using teflon around budgies

[birdguhl]

I know that teflon can be really dangerous for budgies.

My question is, is it safe to use it at all?

I was going to use a non-stick (Le Creuset skillet & pan combo) casserole to make a meal tonight. It goes in the oven and would get very hot obviously but not actually burn. Is it just grossly overheating teflon which makes it dangerous?

There is only one door between the kitchen and the buds.

I guess if in doubt I will find another way, but just wanted to check out what others do.

Ta!

[Marianne Marlow]

I wouldn't risk it.

I chucked out all my teflon as soon as I knew it was bad for the birds. Don't think it's that good for humans either.

I cannot make a pancake to save my life but I'm not bothered

[starrymist]

I read that it's only when it gets dangerously hot that its an issue, a normal Teflon pan (or whatever) shouldn't in the normal run of things be a problem. Obviously you need to be careful around it but I would imagine keeping your budgies in a different room would be sufficient?

[lemonade]

I'm not sure how unsafe they are even at normal temperatures so like Marianne, I never risk it myself.
When I got married we got loads of pots and pans sets and they sit in the cupboard unused as they all have Teflon. We currently have 2 pots we only use and they are stainless steel Stellar ones, which cost a bomb, hence why we only have 2 at the mo!

I wouldn't risk it birdghul, do you not have a Pyrex casserole dish?

[birdguhl]

Thanks, guys. I do have a Pyrex one and it's in the oven right now!

[skysmum]

I wouldn't risk it either birdguhl, ive got three doors between kitchen and conservatory and two between where chilli is now and i just use stainless steel or pyrex. I have one Teflon frying pan and the only time that comes out is when they are back in the aviary outside.

[phoebe]

I threw out all the teflon when my birds arrived.

[stace]

I threw out all my Teflon as well. I understand they are toxic if overheated, but you never know when you might accidentally burn something. Or, if a guest might do so. Plus, if they are giving off toxic fumes at all, that can't be good. I also think I read that they give off more fumes if the teflon skin is scratched. I hear it kills them almost instantly.

[tanja]

mistake, they are also toxic if not overheated. Heard a lot about it and read a lot about birds dying from the fumes, that come out when the pans are heated up! So as soon I knew about that I threw the pans out and we bought a new stainless steel and a ceramic organic pan, which is even better in my opinion. eggs, pancakes, nothing sticks to it with a little oil

[moonkira *Julie *]

I need to get a new oven but I am worried the fumes from the newness of it when its used the first few times will be harm full for them

[tinker]

I had all non-teflon things in my house down south - but when I moved up here into a flat it is full of teflon. I always kept the two doors shut between anyone cooking in the kitchen and Smokey. It's not ideal, but is possibly a minimal risk even so.  So much healthier without teflon anyway.  Sometimes I find black specks in my food where it has come off the pans.  So disgusting and toxic.  Whenever that happens I tell the head-flatmate we need new pans and she obliges.  

[tinker]

Dec 15, 2013 23:17:10 GMT moonkira *Julie * said:

I need to get a new oven but I am worried the fumes from the newness of it when its used the first few times will be harm full for them

Can you put them outside for a few hours during the day while you run the oven to burn off the fumes?

[Hezz]

I am reasonably certain that Barrie always advised that the teflon was a problem only if burnt. I think, though, that the majority of us are clumsy kluxes who will inevidently, sooner or later burn the damn pan, so have erred on the side of caution and simply tossed them. Here is his say on this:

www.officialbarrieshuttbudgerigars.com/avianpoisons.htm

[BudgiesBuddy]

By teflon, if we mean the general black coated non-stick pans, then I have occasionally used that around birds and never noticed any changes in birds. But I have made sure that I don't use the new ones, just out of the box. I have never burnt any as well.

[BudgiesBuddy]