Do I Really Need My Own Pots And Pans?

[ScarlettsMommy]

I just got diagnosed yesterday and am reading that CC can happen by using pots and pans that other people use to cook gluten foods in. My family is not celiac, and sadly I can really afford to go on a shopping spree to buy my own cookware, as the food itself is pretty costly. Even if I use their pots and pans and they are cleaned...will I still be CC? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but Im new to this.

[AVR1962]

Keep this in mind.....if you are cooking with nonstick you do not want to cook your food in a pan which the non stick has been marked up. Who washes the dishes at your house? Have you ever seen how much goo gets left behind in a strainer or even a pan when pasta has been cooked in it? That's what you have to avoid. Once that goo heats up it can pass gluten right onto your food.

I have 2 sets of pans, had this before I was diagnosed. The nonstick are for my daughter who likes to cook her pasta. I use the pans I can scrub with a metal scrubby. I do not use stariners for my gluten-free pasta, I just use the lid to hold over the pan and let the water drip out.

I also, do not use the wooden sppons anymore, the rst of the family uses them. I use the plastic utensils and I make sure they are scrubbed well. They use the toaster, I do not. So there are alot of things you can chang without investing.

[dandt]

I'm actually curious about this as well. My family didn't replace anything as I don't have any actual diagnosis but improved and advised by naturopath to stick to a gluten free diet. We use non-stick things as well as normal metal pots. Are non-stick bad?

I am now moving into a share house and trying to work out who should buy what. Should I just let the other people fight over buying utensils and toaster etc and just get my own pots and pans and toaster that only I can use, especially since I don't know how well the others will clean things?

[Roda]

I'm actually curious about this as well. My family didn't replace anything as I don't have any actual diagnosis but improved and advised by naturopath to stick to a gluten free diet. We use non-stick things as well as normal metal pots. Are non-stick bad?

I am now moving into a share house and trying to work out who should buy what. Should I just let the other people fight over buying utensils and toaster etc and just get my own pots and pans and toaster that only I can use, especially since I don't know how well the others will clean things?

That probably sounds the most reasonable. You will have to educate them on how to prevent CC so you don't get sick too.

[Takala]

Stainless steel and ceramic and glass is okay. Porous- plastics, rubber, and non- stick is not okay.

You will need your own toaster, your own colander(s), and your own cutting board and tupperware/storage type containers as a minimum. (Old Cool- Whip containers work well as plastic storage bowls, so start saving them) Using paper towels laid down on a ceramic plate or large clean tile can be used as a cutting board for a lot of items. I would get a toaster oven with a cleanable rack. ("whoops I can't eat that either" is therefore cleanable). Get a sharpie permanent marker to keep in the kitchen to mark everything that is yours or for your use that is not supposed to get crumbs in it, like butter, mayo, etc, besides marking your cutting boards and storage. The reason I used plural on the colanders is that you end up eating more fruits and vegetables on a gluten free diet, and therefore washing a lot more stuff, so it's easier to have several, one of which is out on the counter and you're always tossing things in to drain before cutting/slicing. Some people are very utilitarian about this stuff. I figure if I have to be looking at it all the time, it may as well be cute and made to not fall apart quickly.

Don't use other's rubber spatula's, obviously.

Don't use other's non- stick cookware or cast iron, yours needs to be dedicated gluten free. If it is older cast iron, it will need to be burnt off in the oven "clean cycle," scrubbed off, then reseasoned and dedicated gluten free. I get the most use out of a small 8" cast iron skillet for flatbreads and pan breads, which works as well as non stick if you are on a higher fat lower carb type of diet, and makes a really nice crust.

I highly recommend (eventually) having your own blender or food processor. Some people cannot live without their heavy duty stand mixer, but that's only if they are really into mixing heavy duty dough in large batches. I am into grinding nuts for baking and to save money, (much cheaper to buy them in 5 lb bags, than to buy nut flours!) and that blender has been chugging along for years. I also have a dedicated coffee grinder that's never seen a coffee bean, but grinds seeds like buckwheat. It was less than $20 at the discount store, and has lasted a year already, grinding for every pancake batch.

If you end up doing your own bread baking, which is cheaper and can be customized to your tastes, you can purchase a new loaf pan(s). These will pay for themselves quickly. You may end up doing this anyway as you discover that the gluten free recipes work better with the smaller sizes, like an 8 x 4" or a mini 2.5 x 6", instead of a full sized 9 x 5". You can also bake small quick breads in the microwave in ceramic ramekins or small bowls- search for "gluten free bun in a cup".

Stores have sales bins and clearances all the time, so just be on the lookout for new items that may be useful, and don't forget that the holidays are coming up, and you can drop hints as to what you want for gifts - from a craft/harvest fair before Thanksgiving, I got a new handmade pie pan, rolling pin, and bowl AND the fruit to make things. That way I was not only supporting local agriculture, but local craftspeople as well, plus spouse didn't have to worry about selecting something - a "win- win."

[ScarlettsMommy]

That was extremeley helpful!! thank you!