Replacing My Whole Kitchen

[Smunkeemom]

I think my girls are still getting glutened, I have crossed off everything that I feed them and also everything they eat elsewhere, so I have come to the conclusion that my entire kitchen is making them sick (okay, just the dishes and pots and pans and that type of stuff)

so, I am trying to make a list of everything I need so that I make sure that if I see something on sale that we can get it super quick, while it's cheap.....

you guys want to help me?

so far, I know that I need

pans

colander

silverware

plates

bowls

cups

toaster

cookie sheet

baking pans

storage containers

canister set

anything else??

I don't want to miss out on something that's on sale and not get it.........

in case anyone is worried, we are eating crockpot meals until I get some new cookware, and my crockpot has been 100% gluten free from the day I took it out of the box, and the girls will be eating with disposable stuff until I get something better.

Also, is my dishwasher a concern? is there any way I can de-gluten it?

[penguin]

How about a whole new house?

Kidding, I was just going to say that you can still use your baking sheets in the interim by lining them with parchment paper first.

Also, you need to replace your wooden spoons and other cooking spoons. Also wooden cutting boards and baking stones (if you use any)

[Smunkeemom]

I would love a whole new house, some how I doubt hubby will pony up the dough LOL

[ravenwoodglass]

I would love a whole new house, some how I doubt hubby will pony up the dough LOL

Don't forget to replace your can opener and also to check any 'arts and crafts' they might use. Unless your plates, glasses and pans are chipped or very worn I would not worry about those, with the exception of cast iron and wood. Just wash them real good. Make sure you empty and vacuum out your cupboards and drawers. It's a good thing it's time for spring cleaning. Seriously though I found the whole process of getting rid of the poison kind of theraputic in a way. At least there was finally something proactive I could do.

[mouse]

Scott, the Administrator has addressed this concerning pots and pans. You do not have to get rid of them. Just clean them thoroughly. I would maybe consider getting rid of a teflon pan that is totally scratched up, but other then that, no. Also your dishes get clean in the dishwasher. If you have Melamine I don't know what scratches on them do. Getting rid of the silverware is not necessary. Get a new toaster for sure and a colander. Also, your can opener comes apart to clean - electric ones. I would think with a handheld can opener, you could use a toothbrush to clean out all the crevices. Is your husband using the can opener to open cans for himself that contain gluten. There could be a cause. If my husband uses our electic one I then take it apart and wash it. You might check your dishwasher soap as maybe it has gluten and it is not totally being rinsed off. Good Luck.

[Ursa Major]

Smunkeemom, have you considered that its possible to get 'glutened' symptoms from other sources? Both dairy and especially soy can cause the same symptoms as gluten (they certainly do for me). Soy, as I just found out, can even flatten the villi just like gluten!

So, before you buy everything new (and you don't really need to when it comes to dishes, plastic storage containers and silverware if you washed them well), I would consider eliminating other likely allergens to see if maybe that will make a difference.

Also, are you absolutely sure that your soap, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste etc. don't contain any gluten?

[Rusla]

I replaced all my very old cooking utensils including my pots and pans. All my canisters are washed in the dishwasher so, that is good enough as they get sterilized in there.

I am with Ursula, there could be wheat or derivatives in shampoo, lotions, conditioners, toothpaste etc. I make all my own because I had many shampoos that didn't list they had wheat in them. I make all my own cleaning things, fabric softeners, shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, lip balm etc.

[Guest PatMinn]

I live with two people who are not celiac and we share a kitchen including dishes, pots & pans, silverware, etc. I have even made bisquits and cookies for them and it has not effected me because I wash everything thoroughly (including my hands, frequently). I recently had the blood test to see if I was still gettin gluten in my diet and my blood test was great, so, whatever I am doing regarding guten, is fine.

I agree with the person who believes that dairy or soy could be the culpret. Dairy will put me in the bathroom immediately and the whole next day! Have the girls tested for gluten in their diet, first, to see if that's the problem, before you get too extreme in changing everthing.

[debmidge]

Question about pans

Ok, I understand about Teflon coated stuff - must go in garbage if it's been used with gluteny stuff; but what about the Silverstone? I clean it with a "scrubby" pad which doesn't scratch the Silverstone, but it appears to be cleaning the surface well.....

I use the Silverstone for my occasional gluten food; my husband's food never goes in that pan but it would be nice to know that I won't have to buy a separate pan for gluten-free use....my kitchen storage area is very limited so I have to keep pots and pans to a minimum and if the item can have a dual use, it's best.

[jerseyangel]

The steps I took in my kitchen were--

Replaced--

Collander

Wooden and plastic (with scratches) cutting boards

Wooden utensils

Toaster

Non stick pans--bought stainless steel

Plastic utensils

Cleaned thoroughly--

All cabnet shelves

Silverware drawer seperators (crumbs)

Fridge shelves

Microwave

All used stainless steel, glass, and stoneware cookware

Got rid of regular flour--don't have it in the kitchen at all

I personally don't feel it's necessary to replace dishes, glasses, or silverware. (unless the dishes were a plastic material--then I would replace because of the cut marks) Mine go into the dishwasher, and I don't have problems there. I also use (and have always used) kitchen cloths instead of sponges. Both towels go into the wash every night, at least.

Another thought--I have found that I have become very sensitive to other grains. Especially when they're concentrated--like in milks or bread (rice). I don't know if this would be likely to happen in children, but it might be that something else they are eating often is giving them symptoms. Others mentioned soy and dairy--those can be problems, too.

Hope you find the culprits

Debmidge--I think your silverstone pan is fine--as long as there are no scratches for the gluten to "hide" in!

[Guest Zmom]

I replaced all cookware/utensils with stainless steel,new G.Forman grill.donated all old food.(dry)(canned)

cleaned all food storage areas with non toxic gluten-free cleaner 2x. Floors cabnets cleaned. lined drawers with dish towels. bought all cotton dish rags towels to clean gluten-free kitchen. Cleaned out refrigerator/freezer. scrubbed sink,new dish strainer,utensils plates. changed cat food/cat bowls +new litter box. new baking sheets,pot holders.cleaned external oven frige nobs and handles. All this was vey expensive but it was worth the peace of mind (what is left of my mind.) cleaned off old toys too with gluten free baby wipes then dried them.Bought a new microwave too. I think that was a problem. I vacuumed all the chairs/couch.

car too. re-checked all foods/cleaners for their ingreidients/gluten-free status since some labels did change.

I now allow zero gluten in my home and all guests have to wash their hands when they come in the house. We made our master bathroom only for us. In a few months when we do re-testing I hope all this has made a difference.

New house might cause more insanity because guess what drywall is made of?...