Can you buy Bread Makers without Teflon?
Yes, but the reality is that almost all bread machines have Teflon-coated pans.
To know why people need bread makers without Teflon, you will start with the basics.
Non-stick cookware is popular because it uses less oil and you don’t have to worry about burning your food. That way, you can use a bread baking machine that doesn’t burn the bread.
However, recent studies have shown that this type of cookware can be harmful to our health. As science has progressed, we have found out that this cookware is lined with a material that can be harmful to us.
Teflon is a brand of polytetrafluoroethylene, but let’s just call it PTFE for now. This was a good invention because it made cooking things easier. But there is a price that came with the invention.
People didn’t want to risk their lives, cooks paused using their Teflon coated pans. They started looking for alternatives and scouring the internet for non-Teflon-coated cookware.
Naturally, people began wondering if they could purchase bread machines that were not coated with this stuff. To address this burning question, we thought it was the best time to do so.
PTFE is a fluorocarbon polymer that has been used for decades in various applications, including cookware and food packaging. PFOA is a harmful by-product gas that forms when PTFE is heated over a specific temperature.
The gas raises the risk of liver, testicular, breast, and pancreatic cancer after the studies are completed. This is a scary list in and of itself.
So, if PTFE is bad when heated, then why are people still cooking with it? Why don’t they have any measures to stop putting this thing in our cookware that will hurt you? Would you really want to put your health at risk just so you can clean easier?
What does the American Cancer Society Say?
According to the American Cancer Society, there are no known risks by using Teflon coated material.
So, um… are you saying it’s not harmful? Well, in a way it is. This might sound confusing right now but let me explain.
Teflon is not safe at high temperatures. There might be other risks that we don’t know about yet, so it’s best to be careful.
What if people try to avoid it, but there are no other options? In North America, few machines are entirely PTFE free and safe. So, how can one play it safe?
If you recall, PTFE releases toxic gas if heated above a certain temperature. This happens when your cookware is heated to temperatures of 500 degrees Fahrenheit/260 degrees Celsius or higher.
If your bread machine goes over the limit, it can release a harmful toxin into the air.
Luckily, bread machines usually bake at a lower temperature, around 300 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius. This is much lower than the maximum limit. This is because bread baking machines have a compact chamber which cooks the bread more quickly than a regular oven.
So in comparison to other cookware where it is hard to keep track of the temperature, let’s say a pan, it’s easier to control that in a bread machine.
You don’t have to worry too much about the harmful gas that is released from Teflon.
You may regulate the temperature in bread machines easier than in cookware.
As a result, you don’t have to be concerned. They give you more control, allowing you to regulate not just the baking temperature but also the temperature range.
What are the best automatic bread machines that don’t have Teflon?
Top PTFE Free Bread Machines
Here are some of the best bread machines available in North America that allow you to control the temperature settings.
Three PTFE free bread machines:
- The Zojirushi BB-PAC20 has a temperature range between 250°F and 300°F (120°C and 150°C).
- Breville is second in line. It has a range of 140°F to 300°F (60°C and 150°C).
- We are finishing with the Zojirushi BB-CEC20. It has a range between 250°F and 290°F (120°C and 140°C).
These three appliances are safe for you and your family. So feel free to use them and start baking!
Final Words
If you’ve been using a bread machine with Teflon coated pans, it might be time to upgrade. Teflon is the go-to coating for most manufacturers because of its nonstick properties and ability to withstand high temperatures without warping or leaving behind harmful chemicals.
But what many people don’t know is that this material has a tendency to release toxic fumes at high heat levels – something any baker who relies on their oven will tell you they wouldn’t tolerate from an appliance in their kitchen!
Although some experts say there are no documented cases of adverse effects caused by breathing these fumes, we think it’s better safe than sorry – especially when it comes down to baking your daily bread.
For those looking for a safe and healthy alternative, there are a number of PTFE-free bread makers out there that can help you continue to whip up delicious loaves without having to worry about your health.
Happy baking!
