New Cockatoo - Question About Cookware

[Calitoo]

Hi!

I recently adopted an umbrella cockatoo and I am trying to get my house bird-ready. I know all about the dangers of Teflon and other fumes, so I will be replacing my cookware.

I was wondering if this particular set is alright to have around birds. It's PTFE and PFOA free, but it's also nonstick, so I wasn't sure if that was an issue:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017HYQ514

 

[plumsmum2005]

Vremi Colorful Nonstick Ceramic 3-Piece Cookware Set Review

some more info fyi. Sounds a bit too good to be true tbh. Based on what the blurb says it should be ok but ..........

PS good idea to read some of the reviews - you know what they say "if it seems to too good to be true ....."

 

[Calitoo]

Thanks for the link! I guess my question is - is all nonstick cookware unsafe? Or is it fine as long as it doesn't contain PFOA/PTFE?

 

[Flboy]

The link of the review is for ceramic coated pans, this set is not! It may be PTFE and PFOA free, but it is still a plastic coating! Over heated, dead bird!
My guess on the coating is:
It contains fluoropolymers!
Overheated? Dead bird! Ugly death!
This is from the folks that make it.
Quantum 2 - Housewares Coating Guide - Whitford Worldwide
http://www.whitfordww.com/pdf/litera...e_Quantum2.pdf
http://www.whitfordww.com/pdf/litera...2_POP_2011.pdf

 

[SailBoat]

Thanks for the link! I guess my question is - is all nonstick cookware unsafe? Or is it fine as long as it doesn't contain PFOA/PTFE?

Great question! The reality is that 'today' the term 'non-stick' should 'ring loud bells' of alarm. Since, the general public has learn over the years to avoid specific chemicals like PFOA/PTFE and terms like teflon those wonderful folks that push this stuff have found ways around the names by rebranding their chemicals by making a couple of minor changes to the ingredients that allow them to make statements like PFOA/PTFE free!

Now, Ceramic coated cookware is a 'non-stick' product! That said, to get life from a Ceramic coated product requires a solid foundation material, insert the term thick and a like thick coat of Ceramic. It should be notability heavy and will be expensive, but will last a very long time!

Those cast iron skillets that your Great Grandmother had are truly wonderful products as is Stain Steel Cookware. The cast iron requires a bit of lost knowledge on how to use and clean them, where as the Stain Steel can be dishwasher safe.

The biggest secret regarding getting things not to stick is to very simply 'turn down the heat' and move to the correct 'burner (coil) size! The big size is for wider pots and pans and the small one (real surprise here) is for the smaller size pots and pans. You will also need to add a small about of cooking oil or butter. Unless you're heating-up a pot or pan you should never be above medium temperature range. If you have not approached cooking for the lower temperature method, you will be shocked at how many problems just go away and that controlling the 'finish' state become more precise. Downside, things will take a couple of minutes longer and you will need to STOP multitasking in the Kitchen!

 

[Calitoo]

Thank you so much for the information! I had a feeling that was the case with the "non-stick" label.

So would something like this be okay instead? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011IY4A0C

Or this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TKXD0CS

 

[SailBoat]

Thank you so much for the information! I had a feeling that was the case with the "non-stick" label.

So would something like this be okay instead? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011IY4A0C

Or this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TKXD0CS

The first item concerns me because of the 'Scratch Resistant' statement. Ceramic, properly applied should be metal-utensil safe! So, pass on this item.

Of the two, I like the second one. The all metal should provide more even temperature and note that it states metal-utensil safe. A quality Ceramic coating should have the same statement!

 

[Flboy]

Thank you so much for the information! I had a feeling that was the case with the "non-stick" label.

So would something like this be okay instead? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011IY4A0C

Or this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TKXD0CS

The second set is much more durable, but it will require you learning new ways of cooking! I have a high end set of SS cookware that I love, but the family hates! With good quality SS cookware, you can take a buffing pad to it when you screw up! Try that with anything else!
I was always good with using non stick cookware until 6 months ago, multitasking, forgot a pan on the stove and almost killed the wife's Bongo! There is no cure for this type of poisoning and the bird suffocates, slowly! Bongo was/is fine, I got him out of the house in time.
As said, cast iron is great, but I have failed miserably every time I try to use it!

 

[Kentuckienne]

I use cast iron and good quality stainless pans. Sometimes things stick, but depending on the thing that's good. Brown stuff stuck on pan + water/wine/broth = tasty sauce. Cooks Illustrated has a new cast iron cookbook that's great. Just be aware that small amounts of iron will leach into the food and too much iron isn't good, can build up esp in men and older women, and I don't know how it affects birds...

 

[Calitoo]

Thanks, everyone! Your input was really helpful. I'm a bit more comfortable with stainless steel than with cast iron, mostly because of the dishwasher-safe aspect (yep I love the dishwasher).

I ended up going with something similar to the second set, so I hope this one is okay: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WPG0QY

I'm so paranoid about getting something wrong with my first bird and causing it harm. I hear all the horror stories and I don't want to be one of them!

 

[Kiwibird]

I prefer stainless steel, and if in the budget, tri-ply stainless steel (or if you are vastly wealthy, copper core, but seriously, who can afford that?!). I did a ton of research into cookware, the various materials, conductivity, durability etc... a few years back when investing in a set we will hopefully not ever have to replace again! Stainless has a learning curve to keep food from sticking, but I assure you, when properly used, stainless can be just as "non-stick" as those coated pans (and it will likely never need replacement!). The set you got looks very nice. I bet the smooth interior finish in that particular set of pans will help with sticking too.

I would suggest reading up and watching some pro videos on youtube about how to cook in stainless properly. If your pans are disk bottom (it appears they are), be sure to follow instructions that came with the set in regards to some cooking techniques you may find, like pre-heating the pan first or heating on too high of heat with too little food in the pan, which when done incorrectly can ruin a disk bottom pan.

 

[jensea]

We use stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron. Once you learn how to cook with stainless steel and cast iron, you'll never have to buy another set again if properly cared for.

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

I love my stainless steel pans. Honestly, I don't miss non stick at all. I prefer the stainless for pretty much everything. I think once you learn to use it properly, it cooks food so much better. Maybe it just makes you a better cook, I don't know.

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[Calitoo]

Thank you! I think I ended up with a pretty great cookware set thanks to everyone's suggestions. I do have a follow-up though...

I searched the forums, but did not see specific recommendations for cooking utensils. What is safe other than stainless steel and wood? I know there is silicone, nylon, etc.

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

Thank you! I think I ended up with a pretty great cookware set thanks to everyone's suggestions. I do have a follow-up though...

I searched the forums, but did not see specific recommendations for cooking utensils. What is safe other than stainless steel and wood? I know there is silicone, nylon, etc.

I will come in here with a warning about utensils. Specifically in regards to preparing food for your fids. A good friend of mine was using a kitchen whisk to prepare hand feeding formula for her babies that unknowingly caused zinc poisoning. Just be aware that not all cooking utensils are stainless steel by default.

Otherwise I don't know that there are too many issues with cooking utensils. I personally use stainless, wood, and silicone. I don't use nylon, but that is more of a personal preference than anything.

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[Kiwibird]

I have had overall good luck with silicone (save one incident with some shady off-brand baking sheet liners ordered online that smelled like burning plastic, a mistake I will NOT be making twice). I have a set of bigger Tovolo cooking utensils (with metal handles) and some smaller spatulas from Williams Sonoma's silicone tool line with metal and silicone handles. I've never had any odors or fumes from them nor have they melted, discolored or degraded in any way over quite a few years of use now. Be sure to ONLY buy silicone products made of FDA food safe silicone and be wary of any silicone tools which are cheap and/or directly from China and NOT made by a brand name/reputable manufacturer. Silicone for the kitchen is one thing not to cheap out on. FDA approved food safe silicone is pricey (for a reason). Again, my Tovolo utensils have always been just fine and no odor, as have my WS tools. I just found WS tools to be overpriced compared to Tovolo, but Tovolo at that time was not offering metal handled mini tools yet, but I believe they are now. Both brands are great though. In specifics to birds, their pasta "rake" is great for spreading chop thin and evenly for dehydrating!

I have my silicone tools color coded for tools used foods with heavy odors/tastes (like onion, spices etc..) and ones for contact with batters and doughs (sweets or neutral flavors). Silicone will stain and will retain some odors from strong smells. In time it actually builds up a light and desirable "seasoning" similar to a cast iron pan which increases it's non-stick properties. However, with my contamination phobias, I just prefer to have some extra tools in different colors for baked goods just in case. Not sure I'd like to find out if the spoon I used to stir an onion soup last night will impart it's flavors into my batch of brownies I'm making today


Wood utensils have never been my thing, though they are certainly bird-safe. I just never feel like I can get them clean enough. Over time, prolonged exposure to liquids and being washed will raise the grain and they get "fuzzy" looking, absorb scents worse than silicone, can retain bacterias and it kind of freaks me out. I used them before buying the silicone tools but would feel the need to replace them all the time because they'd start looking funny.

Nylon- never again! I bought a rather pricey All Clad nylon spatula once. It was awesome for flipping pancakes because it was so thin until I noticed it was MELTING on the edges I cannot even believe they can sell tools that would melt in the time it takes to flip a pancake Beyond fumes (I actually smelled nothing) what is that leeching into your food?!

 

[Calitoo]

Thank you, OutlawedSpirit and Kiwibird. Toxins and fumes are definitely a concern of mine. And I too am not a huge fan of wooden utensils, for the same reasons that you mentioned. They seem a little gross to me.

I'm looking into silicone, and specifically the Tovolo brand. So in your opinion, would something like this be good? https://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Silicone-Stainless-Kitchen-Utensil/dp/B017V1C4ZO

To be honest, I'm not big on cooking or kitchen activities in general, so I'm using this whole bird experience as a way to hone my skills a bit more anyway.

 

[Kiwibird]

Thank you, OutlawedSpirit and Kiwibird. Toxins and fumes are definitely a concern of mine. And I too am not a huge fan of wooden utensils, for the same reasons that you mentioned. They seem a little gross to me.

I'm looking into silicone, and specifically the Tovolo brand. So in your opinion, would something like this be good? https://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Silicone-Stainless-Kitchen-Utensil/dp/B017V1C4ZO

To be honest, I'm not big on cooking or kitchen activities in general, so I'm using this whole bird experience as a way to hone my skills a bit more anyway.

That is the starter set I got (only mine are black). I added a few more tools to make it a complete set, but if you aren't a big kitchen tools freak, that set should be sufficient for most tasks I will warn, if you do a lot of soups or stews or things which are a bit more 'liquid-y' in nature, you probably should get a ladle, as the spoon is a shallow one. Good for stirring, bad for soup serving! The other tools are nice to have, but not really 'essential'.

Oh, and keep silicone tools away from sharp things like knives, kitchen scissors, peelers etc... I'm not sure how but one of my spatulas got a cut in it (I suspect it must've encountered the potato peeler in the sink while doing dishes, as I always wash knives right away). I ended up cutting it down so the cut didn't "grow" and carefully re-shaped the edge with an exact-o knife and it's been fine since. I definitely keep them away from sharp things now though!

 

[Calitoo]

Thank you, OutlawedSpirit and Kiwibird. Toxins and fumes are definitely a concern of mine. And I too am not a huge fan of wooden utensils, for the same reasons that you mentioned. They seem a little gross to me.

I'm looking into silicone, and specifically the Tovolo brand. So in your opinion, would something like this be good? https://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Silicone-Stainless-Kitchen-Utensil/dp/B017V1C4ZO

To be honest, I'm not big on cooking or kitchen activities in general, so I'm using this whole bird experience as a way to hone my skills a bit more anyway.

That is the starter set I got (only mine are black). I added a few more tools to make it a complete set, but if you aren't a big kitchen tools freak, that set should be sufficient for most tasks I will warn, if you do a lot of soups or stews or things which are a bit more 'liquid-y' in nature, you probably should get a ladle, as the spoon is a shallow one. Good for stirring, bad for soup serving! The other tools are nice to have, but not really 'essential'.

Oh, and keep silicone tools away from sharp things like knives, kitchen scissors, peelers etc... I'm not sure how but one of my spatulas got a cut in it (I suspect it must've encountered the potato peeler in the sink while doing dishes, as I always wash knives right away). I ended up cutting it down so the cut didn't "grow" and carefully re-shaped the edge with an exact-o knife and it's been fine since. I definitely keep them away from sharp things now though!

Cool, thanks!

Yeah instead of getting the set, I ended up just selecting a few of the tools that I specifically wanted. The ladle will be one of them. [emoji3] I wanted the red color anyway, not that funky purple.

I can't imagine I'll need much more than that for a while, but that's a good start I think. Will keep them away from sharp objects!

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[OutlawedSpirit]

Thank you, OutlawedSpirit and Kiwibird. Toxins and fumes are definitely a concern of mine. And I too am not a huge fan of wooden utensils, for the same reasons that you mentioned. They seem a little gross to me.

I'm looking into silicone, and specifically the Tovolo brand. So in your opinion, would something like this be good? https://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Silicone-Stainless-Kitchen-Utensil/dp/B017V1C4ZO

To be honest, I'm not big on cooking or kitchen activities in general, so I'm using this whole bird experience as a way to hone my skills a bit more anyway.

That is the starter set I got (only mine are black). I added a few more tools to make it a complete set, but if you aren't a big kitchen tools freak, that set should be sufficient for most tasks I will warn, if you do a lot of soups or stews or things which are a bit more 'liquid-y' in nature, you probably should get a ladle, as the spoon is a shallow one. Good for stirring, bad for soup serving! The other tools are nice to have, but not really 'essential'.

Oh, and keep silicone tools away from sharp things like knives, kitchen scissors, peelers etc... I'm not sure how but one of my spatulas got a cut in it (I suspect it must've encountered the potato peeler in the sink while doing dishes, as I always wash knives right away). I ended up cutting it down so the cut didn't "grow" and carefully re-shaped the edge with an exact-o knife and it's been fine since. I definitely keep them away from sharp things now though!

I cut one of my silicone spatulas too, but I know how I did it. I was making chop and was using it to scrape down the inside of the food processor. I ended up throwing away the spatula and what was in the processor because I was worried about shavings getting into the chop. I wish I would have thought about shaving it down though, smart idea. I use a wooden spoon for that particular task now.

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