Is Your Cookware Poisoning You?
For over 40 years scientists have known that the fumes from hot non-stick surfaces can kill birds such as canaries. So just how dangerous are they to you?
Several studies have been conducted into health concerns surrounding Teflon, the coating invented and patented by DuPont. The results have been disturbing, if somewhat inconclusive.
While the lethal effect on birds is well documented and not in dispute, much of the other evidence tends to be anecdotal at best. And some of it is downright confusing.
For example, the chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is usually cited as the villain of the piece and the root cause of the illnesses that have allegedly appeared in some users. However DuPont claims Teflon doesn't contain this chemical, although it is used in the manufacturing process.
Whatever the truth of that may be, its certainly accurate to say that there have been a number of health issues emerging in the community immediately adjacent to the DuPont factory in Parkersburg, West Virginia; more about that later.
There also seems to be some disagreement among authorities as to the temperatures at which the bird-lethal fumes are given off. These are quoted as ranging from 285F to 475 and more.
Since both these figures are well within the smoke points of edible oils such as avocado and safflower, keeping your budgie in or near the kitchen is definitely not good for his health.
But what about your health?
Human victims have complained of flu-like symptoms, some leading to respiratory complications, after using non-stick cookware. Some reactions have been reported as "severe"".
At least one report suggests that the fumes may be cancer inducing after prolonged exposure, although none suggest that Teflon itself is harmful if swallowed.
If the fumes are harmful to humans, then there is much more to consider than just kitchen items. Some brands of light bulb, portable heaters and even Gore Tex clothing are all produced using PFOA, the same reactive agent used in the case of Teflon.
Not surprisingly, DuPont denies there is any problem; but this hasn't prevented the company from paying out millions of dollars in compensation, not only to their employees but to 50,000 people living in the vicinity of the Parkersburg factory. You have to ask yourself "why?".
Complaints have included accusations of water pollution, high infant mortality rates and a greater than normal incidence of cancer among the local population. DuPont has never admitted liability in any of these cases.
While the jury still seems to be out on the safety or otherwise of Teflon in the home, even DuPont's own experts advise caution when using non-stick items, particularly with regard to high cooking temperatures.
And this is something you can rely on: when Teflon and similar coatings are heated to a certain point, fumes are given off. These fumes will kill pet birds that inhale them. Its therefore reasonable to suppose that other forms of life may also be at risk.
You can get more information on the Teflon debate from this address http://www.ewg.org/reports/toxicteflon/es.php
For a definitive article on the effects of Teflon fumes on birds, visit this site http://www.theaviary.com/teflon.shtml
Article Source:http://www.articles321.com
Michael Sheridan was formerly head chef of the Pierre Victoire restaurant in London's West End, specializing in French cuisine. An Australian, he is a published author on cooking matters and runs a free membership club and cooking course for busy home cooks at http://thecoolcook.com
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Types Of Cookware
The foundation of preparing a gourmet meal is the cookware that we use. Before you start to say that the cookware doesn't affect the quality of the food you are preparing I would like you to stop and think for a moment. Would you rather eat food that is burnt or undercooked because the heat was not distributed evenly or food that was cooked properly and evenly so that the taste of the herbs and spices came through the food?
Keep in mind, that cookware that has hot spots will cook your entire meal at a different rate. The type of cookware you prefer, whether it is stainless steel, copper, aluminum or cast iron is not as important as the quality of the cookware you are using. Quality cookware will help make sure that the heat is distributed evenly for proper cooking, and the lids to the cookware will fit appropriately to help avoid splashes and help seal in the heat.
The main concern among most people though when it comes to purchasing quality cookware has more to do with their budget then it does with the way your food will taste when you cook with it. While quality cookware does not have to cost a fortune, it also doesn't have to be a matching set. Each type of cookware has a specific enough purpose that buying individual pieces can help complete the essential quality cookware needs.
For example, copper pots and pans are the most expensive and they distribute heat the best. However they are not ideal for preparing all types of foods, they scratch and depending on what you are cooking in them, they may transfer a metallic taste you to your feast. If there is one piece of copper cookware you must have it is a copper mixing bowl. The copper mixing bowl is essential in beating egg whites; the copper lets you beat the white to their maximum volume.
Aluminum is less expensive, does not distribute heat as well as the copper and can also transfer a metallic taste to you food. If you are going to purchase aluminum then make sure that you are getting anodized pans. This will help make them last longer and decrease the reactivity with your food. Cast iron skillets are wonderful for specialized cooking and searing the best steak you will ever have. They are slightly more expensive then aluminum and they need to be kept seasoned to prevent sticking.
Stainless steel pots and pans are what I like to call the middle ground. They are in the mid price range and distribute heat better then aluminum but not as well as copper and it doesn't give you food a metallic taste. It is easy to clean and is good for everyday cooking.
Are you ready to find quality cookware? Visit Low Cost Quality Cookware Sets and Cast Iron Cookware.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cooking-tips-articles/types-of-cookware-320809.html
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Magnalite Cookware - A Legacy Of Durability
The popular Magnalite cookware has been with us for more than 70 years now. These indispensable cooking tools are known for their durability, distinctive design, and patented Cast Aluminum fabrication. Magnalite cookware's durability stems from the magnesium-aluminum alloy casting process.
Its superior heat conduction is due to the casting process Magnalite cookware is known for. Its pans have varied thicknesses designed to optimize heat conductivity.
Magnalite Cookware's pans boast extremely thick bases which not only speed up cooking but also distribute the heat evenly up the sides. The vapor-tight pot and pan lids, on the other hand, lock in moisture to keep the food flavorful. And because they are vapor-tight, cooking time is also shortened.
They also have a sleek retro design, with heavy cast lids and pouring spouts for spill-free pouring. All Magnalite cookware are shiny and handsome and would look fantastic in any kitchen. Aside from these features, Magnalite cookware is also oven safe for up to 350 degrees.
One of the strange facts about the history of Magnalite cookware is that one about the dispute regarding the use of the name "Magnalite." The American Culinary Corporation claims that its President bought the Wagner and Magnalite brands plus the molds of the original Magnalite.
World Kitchen (formerly the Corningware group), on the other hand, has also been selling cookware using the Magnalite brand. This cookware look like the original Magnalite, but the cookware parts do not fit the original Magnalite cookware. These are readily available at Sam's Club, WalMart stores, and Corningstores, while Magnalite cookware from the American Culinary Corp. can sometimes be hard to find.
The authentic Magnalite Cookware comes with a 50-year warranty and the prices range from $100 for an individual piece to over $300 for a set of 13 pieces. It is still considerably cheaper than All-Clad cookware, and is a wise investment in its own right.
To read more about Magnalite Cookware's ambiguous origins, you can visit http://fantes.com/magnalite.htm. You can also browse the history of what the American Culinary Corporation claims to be the original Magnalite Cookware at http://www.wagnerware.com/about.asp?section=time.
In addition, you can find everything you want to know about Magnalite Cookware products at http://www.americanculinarycorp.com/ and see why this cookware is sought by millions of chefs and cooks the world over.
You can also find more info on Professional Cookware and All Clad Cookware. Cookware-help.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Cook Ware and its Varities Like Glass, Nonstick, and Titanium Cook Ware.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner
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Things to Consider When Purchasing Microwave Safe Cookware
In this day and age, a microwave oven is a standard appliance in most kitchens. While some people simply use their microwave to re-heat food occasionally or cook a T.V. dinner, others use their microwave to cook entire meals for their family. If you are planning on doing a large amount of microwave cooking, you will need to make sure you have microwave safe cookware to cook your meals in.
When shopping for microwave safe cookware, there are a few things that you should consider. Will you be using your cookware often? If so, then you will want to put out the extra money to purchase high quality microwave safe cookware that will last a long time. While the initial investment may seem a bit much at first, purchasing high quality cookware will prevent you from having to continually keep purchasing it.
The size and shape of your microwave safe cookware should also be taken into consideration. If you have a small microwave oven, you will of course want to purchase cookware that will fit properly into your oven. If your oven has a turntable inside, purchase cookware that will be able to turn freely, without bumping the sides of the oven.
For best results when cooking, purchase microwave safe cookware that is round or oval rather than square or rectangle. Round or oval cookware tends to allow the food to cook more evenly and prevent hot spots from occurring. Furthermore, microwave cookware will work more effectively if the containers are shallow rather than deep. So if you can find round or oval shallow containers that are of high quality, you would be best off purchasing these containers.
Before purchasing any cookware to use in the microwave, be sure to thoroughly read the label and examine the container. Does the label specifically state that the container is safe for microwave use? Are there any metal parts to the container? If there are metal parts to the container, you should not purchase it. Additionally, if the label does not specifically state the product is microwave safe, you should not purchase it to use in the microwave.
Article by Camilla Bertelsen and the owner of http://microwavecookwareblog.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Camilla_Bertelsen
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