Assorted Questions

[cymrudenver]

We will be starting our gluten-free life on Tuesday - giving DD a few days to get used to the idea and me a few days to get the kitchen as gluten-free as I can. Here are my questions....

Should we get new toothbrushes?

How about a new washing up bowl?

Is a dishwasher enough to get plates etc gluten free?

Is there any way to really clean my bread maker, I can't afford to buy a new one, this one is only 6 mths old and used a dozen times?

I'm assuming new kitchen sponges and boil wash all dish towels & oven mitts before Tuesday...

Teflon pans have to go - which kind are better to buy?

Wooden utensils have to go - how about silicon/plastic ones?

Shampoo, lotions etc - do we really need gluten-free ones?

How about my ceramic baking dishes for lasagne etc, am I ok to still use these?

Is there a gluten-free bread recipe for high altitude baking - I live at 6,000 feet?

Do my dogs have to have gluten-free dog food, not sure how expensive it would be for a 100lb dog...

Do we need a new microwave or is a good scrub enough?

How about plastic food storage containers, should I get new ones?

Sorry there are so many, these are the questions keeping me awake at 2am lol

[ShayFL]

I will help....others will chime in too:

Yes....new toothbrushes!! (This is one of the cheap things to do)

Your dishwasher should be fine. Check for any food/gunk in the strainers/filters. If there is any, don gloves and clean it out. Then run it again empty to get rid of any bits.

Dishwasher can get gluten off of glass/ceramic....but not cutting boards or Teflon

You will need a new Bread Maker.

Yes..new sponges and mitts is a good idea.

New cutting boards.

New Teflon pans....if you want non-stick. Other metal pans are fine. Stainless steel, etc.

Yes...new wooden utensils.

Most will say YES to gluten-free personal care products. It is ESPECIALLY important for things like lip gloss, chap stick and lipstick. Anything that could get into the mouth. I use Dove products as they will say on the label if it has wheat/gluten. And A LOT of Burt's Bees is gluten-free. I like their tinted chap stick.

Ceramic is fine.

Dog food - if your dog eats, licks his fur and you pet the dog and then dont wash your hands and then eat....yes CC can happen. Or the dog licks your face. Or you feed the dog and forget. We are on Lamb/Rice dog food. Our dog's health improved when we got her off of wheat. Skin got better and she stopped having seizures. Dogs SHOULD NOT be eating wheat/gluten anyway. Not saying rice is a natural canine diet either....but it is much much less allergenic.

Microwave is fine with a good scrub.

New containers (check the dollar store)

[missy'smom]

We will be starting our gluten-free life on Tuesday - giving DD a few days to get used to the idea and me a few days to get the kitchen as gluten-free as I can. Here are my questions....

Should we get new toothbrushes? YES

How about a new washing up bowl?

Is a dishwasher enough to get plates etc gluten free? Washing in the dishwasher is fine but buy and wash a new colander, strainer for pasta by hand. I should clarify, that the new one is for gluten-free only

Is there any way to really clean my bread maker, I can't afford to buy a new one, this one is only 6 mths old and used a dozen times? If it is a non-stick coating in the baking pan then it's no longer safe. Maybe you could sell it to help fund a new one. If it's an uncoated metal, then it may be possible to clean, others will advise on that. Check into which kinds are best for gluten-free bread. You'll have to replace your old deep fryer too, if you have one. Any teflon pans that have been used for gluten can't be used for gluten-free.

I'm assuming new kitchen sponges and boil wash all dish towels & oven mitts before Tuesday...

Teflon pans have to go - which kind are better to buy? I use steel clad, but any smooth, uncoated metal is fine to use for both gluten and gluten-free.

Wooden utensils have to go - how about silicon/plastic ones? You'll see varying responses. I kept mine(the plastic ones but have only a few and rarely use them).

Shampoo, lotions etc - do we really need gluten-free ones? You'll see varying responses. I switched only those things that go in my mouth. toothpaste, lipstick, chapstick, lipgloss, mouthwash But for a child who may be less careful with how and how much they apply and with washing hands before touching food or their mouth, it may be wise to switch everything.

How about my ceramic baking dishes for lasagne etc, am I ok to still use these? Glass should be fine with a good scrubbing, if it comes completely clean. I use mine. Ceramic is questionable. Is it even a little pourous? Does it have places where the coating is scratched or chipped?

Is there a gluten-free bread recipe for high altitude baking - I live at 6,000 feet?

Do my dogs have to have gluten-free dog food, not sure how expensive it would be for a 100lb dog... Our cats are gluten-free. That's one less thing I have to be obcessive about washing my hands after plus they lick themselves and we kiss them alot.

Do we need a new microwave or is a good scrub enough? A good scrub is enough but you'll have to establish new rules for use so that you don't have problems with CC in the future.

How about plastic food storage containers, should I get new ones? You'll see varying responses. I use mine, but now that I think of it I have mostly replaced them, sorry we moved at the same time I went gluten-free and some things got muddled in my memory. I never made an effort to replace them but they naturally got replaced in time. The few I have left were not microwaved in.

Sorry there are so many, these are the questions keeping me awake at 2am lol

[Rosewynde]

I haven't replaced any from my kitchen, only an old cupcake tin due tiny cracks around the cup edges I couldn't clean easily. I use wooden utensils, Teflon pots and pans, and old plastic containers. If it has had anything containing gluten or dairy in it it gets scrubbed and rinsed and then goes through the dishwasher. I've always done that anyways. The only things that I always clean by hand are my pots and pans, and only because the manufacturer said not to put them in the dishwasher. Those I scrub throughly with a teflon safe scrubby every time they are used.

The one time I did have a problem was because a pan that looked clean wasn't. I found out after the fact that my husband had made quesadillas and had left the clean looking pan on the stove (I try to make sure they get put in the sink). I've since made sure every pan is washed and scrubbed just before I use it and I haven't had any noticeable problems.

Before assuming it's a pot or pan I'd throughly check all ingredients used. I've found more problems with cross contamination in ingredients than anything else. For instance, I had to give away all my sugars and other baking ingredients from before i was diagnosed because they had flour contamination. Prior to knowing I had gluten problems I had frequently used the same measuring cup or spoon in multiple containers. Also cross contamination at the source is a big problem too. Sometimes items are made on equipment that has also had gluten or dairy containing items on/in it. Even if the company is scrupulously safe it can still be an intermittent problem.

BTW I'm not saying people haven't had problems, just that I haven't. Until I do I see no need to replace things.

[mamaw]

Hi

I see some answered your questions but I'll add a few tidbits!

A separate toaster or use toasta bags. A mixer just for gluten-free mixing. There is no way to clean the air vents on a hand mixer to remove gluten.

Anyhting that is porous should be replaced... I would not recommend teflon or alum. cookware. It needs replaced way to often as soon as it gets a scratch or two. Just my opinion. We use a good stainless steel that will last forever if taken care of!

clay pots are fine as long as you use them for only gluten-free as well as pizza stones..........

There are many fine pet foods available that contain no gluten & your pet will love you for the change. Remember to do the transition to gluten-free slowly so as to not make your furry friend have an upset tummy. Changing pet foods can cause tummy problems & the big D for some pets!

I also would suggest that your clean your storing cupboards as flour can be stuck in many crevices & can stay airborne for days.

Griddles & deep fryers are another to watch out for.

Maybe some new toys for fido if you have small kids who put things in their mouths.

hth blessings

mamaw

[Adelle]

I just wanted to comment on the gluten-free dog food issue. I really think it's a big deal. Firstly, dogs shouldn't be eating gluten anyway, and secondly, the CC issue would just make me PARANOID!!

We have 2 dogs, Ninja (he's 45 lbs) eats Innova Evo (the regular Innova line is NOT gluten-free), and he eats 1 1/3 cups per day, which translates to about $12/month to feed him. Since it's grain free, he eats WAY LESS. He was eating 2.5 cups/day of Science Diet (at the shelter we got him from) and only maintained at about 39lbs (his little ribs were sticking out, poor guy!). So it's actually CHEAPER to feed him grain free than regular dog food!

Tusk is only 8 months old, so we feed him California Natural puppy formula. He eats about 2 cups/ day and is 35 lbs (he's an American Staffordshire Terrier so he'll likely be about 65 lbs at 2 yrs old). It costs us about $20/month to feed him.

I can also recommend Canidae dog food, it's GREAT, and gluten-free! And not terribly expensive.

Remember that if you feed the "cheap" food, it costs you more in the long run. You feed more and your pup will have more health problems as a result (and vet bills are way expensive!).

Open Original Shared Link (Cal natural and Innova Evo)

Open Original Shared Link (Canidae)

Those are just the 3 kinds of dog food that I'm familiar with, I'm sure there are more!!

[cymrudenver]

Thanks everyone, it's a lot to take in but I appreciate all the advise.

[MaryJones2]

There are tons of opinions on this subject so the best advice is to figure out what works for you and your family. Here's my .02. I should note that our house is gluten-free except for the occasional frozen pizza for my husband when I don't cook.

Should we get new toothbrushes? yes

How about a new washing up bowl?

Is a dishwasher enough to get plates etc gluten free? My dishwasher has a high temp sanitizing cycle and I think that would be just fine.

Is there any way to really clean my bread maker, I can't afford to buy a new one, this one is only 6 mths old and used a dozen times? I got rid of my bread machine because I really couldn't clean it and got sick every time I touched it. I never replaced it - I bought new cast iron bread pans (they're cheap and give gluten-free bread a nice crust)

I'm assuming new kitchen sponges and boil wash all dish towels & oven mitts before Tuesday... kitchen sponges, yes. My husband has his own oven mitt and doesn't use the dish towels when he makes something with gluten. If I had more gluten around I'd have two sets of everything.

Teflon pans have to go - which kind are better to buy? I prefer all stainless and like All-Clad but they aren't cheap. If you get stainless on the outside too you can run them through the dishwasher. Best part is they are usually the cheaper than pots and pans with coatings on the outside.

Wooden utensils have to go - how about silicon/plastic one. I ditched all of my wooden and plastic stuff and replaced it with stainless.

Shampoo, lotions etc - do we really need gluten-free ones? I think so.

How about my ceramic baking dishes for lasagne etc, am I ok to still use these? I chose to replace mine because they were cracked. I had a few antique ceramic lasagne pans that are lovely under my houseplants

Is there a gluten-free bread recipe for high altitude baking - I live at 6,000 feet?

Do my dogs have to have gluten-free dog food, not sure how expensive it would be for a 100lb dog...

Do we need a new microwave or is a good scrub enough? we scrubbed ours and haven't had any problems.

How about plastic food storage containers, should I get new ones? I replaced these with glass.

Sorry there are so many, these are the questions keeping me awake at 2am lol

[ShayFL]

I can second the high quality gluten free dog food. We rescue Great Danes. Danes generally only live to be about 7-8 and ours make it to 10-12. The food does make a difference in their health!! And you wouldnt have to worry about CC.

[MyMississippi]

I disagree with the others on the bread machine.

Seems to me you would just have to make sure the bread pan and the paddle are gluten free- (easy to do by a good scrubbing ) THen clean out all the crumbs around the bottom heating element and wash that down ( without submerging your machine ) of course clean the lid, etc.

I am allergic to wheat and cleaned my machine and continue to use it. No Problems----

If you can clean a stainless cook pot to make it gluten free, then why not your bread pan and paddle ??? IT is non-porous material--

[darlindeb25]

I use wooden utensils, Teflon pots and pans, and old plastic containers. If it has had anything containing gluten or dairy in it it gets scrubbed and rinsed and then goes through the dishwasher.

I'm sorry,I do not agree, replace them! Wooden spoons are the same as a wooden cutting board, you can not get them gluten free. You are very lucky if you are not getting CC'ed from these, or maybe you do not realize you are being CC'ed from them. Teflon pans are another culprit. They get scratches in them, and the gluten lodges in those scratches, it doesn't matter how clean you think the pan is. I use glass bowls, or plastic containers that have never had gluten in them. The tiniest amount of gluten makes me ill. I have a teflon pan that is used only for me.

It is best to use gluten free soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc. It makes life so much easier for the celiac.

[kschauer]

I'm sorry,I do not agree, replace them! Wooden spoons are the same as a wooden cutting board, you can not get them gluten free. You are very lucky if you are not getting CC'ed from these, or maybe you do not realize you are being CC'ed from them. Teflon pans are another culprit. They get scratches in them, and the gluten lodges in those scratches, it doesn't matter how clean you think the pan is. I use glass bowls, or plastic containers that have never had gluten in them. The tiniest amount of gluten makes me ill. I have a teflon pan that is used only for me.

It is best to use gluten free soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc. It makes life so much easier for the celiac.

Really? I did not know that I couldn't share teflon pans and plastic containers! I thought you could get them clean! Crap! I have probably been glutened this whole time, but my bloodwork didn't show the antibodies elevated. I'm off to buy glass containers. What about the plastic lids on the glass containers? Do we have to keep it all separate?

[RebeccaLynn]

Sheesh this is overwhelming. I am facing the same issue and am thinking "how in the WORLD am I going to get my kitchen safe?!" Seems like buying all new kitchen utensils, bowls, scrubbies, etc is the only way to go - which sucks as this is going to get expensive!! BUT I guess it is better than paying for expensive medications like other diseases require. Sigh.

[notme]

Sheesh this is overwhelming. I am facing the same issue and am thinking "how in the WORLD am I going to get my kitchen safe?!" Seems like buying all new kitchen utensils, bowls, scrubbies, etc is the only way to go - which sucks as this is going to get expensive!! BUT I guess it is better than paying for expensive medications like other diseases require. Sigh.

we couldn't afford to do this all at once. i am still replacing things as we use them. we didn't replace the breadmaker b/c there are no scratches in the teflon and i am/was completely anal about cleaning it. plus, we didn't use it that much before i went gluten-free. i haven't had a problem yet but i am on the lookout and if i do, then i will get a new one.

i have separate wooden spoons, strainers, cutting boards, cooling racks, basting brushes, etc. but my entire house isn't gluten free (and we have little kids here) i couldn't bear to throw out perfectly good utensils/pans, so i have a separate storage area(s) for things that are gluten-free. let the gluten-eaters wear out the teflon, etc. i have a stainless steel colander, so that washed up ok. all the pans i use are stainless steel. i was a big fan of ss, so didn't have to go out and buy all new pots, just a couple of frying pans.

toothbrushes: absolutely.

new glass storage containers: yup. kept the plastic ones for Other People's lunches/leftovers. anything that i can eat goes into glass or a ziplok.

we didn't get a new toaster oven. with ours, the 'guts' come out and you can put the whole inside through the dishwasher. that being said, i clean it ALOT and also never toast anything for me w/o using aluminum foil.

microwave: just scrub it since i share it, i cover anything i nuke just in case there's gluten waiting in there to pounce.

the dishwasher seems to do the trick and we run all the dishes together. i basically wash the dishes before i put them in it, though, again b/c of the shared house.

soap, shampoo, lipgloss/lipstick, anything that can get into your mouth should be gluten-free. and don't forget hair mousse/gel/hairspray!! i learned that one the hard way! (also the lipgloss one lol)

i cleaned out the pantry a little at a time (denial) and went through all our spices and chucked anything i couldn't identify the ingredients of and if i had a doubt, i chucked it anyway. lol our son didn't have to go food shopping for quite awhile - he also got all the freezer stuff - if it wasn't plain, unprocessed food, he got it.

ummmmmmmmmmmmm.........

God bless you it is sooooo overwhelming at first but it gets easier! like i said, you don't have to replace everything all at once. i know we couldn't afford to do it that way. get you some tinfoil and ziplok bags in the meantime. if you have a baking sheet, ie, that is questionable, line it with tinfoil. if you think your plastic containers are bogus, use the ziploks for storage in the meantime. you can even store liquid in them if you need to and stand them upright in the plastic containers so they won't leak out the seal.

if i can think of anything else, i'll let you know. still learning ALOT of stuff on this website - i'm about to post a question about our bbq grill

GOOD LUCK!!!!

[butterfl8]

I wondered about the high altitude baking too, but so far, it hasn't been a problem! It's a nice change to not have to modify each recipe for high altitude - AND gluten free!! I will do a plug here for Carol Fenster's cookbooks- she's a local, you can actually run into her at the Denver Metro Celiac meetings. So, she understands high altitude baking, and everything I have made of hers (so far), has been great, with no adjusments needed. Oh, and they get rave reviews from glutenators.

Just to add to the dog food info-we use avoderm, and I get it at Vitamin Cottage, where it is $12 cheaper a bag than at Petco. So shop around, find where you can get your good deals. This is doable!!!

***(Sorry, didn't realize how old this thread was!!)***

[T.H.]

Is there a gluten-free bread recipe for high altitude baking - I live at 6,000 feet?

If you look up 'traditional injera bread,' it's an ethiopian flat bread made from teff flour and it was originally made between 5000-9000 feet. you have to look up traditional recipes because the modern ones add flour. This is good to use with savory lentil and meat dishes. :-) Like an Ethiopian fajita, kind of.