Nonstick Frying Pans and Cancer Risks?

Updated on August 03, 2008
K.N. asks from Marietta, GA
3 answers

Hello organic moms and/or culinary wizards out there... I'm in need of some education on the risk of cancer and toxic fumes from nonstick pans. A few months ago, I got freaked out by the news articles enough to get rid of our nonstick frying pans. However recently, my husband has started complaining about how hard it is to cook eggs and pancakes on our new, no 'nonstick' pans... I'm worried he's just going to buy a new set of teflon frying pans. (ugh!)

I stopped by Williams Sonoma, just to see if there was perhaps a small nonstick pan we could use for cooking eggs... I was thinking maybe an enameled French frying pan (yeah, maybe a small tiny one wouldn't be that expensive-?!). The salesperson was saying how enameled pans wouldn't work for eggs and I should consider Calphalon cookware because they developed their own nonstick coating and that it wasn't toxic... (Hmmm, reeaaallly???) Sounded like he was just saying whatever I wanted to hear in order to make a sale. Does anyone know if the toxic concern from nonstick cookware is just for products coated specifically with Teflon or if the concern is for all non-stick pans, regardless of brand and manufacturer?

And if you also got rid of your non-stick pans... How are you cooking eggs and pancakes? What pan (brand) are you using?

(Oh, its 11:49pm... better get to bed! LOL)

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.P.

answers from Austin on

Hi Karen, I did the same thing a few years ago. I got rid of all my non-sticks and purchased good quality pots and pans. The secret to cooking eggs and pancakes (and other stuff) is to heat the pan to medium-high and use cooking oil or spray. The problem is when the pan is not hot enough or too hot. It will get some getting used to, but with practice you will hopefully get it. I do all my eggs this way and I have noticed it is a bit more difficult with fat free eggs, like Egg Beaters, but is is do-able. IMO, the little more effort is worth the healthier option :)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Austin on

According to Food Network"s Alton Brown, the fumes that are toxic from non-stick pans don't occur until the pan is above medium heat. For pancakes and eggs, you can probably still use the non-stick pan with no problem. Below is a link to a transcript of the show, scroll down to scene 9 almost halfway down the page http://www.goodeatsfanpage.com/Season8/myths/myth_smasher...

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.O.

answers from Austin on

So I did the same thing and threw out all those pans a few years ago. What works great for me are cast iron skillets. I couldn't live without mine.

1 mom found this helpful
For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches