So here’s your quick answer. If you’d like to learn more about the surfaces of the Blackstone griddles <\/a><\/strong>and about Teflon and the potential problems associated with cooking with it, read on.<\/p>\n\n\n Teflon is a registered trademark of the Chemours company and is the brand name for a group of synthetic fluoropolymer products. Usually, Teflon refers to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) which is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is a waxy white solid that is very slippery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PTFE was accidentally discovered in 1938 by Dr. Roy J. Plunkett<\/strong> while he was trying to develop a new refrigerant.<\/p>\n\n\n Teflon or PTFE is used in many different products because of its unique properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To the general public, PTFE is probably the most well-known for its non-stick properties. That’s why it’s often used in cookware as a coating<\/strong>. It’s also used in many other products where a low-friction surface is needed such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can see, PTFE is an incredibly versatile material and is used in many different products across a wide range of industries making it an indispensable part of our modern world.<\/p>\n\n\n Now that we know what Teflon is and what it’s used for, let’s take a look at why it has received so much bad press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of the reasons for the controversy:<\/p>\n\n\n PFOA or perfluorooctanoic acid is a man-made chemical that was used in the process of making Teflon and other fluoropolymer products. It has been classified as a “likely human carcinogen” by the EPA<\/a>. However, PFOA is not used in the process of making Teflon anymore, at least in the United States. It might still be used in other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As PFOA was only used in the manufacturing process it is not present or is present in extremely small amounts<\/a> in actual Teflon-coated kitchenware products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PFOA is currently more of a concern for drinking water contamination.<\/p>\n\n\n Polymer fume fever or the Teflon flu is a short-term illness that can occur when someone is exposed to fumes released by overheated Teflon or other fluoropolymers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teflon starts to break down and release these fumes when it reaches a temperature of about 570 degrees Fahrenheit or 300 degrees Celsius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Healthline.com<\/a>, symptoms of exposure include chills, fever, headache, and body aches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it may sound like a serious concern, the thing is that your pan should never reach these temperatures when cooking. If it does, you are likely doing something wrong. Teflon-coated pans are not recommended for searing steaks, get a cast iron pan instead.<\/p>\n\n\n Another concern is that Teflon might start to flake off into your food if the kitchenware is scratched or damaged. While this is may look like a valid concern, there are still two camps on this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the one hand, some claim that Teflon is safe and that any flakes that come off are so small that they pose little to no health risk<\/a>. After all, PTFE is used in many medical applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, some claim that ingesting Teflon flakes can lead to health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n While PTFE is an important part of our modern world, it is not biodegradable and can stick around in the environment for a very long time. Also, during the manufacturing process, potentially harmful chemicals are released into the environment, polluting water, air, and soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most popular Blackstone griddles are the gas-powered ones. And if you’re worried about Teflon or any other kind of coating, you’ll be happy to know that these griddles don’t have any coating at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I’ve mentioned in another article<\/a><\/strong>, the cooking surface on gas Blackstone griddles is made of cold-rolled steel. This material is durable and long-lasting. It also heats up quickly and relatively evenly, so you won’t have to worry about any major hotspots. The smooth surface of the steel also makes it easy to clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The unfortunate downside of cooking on bare steel is that without proper treatment, the food will stick to the surface. That’s why it’s important to season the griddle with appropriate cooking oil before use and to make sure that you season it after each cooking session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With proper care, the steel surface will develop a natural non-stick patina with time which will make cooking and cleaning even easier.<\/p>\n\n\n The electric Blackstone griddles<\/a><\/strong> do have a non-stick coating but it is not made of Teflon. Instead, the electric griddles have ceramic-titanium coated tops<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This type of coating is slightly more durable than Teflon and can withstand higher temperatures without breaking down or releasing harmful chemicals into the food and air as Teflon would.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The disadvantage is that the ceramic-titanium coating is not as non-stick as Teflon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also while more durable than Teflon, it is still not anywhere near as durable as the cold-rolled steel used in the gas griddles. This means, that you will have to forget about using the shiny metal spatulas on these griddles. You’ll have to use plastic or wooden utensils instead to avoid damaging the non-stick surface. Oh, and of course, forget about using a knife on the griddle<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTable of Contents<\/h2>\n
\n
What Is Teflon?<\/h2>\n\n\n
What Is Teflon Used For?<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
Why is Teflon Controversial?<\/h2>\n\n\n
1. PFOA<\/h3>\n\n\n
2. Polymer fume fever<\/h3>\n\n\n
3. Teflon flaking off<\/h3>\n\n\n
4. Environmental concerns<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"Water\"](\"https:\/\/freshairchef.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Water.jpg\")
Do Blackstone Gas Griddles Have Any Coating?<\/h2>\n\n\n
Do Blackstone Electric Griddles Have Any Coating?<\/h2>\n\n\n