Should I Share My Pan?

[superfob]

I'm planning on getting a new non-stick pan for my gluten-free diet starting next week. Should I be sharing my pan with my roommates? I think I'm definately gonna say no pasta or wheat flour items in the pan, but what if its used to cook something with soy sauce - so a very small amount of wheat.

Also, is it necessary to wash gluten and non-gluten dishes/utensils separately? Or can I just rinse off my plates/utensils before I eat my food?

Also, is it necessary to clean the cabinets and the fridge for crumbs?

I originally was planning on being very careful about cross-contamination from the start, but I'm now reading that it might be better to not be super careful at first so I can figure out my degree of sensitivity? I am planning on cooking all my meals the first few months.

Thanks

[healinginprogress]

I'm new as well, but since nobody has replied, yet, I thought I'd offer what I can. I thought at first I didn't need to be really careful, but when I kept getting sick over and over, I had a little meltdown and realized I needed to get strict!

If you're getting a non-stick pan for your "gluten-free-ness", I would NOT share it with anyone. I got a non-stick pan, pot, new wooden spoon and plastic spatula and ladle, and a new cutting board. I live with my fiance and I don't let him use any of it, even if he's cooking stuff that's gluten-free for himself (ex. if he's going to cook himself some rice, he'll still use the old pots).

Also, it's a good idea to get your own toaster. I have a toaster oven, so I just cleaned it out really well, and I clean the rack before I use it (don't really have room for a second one, but right now I'm on the elimination diet so I'm not toasting anything anyways).

If possible, have a shelf that is dedicated gluten-free for all your stuff. Even stuff that is naturally gluten-free is best to be kept away from stuff that has gluten in it. And yes, cleaning it out is a good idea.

Same goes for the fridge..again, if possible. I haven't separated my fridge out, because there isn't much in there that is glutinous, but cleaning it out wouldn't be a bad idea. And you're probably going to have to start labelling! I'm not having margarine right now (there's soy in the vegan one I have, and right now soy is off the menu), but I bought my own and wrote "GLUTEN-FREE" on the lid...if your roomies are buttering their toast and sticking the knife into the marg/butter...not good! Also, I don't know if your roomies eat each others leftovers, but at work I put "Gluten-Free Meal, Do not Eat or Throw Away!"...after being stuck without food while at work!

I do clean everything together, though. I don't have a dishwasher, so everything is cleaned by hand, and by me, for the most part, so I just make sure everything is really clean.

I think it might be better to be really strict at first until you have symptom relief, and then if you think you're not that sensitive to try and reintroduce some things or be less strict. Then again, there are different schools of thought on this, as apparently once you cut gluten out, you become more sensitive to it. You could always try it your way at first...which I guess is kind of what I did...and if your symptoms go away GREAT!!! If not, then you know what to do

Feel free to ask any and all questions, the people here are pretty wonderful

[glutenfr3309]

I'm planning on getting a new non-stick pan for my gluten-free diet starting next week. Should I be sharing my pan with my roommates? I think I'm definately gonna say no pasta or wheat flour items in the pan, but what if its used to cook something with soy sauce - so a very small amount of wheat.

Also, is it necessary to wash gluten and non-gluten dishes/utensils separately? Or can I just rinse off my plates/utensils before I eat my food?

Also, is it necessary to clean the cabinets and the fridge for crumbs?

I originally was planning on being very careful about cross-contamination from the start, but I'm now reading that it might be better to not be super careful at first so I can figure out my degree of sensitivity? I am planning on cooking all my meals the first few months.

Thanks

no way! i would keep it for yourself only. like the post above said, you need to have your own items otherwise you run the risk of CC because it's tricky for other people to know what has gluten and what doesn't. it's your health and i personally would not trust someone else because no matter how hard they may try someone will forget what you have told them- you have to protect your health!

when i had a roommate we had our own pots and pans/dishes that we used but we shared pirex glass dishes, mixing bowls, silverware and drink glasses. i asked my roommate to ALWAYS put those items through the dishwasher and not to hand wash them. most of the time she ended up hand washing those things anyways so i would just put them back into the dishwasher- i didn't trust her washing!!

i had my own cooking utensils, plastic tupperware, and toaster. to try to make it easy for her i found green utensils or would mark 'gluten-free' on shared condiment containers.

i'm 10 months gluten-free and am still trying to figure out how sensitive i am and what 'new' symptoms i experience if i accidentally consume gluten.

i think this is the time to really be diligent about the CC especially because it can prevent you from fully healing. also, medications can have gluten so definitely check into that if you take any.

[thleensd]

No. Don't share! It's just asking for trouble.

[superfob]

thanks for the replies guys,

seems like i will be getting new items for my own use - kitchenware is more expensive than i thought!

[healinginprogress]

thanks for the replies guys,

seems like i will be getting new items for my own use - kitchenware is more expensive than i thought!

It is! I just went to walmart and got myself one pot and one pan for $10 each...it's good enough for now, and they are colored so that it is VERY easy to tell which ones are mine