"Xiao Li, have you heard? Recently, someone on the Internet said that the non-stick pan coating is toxic and may cause cancer!" Xiao Wang said worriedly to his friend Xiao Li.
Xiao Li was stunned, there happened to be a commonly used non-stick pan in his kitchen, and he usually paid a lot of attention to such health topics, but he did not delve into the rumors of non-stick pan coating. "Really, it's fake, I usually use it for stir-frying and omelettes, is there a health risk?" Xiao Li looked puzzled.
Xiao Wang continued: "I'm not sure either, but I saw a lot of people discussing. However, some experts are said to have done experiments and said that as long as they are used properly, nonstick pans are actually very safe. I wonder if we should know the truth and not be misled by rumors. ”
Xiao Li nodded in agreement: "Yes, don't worry if you figure it out." Have you found specific experimental materials? Let's study and study together, so that we can spread the correct knowledge to our friends. ”
Xiao Wang immediately took out his mobile phone and showed the relevant information he found. The two carefully studied and tried to demystify the non-stick coating and explore its true safety. This story has sparked our attention on the safety of non-stick coatings, and we'll dive into the science behind them as we delve into the ingredients, potential risks, and proper use of non-stick coatings.
Analysis of non-stick pan coating materials
The core material of the nonstick pan coating is a polymer compound called "Teflon" (PTFE). PTFE, the full name of polytetrafluoroethylene, is a chain-like structure formed by the close bonding of carbon atoms and fluorine atoms through covalent bonds. This special molecular structure gives PTFE a range of excellent properties, making it an ideal coating material for nonstick pans.
Heat resistance: PTFE has extremely high heat stability and is able to maintain good chemical properties in the temperature range of 180 to 260°C, which covers most of the temperature conditions required for daily cooking. Even after brief exposure at higher temperatures, it retains good heat resistance and does not easily undergo chemical decomposition.
Low temperature resistance: PTFE also has excellent low temperature resistance, can remain soft and flexible in a low temperature environment of -200°C, and will not become brittle or crack, so it is suitable for making equipment parts used in extremely low temperature environments.
Self-lubrication: The surface of PTFE is extremely smooth, its coefficient of friction is extremely low, almost close to the surface of ice, which makes its surface have natural non-stick properties, it is difficult for food to adhere when it comes into contact with the bottom of the pan, it can be easily fried during cooking, and it is easy to clean.
Chemical stability: PTFE is inert to most chemicals, and has almost no chemical reaction with acids, alkalis, salts, solvents, etc., which can effectively resist the erosion of various corrosive substances and ensure that the coating maintains good performance in long-term use.
Non-toxic and harmless: Pure PTFE itself is non-toxic and odorless, and harmless to human health. It does not release harmful substances during cooking, meets food safety standards, and can be safely used in food contact utensils.
Non-stick pan coating safety hazards
PFOA issues: PFOA (ammonium perfluorooctanoate) may have been used as a processing aid in the production process of early nonstick coatings. PFOA is highly toxic and does not degrade easily, and long-term ingestion may have an impact on human health, including the possible increase in the risk of liver cancer, pancreatic cancer and other diseases. However, since 2015, the mainland has banned PFOA from the production of everyday products such as non-stick pans. At present, there is no hidden danger of PFOA in the non-stick pans produced by regular manufacturers on the market. Therefore, as long as consumers buy products from regular manufacturers, they do not need to worry about the toxic and carcinogenic problem of coatings.
Pyrolysis: Although PTFE is stable in temperatures ranging from 180 to 260°C, when temperatures exceed 300°C, the PTFE coating may begin to decompose, releasing harmful substances. During the actual cooking process, if the oil temperature in the pan is too high or dry boiled for a long time, it may cause the PTFE coating temperature to exceed the safe threshold and produce toxic fumes. Therefore, when using a non-stick pan, you should avoid cooking at high temperatures and avoid dry-burning the bottom of the pan.
Coating peeling: Nonstick pan coatings can peel off after being subjected to severe scratches, bumps, or prolonged high-temperature baking. Peeling coating fragments can be harmless if ingested into food, but may affect the taste and aesthetics of the food. In addition, peeling off of the coating may lead to exposure of the metal substrate inside the pan, which can precipitate during cooking if the metal contains heavy metals or other harmful substances, posing a potential health threat.
Improper cleaning: Using a strong cleaning tool such as a hard brush, steel wool ball, etc., to clean the non-stick pan may cause the coating to wear or even fall off. The use of highly alkaline cleaners may also cause damage to the coating. The correct way to clean is to use a soft cloth or sponge with a mild detergent and avoid scratching too hard.
Use a non-stick pan the right way
Purchase: When buying a non-stick pan, you should choose a regular manufacturer's products and check whether the bottom of the pot is smooth and flawless, uniform in color, and firm in the handle. For the first use, apply a layer of vegetable oil to the bottom of the pan to increase non-stickiness.
Avoid dry boiling and extreme cooking: Dry heating of the bottom of the pan will cause the coating to heat up rapidly, causing the coating to decompose, and rapid cooking and frying on extreme heat may cause the temperature of the bottom of the pan to exceed 300°C, causing Teflon to decompose and produce toxic substances. Therefore, when using a non-stick pan, avoid dry boiling and extreme cooking.
Use special utensils: Stir-frying with a spatula may cause the coating to peel off, so it is recommended to use wooden or silicone utensils. Once the coating comes off, you should stop using the pot, because the coating may cause heavy metals to precipitate in the pot and affect your health.
Cleaning and maintenance: After cooking, wait for the pot to cool down slightly before cleaning, so as to avoid direct rinsing with cold water and causing the coating to fall off due to thermal expansion and contraction. When cleaning stubborn stains, use a sponge cleaner and never scrub with a hard scrub such as a steel wool ball.