Cooking For Engineers

ctrosejr · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 2

Does anyone know if Calphalon cookware is made with C-8, which has been shown to be carcinogenic? Is Calphalon cookware safe?

gk · Guest

very interesting, i use nonstick allclad and i'm worried about the carcinogens. any body have any input?

ctrosejr · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 2

gk, Good catch! I should have mentioned AllClad, in addition to Calphalon. AllClad is also a big manufacturer of non-stick cookware.

Amadio · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 10 Location: Seattle, WA

The nonstick coating would have to start breaking down to gas off, so unless you're leaving a pan unattended and empty on high heat, you shouldn't have to worry about your health.

MeganAmyH · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 20

I actually just learned about this a couple of weeks ago at work!

The answer is that no, they are not carcinogenic, but I understand where the whole thing got started.

Essentially, the propellent that they use to spray the Nonstick coating on is carcinogenic, but when they bake the nonstick coating onto the pan, all of the bad stuff is burned off, which means that by the time the consumer gets their hands on it, there is nothing bad left on the pan. So, even high heat cooking doesn't release carcinogens.

This is not to say that you should cook on high heat in a nonstick pan. Nope, not ever, as the nonstick coating will burn, just like anything else that gets too hot.

curiousmom · Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

I wouldn't worry about using pans you already have.

But, I won't buy more, because the stuff used/produced during manufacture cannot be good for either the workers or the environment!

MeganAmyH · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 20

Actually, it's already been proven safe, as the "baking" process is done in a sealed chamber. They've already had to drop the cases against the manufacturers for that reason.

raquelle78 · Guest

The fumes from over heating teflon coated pans is known to be deadly to birds. I'd rather not take the risk on myself. Shock

DrBiggles · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 356 Location: Richmond, CA

Hmm, I think I'll wait until there's conclusive evidence linking any ingredient with modern cookware and any kind of possible harm to humans. Of if people wind up in the morgue with direct links to over-heating their non-stick cookware.

Biggles