Non-stick Frying Pan

Well, the nonsticking part on kitchenware have Teflon coating. It is a technology developed by Dupont USA. Teflon coating of 50-100 micron may be possible using electrostatic spray or powder coating technology. Teflon may also bind with surface at Liquid Nitrogen temperature. Thick Teflon coating may peel off from surface.

Teflon decomposes at 400C and is for safe use up to 250C for pretty long time. Cooking temperature is below 250C so it will remain there.

Shyam

Can you please suggest how to practically maintain temperature within 250C (to prevent teflon decomposing)? Any thermostatic control feasible in nonstick frying pan?

As long as there is food item on frying pan, its temperature will not exceed too much above 100C due to presence of water. Once water is fully evaporated the food will start burning out and Teflon also will start decomposing. Hence, cooking easily can not spoil the Teflon unless you leave the frying pan and start watching movie. Smoke that will fill your house will sure tell you rest of the story.

Only electric cookers can have some control on heating. Gas based control need combustion sensor and gas flow control valve. Only advanced microwave oven may have these.

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As Teflon breaks down it releases a toxic gas. It is especially bad for pregnant women, small children and will kill pet birds at very low levels. With electric ranges I do not apply more than 50% heat when frying in grease. At 50% heat, it does not seem that the pan can get hot enough to destroy the Teflon coating even without anything in the pan. Of course the biggest risk is accidently turning the range to high instead of off with the pan on the burner. I have done that a couple of times over the years and ruined the pan. Forgetting a boiling pan of water on a high heat setting is a common error that will destroy Teflon coatings once the water is boiled away.

I would assume that all non-stick coatings are a Teflon based product and behave similarly. I checked with one manufacturer regarding their differently named product and was informed that it was essentially Teflon.

Aluminum is a good conductor of heat and a thick pan will be less likely to develop hot spots that cause food sticking/burning. A thick pan is also less likely to warp if you do not let it cool down before putting cold water in it. There was some talk that excess aluminum in the diet could be a cause of alzheimers, so cooking in a bare aluminum pot might not a good alternative to a Teflon coated one. A thick aluminum pan does make a good sauce pan, although a thick copper pan is better (but much more expensive and usually only available at cooking specialty stores). Most of your medium to high price cookware have layered bases made of aluminum and or copper encapsulated in stainless steel.

Teflon is known for cleanlyness. It leaves almost no trace on other material. It does not react with acids and is good for health as long as you keep it within safe Temperature limit.

Unlike other solids, Teflon does not melt. It sublimates or decomposes and directly changes into fumes at about 400C. However at 250C it becomes colourless and soft, and becomes black at 350C. Normally it is safe up to 350C and is used in many high temperature electrical cables.

Aluminum is bad for health. It can easily kill neurons of the brain and also reacts with salt and acids. Eating Aluminum is no good and you can't avoid it when you cook in Aluminum pots. Unfortunately in poor world we never tell this story to people as it may come as shock to them.

Many things we environmental scientists know, but we keep the information away from people such that panic is not created.

Many of you may not know that fluorescent light generates enough Ozone that can kill your neurons very easily. Even 1 part per million in air is toxic and UV light from tube lights generates far more.

Many people also use ionizer in the house that produces ions by high voltage spark. It sure creates 100ppm and above Ozone and will eat away your brain easily.

Bulbs are more safe. Teflone is more safe. Glass and ceramics are more safe.

Something that is safe for one may be poison for other man. Drinking water from copper pot can easily kill a person with Wilson's desease. Excess metal in body is never good for health. Keep them at minimum in your food.

You also have to talk to experts as world is not same for all alike looking humans. Some are more sensitive than others.

I hope this may help.

Shyam

The best possible solution for the non stick pan scenario is........turning down the heat! I have used this method with great success for many years, including for omelettes and pancakes etc.

'Turning down the heat' method can be application specific like omelettes and pancakes. Can this method be used for other preparations as well?

Good idea.

Use power up to safe limit. However, homes do not have PID controllers. More water needs more power and when it evaporates then pot needs little power to get heated.

50% times I failed to get proper tea. I believe that I will remember, but forget it often and find fumes everywhere and then it is all gone.

I agree with people who have concern.

Shyam

As the owner of a pet bird (Lesser Sulphur Cockatoo), there is NO TEFLON in any cooking apparatus in our house. The flourine kills birds when the Teflon overheats. Note the word "when" because you will always overcook something. A bit of oil on stainless steel or well-seasoned cast iron or enameled cast-iron are fine.

Salt you eat contain Chlorine that can easily kill if you smell too much. However in salt for you can eat it a lot. Remember that we use Chlorine in swimming pool water to kill bacteria and germs. We also use it in house water supply. Bleaching poder generates Chlorine when it is desolved in water.

Chlorine or Flourine elements in bound form are not same as in free form. Fluorine in Teflon is in bound form. Don't get scared. Hidrogen fouride acid can desolve finger in seconds but in salt form it is not so toxic. In Teflon Flourine is not toxic.

Floorine in water is plenty and also added in toothpastes to make teeth harder. Too much Fluorine can cripple bones.

Below 250C Teflon is very safe. Other best alternatives are glass and ceramics. Cooking in glass is difficult but we scientists do it that way in laboratories. You know test tubes, beaker, flasks etc. I think teapots with glass bowl may be easily available.

All Glass is not same. Silica glass or quartz glass can reach 1100C and yet be safe.

Aluminum Oxide is ceramic that can reach 2500C.

Compounds and alloys have very different properties than elements.

In USA you have Environmental Protection Agency, which is Government of USA Organization, can give you lots of information. They are part of the National Research Council, USA. You can find them at http://www.epa.gov/

Shyam
India

Perhaps you are unaware of the release of flourine when all the water in the cooking utensil is gone. When water is gone, the heat increases well beyond 250C and the flourine gas is released from the Teflon. Very low levels are fatal to pet birds. Try a Google search for confirmation.

I agree that if you decompose Teflon and keep inhaling it then actually you are inhaling a toxic waste gas.

Amount of Teflon is not that high that it will kill a man, but sure will give bad smell.

At 400C the pot will be Hot Red Color. Most of the electric wiring will also burn. Use thermo state switch (bimetal switch) in such systems for safe power OFF. Also use air suction to dispose off air if it happens.

Shyam

i have so may fring pans which need to be re-coated are all gone teflon coating. can you please adive where can we get it done.