Teflon coating - harm or benefit? Teflon dishes: reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Modern man has long been accustomed to having Teflon-coated dishes in his kitchen. It is very convenient - the products on it do not burn even with minimal use of oil. It would seem that it remains only to rejoice at this invention. However, researchers from the UK (University of Exeter) took up this coating and have been researching it for 7 years. They were interested in the impact of Teflon on the environment and human and animal he alth. The results were, to put it mildly, unexpected. Scientists have found that Teflon coating is not so safe. The harm to his human he alth seems obvious. Is it really? Let's try to figure it out.

What is Teflon

Today, it is one of the most publicized industrial products, and is widely used in various kitchen utensils, aerospace, textile, cardiology, heart valves, microwave oven bags.

Teflon has a very complex chemical structure. It is known that it contains many toxic substances, which, whenheating dishes get into the food and air. The more often, for example, a Teflon-coated pan is heated to a high temperature, the sooner the coating bursts, and volatile substances and its smallest particles enter the air.

Strong detergents speed up this process. The substances released from Teflon are harmful to human he alth, and very small doses are even fatal to the birds living in your home.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) - Teflon is a substance similar in composition to plastic. It has found wide application in the manufacture of all "non-sticky" kitchen items. Previously, researchers believed that substances that are released from Teflon do not enter nature, but even if they do, they do not decompose, in other words, remain biologically inert.

Unfortunately, this turned out to be a delusion. Today it has been proven that toxic substances gradually accumulate in nature, human and animal organisms. So far, only two of the nearly 100 types of these substances have been well studied.

Fabric

PTFE (Teflon) fabrics are produced in two versions - with or without adhesive. Imported glue is used. Teflon fabric is available in thicknesses from 80 to 230 microns.

This material is produced in the form of a sheet of extra strong fiberglass, which is impregnated with a non-stick Teflon layer. It is light brown, brown or black in color. The adhesive layer is applied on one side. It is a multifunctional material with a very wide range of uses.

Used in paper production, aviation industry. In addition, the fabric has found application in the production of printed products, clothing. Relatively recently, it began to be used in medicine, in the manufacture of glass products, in construction.

The manufacturers of this material claim that the Teflon coating applied to it does not harm a person. They believe that their products are not exposed to such high temperatures that the surface layer can begin to break down.

Teflon tape

This material comes with a film based adhesive. It has a Teflon coating and a layer of silicone adhesive. Applied to equipment in food, packaging, textile, chemical, woodworking and rubber industries.

Teflon tape has unique properties:

• non-stick surface;
• thermal resistance (from -60 to +200 oC);
• chemically inert, allowing contact with products;
• high chemical resistance;
• low friction;
• high tear resistance;
• dielectric properties.

Teflon tape used in:

• heating and sealing elements of packaging machines and BEG machines;
• in special equipment for welding plastics, conveyor belts. It is used in lamination, in duplicating processes, insulating electrical cables.

Teflon coated tablecloths

Today, many housewives prefer to use just such tablecloths. They have an attractive appearance, do not need complicated care, and are very practical.

Teflon tablecloth is usually used as a dining table cover. It protects the countertop well and is easy to clean. This product has a Teflon layer that is resistant to moisture and various contaminants.

This coating is applied to a fabric base. It can be linen, polyester, cotton, etc. A Teflon tablecloth attracts buyers primarily due to its ease of care - it is enough to simply wipe it with a damp cloth. If there is serious contamination, then, without removing it from the table, wash it with a mild detergent. Then rinse it with clean water and dry it.

You can wash it if necessary, preferably by hand, at a maximum temperature of -40 degrees. During washing, it is important not to make creases on it so as not to damage the Teflon coating. The harm of such a product has not been identified, since the tablecloth is not subjected to heat treatment.

Iron

As you know, the most important part of the iron is its sole. Not only the heating rate, but also the quality of ironing, the ease of sliding the device over various types of fabrics depend on its condition, the material from which it is made.

"Teflon iron" is actually the wrong concept. It can be made of different materials, but the sole must have a Teflon coating. The main difference between such devices is that they need a more careful attitude tosole. Then they will last a long time.

It should not be forgotten that the Teflon coating of the sole has disadvantages. It is quite easily scratched by a metal clasp or shirt button. We already know how dangerous damaged Teflon coating is. The harm of its fumes is obvious.

Slow cooker

The multi-cooker is a modern miracle, the amazing possibilities of which have been appreciated by many housewives. Multifunctionality, ease of use, affordability - this is only a small part of the undeniable advantages that are characteristic of this device. However, many buyers are deterred from purchasing it by arguments about how harmful Teflon is. The slow cooker does not always have this coating.

When the multicooker bowl is heated to a temperature of more than 260 degrees, it releases harmful substances. Such a coating is easily damaged, of course, if you use it incorrectly. Even a small scratch on it can break the non-stick layer.

And the main disadvantage of the Teflon multicooker bowl is that the Teflon model will last a maximum of 3 years.

Ceramic bowl is even less durable and will last you no more than two years. But this, according to manufacturers, applies to budget models. A high-quality multicooker with a very durable ceramic coating is expensive. Of course, this will not suit everyone. Also, a multicooker with a ceramic layer is not protected from alkalis, so the use of detergents is prohibited!

Caring for the multicooker

Experts say that the Teflon coating in this device cannot reach a critical temperature, since the bowl always remains closed while cooking your favorite dish, so the harm of Teflon in this type of household appliances is exaggerated.

In order not to harm the he alth of your family members, you must constantly check the integrity of the coating. Do not use metal spoons or forks while cooking. The multicooker bowl should be washed after each preparation. To remove food residue, use soft sponges and detergents so as not to spoil the protective layer.

Teflon harm to he alth

Research scientists have proven that the substances released by Teflon are extremely toxic. They can cause insulin problems, obesity, thyroid cancer.

Teflon poses a huge threat to nine types of cells that regulate the immune system, according to chemists (medics confirm this).

Recently, this coating has been associated with the appearance of elevated levels of triglycerin and cholesterol in the human body. Animals react to this substance with noticeable changes in the volumes of the liver, brain and spleen.

A person's endocrine system is destroyed, the risk of developing cancer increases many times over.

A frying pan, a pan with a Teflon coating for children is especially dangerous (in case of violation of its integrity).

Ceramic or Teflon

Ten years ago, when buying a non-stick pan, no one doubted that it should only beteflon. At that time, such dishes were called "Tefal", since almost the entire market of Russian dishes of this type was in the "hands" of Tefal.

Today, a housewife looking for a replacement for her old frying pan can face a serious choice problem. In addition, a few years ago they started talking about the dangers of such coverage. At this time, Teflon models from different manufacturers began to appear in our stores, offering their own dishes. These were very expensive European designs and cheap Chinese products.

Each manufacturer began to assure that its coating is the safest, that it is a patented innovation that has no analogues.

At this time, the main competitor of Teflon appeared - the sol-gel, or ceramic coating. So, maybe this ceramic coating, which is fashionable these days, is ideal, but everyone must get sick from Teflon? We will talk about this further.

Advantages of Teflon

Despite the rather serious shortcomings of the Teflon coating, it also has unconditional advantages. Such dishes will reliably protect your products from burning, and with minimal use of fats. It is easy to clean with a soft sponge and detergent.

Teflon-coated dishes have high heat resistance and retain their properties up to +260 C. It should be noted that liquid dishes - soups, sauces are cooked at a temperature of 100 degrees, meat is fried at a higher temperature (190 degrees). But in the oven, the temperature rises to 300 degrees, soyou should not use such dishes for baking.

Disadvantages of Teflon

This polymer is not resistant to mechanical damage. It can be easily damaged by ordinary kitchen metal spatulas or a knife.

Ceramic coating

Sol-gel - this is the name of this coating, which is often referred to as ceramic, is not such a new invention. It was first announced in the first half of the 20th century. In the production of dishes, it began to be used quite recently.

As usual, manufacturers assure their customers that it is harmless and durable. One might assume that there was a worthy replacement for Teflon with its toxic fumes and fragile coating. As it turns out, this is a rather controversial issue.

In order to figure out whether a ceramic or Teflon coating is better, you should find out all the advantages and disadvantages of the sol-gel.

Good qualities

The non-stick coating of this coating is not inferior to Teflon. However, its main advantage is considered to be its environmental friendliness. If the coating is damaged or if it is overheated, no harmful substances are released.

Sol-gel cookware is heat-resistant - it retains non-stick properties at temperatures of 400 degrees or more.

Cons of ceramics

This coating degrades much faster than Teflon, even with proper use, (after about 132 uses).

The right choice

When choosing Teflon cookware, don't be like the miser who pays twice. In cheap fakes of unknown manufacturersused as a coating for anything, up to epoxy. Goods from a reliable and trusted manufacturer in a large specialized store are sold with a warranty receipt and instructions.

Reviews

We studied customer reviews of Teflon-coated cookware. It may seem strange, but 90% of users know or at least once heard about its harm. Despite this, they continue to use it. In most cases, buyers say that they do not believe in its harm, most housewives claim that they are attracted by the ease of care for such products.

As for the reviews of specialists (chemists, doctors), many of them claim that they have long excluded such kitchen utensils from everyday life. They recommend going back to time-tested cast iron or aluminum cookware, at least until Teflon is proven safe.

Today we told you about non-stick coatings. You learned about Teflon and alternative coatings. We hope that the information received will be useful to you when you go to the store for a new household appliance or utensils.