This article will attempt to answer the question asked by many consumers when they are choosing between appliances ‘Ceramic vs Teflon: Which is Safer?’. The debate between ceramic and Teflon waffle makers started soon after ceramic coated products became available.
The first argument is that all ceramic waffle makers are safer than Teflon waffle makers because they do not contain any toxic chemicals such as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are a group of man-made chemicals such as PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid).
Also ceramic is more durable than Teflon, which has the tendency to scratch and chip easily, and also heats up faster, which makes it easier to cook. The main reasons you would choose Teflon are that it is much cheaper and easier to find.
Many amateur chefs today use Teflon-coated pans to cook with, believing them to be the only option. However, recent studies have shown that cooking with Teflon is very hazardous to your health because it contains PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), a chemical linked with many health risks such as cancer and hormonal changes that is likely to emit harmful chemicals and off-gas when heated at very high temperatures.
Ceramic cookware was introduced in response to the demand for healthier and less toxic alternatives. Ceramic cookware has been proven to be a safer alternative since it does not contain any harmful chemical coatings. Cooking with ceramic releases far fewer harmful chemicals and can give you healthier meals. High heat resistant ceramic coating will not chip or peel like Teflon cookware does. This article will discuss how ceramic cookware is more environmentally friendly and healthier than Teflon coated pans.
The best waffle maker with removable ceramic plates, the Hamilton Beach 26031, only contains non-toxic chemicals. Another great ceramic Belgian waffle maker is the Calphalon Intellicrisp ceramic waffle maker because it has a countdown timer, audio beeps, and really good heat distribution. If you want to learn more about the safest ceramic waffle makers on the market, then please read this article: best eco friendly ceramic waffle makers without teflon coating.
The Problem with Teflon Coated Pans
For decades, Teflon-coated pans have been a staple in most American kitchens because they are affordable and easy to clean. The popular cookware is non-stick which means it doesn’t need any oils or butter to prevent food from sticking.
Teflon is the brand name for a type of non-stick coating developed by chemists Roy Plunkett and Jack Rebok while they worked at the DuPont Company in 1938. The original Teflon fluoropolymer was called polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE.
Teflon is a synthetically produced material that consists of a mixture of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PTFE is what gives Teflon its nonstick properties but when it is heated at 300 degrees Celsius or higher, it releases toxic fumes such as PFOA, which has been shown to affect liver function and cause mutations in DNA and cancer in animals.
PFOA is classified as a human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency and has been linked to thyroid disease, kidney disease, and birth defects.
What does the American Cancer Society think?
The American Cancer Society does not recommend cooking with any Teflon-coated pans because when you use these pans to fry food at temperatures above 300 degrees Celsius for more than several minutes, they can release dangerous chemicals such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), which has caused cancer in lab animals and linked to heart disease and high cholesterol in humans.
Why Teflon does not contain any PFOA anymore?
In 2001, some local residents in Ohio and West Virginia sued DuPont when it was determined that PFOA from their Washington Works facility contaminated their drinking water. In 2005, Dupont settled with the plaintiffs for $107 million.
Then another bigger lawsuit involving 3,500 plaintiffs from Ohio and West Virginia was filed against DuPont. After decades of producing the chemical, DuPont was finally forced to stop producing PFOA and PFOS by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2015. These toxic chemicals have been linked to many medical problems, including kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, and high cholesterol.
The EPA has stated that PFOA belongs to a group of older, long-lived chemicals that are unsafe and dangerous even in small amounts. This resulted from thirty years of lobbying efforts by environmental activists who wanted to change how chemicals were regulated to achieve more transparency.
DuPont is the world’s largest maker of Teflon but, in 2015, DuPont signed a consent decree agreeing to stop the production of PFOA and PFOS in November 2015. DuPont spokesperson Dan Turner stated that Dupont still believes that their Teflon is safe and caused no harm, contrary to EPA reports.
Does ceramic coating contain any harmful chemicals?
The FDA has approved the use of ceramic coatings in non-stick cookware, which is good news for consumers who care about the health risks Teflon coated products may pose. Ceramic coatings are made with natural ingredients like clay, lime, and silica which are all nontoxic and safe to use in your kitchen. Clay is the most prevalent material used in ceramic cookware. These materials are mixed together and carefully heated until they become hardened. Then the ceramic piece is glazed with a type of coating or paint to prevent it from rusting or chipping. Ceramic cookware is odorless and retains heat well. It is non-toxic and won’t erode in the dishwasher.
Does ceramic coating contain PTFE or PFOA?
Ceramic coating is a new generation of nonstick coating that was developed in response to the health concerns of cooking with Teflon nonstick coating because it contains PTFE and PFOA which can emit toxic fumes. Ceramic coatings are an environmentally friendly alternative to Teflon because it contains no PTFE or PFOA and is approved by the FDA. The non-stick properties of a ceramic coating make them a good choice because it releases food more quickly which makes it easier to clean, heats up faster, and is more scratch-resistant.
Is ceramic coating safer and more durable than Teflon?
Many homes make the switch to ceramic cookware for their family, due to its durability and low risk of chemicals leaching into food while it cooks. The ceramic coating is also more durable than Teflon, which is prone to scratches, wear, and chipping. The ceramic coating has been shown to last three times longer than Teflon.
Ceramic cookware is typically made from a mixture of clay, metal oxides, and other ingredients that do not react with food. This means that users are less likely to find harmful substances in their meals when they use ceramic pots or pans. Because it is non-toxic, there are no harmful fumes released when it’s heated at high temperatures like with other cookware.
Ceramic cookware heats up quickly and uniformly because it does not hold on to heat like cast iron or glass does.