Is my cookware unsafe?

[StreamOfTheSky]

Hey, not too familiar with the issue, so I figured I'd ask.

Recently got a new set of cookware from Walmart. "Tramontina Select" being the brand and type. It's a mixture of nonstick (teflon) and stainless steel pots and pans.

Thus far, I've only used the 3 qt. pot, which does not seem to be nonstick, as it's all metal, no black interior. The pot seems to work fine, and I was happy with it. But both times now, when cleaning it afterwards with a scrubbing brush, a silvery residue has been left behind on the brush bristles. I'm...understandly worried about that. Any idea if I just need to scrub all of them hard before use and this won't continue to happen? Or should i cease to use them and return it immediately?

 

[Jdvn1]

Are there visible scratches on the pot from your scrubbing?

 

[frankthedm]

i'd say take it back. Last i heard, nonstick material is notably toxic. And supposedly Walmart requests manufacturers lower quality control to keep costs low, with individual walmarts eating the losses on returns.

 

[Janx]

a silver residue sounds suspicious. For a real metal pan, it'd take something abrasive to make scratches, or cause part of it to come off.

Metal shavings or dust, would probably flush down the drain as you rinsed, so you'd be less likely to see a residue on a brush.


I'd be concerned that you were looking at some kind of metalic paint.

Are you seeing metal "goo" or metal "particles" on the brush? Either way, that's bad, an unlikely for a normal pan (unless you used steel wool or an metal brush).


Personally, I use All-Clad. We have birds, and teflon is dangerous for birds (have a scorch or fire, and that stuff is in the air, and is toxic).

So a few years back, I threw out all our mismatched pots and pans and bought a full proper set of matching stainless steel cookware from BedBath & Beyond (20% off coupons helped). $500 got me the basic set, and every now and then I add one. AllClad only has 1 style for the last 30-50 years (however long they existed), so with lifetime warranty, I'm good to go.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Are there visible scratches on the pot from your scrubbing?

No.

i'd say take it back. Last i heard, nonstick material is notably toxic. And supposedly Walmart requests manufacturers lower quality control to keep costs low, with individual walmarts eating the losses on returns.

Well, I know nonstick is unsafe, but I thought that was only if it sratched off or food was burnt to it. In any case, this particular pot does not have a nonstick coating.

I've heard of Walmart getting cheaper stuff from even otherwise reputable companies. But I'm also kinda poor. I figured going with a "higher end" type would hedge my bets a little against inferior quality by virtue of it being Walmart. Maybe not.

I'd be concerned that you were looking at some kind of metalic paint.

Heh...that would be bad.

Are you seeing metal "goo" or metal "particles" on the brush? Either way, that's bad, an unlikely for a normal pan (unless you used steel wool or an metal brush).

It looks like tiny particles to me. I snapped a pic with my webcam, it's not terribly detailed, but it's something. I've tried rubbing the brush and cleaning it to get the...whatever off. Not coming off the bristles for now.

Personally, I use All-Clad. We have birds, and teflon is dangerous for birds (have a scorch or fire, and that stuff is in the air, and is toxic).

So a few years back, I threw out all our mismatched pots and pans and bought a full proper set of matching stainless steel cookware from BedBath & Beyond (20% off coupons helped). $500 got me the basic set, and every now and then I add one. AllClad only has 1 style for the last 30-50 years (however long they existed), so with lifetime warranty, I'm good to go.

That sounds nice, but can't really afford anything nearly that much right now. The ones I got were $70, I really can't spend more than $100 on the cookware. I get they'll not last too long, but i need something for now that's at least safe and functional. And I grew up with nonstick in my house, kinda used to having it at least on the big pans. Or anything I cook egg in.

 

[Bedrockgames]

I know your are supposed to be gentle when cleaning non-stick pans, but the residue sounds odd to me. If you were scraping it with a brilo pad, I would expect something like that, but I don't think a regular brush would do it.

Honestly the best non stick surface IMO is a cast iron skillet. Cleaning them is easy (just heat spinkle on some salt and wipe down with a clean cloth), plus people have been using them for a long time. If you don't really need the non stick surface, consider getting some stainless steal. It is very durable. Don't have to worry about anything scratching off.

 

[Jdvn1]

You know there are clear nonstick coatings, right?

If you're sure this pot doesn't have a nonstick coating, you should try washing it with a softer material and see if the stuff still comes off. You can try it even if you haven't used it. If the stuff continues to come off, what are you cooking? I believe that stuff comes with a lifetime warranty, so maybe you can get it replaced.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

If you don't really need the non stick surface, consider getting some stainless steal. It is very durable. Don't have to worry about anything scratching off.

This IS stainless steel. Presumably. The box claims it is, at least. Hell if I can tell the difference between steel, aluminum, or whatever else.

You know there are clear nonstick coatings, right?

....Yes.... No....
If the pot has a nonstick coating, it sure doesn't work too well from the two times I've cooked with it now. Also, other items in the set have the more familiar black interior, so I figured if they were all nonstick, they'd all have the same interior design. Maybe not.

If you're sure this pot doesn't have a nonstick coating, you should try washing it with a softer material and see if the stuff still comes off. You can try it even if you haven't used it. If the stuff continues to come off, what are you cooking? I believe that stuff comes with a lifetime warranty, so maybe you can get it replaced.

10 year warranty. I'll try using a face cloth or a soft sponge maybe, see if it still does anything to the surface of the cleaning item.

 

[Jdvn1]

....Yes.... No....
If the pot has a nonstick coating, it sure doesn't work too well from the two times I've cooked with it now. Also, other items in the set have the more familiar black interior, so I figured if they were all nonstick, they'd all have the same interior design. Maybe not.

Heh, well, I have a rice cooker with a pretty terrible nonstick coating--I still have to spray or use oil on the bottom of the darn thing to prevent it from burning my rice. Rubbing my finger on it, you can kind of tell it doesn't feel quite metallic, as if there's a slick coating on it. Though it may be tough to tell between metals, it's not as tough to tell if there's a coating, so I'll presume you're right. It makes sense that the same brand/model would use the same design for nonstick, too.

Good luck! If there is a nonstick coating, the thing should be relatively easy to clean with a cloth or soft sponge, right? Right? If only it worked that way in practice...

 

[Fast Learner]

If that was coming off of my cookware, I'd instantly return it. Metal poisoning is subtle and complicated. Lots of people are familiar with the apparent issues with long-term exposure to excess aluminum (and so don't buy aluminum cookware), but nickel poisoning (from stainless steel) can be very harmful as well.

High-quality stainless steel doesn't do that. Low-quality stainless steel doesn't need to do that, it's a side-effect of the composition and manufacturing process of that particular set of cookware. Get something else that won't slowly poison you and your family.