"Healthy Cookware" - Democratic Underground

eleny

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Mar-16-06 09:42 PM
Original message

"Healthy Cookware"

I was concerned about the safety of a Le Cruset enamel pot when I found a few tiny chips in the interior. I found this site that has some tips on cookware and its safety.

http://www.rwood.com/Articles/Healthy_Cookware.htm

Here's what she says about enamel cookware:
"Once chipped, discard enamel kitchenware or enamel fragments will find their way into your food and the underlying metal will react with food. If it’s affordable, favor enamel pots."

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Tab

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Mar-16-06 10:07 PM
Response to Original message

1. I'm not too worried about mine being a little chipped

but I had a piece once that "got started" and every time I heated it, little pieces would pop off. That was bad. But the fact that I have a chip doesn't bother me. Then again, I'm not too anal about it, and I don't currently cook in situations where I might get sued. Personally I don't mind a small defect, but a number of them will obviously compromise the cooking.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

eleny

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Mar-16-06 10:11 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. I don't mind the defect for the metal showing underneath

What I would mind is chomping down on a piece of enamel and cracking a tooth. I did that once on a small piece of turkey bone in a salad and it's memorable. I think I'm going to pitch my pot and treat myself to another. I figure it's less expensive than dental work.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Warpy

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Mar-16-06 11:27 PM
Response to Original message

3. The underlying metal in Le Creuset is cast iron

and certainly not a problem. However, the cookware should be examined for loosening enamel around the chip before each use, just to make sure none is ready to flake off.

The enamel coating is quite durable, and I've never seen a chip get larger on its own without getting banged into something else--hard.

My first Le Creuset pan was a huge frypan with a chip along the rim, a thrift shop find. The only reason it went back to the thrift shop after about 5 years is that my wrists could no longer handle the weight. That chip never got any bigger and I loved the pan while I could manage it.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

eleny

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Mar-17-06 12:37 AM
Response to Reply #3

4. Thanks for your thoughts

Edited on Fri Mar-17-06 12:38 AM by eleny

And yes, they really are heavy. As I sat her tonight doing other things and thinking about it, I figured that I might just pitch it and use my stainless pot that's the same size. I like the enamel one for making tomato sauce. But the stainless is so much lighter than the Le Cruset.

I had a big LC fry pan that came with the set. I dropped it soon after getting the set. It hit the floor on its edge and cracked in half. A short lived love affair, for sure!

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Lugnut

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Mar-17-06 12:53 AM
Response to Original message

5. Thanks for the info

My set is fairly old and well used but none of the pieces are chipped. It would break my heart to have to pitch a piece.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

NMDemDist2

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Mar-17-06 02:59 AM
Response to Original message

6. mine is "crazed" in the interior but no chips except on the rim

that haven't changed in years

the weight is the issue, they're heavier than my cast iron, it seems, so they rarely get hauled out

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

supernova

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sat Mar-18-06 12:06 PM
Response to Original message

7. My Number 1 rule for buying pots and pans

Make sure it's something I can comfortably lift.

I'm a small person, so I make sure to try a pan out in the store to make sure I can lift it, two hands is OK.

I lust after Le Cruset, it looks terrific, but frankly that stuff's just too heavy for me. I don't think having chipped enamel on the outside would bother me, but I worry about enamel on the inside. I prefer to see metal.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Warpy

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sat Mar-18-06 12:31 PM
Response to Reply #7

8. I've had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 14

and the Le Creuset Dutch ovens are fine with me. I just put heavy kitchen towels over both forearms and put my forearms under the handles on the side. I can lift them (full) fairly easily that way, an advantage when I'm cooking on the woodstove in the living room.

We gimps know all the tricks.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Fri May 10th 2024, 04:45 AM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.