Latest news with #cookingSafety
CNET
27-06-2025
- Health
- CNET
Still Using That Cracked Spatula? These 7 Kitchen Tools Need to Go
It's easy to get attached to your go-to kitchen tools: that trusty spatula, your favorite cutting board or the whisk you've had since your first apartment. But not every kitchen essential is built to last forever. While some tools like cast-iron skillets or Dutch ovens get better with age, others wear down, lose effectiveness, or even become unsanitary no matter how well you take care of them. Over time, plastic can warp, wooden utensils can harbor bacteria, and dull blades can become dangerous. Even silicone tools, which seem indestructible, can degrade or lose their nonstick edge. If your drawers are filled with aging gadgets you haven't looked at closely in a while, it might be time for an upgrade. Swapping out worn tools not only improves safety and hygiene, it can also make cooking feel smoother and more enjoyable. Not sure where to start? Here are the kitchen items experts say you should consider replacing sooner rather than later. "Keeping your kitchen tools in good condition ensures both safety and efficiency," says Maricel Gentile, kitchen expert and founder of cooking school Maricel's Kitchen. "Plus, it's the perfect excuse to explore new gadgets, and some need replacing more often than you think." Below you'll find seven examples of kitchen tools that may have worn out their welcome in your kitchen. 1. Plastic cutting boards and utensils Plastic isn't impervious to bacteria, even if you're regularly putting it in the dishwasher. "Over time, knife marks can create deep grooves that are hard to clean and can harbor bacteria," Gentile says. "Also, plastics degrade with heat and use, releasing microplastics into the food." If you want to avoid microplastics in your food, replace your plastic cutting board of wear and tear can indicate that it's time for a change. "If your board is heavily scarred or stained, it's time to replace it," says Gentile. With other plastic tools, look for signs of discoloration, melting or warping. 2. Plastic storage containers Kitchen expert Sylvia Fountaine of Feasting at Home says to ditch plastic storage containers outright. If you're using them only to keep food in the fridge, it's probably OK, but the temptation to take storage containers from the fridge to the microwave is what makes them less than ideal. When heated, these types of containers can leach various chemicals into your food. "Opt for glass storage containers with bamboo lids," Fountaine says. Avoid putting your plastic Tupperware in the microwave.3. Graters, peelers and microplanes Metal tools with sharp edges, designed to break food down into bits like shreds and zest, don't have any of the risks associated with microplastics and are relatively easy to clean and sanitize, but can overstay their utility if you're holding on to them for too long. "These dull over time and become less effective at shredding or zesting," Gentile says. "If your grater starts to mash instead of grate, it's time for a replacement -- your recipes will thank you!" 4. Can opener Whether a handheld or electric model, your can opener is not meant for the long term for a couple of reasons. "It will get dull over time," says Mitzi Baum, CEO at Stop Foodborne Illness, just like the tools above that rely on a sharp edge or blade. But the can opener also has sanitary implications. "It is a kitchen utensil that does not get regularly cleaned or sanitized," says Baum. "If it is not washed regularly, it will have food and bacteria build up on it and could contaminate other canned foods when used to open them." A bunker can opener. Nelson Aguilar/CNET If rust has also built up on your can opener, especially the blade that may come into contact with food, it's past time to replace it. 5. Kitchen sponges If your kitchen sponge smells off, that's a good sign it's time to be replaced. JavierDoes your kitchen sponge smell? Do you think that's just how kitchen sponges always are? If so, you need to hear this. "Kitchen sponges need to be replaced regularly as sponges can support harmful bacterial growth because they are wet and sit at room temperature -- a temperature that bacteria like," Baum says. The musty smell of kitchen sponges indicates that bacteria are growing. There is a nonwaste solution: "The sponge can be included in the dishwasher as long as (it) includes a sanitizing cycle," Baum says. "If you do not have a dishwasher, replace your sponges regularly, especially when it begins to smell." 6. Wooden spoons and cutting boards If you're holding on to any wooden utensils or boards that belonged to a previous generation, don't. Wooden spoons and other utensils would seem to be heritage tools, since they're difficult to break or chip, but they're meant for a good time, not a long time. "Wooden spoons are kitchen workhorses, but they're also porous, which means they can absorb liquids, oils and odors and lead to bacterial buildup," says Debra Clark, kitchen expert and founder of Bowl Me Over. "If your wooden spoon is starting to look worn, smells funky or has deep grooves, it's time to replace it. A good rule of thumb is to replace them every year or so if they see heavy use." If your wooden spoon smells musty or looks worn, it's time to replace it.6. Nonstick pots and pans If your nonstick skillet looks anything like this, it's time to saddle yourself with a fresh pan. David Watsky/CNET The coating of nonstick pans is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to forever chemicals and microplastics. "These pans are a lifesaver for quick, low-fat cooking, but the coating doesn't last forever," Clark says. "Over time, scratches and wear can not only reduce their effectiveness but may also release tiny bits of the nonstick material into your food," she says, which is the point where you might accidentally ingest some of it and it starts to become really harmful. "If your pan is scratched, flaking or sticking more than it should, it's time to invest in a new one. Most nonstick pans last about three to five years with regular use.'' (Nontoxic, nonstick brands that utilize ceramic include Caraway and Green Pan.) 7. Silicone baking equipment Rubber and silicone, especially cheap ones, have been found to leach chemicals into food. M Kitchen/CNET Silicone is found all over the kitchen, from rubber scrapers and oven mitts to baking mats and trays. Anything that experiences high heat, however, should get tossed. "To be clear about silicone tools, I wouldn't replace them often but replace them altogether with something else like stainless or enamel bakeware," Fountaine says. "I have been reading that silicone is possibly considered 'safe,' but only up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. There is very limited research on its safety, and other additives to the silicone could potentially leach into food," she says. "Plus It is not biodegradable or recyclable, so not very eco-friendly." Read more: Top 10 Foods Contaminated With Microplastics. Here's How to Avoid Them
CNET
05-06-2025
- Health
- CNET
Can Your Nonstick Pan Make You Sick? We'll Explain
A great nonstick pan can do wonders for your cooking. Nonstick cookware is coated in teflon, which makes it easy to use and clean. However, some question the safety of the chemical-coated dishes: PTFE and PFAS (used in the coating) can potentially mix with your food during use. CNET Last year, the US saw an increase in reported cases of "Teflon flu." If that raises questions in your mind, you're not alone. Several Reddit users expressed the same concerns, with some wondering whether inhaling Teflon fumes while cooking is dangerous. The good news is that if your cookware was made after a certain year and you use it properly, you should be in the clear. But there's also a bit more to the story. Here's what you need to know about Teflon flu and using your nonstick kitchenware without health worries. Read more: Never Raise Your Air Fryer Above This Temperature What is Teflon flu? Air fryer baskets are often made with a synthetic nonstick coating. David Watsky/CNET The chemical polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), found in Teflon and similar nonstick surfaces, is common in air fryers, pots and pans and other kitchen appliances. When these materials overheat, they can release synthetic compounds that pose health risks. Polymer fume fever, or Teflon flu, has reignited a debate about nonstick cookware safety. The illness occurs when fumes from an overheated Teflon or nonstick pan are inhaled. Nonstick pans are made with polytetrafluoroethylene (also known as PTFE). PTFEs are known as "forever chemicals" because they take decades or sometimes even hundreds of years to break down. Read more: I Upgraded to This PFAS-Free Glass Fryer and You Should, Too Under normal use, PTFEs aren't thought to cause a health risk, but when heated to above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, there are increased emissions and the resulting polymer fume fever. Polymer fume fever causes a range of reported symptoms including fever, chills, muscle tension and headache. Symptoms of Teflon flu are temporary and generally start within 12 hours of exposure but can take up to 24 hours to take hold. How to avoid Teflon flu Teflon and nonstick cookware are easy to use, clean and maintain, but it should be used only for low to medium heat cooking. Never heat your nonstick cookware over high heat or medium heat for long periods of time. Try to keep the surface temperature at or below 450 degrees Fahrenheit, or emissions from the PTFE coating are likely to increase. What is Teflon and does it cause cancer? Nonstick or Teflon is a popular choice for home cooks. The biggest advantage is that food won't stick to pots and pans coated with Teflon the way it does to other metal materials, so it's easy to flip a pancake or remove a cooked egg. Nonstick is also very easy to clean, generally taking no more than a few seconds to wash by hand. Teflon is a brand name for a synthetic chemical called polytetrafluoroethylene that's used in many household products, from wire coatings to fabric protectors and kitchen cookware. The knock on Teflon is that it's unsafe if consumed or absorbed into the body and can increase the chances of cancer and other diseases. Studies have shown some connections (more on that below), but Teflon still exists and is used to make cookware, and the safety concerns around Teflon are mostly a thing of the past. I stress mostly. Here's why… The brand Teflon may be associated with a risk of cancer, but it's actually a chemical formerly used in the making of Teflon called PFOA that's to blame. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, perfluorooctanoic acid is a manufactured perfluorochemical developed in the 1930s and used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. Thanks to a federal ban, all Teflon and nonstick cookware made after 2013 should be free of harmful PFOA. Europe enacted the same ban in 2008. All-Clad What are the negative effects of PFOA? In some studies, PFOA has been linked to cancer, immune deficiency and a host of other medical problems. It has also been shown to affect growth and development and injure the liver in laboratory animals. As recently as 2017, chemical giant Dupont settled a lawsuit for more than $670 million for its role in contaminating drinking water with PFOA (also referred to as C-8) in the mid-Ohio Valley. A previous class-action suit from 2004 in the same area led to a study that found PFOA was linked to cancer and compromised immune function, even in small doses. Teflon cookware made before 2013 may be toxic All that was enough for most manufacturers to halt the production of nonstick coatings using PFOA around 2002. Teflon using PFOA wasn't officially banned in the United States until 2014. Europe banned it in 2008. That means if you own Teflon nonstick cookware from 2013 or earlier, there's a chance it contains PFOA. Nine years is typically longer than the average lifespan of a nonstick pan, but if you're not sure, it's probably best to replace any Teflon-coated pots or pans. If you're concerned, look for PFOA-free cookware Because of the ban, all nonstick cookware made in the US should be PFOA-free, but you'd be wise to make sure. Be extra cautious about buying cheap or off-brand cookware, especially if it's not produced in a country with an active PFOA ban. PFOA is still produced elsewhere, largely in China, and used to make consumer products. The good news is that PFOA-free nonstick cookware is cheap, so there's no reason to risk it with anything that might contain the chemical. You can nab a 10-inch skillet from a trusted cookware brand like Misen for $99 or Tramontina for about $30. Luxury cookware brand All-Clad makes a two-piece nonstick cookware set for $60. The Always Pan is a nonstick ceramic alternative to Teflon cookware. Our Place The best natural nonstick cookware alternatives If you're ready to ditch Teflon and chemical-based nonstick pots and pans, there are plenty of more natural nonstick alternatives. The most nonstick of the bunch is ceramic cookware, which has seen a boom in popularity since concerns about Teflon first surfaced. A few popular ceramic cookware options include The Always Pan (read my full review here), Caraway and Greenpan. Cast iron is another cookware material that develops a natural nonstick coating over time, especially if you season it well and care for it properly. It won't likely ever become as nonstick as Teflon, but cast iron has loads of other culinary benefits that are worthy of a few extra seconds of scrubbing in the sink after use. Lodge is a tried-and-true cast-iron cookware producer: You can scoop up a 10-inch skillet for as little as $20. Cast iron develops a nonstick patina over time and is a natural alternative to Teflon. Angela Lang/CNET Carbon steel is yet another option and functions similarly to cast-iron cookware, although it's not quite as heavy, slightly more sensitive to corrosion, and typically more expensive. Carbon steel hasn't really popped off here in the US but is a favorite of professional chefs, as well as yours truly. Cookware startup Made In produces some excellent carbon steel cookware with prices starting around $89, but there are cheaper options out there. FAQs Should I worry about buying Teflon nonstick cookware? The Teflon brand stopped using PFOA, the offending chemical behind Teflon flu, in 2013. That means that it should be safe to use new Teflon cookware any way you see fit -- although it couldn't hurt to continue being cautious when using new nonstick cookware. Can I only catch Teflon flu from Teflon products? No. The name Teflon flu originates from the Teflon brand because they famously used PFOA chemicals in the process of creating its cookware before 2013. However, that doesn't mean your cookware is PFOA-free. If your cookware is created in the US, it should be free of harmful chemicals. But cheap companies and off-brands that create cookware in countries without PFOA bans often still use the chemical in their products, and those might still wind up in your hands.
