Experiments showed that microwaving plastic baby food containers can release huge numbers of plastic particles -- in some cases, more than 2 billion nanoplastics and 4 million microplastics for every square centimeter of container.
For real, this is sobering information. I already try to avoid microwaving plastics, but I’m gonna be even more careful now, and try to spread this study. Billions of nanoplastics per square centimeter, it’s scary to think about the size of containers, number that would likely be used in a day, and the fact that infants are so small with that information in context.
My kids are past baby stage. But I’m borderline ready to go to glass/ceramic and stainless only
Unfortunately my wife really likes nonstick too. I do make a habit of ditching any pan or pot with any blemish/chip. But still I’d prefer stainless there too.
Chipping isn’t that big a deal with nonstick. Overheating is the real danger. You should never let it it 500F. Also, once it starts to become discolored it should be disposed of.
note that ‘ceramic’ water bottles (lining - frank green) - and “ceramic” sauce-pans and cook-ware are not made of clay - they’re made of a bunch of chemicals, teflon has some health concerns, but a bunch of research has gone into it, not so much into ‘ceramic’ products
clay ceramic is not naturally non-stick , hence the other chemicals used
bunch of notes on ceramic:
spoiler
How ceramic coated cookware is made
A ceramic coated pan is essentially any metal pan that has a thin ceramic layer on top. The metal core or “substrate” of the pan varies. Some companies use anodized aluminum, an inexpensive metal and good conductor of heat; other brands use cast iron or stainless steel. Whatever the case, all ceramic coated cookware use some type of metal as a base.
Most ceramic coatings are actually “Sol-gel” coatings consisting of silica (sand) and other inorganic chemicals. This is the preferred method of applying ceramic coatings to cookware to make them less- or non-stick. Sol-gel is typically sprayed onto the metal substrate and then fired at a very high temperature. Depending on the manufacturer, this curing process can range between 400 and 800 degrees fahrenheit. While Sol-gel coatings are technically harder and able to withstand higher temperatures than PTFE coatings, most companies advise their customers not to heat ceramic coated pans above 500 degrees, otherwise the ceramic coating could decompose. When this happens, the ceramic pan can lose its nonstick properties and the surface will become coarse or gritty. These pans are not usually recommended to use in the dishwasher or under the broiler.
Are ceramic coatings nonstick?
Ceramic is not naturally nonstick. This is why most companies use Sol-gel technology to create a ceramic nonstick coating. But the idea of ceramic nonstick cookware is kind of a misnomer. First, as we learned above, the slick surface on ceramic coated pans usually degrades over time; and this process can be accelerated if the pans are exposed to high heat on a regular basis. Some experts have suggested that ceramic coatings have about one sixth of the lifespan as their PTFE counterparts. The question you should really be asking is, for how long are ceramic coatings nonstick? A well maintained ceramic coated pan is expected to hold up for 1-2 years - that is not very long, especially considering the high price of some of these pans.
Is ceramic nonstick cookware safer than other nonstick cookware?
Because of all the controversy and speculation surrounding fluoropolymers and PTFE coatings, it is no surprise that there’s an abundance of scientific research on these chemicals. Unfortunately there is not a lot of historical research on Sol-gel and its effects on human health. That is not to say that one is safer than the other. However, purchasing your cookware from a reputable company can help limit your risk of direct food contamination. As the old saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Does she not care for ceramic coated pans? They work just as well, are more durable and are easier to maintain than nonstick. What’s not to love? Honestly, I haven’t even used stainless since getting a good set of ceramic cookware, I get a great sear and deglaze a pan just fine with ceramic
We committed to switching to stainless with an investment in a Saladmaster set. While the value of the brand is debatable the pans have been rock solid and easy to clean. It did take a bit to learn how to cook with them without sticking everything to them but it is doable. About the only thing I can’t cook in them is eggs.
I’m not microwaving plastic ever again.
For real, this is sobering information. I already try to avoid microwaving plastics, but I’m gonna be even more careful now, and try to spread this study. Billions of nanoplastics per square centimeter, it’s scary to think about the size of containers, number that would likely be used in a day, and the fact that infants are so small with that information in context.
My kids are past baby stage. But I’m borderline ready to go to glass/ceramic and stainless only
Unfortunately my wife really likes nonstick too. I do make a habit of ditching any pan or pot with any blemish/chip. But still I’d prefer stainless there too.
Get a seasoned carbon steel or cast iron. They work nearly as well as non sticks I’ve used
Yes, indeed. Cast iron is remarkably good for cooking - anything that sticks scrapes off easily enough. Keep it well oiled and out of the water.
Chipping isn’t that big a deal with nonstick. Overheating is the real danger. You should never let it it 500F. Also, once it starts to become discolored it should be disposed of.
Yep, this is on my to-do list. Already moved to Pyrex for re-usable containers and glass wear. We need new pans and I am going back to cast iron.
You mean PYREX all caps Pyrex is a cheap shit glass that’ll explode on you. Always capitalize for that good glass.
Ok lol
Juno isn’t kidding https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-is-the-difference-between-two-pyrex-types/
I’m aware
note that ‘ceramic’ water bottles (lining - frank green) - and “ceramic” sauce-pans and cook-ware are not made of clay - they’re made of a bunch of chemicals, teflon has some health concerns, but a bunch of research has gone into it, not so much into ‘ceramic’ products clay ceramic is not naturally non-stick , hence the other chemicals used
bunch of notes on ceramic:
spoiler
How ceramic coated cookware is made
A ceramic coated pan is essentially any metal pan that has a thin ceramic layer on top. The metal core or “substrate” of the pan varies. Some companies use anodized aluminum, an inexpensive metal and good conductor of heat; other brands use cast iron or stainless steel. Whatever the case, all ceramic coated cookware use some type of metal as a base.
Most ceramic coatings are actually “Sol-gel” coatings consisting of silica (sand) and other inorganic chemicals. This is the preferred method of applying ceramic coatings to cookware to make them less- or non-stick. Sol-gel is typically sprayed onto the metal substrate and then fired at a very high temperature. Depending on the manufacturer, this curing process can range between 400 and 800 degrees fahrenheit. While Sol-gel coatings are technically harder and able to withstand higher temperatures than PTFE coatings, most companies advise their customers not to heat ceramic coated pans above 500 degrees, otherwise the ceramic coating could decompose. When this happens, the ceramic pan can lose its nonstick properties and the surface will become coarse or gritty. These pans are not usually recommended to use in the dishwasher or under the broiler.
Are ceramic coatings nonstick?
Ceramic is not naturally nonstick. This is why most companies use Sol-gel technology to create a ceramic nonstick coating. But the idea of ceramic nonstick cookware is kind of a misnomer. First, as we learned above, the slick surface on ceramic coated pans usually degrades over time; and this process can be accelerated if the pans are exposed to high heat on a regular basis. Some experts have suggested that ceramic coatings have about one sixth of the lifespan as their PTFE counterparts. The question you should really be asking is, for how long are ceramic coatings nonstick? A well maintained ceramic coated pan is expected to hold up for 1-2 years - that is not very long, especially considering the high price of some of these pans.
Is ceramic nonstick cookware safer than other nonstick cookware?
Because of all the controversy and speculation surrounding fluoropolymers and PTFE coatings, it is no surprise that there’s an abundance of scientific research on these chemicals. Unfortunately there is not a lot of historical research on Sol-gel and its effects on human health. That is not to say that one is safer than the other. However, purchasing your cookware from a reputable company can help limit your risk of direct food contamination. As the old saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
https://xtrema-au.com/blogs/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ceramic-coated-cookware?shpxid=bc09e5a0-d731-4a50-aad5-dd69eeae1440
Does she not care for ceramic coated pans? They work just as well, are more durable and are easier to maintain than nonstick. What’s not to love? Honestly, I haven’t even used stainless since getting a good set of ceramic cookware, I get a great sear and deglaze a pan just fine with ceramic
We committed to switching to stainless with an investment in a Saladmaster set. While the value of the brand is debatable the pans have been rock solid and easy to clean. It did take a bit to learn how to cook with them without sticking everything to them but it is doable. About the only thing I can’t cook in them is eggs.