How to Care for Nonstick Cookware

See More Aboutcookwarenonstickbakewarekitchenwarekitchen toolsNonstick cookware and bakeware can produce chef-quality results if you make the time and effort to use and care for it properly.  While you should always check with your product's manufacturer for specific recommendations, here are some general rules for top performance from your nonstick cookware.
  Cooking and Baking
  Before using new cookware for the first time, wash it with hot, soapy water, rinse well and dry it thoroughly with a soft cotton or linen towel.  To ensure nonstick performance from the start, it has been standard practice to "season" or "condition" the pan by lightly Non Stick Coating coating the surface with any type of cooking oil, baking it, and wiping it clean; however, at least one maker, Calphalon, says this one-time seasoning is not necessary for nonstick cookware.
  Nonstick cookware performs better at slightly lower temperatures than standard cookware; experimentation will help you find the perfect settings.  Calphalon recommends what it calls the "butter test": Heat the pan on medium-high, and when its rim feels hot to the touch, add a pat of butter. If it bubbles, the heat is right. If it browns quickly and burns, clean out the pan and try again at a lower heat setting.
  The greatest advantage of nonstick cookware is that it needs no butter or oil to release the food cleanly, but you can certainly add fats for taste and texture.  It's the perfect cookware for people who are watching their weight or cholesterol levels or who are following a heart-healthy menu.  There are fat-free cooking sprays on the market perfect for use with nonstick cookware; they ensure easy release - even with fried eggs - and don't add any fat or calories to the food.
  Probably the most important rule with nonstick cookware is to never use metal utensils on your nonstick surfaces; they can damage the coating in a split second. Opt instead for materials like wood, nylon, plastic, rubber or silicone, or use specially coated utensils designed for PTFE Manufacturers nonstick surfaces.  Never cut into the food you're cooking with a knife; it's a sure way to damage the surface and void the warranty.
  Also, do not use a nonstick pan under the broiler or bake at temperatures higher than 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The intense heat will damage the finish.
  Cleaning and Care
  Keep your nonstick cookware clean for consistent, quality performance. Any food residue or leftover grease will cook into the surface and carbonize, causing food to stick.  That cooked-on residue is hard to see and even more difficult to remove, so wash carefully and thoroughly every time.
  It's essential to let the cookware cool completely before washing; immersing a hot pan in cooler water could permanently warp and ruin it.  Though it's tempting to load the pans into the dishwasher, resist the convenience and always wash nonstick cookware by hand with hot, soapy water using only a dish detergent made for hand washing.  The high heat of a standard home dishwasher can not only ruin Teflon Coating nonstick surfaces but also void the warranty.  Take care never to use harsh cleaning agents such as bleach, abrasive cleansers, or other chemicals on nonstick surfaces.
  Though it's best to handle these pots and pans as if they're fragile, you can scrub off stubborn messes with some elbow grease and a washcloth, sponge, nylon scrubber or nylon net-wrapped sponge such as a Dobie pad. To avoid the risk of residue and the resulting carbonization, it's a good habit to wash each piece twice to ensure that every last trace of food and oil or butter is removed. It's important to never use abrasives such as steel wool, stiff brushes or scouring pads, which will scratch the surface and ruin your cookware.  Be sure to rinse thoroughly and dry each piece completely.
  Finally, careful storage is important for the lifespan and performance of nonstick cookware.  Most manufacturers recommend storing your cookware on a hanging pot rack with plenty of room between items. Don't have a hanging rack?  Safely store your cookware in a cabinet by layering a soft cloth - such as a baby's receiving blanket or a dish towel - between each pot and pan to protect the nonstick surface from coming into contact with bare metal, which can scratch or damage it.
  Whether you invest in a high-quality set of cookware or buy one bargain pan, you can greatly extend the lifespan of your nonstick cookware with careful use, meticulous cleaning, and mindful storage.
Read More About Cookware10 Ways to Ruin a Non Stick Coating Non-Stick PanCookware Racks - Storage OptionsCookware Resources, Tips & ReviewGo to Home PageTips and Tricks on Home OwnershipPromotional Feature: View this video series to learn how to take good care of your house.Read MoreRelated ArticlesNonstick Cookware Tips: How to Use and Care for Nonstick CookwareSafe Cookware - Which Type of Cookware is Safest for Cooking?Top Picks for Eco-Friendly CookwareLagostina Ticino Non-Stick Skillet ReviewClean & Care for Stainless Steel Cookware

Nonstick Cookware Safety Concerns - Nonstick Coatings and PFOA

See More Aboutkitchen equipmentnonstick cookwareCooks everywhere, especially low fat cooks, have come to rely on nonstick pans as a great way to cook or bake food, from omelets and sauces to perfectly shaped bundt cakes, without being left with a huge sticky clean-up afterwards. In the world of low fat cooking in particular, nonstick pans are a necessity, since they require little or no oil for cooking. But not for the first time, questions have been raised about the safety of Teflon Coating nonstick cookware, mostly because of environmental concerns about perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)—also known as C-8—a chemical used to bond the nonstick coating to the pan.PFOA (C-8) and DuPontIn early 2006 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asked eight American companies, including DuPont, maker of Teflon-brand nonstick cookware, to work towards the elimination of PFOA—which they labeled a likely carcinogen—by 2015. PFOA has been shown to cause cancer, low birth weight and a suppressed immune system in laboratory animals exposed to high doses of PFOA. Studies have shown the chemical to be present at low levels in the bloodstream of 9 out of 10 Americans, and in the blood of most newborns. And although the effects of PFOA at lower doses in humans are disputed, there does seem to be a link between PFOA and  raised levels of cholesterol. More seriously, some people have claimed that PFOA exposure caused birth defects in babies born to mothers working at a Teflon plant in the early 1980s.How the chemical is transmitted to humans is unclear, and, thus far, there’s no evidence that nonstick cookware in particular is to blame. But DuPont has been in the cross-hairs of the EPA for some time, and was heavily finedfor allegedly hiding data for many years on the toxicity of PFOA, and also for contaminating the Ohio River drinking-water supply near its West Virginia plant.Feeling the HeatBack to nonstick pans. Ceramic Coating Both DuPont and the EPA say that cooks have little to worry about if they use nonstick cookware properly.There’s little dispute that, above certain temperatures—hotter than the smoke point of cooking oils or the point where food is burned—the nonstick coating will break down and release toxic fumes. Any surface that’s subject to extreme temperature will give off toxic gases. According to DuPont, cookware with Teflon nonstick coating has a recommended maximum use temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit and that significant decomposition of the coating will occur only when temperatures exceed about 660 degrees Fahrenheit, which could easily happen if nonstick pans were left dry or empty on a hot burner. Cook's Illustratedmagazine (link is subscription only) reported on tests of nonstick skillets in its May/June 2005 issue, and found that such extreme temperatures could even be reached by cooking some foods on high heat (such as stir-fries). In most cases, the top temperature registered for only a second or two, falling by as much as 200 degrees as the food was moved around the pan. In 2003 the Environmental Working Group(EWG) reported that nonstick coatings "could reach 700 degrees Fahrenheit in as little as 3-5 minutes, releasing 15 toxic gases and chemicals, including two carcinogens." The release of toxic fumes from nonstick cookware is known to kill pet birds at much lower temperatures—as low as 464 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the EWG.Nonstick Cookware and PFOABut while PFOA is used to bond the coating of nonstick cookware, DuPont claims that this particular chemical is subsequently destroyed in the heating process in manufacturing, and not presentin the finished Non Stick Coating nonstick surface. Trace elements of PFOA were found in one extreme test where the surfaces of the pans were ground up, but today’s nonstick coated pans are tougher than ever before and can withstand less careful handling than previous generations of nonstick cookware.Stick with NonstickThere are two issues here: 1) whether PFOA is present in nonstick cookware, and 2) the emission of PFOA into the environment. As far as cookware is concerned, there seems little reason to toss our nonstick pots and pans just yet. Under normal use, the pans are almost certainly safe. As far as DuPont’s, and other chemical companies’, responsibility to the environment is concerned, it seems that appropriate action is being taken to ensure that emissions of PFOA will be all but eliminated within 10 years. Whether the use of PFOA in nonstick coatings and other products will be completely phased out over time is unclear, although companies including DuPont are said to be looking for suitable alternatives.Using Nonstick Cookware SafelyNever leave nonstick pans unattended on an open flame or other heat sourceWhile cooking, don’t let temperatures get hotter than 450 degreesDon’t use metal utensils on nonstick cookwareWash nonstick cookware by hand using nonabrasive cleaners and sponges (do not use steel wool)Don’t stack nonstick cookware on top of each otherKeep pet birds out of the kitchen

Is non-stick cookware market heating up in China

Is non-stick cookware market heating up in China.There is a large steel cookware market in China, but only 10% ofthe products sold are coated. Therefore, for companies selling non-stickcoatings, the growth potential is very big. To serve this market, thereare at least seven fluorocarbonfluorocarbon /flu·o·ro·car·bon/ (floor´o-kahr?b?n) any of the class of organic compounds consisting of carbon and fluorine only.  resinresin, any of a class of amorphous solids or semisolids. Resins are found in nature and are Non Stick Coating chiefly of vegetable origin. They are typically light yellow to dark brown in color; tasteless; odorless or faintly aromatic; translucent or transparent; brittle, fracturing  producers in China with a totalcapacity of approximately 10,000 tons per year.However, getting Chinese consumers to switch to non-stick cookwareand appliances is not always easy."Since China represents over 300 million households, it isalready a potential growth market for non-stick coated cookware,"said Carol Hsu, greater China and Asian marketing manager,fluorosurfacing, DuPont. "The challenge in non-stick coatings forcookware is encouraging steel-made cookware consumers to try thenon-stick coated cookware."Spreading the WordMs. Hsu said DuPont has to continuously communicate the benefits ofnon-stick coated cookware--such as easy cleaning and good health--toChinese consumers. "We continuously educate sales people in retailstores, as well as consumers about the benefits and the proper usage ofnon-stick coated cookware through marketing programs."In rural areas of China, consumers use mostly steel wareware See Groupware, Hardware, Shareware, Software. , but asthe economy improves and rural dwellers become potential customers, themarket will grow more so. "We think the future is very bright aseconomic development continues at a steady pace."She said the company's Teflon is a market leader in Chinaamong non-stick coatings products. DuPont's non-stick operations inChina are backed by its Shenzhen plant, which was put into operation inMay, 1999. The plant--DuPont's fifth non-stick factory in theworld--not only provides household and industrial use non-stickingcoatings, but also water-based PTFE Suppliers non-stick coatings for householdappliances."The Shenzhen plant is able to produce customized non-stickcoatings that meet the particular requirements of Asian manufacturers ofhousewareshouse·wares  pl.n.Cooking utensils, dishes, and other small articles used in a household, especially in the kitchen.  and industrial products (such as cookware, rice cookersFor the car modification term, see .A rice cooker or rice steamer is a self-contained electrical appliance, used primarily for cooking rice. There are also microwave, gas, and open flame variants. ,small electric appliances, and specializedspe·cial·ize  v. spe·cial·ized, spe·cial·iz·ing, spe·cial·iz·esv.intr.1.  To pursue a special activity, occupation, or field of study.2.  industrial applications). Inaddition to cookware, we do coatings for small electrical appliances,such as rice cooker inserts, electric grills and industrial applicationssuch as copy rollers."DuPont's Shenzhen facility has been set up to support regionalgrowth, and is supported by a research and development and coatingperformance laboratory, as well as a separate process and qualitycontrol laboratory."There are many advantages to DuPont Teflon Coating non-stick coatings,including access to the Teflon brand--one of the most recognizedconsumer brands globally--and new and innovative fluoropolymerA fluoropolymer is a polymer that contains atoms of fluorine. It is characterized by a high resistance to solvents, acids, and bases.Fluoropolymers were discovered serendipitously in 1938 by Dr. Roy J. Plunkett.  technology from our sister fluoropolymers business," Ms. Hsu noted.But DuPont is not alone in its quest to gain a larger share of thegrowth market offered in China. Akzo NobelAkzo Nobel is a multinational company, active in the fields of healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the company has activities in more than 80 countries, and employs approximately 62,000 people.  has constructed a newwholly-owned non-stick coatings factory near its wood coatings factoryin Dongguan, Guangdong provinceNoun 1. Guangdong province - a province in southern ChinaGuangdong, Kwangtung . Prior to setting up the factory, AkzoNobel's products were imported from overseas.COPYRIGHT 2003 Rodman Publications, Inc.No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.Copyright 2003 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Honey Mustard Pretzel-Coated Chicken Fingers

DirectionsPreheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Season chicken strips with salt and pepper. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine honey mustardwith egg substitute and whiskwell. Submerge the chicken and set aside to marinate for at least 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, place pretzelsin sealable plastic bag, seal, and finely crushthrough the bag with a meat mallet or other heavy utensil. Add sugar, reseal, and shake to mix. Non Stick Coating Spread the mixture out on a large plate or in a large dish. Set aside.
Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
Using tongs, transfer chicken strips to the pretzel-sugar mixture and thoroughly coat. Then transfer them to the baking sheet. (Discard excess mustard-egg mixture.) Mistthe tops of the strips with nonstick spray.
Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through baking, until the chicken is cooked through.
Eat and enjoy!
PER SERVING (1/2 of recipe, 4 chicken fingers): 349 calories, 2.5g fat, 928mg sodium, 39g carbs, 1g fiber, 13.5g sugars, 37g protein

Superb Mobile Desk Stand For Android Mobile Phones

Give Your Android a Desktop HomeLooking for a desk stand for your mobile, but unimpressed by thechoice of docking stationsand chargers? Using a basic mobile phone that doesn’t even generally need a docking cradle, but want one anyway?
The Desk Genie desktop stand could very well be the answer to both requirements. Suitable as a universal desktop home for almost any mobile phone, it dispenses with the Teflon Coating requirement to position a USB connector to recharge your mobile, while simultaneously making itself the most useful desktop mobile accessory.
How does it do this? By cleverly matching some basic physics with some useful USB interface options…

Poisons From Aluminum Cookware

Photo Caption Is aluminum cookware safe to use?Photo Credit metal pans image by araraadt from Fotolia.comAluminum cookware has been around for a long time, but in the 1960s, safety concerns began to be raised over possible leaching of aluminum into food. The popularity of aluminum pots Ceramic Coating and pans is mainly based on two things: They are cheap, and they conduct heat very effectively. However, many suitable alternatives soon surfaced, such as stainless steel, porcelain, glass and iron.
FeaturesThe only poison that can leach into food by cooking with aluminum is the aluminum itself.  The reason this became a concern is that large amounts of the material have been found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, which proves that aluminum crosses the blood/brain barrier.  This does not establish a causal link, which would be needed to say definitively that aluminum in the brain causes Alzheimer's disease.
ConsiderationsThe environment provides many sources of aluminum beyond cookware.  It occurs naturally in soil and can be absorbed by produce grown there.  In addition, aluminum is added to many consumer goods, including antacids, hemorrhoid medication and PTFE Manufacturers other over-the-counter medicines; baking powder; boxed cake mixes; deodorants and antiperspirants; douches; processed cheese; pickles; toothpaste; and table salts, to name just a few. In other words, it's nearly impossible to lead an aluminum-free life.

Types of Noodle Golf Balls

OverviewNoodle is the name of a golf ball line under the Maxfli brand, named because the golf balls are designed to be hit long and straight. This trajectory is Teflon Coatings achieved by a low spin rate combined with a high launch angle. Numerous variations of the Noodle golf ball are available, each designed to fit many different types of golf games.
Noodle Long and SoftOne of the originals of the Noodle line, the Long and Soft features a soft surlyn cover with a solid core. The ball is designed for the basic golfer, one who wants to hit the ball long, straight and soft. The Long and Soft has a slicker, nonstick coating to help reduce side spin and make the ball softer around the green. With 408 dimples on the exterior, the Long and Soft also helps eliminate drag for a long, straight shot off the tee.
Noodle ICEThe Noodle ICE features a soft surlyn cover like all Noodle balls, but the exterior shell is clear so that the ball is easier to focus on at the tee and see Ceramic Coating when it is in flight. In addition to the clear cover, the ball comes in lime, lemon, tangerine and raspberry colors. The low compression core adds distance to your shots while the two-piece construction contributes to the soft feel.