Have you ever wondered whether or not you need new cookware?  Maybe your handles are loose or your non-stick is flaking out.  I recently conducted an experiment that will put all of that wondering to rest.  This experiment was strongly recommended to me and I strongly recommend it to everyone.  Basically you round up one of each different type of cookware that you or your family own.  This means one of each type of pan in your home, i.e. one non-stick, one cast iron, one aluminum, etc.  Add two cups of water to each pan. You’ll then need a clean sponge for each pan.  To save money buy a green scouring pad or two and cut it into 2 inch pieces.  Now the premise behind this experiment is that each time you cook in a pan, you risk metal, plastic, dirt, and grime getting into your food from the pan.  In other words, as you stir you pull things from the pan into your food and don’t even realize it.  Your food masks the taste, smell, and even vision of flakes in your food.  Now, take the scouring pad and lightly circle the bottom of the pan, as if you were cleaning the pan.  Do this in each pan for 1-2 minutes.  The gentle rubbing of the pan simulates your stirring in the pan.  Then pour the water from the pan into a clear glass.  If you notice anything floating in the pan, it is probably time to buy new cookware. I saw this with cast iron and the water was rusty!  Gross!  The aluminum water was grey.  The non-stick water had flakes all in it.  The high-grade stainless steel pan was the only one that had water come out of the pan as clear as when it went in. Now, I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine cooking with something that I know is leaching metals and/ or plastic into my food.  This test will completely change how you think about cookware and you health in relation to it.  If you don’t want to drink the water at the end of the test, buy new cookware.   

Name (required)

E-mail (required)

URI

Your Comment

Security Code: