Is nonstick cookware safe to use after overheating

I know that nonstick can release chemicals / gasses / toxins after being overheated but is it safe to use again once cooled? I have a frying pan I like a lot but it got overheated a few times - there are no signs of damage although the pan is very so slightly warped (not visible unless you put a ruler over the back)

Best Answer

Based on a search of sources covering health risks around Teflon (PTFE) cookware, nobody has found any evidence that cooking with previously overheated cookware is dangerous to your health. Breathing the fumes during overheating is bad for you, and cookware that has been overheated may cease to be nonstick, even though it looks OK:

Teflon™ nonstick coatings will not begin to deteriorate in appearance or performance until the temperature of the cookware reaches about 500°F (260°C). The coating will not show significant decomposition unless temperatures exceed about 660°F (349°C).

... in other words, the nonstick starts to fail before there's visible damage.

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Can you burn off nonstick coating?

Yes high heat can burn off the nonstick coating.

What happens if you overheat a pan?

Then turn down the heat to 2/3 and add any oil or other fat, if required. If you 'overheat' for a long period of time, the fat will burn to the base of the pan and will, over time, destroy the coating, which becomes discoloured both inside and out," Hansen explains.

When should you throw away non-stick pans?

Nonstick Pans Do Not Last Forever A good rule of thumb is to replace them approximately every five years. Look at your pans frequently. When they start to appear warped, discolored or scratched, be sure to stop using them.

What happens if you burn a nonstick pan?

"When pans are overheated, that PTFE coating begins to disintegrate," Fenton told Live Science. As Teflon breaks down, it releases a host of toxic gases. In rare instances, breathing in these chemical fumes can cause polymer fume fever, a condition characterized by a high fever, shortness of breath and weakness.

Nonstick Pan Safety ANSWERS

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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