Topic started by Revathy (@ 195.229.241.244) on Mon May 13 03:22:41 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Hello,

Non stick is such a popular type of cookware, said to be healthy 'cos of less oil usage. But regular & proper maintenance does not prevent small scratches on our non-stick vessels. How true is the claim that aluminium is leached thro' these surface scratches? Are toxic gases released when the pan heats up ?
Can someone shed some light on this please ?

Thanks,
Revathy.

Responses:

• From: pradheep (@ ns1.genetic-id.com) on: Mon May 13 12:07:19
  
  http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-review-3FA4-B7179D-39142D70-prod2
  
  http://www.chemicalindustryarchives.org/dirtysecrets/scotchgard/8.asp
  
  http://www.drmanik.com/diet.htm
  
  
  
• From: Revathy (@ 195.229.240.243) on: Fri May 17 00:52:04
  
  Hello Pradheep,
  The links were very informative ; i guess it is better to stick to our traditional way of cooking & not risk our precious health anymore.
  
  With thanks,
  Revathy.
  
  
• From: ashley (@ 65-200-113-36.trendmicro.com) on: Tue May 28 21:34:56
  
  i recently came across some articles on the Web that it has not been proved that non-stick cookware is not hazardous... some say that there are possibilities for potential heath risks from them. I have switched to gradually using naturally non stick containers - after doing some research, i have started to assemble a collection of the following for my kitchen:
  1. Cast iron skillets and pans - after proper seasoning as per manufacturers instructions they obtain a natural non-stick coat. these are healthy too as some iron leeches into the food during cooking and this is healthy. (iron supplenet)
  2. enamel coated iron - these do not react with acidic food and they are excellent for indian style of cooking. but the prices of brands like "Le Creuset" may be exhorbitant. but they last a lifetime. let me know if you need more details.
  
  
• From: someone (@ px2ar.ed.shawcable.net) on: Wed Jun 5 19:31:06
  
  I need details plz like brand name,price,where can i get them?
  
  
• From: meena (@ user-1121est.dsl.mindspring.com) on: Wed Jun 5 22:27:20
  
  I purchased 'LeCreuset' 6yrs ago. It works on all type of heat source, dishwater safe.It is still in very good condition,(for i'm the only person who is allowed to handle it,the reason being I paid $75 just for one 8Qt. sauce pan!)For our indian cooking i recommend.They are available at Macys,Williams-Sonoma ,Bloomingdales, Chefworks, and other fine gourmet stores. U can get store info. near to u at their web site at www.lecreuset.com.
  
  
  
  
• From: someone (@ px2ar.ed.shawcable.net) on: Sun Jun 9 15:14:17
  
  thanks Meena
  
  
• From: rAJA (@ 194.170.173.16) on: Thu Aug 8 13:15:27
  
  JUST I WANNA SAY HELLO TO YOU ALL MY INDIAN FRIENDS
  
  
• From: Verna (@ mke-24-167-240-119.wi.rr.com) on: Fri Aug 9 18:51:56
  
  Oh,No! rAJA, please be aware that this is a cooking thread and NOT a place for hello's or dedications. Someone already made that mistake with the deepavali delicacy thread which is now completely useless to those wanting to discuss cooking and food.
  
  
• From: Mini (@ dsc03.ati-ga-3-102.rasserver.net) on: Fri Aug 9 20:11:45
  
  Hi Verna,
  
  Why can't we complain to forumhub admin. about that thread where people talking something entirely different from cooking? Maybe forumhub admin. will be able to move that thread to the proper section. I wish if someone could do it as I don't know the procedures for making requests to admin.
  
  
• From: meena (@ user-11fadf9.dsl.mindspring.com) on: Fri Aug 9 21:36:21
  
  mini,
  Try addressing the prob. to forumhub admin.-email to:admin@forumhub.com OR
  comments@forumhub.com Goodluck!!
  
  
• From: ashley (@ 209-76-212-25.trendmicro.com) on: Mon Sep 9 22:40:25
  
  le creuset is cheapest on eBay stores.(caplan duval is the best) also try your closest outlet malls. they have le creuset stores in them. the discontinued models and colors are cheaper. be warned that the price would be $75-250 per piece depending on the size. I use their griddle for rotis/dosas and their french oven for Dals/curries etc.
  check out the cast iron skillets which are good for sauteing. these are a cheap $10-$15 and imparts iron to the food. you may buy from target, kmart or wal mart. follow the instructions for seasoning them. But DO NOT cook acidic food in it.
  sorry I did not check this site earlier.hence the late reply.
  
  
• From: jay (@ adsl-68-78-76-239.dsl.emhril.ameritech.net) on: Sat Apr 24 18:13:41
  
  hi,what r acidic foods.can u name some . is it harmful to human body
  
  
• From: jw46 (@ 69-166-117-195.losaca.adelphia.net) on: Sun Apr 25 19:36:35 EDT 2004
  
  Jay, one example of acidic foods would be tomatoes. and while it will not harm you it does leach out more iron from the cookware which makes it look unpleasant, and have a metallic taste to it.
  
  
• From: Suresh sampath (@ hd1.lanecc.edu) on: Tue Apr 27 14:39:29 EDT 2004
  
  Dear Revathy,
  
  Your best bet is really Anodized Hardcoat cookware. The hardcoat is non-stick but can also take a steel wool scrubbing and doesn't get damaged. The other type of non-stick is dangerous because the coating is sensitive and tends to flake and peel and end up the food. Anodized Hardcoat is expensive but worth the money. Try a tfal set at costco otherwise Ebay is a good source of this kind of thing. I got a good skillet for making vendekkai and potatoes and it's still good as new after heavy use.
  
  Suresh
  
  
• From: Kz (@ host-24-225-153-59.patmedia.net) on: Mon May 3 14:36:28 EDT 2004
  
  Hi Meena and Ashley,
  Thanks for the info, i have been thinking of buying cast iron pans, and now read more abt le creuset, looks cool except the price, for what do u use this 8 qt sauce pan for, for all kinds of indian cooking? like curry, fry etc?
  I have been looking for wide mouthed deep dish to make biryani or puloa, i cook rice in electric rice cooker and need some kind of utensil to mix all the ingredients on stove, specially large quantities, will this enamel coated iron wares suit this purpose?
  Thanx
  
  
• From: ashley (@ c-67-169-115-109.client.comcast.net) on: Mon May 3 15:58:31 EDT 2004
  
  Hi Kz, I purchase one piece of Le Creuset per year and add to my collection. So far I think that they are the best I own. Yes, this enamel coated sauce pan works for the biryani you mentioned. The only negative for le creuset is the weight of each piece (they seem to weigh a ton!). you may try the smaller pieces first before you buy the larger ones.
  
  I use the Le creuset griddle (for dosas), a 2
  Litre Heart shaped casserole (for my Dals/Sambars), a 7Qt Round Dutch Oven (for large quantity of Rices, or Channa masala etc), a 3 qt buffet casserole for vegetable frys.
  
  I always buy, after due research from
  http://www.caplanduval2000.com or from www.Amazon.com . Caplan lists on EBay stores too and you may purchase from them cheaper on EBay and their service is very good (they are Canada based).
  Amazon has some great introductory prices on a select few items and shipping is free.
  
  I suggest that if you find the pieces too heavy, you purchase enamel coated Steel cookware (as opposed to cast iron). There is a German brand called "Chantal" that is pretty good.
  
  
• From: Kamakshi (@ 213.42.2.24) on: Mon May 3 17:14:20 EDT 2004
  
  Hi Ashley,
  In non-stick pans, you don't have to use much oil for vegetable frying etc. How is it with the enamel coated ones you're recommending, oil usage is minimal? And what exactly is this enamel made of-- porcelain,? Is it safer for health?
  
  
• From: Andal Balu (@ adsl-211-69-24.asm.bellsouth.net) on: Mon May 3 23:07:22 EDT 2004
  
  I have been using the iron skillet for making dosas, uppumas, vegetable curries etc. In fact it is better to use acidic food to facilitate more iron leaching into the food. Once the iron cooking vessel is properly seasoned, you will not get metallic taste in the food. eg. for the acidic foods are tamarind, lemon juice, tomato etc.
  
  

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