Desperately Seeking help or advice

[Coley-Q]

We found out that my husband's son has celiac about three to four months ago. Before he's had no problem with any of the changes he's made but now we are told that we have to go buy all new things. And it's not that I'm not concerned about his house because I am. My question is is there some things I can get away without purchasing new items due to we may have him  2 sometimes 3 weekends out of the month. And we are in a very small Limited space apartment and also on a budget. The weekends that we do have him we also eat gluten free so he will not feel left out on the things he cannot have. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Ennis-TX]

With Celiac we react to the gluten protein which is smaller then a germ...cleaning it off stuff is like trying to get blood off where a CSI tech will not find it. Bleach does not kill gluten.....500F + will so stuff you put in a oven self clean cycle can be decontaminated(Cast Iron). But some thing are a must, like new and dedicated colanders, toasters, etc.
There are a few simple things I tell everyone to get started cheap, Nordic Ware Microwave cook ware...cheap, if you mess up you can toss them but they have omelette cookers, rice cookers, steamers, grill plates with splatter covers etc. Foil line baking dishes, use crock pot liners in crockpots, and while at the combo rice cookers/steamers/crock pots are life savers for stews, rice, and steaming veggies. Butcher paper, put it down on you prep surfaces and table makes for crumb free and clean prep and eating surfaces and avoids contamination that way, cutting boards and dedicated knifes are nice as they can be hard to clean, whisk, mixing bowls etc...got for a easy color change like red so you have dedicate gluten free ones. New condiments, butter, jam jars for crumb free non contaminated ones are also great.
Here are some useful links to help you get a grasp of the disease and a list of some foods.
https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/91878-newbie-info-101/
https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/121148-gluten-free-food-alternative-list-2018-q2/

 

[Coley-Q]

Ennis_TX thank u for advice. I do know what he can and can't eat. We have been doing very well on that part and what to look for in ingredients he can and cant have. Its just all of a sudden on the cooking utensils, pots/pans, microwave, ect..we r told to buy all new. And I know he should have a designated spot but unfortunately we have no room to designate a spot. So I'm just trying to find alternative but safe ways we can go about this.

[kareng]

52 minutes ago, Coley-Q said:

Ennis_TX thank u for advice. I do know what he can and can't eat. We have been doing very well on that part and what to look for in ingredients he can and cant have. Its just all of a sudden on the cooking utensils, pots/pans, microwave, ect..we r told to buy all new. And I know he should have a designated spot but unfortunately we have no room to designate a spot. So I'm just trying to find alternative but safe ways we can go about this.

You don't need a new microwave.  You need a clean microwave where stuff won't fall off the top into the food.  You need a gluten-free toaster if he is eating toast.  colanders that have had gluten pasta should not be used for gluten-free pasta or rinsing fruit, etc.  the point is anything that is used for gluten and can't really be cleaned well needs a gluten-free version.  If your kitchen is clean when he comes, and you don't use gluten while he is there, he doesn't need a "spot".  He needs separate PB and butter tubs.

 

Gluten does wash off things.  But it is next to impossible to clean every hole in a colander, the toaster, etc.

[Ennis-TX]

1 hour ago, Coley-Q said:

Ennis_TX thank u for advice. I do know what he can and can't eat. We have been doing very well on that part and what to look for in ingredients he can and cant have. Its just all of a sudden on the cooking utensils, pots/pans, microwave, ect..we r told to buy all new. And I know he should have a designated spot but unfortunately we have no room to designate a spot. So I'm just trying to find alternative but safe ways we can go about this.

As kareng mentioned you do not need a new microwave...I often just put a paper towel down on the bottom and use the nordicware splatter covers over the grill plates and even over reheating plated foods.

If you need to Appease them with a safe spot you can get a fold out card table and as mentioned use butcher paper for a clean disposable place mat.....I am ASSUMING here there is pressure from the other side of the kids custody and keeping him in a safe home. Show the dedicated RED mixing bowels and disposable plates/utensils for him, dedicated jam/butter/jelly jars marked with tape. Show the dedicated cookware like the microwave sets, and using the butcher paper for laying stuff out....I also use gloves when handling allergens and cooking for others but I do chef work and run a small gluten free bakery so the whole gloved, and butcher paper clean prep between runs is standard for my life. These steps should make it cheaper then buying ALL new cook ware while providing a overly safe cushion to prevent getting gluten contamination in the food prep.

[RMJ]

I think it is great that you eat gluten free when he is there so he doesn’t feel left out.

Smooth, hard surfaces like glass, metal and china can be washd.  If the surface is rough, porous or hard to clean then it can hold onto gluten.  

[GFinDC]

Hi,

Another thing you can do is clean off the top shelf of the refrigerator and use that only for gluten-free foods.  Then you don't have to worry about gluten crumbs falling on the food below.

Silverware can be washed and be fine to use.  Except wooden spoons etc that are difficult to clean.  Metal pots and pans can be washed also.  The cast iron ones are more difficult to clean.  Scratched plastic containers are a possible problem for gluten-free eaters.

You can keep a set of silverware in a separate container just for him to use.  I live in a house with gluten eaters and it is very doable,   Even though they eat gluten, they are tolerable!   I have my own toaster and a small dorm size frig for cold food.  Crock pots are ceramic so are easy to clean.

Something to watch out for is flour dust in the air.  Flour can get airborne when using a mixer etc and settle on surfaces hours later.  So rinsing things off before using them for gluten-free eaters is a good idea.  The son should probably not be in the kitchen if wheat flour is being used mixed.

[Coley-Q]

OMG I want to thank u all so so much for all helpful tips, tricks, ideas, and advice!! 

[squirmingitch]

You don't need a new toaster if you use toaster bags:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

You can't use the same cutting board you've used with gluten stuff -- gluten gets stuck in all those cuts & a wooden cutting board is noting but gluten lurking. These are cheap & take up very little space. You can use these exclusively when he's there:

Open Original Shared Link

Also, if you have a toaster oven, you can just use that for toast for him as long as the ceiling & sides of it are clean. Then just put down some parchment paper & put the gluten-free bread on that & hit the toast button.

[squirmingitch]

Also, were you told that your hubby needs to be tested every 2 or 3 years in the absence of symptoms & immediately if symptoms present? Celiac disease is genetic and can present at any age.

Now, if you wanted to get your hubby's genetics tested then you could possibly rule celiac out for him if he doesn't carry celiac genes. About 1/3 of the population carries the genes but only a small portion will actually present with celiac however, since your hubs is a first degree relative, then he is at increased risk.

[cap6]

When I was flying and visiting my Dad, I was faced with a shared kitchen situation. Dad was a gluten lover so his kitchen was a danger zone.  I would claim a small shelf in his refrige, put down paper towels and then then my stuff on top. Cooking in his micro was a celiac's worst nightmare! I brought my own containers and then wrapped them tightly in paper towels before putting in the micro. Same with a small counter space. I put down paper towels & stacked my stuff on top. I covered everything with another layer of paper towels as Dad liked to pick things up with his gluten fingers. ha  Me and the paper towels - best friends!

Sounds like you are aware so purchasing the few new items for your child shouldn't be a problem.   Red toaster for the child!

[Coley-Q]

I have made sure he has his own storage containers for left overs and what not. Along with his own condiment bottles. I did happen to buy a four-door cabinet like thing to where the top two door shelves are all for gluten free. I mean I am obviously concerned for his health and safety. But our thing was is that living an apartment above a garage it's very limited on space so we are trying to make do with what we can and how we can do things. And you all have been so very helpful in so many ways and easing my mind by the helpful tips and tricks you all have given me. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart.