I’m adopting a parrot next week. Actually, technically it is a parrotlet. Yes, that is the real name and yes, it is just like it sounds – a tiny parrot.
If you know me at all, you know I’m a researcher. I am the Queen of Research. I have never owned a bird before (although my dad owned a cockatiel when I was growing up. That bird was a JERK.), so there’s been a lot of research involved in this decision. I really thought I had all my bases covered, all my plans in place, all contingencies thought of and accounted for.
The item that more or less escaped me was Teflon pans. I remember reading about the non-stick pan issue a couple of times, but for whatever reason, it didn’t really register. Teflon pans are not bird-safe. Okay, no problem, whatever, moving on to more interesting things and more YouTube videos of parrotlets doing cute things. Like this one. Hi, little guy!
It didn’t hit me until last night that what they really meant was all non-stick pans, or any pans with coatings that contain PTFE or PFOA. Upon rummaging through our cupboards, I discovered that um… that’s pretty much all of our pans. Oops. What started out as a quest to figure out whether our pans were bird-safe turned into a fascinating exploration into the pros and cons of different types of cookware.
Interestingly enough, this is research I’ve been meaning to do for some time. The as yet unnamed parrotlet (suggestions?) the canary in the mineshaft in the kitchen. PTFE and PFOA are potentially deadly to birds. But they’re not so great for us humans either! I’ve known this for months and it’s just one of those things I can’t seem to get around to doing. But I’ll do it for the bird.
PTFE and PFOA
The issue with PTFE and PFOA coatings comes when they start breaking down. Remember the really old pans where the non-stick coating would literally flake off into your food? That clearly posed a hazard. Fortunately for us, non-stick coatings have come a long way since then. But they still pose a hazard in two different ways. First, non-stick coatings do break down. Anyone with an old set of non-stick pans can vouch for the fact that their pans are less non-sticky than they were initially. Non-stick coatings break down over time and under stress, including scratches from inappropriate utensils, impact from being thrown into the cupboard a thousand times, and being cleaned in the dishwasher over and over again. The result is that we end up consuming these chemicals with our food, which may cause a variety of health issues. This is another case where we’re only beginning to identify the long-term effects of chemicals introduced fifty years ago.
The other big concern with PTFE and PFOA coatings is the fumes they release under high heat and, if the non-stick coating has been physically compromised (scratches, dents, etc.), lower heats as well. These fumes are the reason my non-stick pans are currently sitting in a pile on the kitchen counter awaiting their fate. While they typically only cause flu-like symptoms in humans, they are deadly to birds. Now, I could continue to cook with my non-stick pans and just be very careful to keep them at a low heat. Or I could just do the safe thing for all of the creatures that live in my house, myself included, and find better alternatives.
I won’t even go into the fact that PTFE and PFOA are bad for the environment. They are.
(Oh and by the way, they’re regulated in the US under the Toxic Substances Control Act, and I would imagine in Europe under the much more stringent REACH guidelines.)
Human (and Bird)-Safe Cookware
After extensive discussion over Twitter with a cookware expert (@SizzleMel / @CookAndCraft – seriously, she knows SO much!), I discovered there are a few really good options for safe-for-everyone cookware that should meet anyone’s cooking needs.
Cast Iron: Seasoned cast iron is awesome, and if properly maintained, should be virtually non-stick. Also, can you say yum to cast iron biscuits, dutch oven recipes, griddle pancakes and bacon? Yum! However, you cannot cook reactive things in cast iron (tomatoes, lemon juice, fascinating reactive food experiments), so it won’t meet all your cooking needs.
Stainless Steel: Non-reactive, but not technically non-stick. However, some quick googling will reveal non-stick cooking techniques for stainless steel pans.
Enamel: Another option is enamel. I covet enamel cookware because it is non-stick-ish, oven safe, and adorably utilitarian. (Have you seen the cute colors??) My highly informed source tells me you get what you pay for with enamel. Sadly, I still don’t think that Le Creuset is in the budget.
There are a few more choices for safe cookware alternatives, but I think these are the three I’m going to go with for the time being. And while I will very much miss my teeny tiny non-stick frying pan that is the perfect size for making single-serving everything, I won’t miss all the risks that go with it.
Do you still have non-stick cookware in your house or have you made the switch? What’s your preference for all of your cooking needs?
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I have sort of lucked out with this one. I have always sort of instinctively despised nonstick cookware. I have stainless steel, primarily, with the odd cast iron or enamel piece. And mostly glass for the oven.
Congrats on the parrotlet!
Definitely lucky! I love, love my non-stick pans, in all of their non-sticky glory. This is gonna take a little bit of re-education as far as cooking is concerned. But hey, what part of this process has not taken re-education.
And thanks – I’m super excited, and I think my cat is too…
Hey, Parrotlets are cute — who knew there was such a thing?
Yeah, I ditched non-stick a while back for the reasons you’ve listed here. Now I use some of each: stainless, cast iron and enamel — I got one piece of Le Creuset as a gift.
Aren’t they? I had no clue they existed! They’re supposedly a ton of fun, and I was thrilled I could offer this little guy a second home.
Good for you! Our non-stick pans are still sitting on my kitchen table and I periodically wander by and glare at them. I am just going to have to bite the bullet and do it.
And what a nice gift. I love Le Creuset. At least now I have something to put on my Christmas list besides socks
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Jess I ditched all our non-stick and have replaced them with stainless steel, cast iron, la creuset or enamel coated cast iron. If you google enamel coated cast iron you will find some la creuset knock offs with really good reviews that are about half price. I also bought a recent cuisenart brand stainless steel sauce pan rather than another pricey all clad one and I like it just as well, although the handle doesn’t fit in my hand as nicely. You can find cast iron at most thrift stores or garage sales too.
Ooh! Good to know the knock offs work well. I don’t mind hand-fitting, but do like pans that actually cook nicely. I guess that’s one plus to not yet getting a chance to have a wedding – registry still to come?
I remembered seeing that you posted something about this and had to check back in the archives! I own only one non-stick pan and it is starting to get non-sticky. I’ve been wanting to replace it for awhile but it is so…(I’m going to say it) convenient. Le Creuset is a far in the future big purchase,and I packed up my cast iron with camping stuff and it rusted. Sigh. A new cast iron 12″ and a cast iron griddle are on my shopping list.
your cast iron can be saved!!! you can scrub the rust off (maybe with steel wool?) then immediately and completely dry the pan, coat with cooking oil to season. it will rebuild its seasoned non stick-y ness over time, just make sure you don’t use detergent to wash it afterwards because it will remove the oil and allow rusting again. =D
Megan, you can use sandpaper and salt to rub off the rust and then re-season. Don’t throw them out!
Brilliant! Thanks!
I know what you mean about the Le Creuset – yikes! Big investment. I just keep thinking that DH and I haven’t had our “real” wedding yet… so maybe I’ll end up with a couple pieces when we finally get around to doing the fancy ceremony
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And thanks for the tip on the cast iron – that is so good to know. I had no idea you could fix rusted ones and I keep not buying them in thrift stores for just that reason.
nice video..
Thanks! Wish it were mine, but we’re still working on basic socializing in our house.
Hi! Congrats on your new friend…. One solution might be on HSN. It’s called the greenpan. It is non-stick, but has NO PTFE or PFOA. I too have an African Grey and am in the process of doing homework. It’s very confusing. Todd English and Joy Mangano(at HSN) claim their cookware is CERAMIC nonstick and contains no PTFE or PFOA. Might be a solution. I’m hoping it’s all true. Any thoughts???? Good luck with your new baby…..
Thanks so much! Congrats on your African Grey – they are incredible birds.
I have heard good things about greenpans, but several people have mentioned that theirs were worn out and very sticky within a couple of years. But from the bird front, everything I was able to find said that greenpans were safe. I would also think ceramic nonstick would be fine, as it seems like it would be similar to enamel coated cast iron or even just little ceramic ramekins.
Great, that was very informative. I will look forward to more in the near future. thank you.
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