Replacing Dishes?

[Dandelion]

I have ceramic dinnerware that I had prior to going gluten free. They do have some minor scratches in them. Do I need to replace them? Could gluten be trapped in there? My husband has mostly gone gluten free with me, but occasionally he still does eat gluten foods. Should I be worried about using these dishes? What would you do?

[gfgypsyqueen]

Send the dishes and pots and pans through the dishwasher. I wouldn't replace them.

I would get a separate collander, plastic slotted spoons and spaghetti spork utensils. Any thing that has hard to clean areas should be dedicated gluten-free. If the plastic plates and bowls are scratched replace them. Get a gluten-free toaster and a gluten-free toaster oven. Same with waffle irons and indoor grill presses should be dedicated gluten-free. toss the wooden utensils. Toss the scratched up cutting boards.

That's what I do at least. I live in a mixed house. Half gluten-free and half regular. We have a system and it works, at least so far

[jerseyangel]

I agree with gfgypsyqueen--I wouldn't replace the dishes.

I don't have a gluten-free house, either. My husband and son eat gluten, although the meals that I make and we eat together are gluten-free. They do have things like cereals and bagels and we haven't had any problems. I rinse all dishes, glasses and silverware well before putting them in the dishwasher but they all go in together.

I have dedicated cutting boards, collander, toaster, and use stainless steel pots and pans. It doesn't have to be complicated--it's mostly common sense

[nikki-uk]

Send the dishes and pots and pans through the dishwasher. I wouldn't replace them.

I would get a separate collander, plastic slotted spoons and spaghetti spork utensils. Any thing that has hard to clean areas should be dedicated gluten-free. If the plastic plates and bowls are scratched replace them. Get a gluten-free toaster and a gluten-free toaster oven. Same with waffle irons and indoor grill presses should be dedicated gluten-free. toss the wooden utensils. Toss the scratched up cutting boards.

That's what I do at least. I live in a mixed house. Half gluten-free and half regular. We have a system and it works, at least so far

Same here!

3 gluten-free, 2 gluten-eaters.

Anything that has had gluten I always hand wash before putting it in the dishwasher.

Works for us!!!!

[Dandelion]

Thanks for all your replies. I've been putting them through the dishwasher and didn't think they would be a problem, but then I started to worry because the scratches go through the glaze. I wasn't sure if the dishwasher would get them clean enough if gluten got trapped in the scratches.

[gfpaperdoll]

besides the gluten issue, I certainly would not be eating out of any ceramic dishes that had cracks in the glaze!!!! & yes, bedsides that gluten, and gee who knows what else, could be in those cracks...

[FootballFanatic]

My boyfriend eats mostly gluten free, but like your husband, he has the occaisional gluten meal. I saved my old dishes for him to use, and bought a new set of 4 that is strictly gluten free. If I'm just having a snack (that's usually how much lunch goes) I just eat off a paper plate/plastic bowl so that I'm not always using my dishes (there are only 4 of each thing).

I am pretty protective of myself so I bought all new kitchen stuff....

That's just me....

[Dandelion]

If they didn't have the scratches I wouldn't be concerned even with my husband eating gluten foods on them. But the scratches really do worry me. Now I can't get it out of my mind. I think it might be time for some new dishes. The ones I have were cheap anyway - an Ikea starter kit we had got when we first got married.

Thanks again for everyone's help!

[jerseyangel]

Beth,

Are the scratches from cutting food on the plate with a knife? I have stoneware (Portmeirion) and if I look carefully (hold them up to the light), mine have a few knife marks.

If this is the type of scratch you mean, I wouldn't worry about it--they're not deep enough for anything to lodge in there. If it's a crack, that's obviously different.

Do what makes you feel comfortable

[Dandelion]

Patti,

The scratches are from cutting but they are pretty bad. You can see them without having to hold the dish up to the light, but that might be because the dishes don't have a shiny glaze on them.

I really don't want to have to replace dishes right now. It's not in my budget at the moment. I guess I am just having an obsessive gluten moment. Sometimes I get really paranoid about where it might be lurking that I haven't figured out yet.

Thanks for your advice.

Beth

[MySuicidalTurtle]

Wow, you shouldn't eat off of stonewear that has deep scratches/cracks. You said yours is glazed but that the scratches go through the glaze? I wouldn't eat off of it because that is very bad bacteria wise.

[Ms D]

I was diagnosed gluten-intolerant 1 1/2 yrs ago. Since then, of course, I have followed a gluten-free diet. No, I did not buy new dishes, etc. What I did get recently as a gift, was my own toaster, which I rarely use. Both my husband and step-son primarily eat gluten foods.

My husband prepares his (gluten) lunch on the kitchen counter each morning. I don't usually place any of my food on the counter, but rather on a clean plate. While we primarily use a dishwasher, I have on occasion just washed a plate or serving utensil with dish soap (Dawn; our preference). Sure we have a few scratched plates, but we can't afford to buy anything new as money has been so tight. Not to mention the price of special gluten-free foods, like bread, bagels, etc., isn't cheap.

So, I'd say it's your choice. I have eaten many meals out and most probably those plates and utensils had scratches on them, as well as gluten on them before my meal.