Question:
How bad is non-stick cookware for birds?
?
2010-07-21 18:29:04 UTC
Today I found out that we have been using non-stick pots and pans for years and we have been using a George Foreman grill and the problem is, we have nine parrots in the house. I know non-stick is terrible for birds, and I tried telling my mom that, but she won't listen to me. She has 3 parrots and loves them very much and knows that non-stick is bad, but she won't listen to me. I have 6 parrots and I love them very much and I don't want them to die from the non-stick cookware and George Foreman grill. Mom says that it's fine that we use non-stick cookware because because we don't use it at excessive temperatures, but I don't think so. How bad is the non-stick cookware for birds and will my birds be okay? If I need to get rid of all the non-stick cookware, how do I persuade my parents into throwing it out? Also the types of parrots we have is a double yellow headed Amazon, a goffins cockatoo, a cockatiel, 4 budgies, a green cheek conure, and an african grey parrot if that helps.
Eight answers:
Jen L
2010-07-21 19:15:52 UTC
There's always a danger when you use nonstick cookware around birds. The teflon coating can put off a gas when it is scorched or burned (it's actually dangerous to people as well, but we are much more tolerant than birds are), so if you do use non stick, you have to be sure to never use it on a temperature above medium high to ensure that it won't burn, and never ever leave it unattended. Keep the birds well away from the kitchen. You can cover them as well, for added protection. Always run the kitchen vents when cooking. If you have an outdoor patio on which you can use the George Foreman grill, I would to that, too.



It' is always safer to use cookware that is not nonstick, like stainless steel, but it is also very expensive to purchase GOOD stainless cookware. You will probably have more luck convincing your mother to be very stringent about not cooking on high with the nonstick than getting her to buy all new cookware.



Always watch your birds for any unusual signs or unusual behaviors. Birds hide their illnesses, so they won't look like an easy meal to a predator, and so their flock won't abandon them. Seems silly to say, since we'd never dream of booting our birds out, but it's Parrot Psychology 101. If they are not perching and hanging out on the bottom of their cages, have ruffled feathers, have labored(heavy) breathing, feel cold, seem weak, or have any sort of eye or nasal discharge, something's not right and they need to be seen by a vet right away. If you're careful with the nonstick, you shouldn't have any problems. I still have a nonstick pan or two that I use, and my birds are all as healthy as can be, but I am extremely careful in how I use my cookware.
Dan M
2010-07-21 18:52:09 UTC
Non-stick cookware is coated with a material called Polytetraflouethylene (or PTFE for short) that is safe as long as it stays on the cookware. The problem is that if you heat it up too much, it gives off fumes into the air that kill birds. The warmer your nonstick cookware gets, and the longer it stays that way, the more dangerous it is for birds.



A general rule is that temperatures over 500° Fahrenheit or 280° Celsius are deadly. However, there have been cases where temperatures as low as 285° F have killed birds.



Put simply, people who own birds should not use non-stick cookware. They present very real, very deadly danger, and there are easy and inexpensive alternatives available. If you must use non-sticks, then you should put the birds in a different section of the house and make sure to ventilate very well.



It doesn't matter what kind of birds you have.
2016-03-28 05:37:28 UTC
I have learned to use Visionware (glass) cookware. I will use a non-stick ELECTRIC griddle regulated to a temp no higher than 275 for eggs only. I understand you frustration, and Visionware takes some getting used to, but with four birds of my own not far from the kitchen I do not take any chances, proper ventilation and fresh air is very important.
Night_owl
2010-07-21 18:35:55 UTC
As long as your birds aren't in the kitchen, are well away from the kitchen, and are in a well-ventilated area the non-stick cookware and fumes shouldn't be a problem.



If the non-stick cookware was going to be a problem you most likely would have noticed in minutes as your birds became sick.



If they do become sick airing out the room by opening windows should help decrease the deadly fumes.



If you have been using the non-stick cookware for years, I would be careful about it but more than likely if it hasn't been a problem yet you have been doing things right- just keep it in mind and be careful about it in the future.



If you are concerned about the non-stick cookware- you could always buy your Mom & Dad a present of cookware that ISN'T non-stick. :)
Shirley
2016-04-09 12:41:23 UTC
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I have my peach-fronted conure and Quaker parakeet on opposite sides of my kitchen doorway in my apartment, and I use Corning French White and Visionware cookware, as well as good old cast iron. There are some really attractive enamel-coated cast iron pots, pans, and skillets that heat evenly, and you can spray them with PAM, which helps a lot. I believe the Calphalon Anodized Aluminum pans are safe. I also have stainless steel-coated cast iron cookware which is great, too. But I do shy away from ANY "nonstick" cookware, because I couldn't forgive myself if one of my flock were to die because of the fumes. Hope this helps some.
?
2010-07-22 18:25:52 UTC
Just don't overheat it (keep the temp. up to med). Also keep windows open and use a fan. This should help prevent them from getting ill.
2016-09-14 04:06:39 UTC
Thankyou! Very valuable information and it offers me better knowledge on the topic
2010-07-21 18:31:28 UTC
Don't worry. Parrots may know how to talk & fly but they can't cook.


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