silicon cookware?

[jimpierce7]

I tell ya............. what I'll put myself threw for muffin pans!! MUFFIN PANS!! Ah sheesh.

[Xray Susie]

I just thought of something, when I read about George Foreman. I thought that the teflon pans were a danger when overheated, that is, left on the stove to burn. Wouldn't using a George Foreman for 4 minutes be ok? What about my waffle iron?

[Monica]

I've used the Georgie before without issues... however, I've never had any of the birds in the kitchen when it was used... ATM, it's sitting where it's getting dusty... it's one of those objects that my mother bought, and when the "newness" wore off, well, it's just been sitting there.... I've got nonstick pans, too... hard anodized ones.... never had any issues with those either, but then again they are pretty old...

Still, for safety reasons, either keep an aired out kitchen with fans going, and birds in a locked up room, or cook outside where it should not be a danger so long as the fumes don't have any way of getting in.

[jimpierce7]

the only thing is PTFE doesn't have to over heat to off gas.

[Pepper's Pa]

Originally Posted by jimpierce7

the only thing is PTFE doesn't have to over heat to off gas.

Jim, I agree with you. When researching this topic I found some information that caused more concern for me with the use of PTFE containing products. All research states that harmful fumes are given off at high temperatures (I've seen this number range from 400-560 degrees Fahrenheit). I've also read several articles that stated fumes begin to be released at much lower temperatures such as the temperature an egg would begin to fry (around 260 degrees Fahrenheit). Also a surface with any damage (scratches or chips) releases the dangerous fumes at lower temperatures.

Xray Susie, I used to use a George Foreman Grill, but no longer. Here are my reasons:
1) The grill is to be pre-heated for ten minutes before use.
2) When cooking, much of the heated surface is not in contact with cooking foods.
3) My grill did not have a temperature control so I was only able to use it on high heat.
Because of these three issues, I felt that there was a possibility that the grill plates would reach a high temperature and have the potential for releasing fumes.
This same fume issue goes for all of the many non-stick, PTFE coated items in our homes, including your waffle iron.

I hope that in the future a 100% safe, non-stick material will be invented and solve our concerns over the issue of dangerous fumes.

[kathleen]

I think if you burn ANYTHING, the smoke itself can cause damage to little birdie lungs. Ever burn a meal and there's smoke everywhere? I think the silpat(oven liner) that burned wasn't the fact that it was silpat but that it burned and causes smoke. If it's going to make us cough, I'm sure it's going to cause problems with the fid.

[jimpierce7]

Originally Posted by kathleen

I think if you burn ANYTHING, the smoke itself can cause damage to little birdie lungs. Ever burn a meal and there's smoke everywhere? I think the silpat(oven liner) that burned wasn't the fact that it was silpat but that it burned and causes smoke. If it's going to make us cough, I'm sure it's going to cause problems with the fid.

absolutely!!! In my home its virtually impossible for my fids to not be next to the kitchen when I cook. Reality is Zoey and Sophie's cages are right next to the stove. And any surface that gets hot enough to melt, will off gas. Caution and pay attention are the rule around here.

[Macaaaw]

On an over simplistic level, a bird breathes in and out all at the same time and never fully exhales. This means birds are more efficient at getting oxygen out of the air we breathe. It also means they are more efficient at getting poisons out of the air.

Canaries were used in mines years ago to detect poisons in the air before miners were hurt. Something that does not hurt humans or cats & dogs, could kill a bird.

Nothing is safe to burn in any kitchen meal. PTFE is not the only thing that harms birds. PTFE may be quicker to harm your birds than stainless or whatever, but any source of bad air will harm your birds first before it hurts you.

[Macaaaw]

I read that green stuff is poorly made. The outside of the pans starts to flake off after several uses.

We use pure stainless and have a few pieces of porcelain on cast iron. Not stick-less, but we eat pretty well just the same. lol