Bread Maker Without Teflon

Let me guess someone has told you that Teflon is extremely dangerous, and you are now in a panic because all your kitchen appliances and cookware, including your beloved bread maker, are made of Teflon. 

Or perhaps you recently watched the Mark Ruffalo film Dark Waters and are curious about the history of this non-stick material. In any case, try not to panic too much; I am here to help you relax. Before we discuss ceramic and stainless-steel bread makers, I’d like to tell you more about this mysterious Teflon technology and discuss whether it is indeed harmful to your health. 

Let’s get started! Want to get right to the point? I recommend the best bread makers available! 

What is Teflon? 

First things first, I believe it is essential to define Teflon precisely. 

Teflon is a trademark owned by Chemours, a spin-off of American chemical giant DuPont. DuPont created thermoplastic polytetrafluoroethylene, also known as PTFE, in 1938. This material is used to create Teflon’s non-stick products. 

This synthetic compound possesses remarkable properties. It is hydrophobic, meaning that liquids do not adhere to it. It is also non-reactive and dielectric, so it does not conduct electricity or erode when exposed to corrosive chemicals. 

Since the 1940s, PTFE has been widely used in pans and other kitchen appliances due to this and a few other properties. PTFE is not only used in the kitchen, however. It has various applications, including wire insulation in aerospace and computer equipment (which accounts for 50% of production), waterproofing outdoor clothing, and countless others. 

It is not difficult to understand why Teflon has become so popular over the past century, especially when it comes to stress-free kitchen cleaning. As a result of its non-stick properties, PTFE made cooking and cleaning a breeze in numerous homes. 

Is Teflon Safe? 

The fear of Teflon and PTFE products generally stems from a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is used to produce nonstick cookware and appliances. Even though most PFOA was burned off during production, trace amounts were still detected in the final products. 

As a result, Teflon users ingested PFOA while using their nonstick cookware, and PFOA also entered waterways near Teflon factories. Multiple studies demonstrated that exposure to PFOA was associated with various adverse health effects, including kidney and liver disease, testicular cancer, infertility, and pregnancy complications. 

PFOA harmed wildlife as well as our health. Due to its widespread use, PFOA was detected in the blood of North Pacific seals, eagles, and even animals in remote habitats. 

In the 1990s, when the public became aware of PTFE’s harmful effects on their health, there was an outcry against DuPont and other chemical manufacturers for using such a hazardous substance in kitchenware. The widespread public concern eventually led to the 2006 launch of the PFOA Stewardship Program to eliminate PFOA production by 2015. 

Thankfully, all eight PFOA manufacturers met the target, and Teflon has been free of the chemical since 2013. 

Does this imply that there is no longer any cause for concern regarding Teflon? Not exactly, no. 

Although Teflon manufactured after 2013 is PFOA-free and is now generally regarded as a safe compound, there are still health risks associated with overheating PTFE products. When heated above 500°F/260°C, nonstick coatings can begin to degrade and emit toxic fumes. These fumes can cause Teflon Flu, characterized by sore throat, coughing, and fever. 

While research indicates that these are only temporary side effects resulting from short-term exposure, it is understandable why many individuals are reluctant to continue using Teflon. 

Do Bread Makers Exist Without Teflon? 

Are you determined to eliminate Teflon from your home? If so, a Teflon-free bread machine will be a fantastic addition to your kitchen. However, there is a minor issue with this. The problem is that it is nearly impossible to locate a bread machine without a non-stick coating. Many leading manufacturers, including Breville and Zojirushi, use pans with PTFE coating. 

There are, however, a few non-Teflon bread makers available, although some of them are not available in the United States. If you cannot obtain a Teflon-free bread machine, I am here to put your mind at ease. With bread machines, bread is typically baked at a low temperature, around 180C/356F. This is considerably below the temperature at which PFOA-free Teflon can degrade and become hazardous. 

Bread Machines With Adjustable Settings 

It is disappointing that there is such a limited selection of bread machines without nonstick coating, given that there is a sizable market for devices without this feature. 

Suppose you have difficulty locating a stainless steel or ceramic pan bread machine. In that case, bread machines allow you to customize the settings so you can adjust the temperature yourself. 

All bread machines we are about to evaluate have a Teflon nonstick coating. With the option to manually adjust the temperature, you will be able to set the baking temperature to a comfortable level. Although, as previously stated, bread machines do not bake at temperatures high enough for Teflon to become hazardous. 

Bottom line… 

After learning about the controversy surrounding PTFE, I’m sure many of us have contemplated abandoning Teflon products. A few years ago, I also went through a phase of removing Teflon cookware from my cabinet. 

Is it, therefore, genuinely worthwhile to replace all our cookware? I’m not so sure. 

Now that Teflon-coated products are PTOA-free, there is less concern than in the 1990s and early 2000s. If you do not overheat your cookware, it is unlikely that your everyday cooking will emit the harmful gases associated with Teflon. 

If you are genuinely concerned about PTFE, you can avoid it. All your cookware can be replaced with ceramic, stone, or stainless steel. This will likely be quite costly, as these products are typically more expensive than standard Teflon-coated cookware. 

If you decide to keep your Teflon-coated cookware, there are several things you can do to prevent the release of harmful gases. Be sure to bake and cook at low to medium temperatures, and don’t leave your frying pan unattended on the stove! 

In addition, I recommend replacing your metal cooking utensils with bamboo alternatives. Not only does this prevent you from scraping off the nonstick coating on your cookware, but using natural products is also much more sustainable. 

As you know, finding a bread machine without a PTFE nonstick coating is extremely difficult. There are a few ceramic-coated machines, but they are still chemically coated, so this is not precisely the chemical-free solution you are likely seeking. 

Your only option, in my opinion, is to purchase a bread machine with adjustable settings, allowing you to manually set the temperature and have peace of mind that your bread is being baked within the safe temperature range. 

If you are highly concerned about Teflon, you can go one step further and use your bread machine for kneading the dough before baking it in the oven. This seems like a lot of work, and it’s not worth purchasing a bread machine if you’re not going to use it to its total capacity.