Poison kitchen? These pans are safe for health

Status: 19.06.2023, 14:11 p.m.

By: Philipp Mosthaf

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Frying pans are available in different materials. Not all of them are healthy for us. © Michael Bihlmayer / Imago

Pans are available in different materials. But material and coating are not always healthy for us. You can read about which pans are harmless to health here.

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Pans are part of the basic equipment of a kitchen. We use them almost daily to conjure up delicious dishes and to pamper ourselves and our loved ones. When it comes to eating, more and more attention is paid to health. However, this topic starts with the preparation and the choice of the right pan. Pans are made of different materials and have different coatings. There are Teflon pans, cast iron pans and many more. But which pan is harmless to health? In this article you will find the answers, as well as some "healthy" models.

Which pans are safe for health?

• Teflon pan: Have you ever heard or read the term polytetrafluoroethylene? The plastic PTFE stands for nothing more than Teflon. Due to its non-stick properties, many frying pans are coated with it. For the manufacture of Teflon pans, PFOA or GenX are used. However, there may still be residues from the production in the pan, so you should rinse the pan before using it for the first time.
• Stainless steel pans have two minor drawbacks: they are non-stick, so dishes burn more easily. On the other hand, the stainless steel is alloyed with nickel and chromium to prevent rust formation. According to studies, nickel and chromium can be transferred to food when heated for a long time. However, this applies to acidic foods.
• Cast iron frying pans and pots are particularly popular with health-conscious chefs because they are considered safe for health. But these pans are of course very heavy. Cast pans that are not enameled need special care. Before using it for the first time, the pan must be baked, that is, it must be smeared with oil and placed in the oven for an hour.
• The best cast iron pans in the test
• Ceramic pans are also safe for health and are also easy to clean, have good thermal conductivity and preserve the taste of food. However, they are also fragile. Some manufacturers advertise their pans with a ceramic coating. These coated pans also do not contain PFOAs and are easy to clean. However, if the ceramic coating is damaged, there is a risk to health. In any case, pay attention to the note "PFTE-free".

Attention poisonous!

Very important: Never heat a Teflon pan without contents! When pans with PTFE coating are heated without contents, toxic fumes can be produced and even a disease called frying pan fever. For birds, these fumes are even deadly.

When buying a pan, look for the "PFOA-free" feature. This fluorinated aid is extremely durable and can enter our body through the food chain. PFOA can cause cancer and harm the unborn baby. Therefore, PFOA is on the list of substances of very high concern. Even at 160 °C, dangerous vapours can be released into the air.

How to save the coating of your pan

Tefal Jamie Oliver stainless steel frying pan

Tefal Jamie Oliver Cook's Direct On Stainless Steel © Frying Pan Amazon Actual product image

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39 % discount – WMF Profi stainless steel frying pan

WMF Professional Frying Pan 28 cm © WMF

Extra: Made of Cromargan 18/10 stainless steel. It is hygienic, insensitive to food acids, dishwasher safe, light and stable.

Deal: €48.95 instead of €79.99

Genius Cerafit Fusion frying pan set 3 pieces

Genius Cerafit Fusion frying pan set 3 pieces © Amazon product image

Extra: Thanks to the lotus effect, everything rolls off. So you can fry in it almost without fat or oil and still nothing sticks.

3 pans only 49,95 €

50 % discount – WMF Devil pan set 2 pieces

WMF Devil Pan Set 2-piece © Amazon product image

Deal: €64.91 instead of €129.99