Stop being needlessly scared of non-stick

One category of scaremongering that simply refuses to go away is the fearmongering around non-stick cookware. And the obfuscation persists because people regularly confuse the risks involved in producing PTFE vs the risks to end consumers. Even producing fertilizers is dangerous for that matter. As is the production of iron and steel.

The fact of the matter is that PTFE is a super-non-reactive substance that doesn't react with anything in your body, and there is no evidence that it is harmful for you EVEN IF YOU INGEST small bits.

If you are super risk averse, there have been concerns about a compound used in the production of PTFE called PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), which has been linked to health problems. However, MOST manufacturers have phased out the use of PFOA in their products. So, specifically research to see if the brand you use has upgraded itself.

So calm down and make your life easier. If you want to be mindful, try and avoid damaging non-stick surfaces with steel wool or metallic ladles.

[zukzworld]

Thank you! Still I love my Lodge cast irons, be buyer carbon steels and also have a ss pan (most likely zwilling). All of them are things for life! ❤✌🏾

[somnathbose]

it may not react but is there a harm if the PTFE particles keep getting accumulated in your body over time ? the molecules may not react, but does its presence inside the body make the living tissues start behaving differently??

[JoKitchen]

Thanks a lot sir. Really some points from my friends about nonstick always nibbling in my mind. Now I feel relieved after watching your video. All of your contents clear our doubts

[peace]

Thank you much for clearing my doubts...you definitely sound trustworthy

[ashadhongade]

So relieved after seeing/ hearing this. I restructured my whole kitchen and donated half a dozen near new non stick vessels. Anyway...will do now with the rest more relieved. Thanks so much

[ishan]

Seedhi baat no bakwaas. Thus guy is a legend!

[passacagliash]

Hi Krish, I like your content overall but I think you could do a bit more research here.

The manufacture of PTFE used to involve a compound called PFOA that is now well-known to be harmful (DuPont was sued for dumping it in places which made people sick). Nowadays a different compound called GenX is used, which isn’t as well understood. Apparently nonstick cookware shouldn’t actually contain much or any of this since it should have been removed beforehand, but I don’t think the situation is as cut and dry as you’re making it seem.

[jakezo]

@ 0:40 "your food will be carcinogenic before..." Didn't quite understand that, should it not be "your food wii *not* be...."?

[oreogiri]

Thank you indeed. I have come to this understanding by painfully assembling so much information that I read and discussed etc...wish I had you posting this kych earlier sir.

Anyway I use non stick, steel, cast iron and anodized utensils. I don't use aluminum to cook but do use it to mix atta or wash veggies and such. I have requested from using stone ware (Healy and cumbersome to season) and earthenware as I don't know where the clay comes from and whether it is safe.

I don't use Jon stuck cookware fir deep frying or baking.

Like you said it makes our lives in the kitchen so much more convenient.

Sir could you also help us to understand more about earthen cookware?

Thank you.

[SriHarshaChilakapati]

One doubt though, if it is completely non reactive, then how does it actually stick to the pan?

[sssutube]

I doubt it's as straight forward as the author says. Plastic in any form has some detrimental effect. So ideally we could try to have a balance between our convenience and the extra effort to eat healthy. For me.. I use a non stick sparingly when I have to quickly cook some meat or eggs and for our dosa, chapati we use a cast iron pan which is almost as good as a PTFE coated non stick pan.

[anujakumar]

I am learning so much from your videos!! This is another great video! Thanks a lot! 🙏🙏

[JeswinJamesp]

Is damaged nonstick pan is it toxic for us?

[coppersulphate]

Someone somewhere just starts a rumour which becomes viral and it is followed by people as if it is written in Vedas ( not that anyone has read those texts!).

[shamalakasbekar]

Which non stick chemical is safe to use

[sarathmenon]

I love your segments about food science, but this one is rife with misinformation. PTFE starts breaking down at 230C depending on the composition. You shouldn't be cooking that hot, but the margin of error is much slimmer. Also, forever chemicals is a problem. PTFE can get into your body and once it's there, it stays there. PTFE has contaminated the environment, and it's been known for a while that the food we eat does have trace amounts of PTFE and PFAS, with the concentration increasing depending on where the animal is on the food pyramid.

The better options for non-stock cookware is IMHO stainless steel, or if you like maintenance a lot, cast iron.

[louvinaandrade]

Thank you Krish. Am going to share this with all those folks cast in iron. My housekeeper scrubbed the hell out of my non stick rice cooker and imported bake pans.

[majormajor]

Sir could you do a session on "ready to eat" meals. Packaged cooked meals that we just pop in the oven and eat? How healthy is it?

[senthilvadivu]

Thanks a lot sir for your clear clarification

[AjithKumar-stjn]

What about the glue that is used to bond ptfe to metal. Is it thermally stable over the temperatures used in Asian cooking. Is it safe to injest it or its thermally degraded byproducts?