Why We Ditched Non-Stick Pans at Modern Stone Age Kitchen

At Modern Stone Age Kitchen, we believe that every ingredient, technique, and tool we use should contribute to the health and well-being of our team and customers. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that we have officially eliminated all non-stick pans from our kitchen and replaced it with carbon steel pans.

This transition wasn’t just about swapping out pans—it was a commitment to removing harmful chemicals from our cooking process and returning to healthier, more sustainable methods.

The Hidden Dangers of Non-Stick Cookware

Non-stick pans, commonly coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), known by the brand name Teflon, have been kitchen staples for decades due to their convenience. However, mounting research has exposed serious health and environmental concerns associated with their use:

• Release of Toxic Fumes: When non-stick pans are overheated beyond 500°F (260°C), the PTFE coating begins to decompose, releasing toxic fumes that can cause flu-like symptoms in humans, known as “polymer fume fever,” and can be lethal to birds.
• Potential Health Risks: Scratched or damaged non-stick surfaces can release toxic microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into food. These chemicals have been linked to hormone disruption, immune system effects, and even reduced fertility.
• Environmental Impact: PFAS, often called “forever chemicals”, persist in the environment and have been associated with cancer, liver damage, and other serious health conditions. These chemicals are extremely difficult to break down, contaminating water, soil, and wildlife.

The Pervasive Threat of C8 (PFOA)

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, commonly referred to as C8) is a specific type of PFAS that has been extensively used in the production of Teflon and other non-stick coatings. Its widespread use and environmental persistence have led to alarming levels of contamination:

• Water Contamination: Industrial discharges have introduced C8 into water supplies, leading to widespread contamination. Studies have even detected PFAS in rainwater globally, indicating that these pollutants circulate in the atmosphere.
• Bioaccumulation in Wildlife: C8 has been found in the blood of polar bears, illustrating how far-reaching and persistent this contamination is.
• Human Exposure: The C8 Science Panel determined that even 0.05 parts per billion in drinking water poses health risks. Blood testing in some contaminated communities revealed levels as high as 83 parts per billion—hundreds of times higher than safe limits.

Our Journey to Healthier Cookware

For some time now, we’ve maintained a list of changes and improvements we are committed to making at Modern Stone Age Kitchen, and eliminating non-stick pans has been at the top of that list. We were serious about making this change, but it wasn’t an easy process—it required practice, patience, and mastery.

Cooking with carbon steel is completely different from using non-stick pans. It demands an entirely new approach to seasoning, cooking, and maintenance. Unlike conventional non-stick pans, carbon steel needs to be properly seasoned to build a natural, non-toxic, non-stick surface. Our team spent months learning, experimenting, failing, adjusting, and ultimately mastering this craft to ensure that our food quality remained uncompromised while staying true to our guiding principles.

A huge thank you goes out to our entire kitchen team, especially Zach and Bri, who worked tirelessly to perfect the process. Their dedication to refining techniques, troubleshooting issues, and leading the charge made this long-term goal a reality.

Now, having fully transitioned, we can confidently say that ditching non-stick pans was one of the best decisions we’ve made for our kitchen, our team, and our customers. And, like everything at Modern Stone Age Kitchen, it was a true labor of love!

Want to Learn More? Here Are Some Resources:

For those looking to dive deeper into the dangers of Teflon and non-stick cookware, check out the following:

• “Dark Waters” (2019 Film) – This legal thriller, directed by Todd Haynes and starring Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, and Tim Robbins, dramatizes the true story of attorney Robert Bilott’s legal battle against DuPont, exposing their toxic contamination from Teflon production.
• Culture Apothecary Podcast with Alex Clark – In a recent episode, Alex Clark interviews Robert Bilott, the lawyer portrayed in Dark Waters, for an eye-opening discussion about the health and environmental consequences of PFAS chemicals.
• Documentary: The Devil We Know – This film further exposes the DuPont cover-up and the devastating effects of Teflon-related pollution on communities and workers.

Make the Switch With Us!

If you’re inspired to ditch non-stick pans and make the switch to a healthier, toxin-free kitchen, we’ve got great news! We will soon be carrying the same carbon steel pans we use in our kitchen so our customers can cook with the same safe, high-quality pans that we do.

These versatile, durable, and naturally non-stick pans are a game-changer once you learn how to season and care for them properly. Keep an eye out for their arrival at Modern Stone Age Kitchen, and let’s take this journey toward better health and better cooking together!

By making informed choices about the tools we use in our kitchens, we can create healthier environments for ourselves and our loved ones. Here’s to a future of real food, real cooking, and real health!