Hello QP Lovers!

As a new QP owner I have recently gotten rid of my Teflon cookware but have not yet replaced my Teflon-coated bake ware (no, I haven't done any baking since I got my Larry Bird in December). I have had the worst of luck with my non-non-stick cookie sheets rusting. Kohls (similar to Target) is having a sale on their silicone bake ware this week and I was wondering if any of you recommended it as an alternative to rusty metal bake ware. It does not have Teflon in it, but it seems the makers recommend using a non-stick cooking spray like Pam along with it. My understanding is that Pam and other non-stick sprays are not good for our fids and I do not use them. Also, the silicone answer to the cookie sheet is not rigid - I wonder if the silicone baking pad is meant for use with a traditional metal sheet, as that would not solve the rusting problem.

What are your opinions? What do you use to bake?

I'm sorry for re-posting this topic - I just discovered another thread on the subject, but it does not answer my questions.

Thank you,
Sarah

There is no study on the effects of Silicon bake ware on pets/humans or birds over prolonged periods that I can find. After finding out the Teflon is not safe for humans over prolonged periods of time, I wouldn't trust anything but stainless steal and cast iron.

Sarah, my understanding -- from reading elsewhere -- is that the chemical compound that makes Teflon and other non-stick cookware so deadly to our birds is infused all thru the silicone cookware. I would not use it without a great deal of very convincing evidence to the contrary.

I've gotten some safe baking pans (1.5" deep, so not sheets) from Williams-Sonoma. You might check there for some cookie sheets in the "traditional finish," as they call it.

Good luck and so very glad you asked before buying!

gail

Sarah,
I haven't heard anything about the silicone bakeware and its safety. So I prefer to stick with the stainless steel cooking/baking products. I also use the Pfaltzgraff bread pans that are ceramic. I use the Pyrex & Corningware casserole dishes for baking casseroles. I have stainless steel cookie sheet. It can be difficult to find inexpensive cooking/baking items but you can find them. Hope this helps!

Jan, Taavi (QP), Tory (M2) & Jesse (LSC2)

A Google search for "stainless steel bakeware" brought up some "AirBake" brand cookie sheets. These don't say "non-stick" in the description; does that mean there is no Teflon-like material in it? Do I need to look for something that explicitly states it does not contain Teflon, or is it safe to assume that something not advertised as "non-stick" is okay?

Also, in doing some research on the maximum temperatures silicone bake ware can withstand, the ranges in maximum temperature vary from about 425 degrees F to 675 degrees F depending on the maker. If there were a non-stick chemical in the silicone formula, it would probably break down at about 500 degrees, right? Theoretically if one were never to bake above 400 degrees, silicone bake ware might be safe even if it does contain non-stick chemicals. I'm not implying the danger is worth the risk, just speculating for the sake of science.

Thanks,
Sarah

Sarah,
From my experience you need it explicitly written that it is stainless steel or whatever. Even some of the newer cast iron pans have been treated with non-stick teflon. I know I found it out when I was looking in WalMarts for a new cast iron frying pan! Never just trust when it comes to your birds! At least that is the way I feel. Better to check and be safe. Ask if they can't or won't tell you if it contains teflon coating then don't buy it is my thought!

Jan, Taavi (QP), Tory (M2) & Jesse (LSC2)

Anything non-stick, I would be leary of.

I know a lot of bird owners who use Pam. Just make sure to not use it immediately around the birds. If you have to spray a pan with it, take it into the bathroom and have the vent on. Pam is fine to cook with, as nothing eliminated into the air will hurt the birds. As a matter of fact, some people will use Pam or another cooking spray to spray the grates in bird cages to prevent the droppings from sticking.

Thanks, Taavi, I agree - it's not worth the risk. Just to clarify, though, we are all in agreement that stainless steel, cast iron, glass, and ceramic cook ware are okay, right? So I still have a few options! (Hubby sort-of panicked when I told him we had to get rid of our non-stick!)



Carrie Anne,
Thanks for the info! I didn't know Pam was okay. Hmm, might it just be the fact that it comes in an aerosol spray that makes it questionable? If that's the case I vote they need a non- aerosol form!

"we are all in agreement that stainless steel, cast iron, glass, and ceramic cook ware are okay, right?"

Yes, those should all be safe! Just be sure they don't add a non-stick coating. I know they do that with the aluminum, cast iron and some of the other metal bakeware I've checked at Walmarts and Kmarts. I like to double check everything now! A friend bought me some baking sheets. They did not say they were treated with teflon but once I examined them and in the fine print it was mentioned a non-stick coated was added to make cleaning easier and to keep they food from sticking.

Jan, Taavi (QP), Tory (M2) & Jesse (LSC2)

the airbake cookie sheets are ok - no teflon there. Just when you are washing them don't put them in the water - just wipe them down and rinse. They are 2 layers of stainless with an egg crate texture in between and water can get trapped if you dunk them.


I actually prefer to use baking stones - like thre pizza stones. Pampered Chef sells them along with a lot of the department stores. They last forever - unless you drop them - and they become "non stick" as the stonewear absorbs the oils from the food.

I was also curious about this and noticed at the store that there is a new non-stick spray that doesnt have the heavy stuff in it that pam does... does anyone know about it? I think it's mazolla ... until the vet says ok ...I'm sticking to the old fashioned crisco method and I'm old fashioned anyway so I prefer to cook with cast iron

DDDDDDDDDOOOOONNNNNNN''''TTTT USE IT!!!! FOR THE LOVE OF LARRY DON'T!!! it can give off the nastiest of scents in your home and making human eyes water and lungs hurt.... guess what its doing to the fids (don't worry i was at the inlaws house when burning this stuff.... no fids)
maybe the stuff i had was a cheap brand but pyrex is the best by far in my opinion, they do make shallow bakeware that is easy to clean and there are Always ways to make food less prone to sticking.

How did our mothers and grandmothers get along without all the non-stick lazy human

Before I got my QP my mother in law gave me a set of silicon bakeware. I don't know what is in it but, when ever I cook with it, it smells pretty bad and I can taste some chemical it leaves in the food. some other people have tried the food I have cooked an claim the taste is very faint or non existant, and I agree the taste is more mild than the smell. I can't imagine anything that leaves an odd taste and smell can be good for either us or the parrot, and the bakeware is now taking up a lot of useless space as I refuse to use it anymore.

In terms of the cooking spray I have always felt guilty about using any kind of aerosal as they are generally bad for the environment. Target and some other stores sell a stainless steel plastic lined pump sprayer that you can fill with your favorite oil and hand pump to get a nonstick cooking spray. I would imagine this is better for the birds and us and less wasteful than repeatedly buying cans of pan.