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Household products that may contain PTFE

ILoveBirds77

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I've also been told not to use the self cleaning option on ovens.

I had a friend who lost her Grey and several canaries. It does happen. With her it was a roaster she'd been using for years. A cold thanksgiving, oven blasting all day, they closed all the windows and minutes later her birds fell dead to the cage bottoms. Her canaries first, followed by her Gray. She was devastated.
omg, that is awful! i do use non-stick coating on my pans but that's only because i cannot afford otherwise. The pans i have now where given to me. But me and my boyfriend are looking not possibly buying some better pots and pans, does anyone have any suggestions (while im on the topic)?
 

macawpower58

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When I first got birds I bought a cheap stainless steel set. I think about 40-50 bucks. I just threw my non-stick out.

I later asked at Xmas for a good set, and now have those. My cheapo's though worked for years.
 

Clueless

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I've also been told not to use the self cleaning option on ovens.

I had a friend who lost her Grey and several canaries. It does happen. With her it was a roaster she'd been using for years. A cold thanksgiving, oven blasting all day, they closed all the windows and minutes later her birds fell dead to the cage bottoms. Her canaries first, followed by her Gray. She was devastated.
Do you have any clue what kind of roaster? I cook a lot and the birds are close to the kitchen. I have tfal stainless steel pans, use corningware, glass, but have a few random things around. I think I have an old enamel roaster somewhere....
 

Jennyday

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Just wondering.... has anyone found data on long term effects of this stuff on birds? I've heard stories of people who use nonstick and their birdies are alive and seemingly well, but I wonder how it effects them 10, 20, 30 years down the road if they don't inhale enough to die immediately.
 

Dostc426

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I live in an apartment with my sun conure and didn't even think about my stove top burners having teflon in them! Does anyone happen to know if the teflon in the stovetop burners is contained within the coils that heat up for cooking? Or if its the metal pan that is beneath them? I unfortunately rely on using those burners for food so is there anything I can do to make sure its all safe and good for my parrot? What I typically do is keep him inside of his cage with the door shut in my living room (unfortunately it is right next to the kitchen but its large so its a short distance away luckily) and I open all of the windows and have a fan going. Is this enough?
 

Dostc426

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Also, I noticed that toasters were not listed but I was wondering if my toaster is something I should worry about containing teflon and if anyone has any recommendations for a bird safe toaster?
 

Clueless

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@JLcribber do you know these answers?

I'm thinking it was the drip pans under the burners and there should be stainless steel ones out there, but I'm clueless.....

Oster sells a Belgian waffle maker without PTFE or PFOA in it. Never looked at toasters.
 

JLcribber

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I live in an apartment with my sun conure and didn't even think about my stove top burners having teflon in them! Does anyone happen to know if the teflon in the stovetop burners is contained within the coils that heat up for cooking? Or if its the metal pan that is beneath them? I unfortunately rely on using those burners for food so is there anything I can do to make sure its all safe and good for my parrot? What I typically do is keep him inside of his cage with the door shut in my living room (unfortunately it is right next to the kitchen but its large so its a short distance away luckily) and I open all of the windows and have a fan going. Is this enough?

I highly doubt the burners on your stove have teflon on them or the pans under them. What is the make and model of your stove?

Teflon is a noticeable coating on something. If the thing in concern is shiny or has a steel finish there is no teflon on it.
 

JLcribber

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Also, I noticed that toasters were not listed but I was wondering if my toaster is something I should worry about containing teflon and if anyone has any recommendations for a bird safe toaster?

I doubt there's teflon in your toaster either.

Teflon is used in direct contact with food so it won't stick to a surface. There is no "surface" for your toast to stick to in a toaster. Again what make and model of toaster are we talking about?
 

camelotshadow

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I worry about my hot air popcorn popper. Base is sort of an aluminum & hot air is blown up from underneath.
No need fir anything non stick so maybe I worry for nothing. Did use it once but with windows open.

Oh those poor birds!

:sad7:
 

Clueless

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I highly doubt the burners on your stove have teflon on them or the pans under them. What is the make and model of your stove?

Teflon is a noticeable coating on something. If the thing in concern is shiny or has a steel finish there is no teflon on it.
There are some non-stick drip pans that go under the electric coils. I've seen them in the past.

Signed,
Worry wart :)
 

Candace & Rudy

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Also, I noticed that toasters were not listed but I was wondering if my toaster is something I should worry about containing teflon and if anyone has any recommendations for a bird safe toaster?
@Dostc426 I managed to call a few manufacturer's for info on my appliances to be sure there weren't any dangerous non-stick components. Sunbeam's 2 slice toaster does not contain any PTFE/PFOA according to their email response. Also, most ceramic pans now can be found that are non-stick and do say it on the packaging. I've got a couple Bialetti pans, Green Pan seems great or you can invest in cast iron. Bed Bath and beyond sells safe pans and also baking sheets. I think Conair has PTFE/PFOA free hairdryers from other posts I've seen but I have yet to hear back about my model. I generally think hair dryers are fine and don't have non-stick components but I've heard differently.
 

camelotshadow

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I doubt there's teflon in your toaster either.

Teflon is used in direct contact with food so it won't stick to a surface. There is no "surface" for your toast to stick to in a toaster. Again what make and model of toaster are we talking about?

I wish that were true as it would make things easier & safer.
Seems wires used in hi heat products can be coated with Teflon so it's just not enough to think that if it isn't a non stick surface it won't have it.


Bottoms of irons have it, as well as walls of toaster ovens that food does not sit on.
That area under the coffee pot to keep it warm might have it.


PTFE Insulated Wire, PTFE Wire Insulation Specialists

So its seems possible that the wires in hot air poppers, toasters & hair dryers could have it but after a few hours of research none of them actually admitted it.
Read wires in electric heating blankets have it but they don't get that hot so maybe they are safe.

Polytetrafluoroethylene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Safety[edit]

Pyrolysis of PTFE is detectable at 200 °C (392 °F), and it evolves several fluorocarbon gases and a sublimate. An animal study conducted in 1955 concluded that it is unlikely that these products would be generated in amounts significant to health at temperatures below 250 °C (482 °F).[37]

While PTFE is stable and nontoxic at lower temperatures, it begins to deteriorate after the temperature of cookware reaches about 260 °C (500 °F), and decomposes above 350 °C (662 °F).[38] The degradation by-products can be lethal to birds,[39] and can cause flu-like symptoms[40] in humans. See polymer fume fever.

Meat is usually fried between 204 and 232 °C (399 and 450 °F), and most oils start to smoke before a temperature of 260 °C (500 °F) is reached, but there are at least two cooking oils (refined safflower oil (510 °F) and avocado oil (520 °F)) that have a higher smoke point than 260 °C (500 °F).

So if this is true a pop corn popper that reaches 305 ' should be safe & probably hairdryers.

Teflon Toxicity (PTFE Toxicosis) in Birds: Signs and Prevention

Hair dryers & toasters likely to use nichrome wires which should be ok

Heating element - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ceramic hairdryers

Amazon.com : Barbar ECO8000 Blow Dryer : Hair Dryers : Beauty

Tourmaline Blow Dryers - Independently Reviewed And Compared


I've searched over 2 hours & really couldn't come up with any really anything to assure me these appliances are safe.

My hair dryer which I used a few times is a Chi Infra Tech & it seems to have ceramic plates. I looked inside & there are no heater wires. I've read most heater wires in hairdryers are nichrome which should also be safe. So maybe hairdryers are not a big source of teflon.

Seems toasters use similar wires which should be ok

Toaster Basics - How Toasters Work | HowStuffWorks

Nichrome Wire

PTFE Wire, High Temperature Hook Up Wire, Type E M16878/4 600 Volts

Teflon – You might not realise, but it’s everywhere! — Low Tox Life
Nothing new but it doesn't mention hairdryers or hot air poppers

Constructional Parts of Hair Dryer | Electric Fan and Electric Hair Drier

Parts List/Functions - Revlon Hair Dryer

Teflon Is Poison

I still can't find much about Teflon in hairdryers but that doesn't make me feel any safer.

I don't see Teflon involved in this but that doesn't mean somehow it's not used.

So almost a half day of research & I still really don't know
 
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Reggie

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I've been told and read about the dangers PTFE and teflon. Does anybody know if there is a way to check if an item contains PTFE? I have a Belgium waffle maker, that I used to love to use but used very seldom (maybe 3 or 4 times a year) that is non-stick :( If I am going to use it, is there a recommended distance away any birds I may have should be? Thanks!

I think the best rule of thumb for this kind of thing is that the birds shouldn't be housed near the kitchen, and shouldn't be in the kitchen when you're cooking. If your birds aren't I think they'd be safe as long as you keep them out of the general vicinity of the kitchen for a few hours so you can open a window and get the toxic air out of the house. When I cook, I keep my bedroom door closed, turn on the fan in the bathroom, and crack the window so nothing gets near my birds. It also helps that where my birds are housed is on the second floor, but I'm still very cautious. Good thing I don't have AC, or I'd never cook again! LOL.
 
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alshgs

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I only use stainless and glass, but my house was built in the 50's, so obviously I worry about certain things in the kitchen. They are in the living room, so the door is shut with windows open and fans blowing...just in case :)
 

janicedyh

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I Was looking for a giant cupcake mold on Amazon that would be safe and PTFE, PFOA and I ran across this. It may be helpful to those that need to replace cookware. If anyone sees inaccuracies in the list please flag them Amazon.com: Listmania!
 

janicedyh

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I really need to read my post before I post them...I meant "safe and PTFE, PFOA free" duh
 

Dostc426

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Oh goodness, stove burners contain teflon?! Is there a substitute to using the burners?
 

Clueless

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