflon offers two fundamental advantages. First, it allows for quick cooking. Second, it prevents food from sticking to the pan during cooking.

Are Teflon pans dangerous to your health?

Regardless of whether it's scratched or not, it begins to decompose if the pan is overheated for a long time , for example if it's left on the stove for too long. Only then can Teflon release PFOA, a substance considered carcinogenic . In any case, for this to happen, the pan must reach a temperature of 450°C, a rather difficult situation.

Generally, these are pans and pots that have a rather short lifespan even if used correctly and appropriately: generally 1-2 years.

How to use Teflon pans correctly

To optimize the use of Teflon pots and pans instead:

• Use pans carefully, trying to avoid scratching or chipping them. Therefore, avoid using cutlery metal utensils for stirring food in pots and replace them with wooden ones;

• Do not use Teflon pans as grill pans or for cooking without seasoning as this significantly increases the temperature;

• Don't wash pots and pans with sponges in steel fibres or other abrasive substances;
• If you notice that the pan has become too old, replace it.

How to cook with Teflon pans

• Do not use this type of cookware at too high temperatures
• Never heat an empty pan., as this way you risk quickly reaching temperatures that are not recommended
• Keep the cooking area well ventilated
• Throw away Teflon pans when their coating is ruinedThe risk arises from the fact that the material underlying the coating is not suitable for coming into contact with food.
• Buy only quality products and with certified labels
• Don't overheat the pan too much: Teflon It should never be heated to excessively high temperatures. It's best to cook over medium or low heat to avoid damaging the coating and releasing unwanted substances.
• Never use an empty pan on the stove.: can damage the non-stick coating and produce harmful fumes.
• Avoid using non-stick sprays: While they may seem practical, they can leave residue on the surface of the pan that compromises the effectiveness of the non-stick coating.

Alternatives to Teflon

• Stainless steel: again, the only risks come from very damaged pans. Replace them.
• Aluminum: not recommended if it is not anodized
• Cast iron: excellent for its durability and for the fact that it distributes heat evenly
• Copper: pans made of this material have high thermal conductivity, last forever and were a typical item in old kitchens.
• Pyrex glass: this is also a safe material from all points of view
• Bamboo: excellent for steaming

Read also:

• How to recycle unwanted cutlery
• Baby food jars: with creative recycling, they can be transformed into lanterns, party favors, and practical spice containers (photos)
• Paper and plastic plates: ideas for turning them into home decorations and games for children.