Time Capsule 1938 - Origins of PTFE

Palomar · 2005-07-01 08:04:49

*This is a feature in a magazine I subscribe to, Reminisce, by Reiman Publications. Yep, I enjoy nostalgia and etc.

It's not available for reading online, so I'll quickly quote the short article (entitled "One Slippery Substance"):

Organic chemist Roy Plunkett was experimenting with refrigerant gasses for DuPont in 1938 when he found a sample that had frozen overnight into a whitish waxy solid.

Rather than throw it away, he and an assistant tested the material and found it had some unusual properties. It was extremely slippery and inert to virtually all chemicals, including highly corrosive acids.

The substance, polytetrafluororethylene, or PTFE, was used during WWII in artillery shells and the production of nuclear material for the Manhattan Project.

After the war it was used for insulation, soil and stain repellent for fabrics, and nonstick coating for cookware under the name Teflon.

I do love Teflon. :up: That man should have won a Nobel prize.

--Cindy

clark · 2005-07-01 08:09:08

Read a recent health article that showed Teflon may cause cancer.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8404384/]Teflon chemical cancer risks downplayed?

Cobra Commander · 2005-07-01 08:23:34

I never much cared for Teflon. Anything beyond iron, wood and fire for cooking just seems excessive. Sure stuff sticks to iron, but leave it in the fire for an hour or so and problem solved.

I heard about that cancer study as well, most likely it contributes to cancer risk about as much as anything else. <shrug>

clark · 2005-07-01 08:30:35

Anything beyond iron, wood and fire for cooking just seems excessive.

You are such a cave-man. :laugh:

Do you even bother with utensils, or simply rip the burnt flesh from the stick?

Josh Cryer · 2005-07-01 08:31:47

I bought this cast iron frying pan because I've gotten in to cooking lately. What you do with 'em is you baste 'em up with cooking oil and bake them at like 400 for 5-6 hours. Instant non-stick pan. Truly, nothing sticks to the bastard. It's remarkable. We've had non-stick pans for decades, and I never knew it until I got that pan.

Anyway, about Teflon, not like DuPont has been known to be completely honest about things, but I think Cobra is right, the cancer risk is probably overrated.

But iron, for cooking, still wins out, in my opinion. I'm always cooking with that freakin' pan. Wonderful creation.

Palomar · 2005-07-01 08:39:45

I never much cared for Teflon. Anything beyond iron, wood and fire for cooking just seems excessive.

*Um...and just how often do you cook? Not often? Teehee.

I remember the pans and skillets my mother used (before Teflon became as widespread in availability as it has been in the past 20 years)...tough scouring, even if soaked in hot, soapy water for 20 minutes.

Teflon is a dream by comparison. :up: Every skillet, pan and dutch oven in my home has it.

--Cindy

P.S.:

Josh: I bought this cast iron frying pan because I've gotten in to cooking lately. What you do with 'em is you baste 'em up with cooking oil and bake them at like 400 for 5-6 hours. Instant non-stick pan.

Yeah, I've considered going that route. But if I have the oven on for over an hour, my husband is fretting about the utility bill. So...no go. Teflon.

Cobra Commander · 2005-07-01 08:43:02

Do you even bother with utensils, or simply rip the burnt flesh from the stick?

If I can keep my hands clean, what's the point of utensils?

Which leads to the odd habits of pulling hamburgers directly off the grill with a bare hand but eating ribs with a fork. ???

What you do with 'em is you baste 'em up with cooking oil and bake them at like 400 for 5-6 hours. Instant non-stick pan.

Filing that away for later reference.

Is 5-6 hours really "instant"?

clark · 2005-07-01 08:47:12

If I can keep my hands clean, what's the point of utensils?

Then why not simply wear surgical gloves? :laugh:

Cobra Commander · 2005-07-01 08:49:42

Then why not simply wear surgical gloves?

That's just weird.

clark · 2005-07-01 08:51:54

Remind me never to invite you to dinner then.

Josh Cryer · 2005-07-01 08:52:27

"Real" cooks use cast iron.

Cobra Commander · 2005-07-01 08:53:15

The Cast Iron Chef has spoken.

clark · 2005-07-01 08:57:01

Real clean-freaks wear surgical gloves.

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#1 2005-07-01 08:04:49

Re: Time Capsule 1938 - Origins of PTFE

#2 2005-07-01 08:09:08

Re: Time Capsule 1938 - Origins of PTFE

#3 2005-07-01 08:23:34

Re: Time Capsule 1938 - Origins of PTFE

#4 2005-07-01 08:30:35

Re: Time Capsule 1938 - Origins of PTFE

#5 2005-07-01 08:31:47

Re: Time Capsule 1938 - Origins of PTFE

#6 2005-07-01 08:39:45

Re: Time Capsule 1938 - Origins of PTFE

#7 2005-07-01 08:43:02

Re: Time Capsule 1938 - Origins of PTFE

#8 2005-07-01 08:47:12

Re: Time Capsule 1938 - Origins of PTFE

#9 2005-07-01 08:49:42

Re: Time Capsule 1938 - Origins of PTFE

#10 2005-07-01 08:51:54

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#11 2005-07-01 08:52:27

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#12 2005-07-01 08:53:15

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#13 2005-07-01 08:57:01

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