The article will try to comprehensively assess the problem. People were born who consider exploitation unsafe. Other subjects argue: living is harmful - most die. Probably the truth is in the middle, everyone has their own. Is a slow cooker harmful to your health? Throw away your laptop!
This is interesting! People on Earth carry perfluorooctanoic acid in their blood, which was used in the production of Teflon until the beginning of the 21st century. The highest concentrations were recorded in Korea, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Peru. Studies of rats have shown that 91% of acid is removed from the female body in 24 hours, and 6% from the male body. The substance disrupts lipid metabolism and human hormonal levels, causes cancer of the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and other organs.
Environmentally friendly coatings
Pottery has gained popularity due to shocking news. The technological cycle for annealing Teflon for multicookers uses perfluorooctanoic acid, which is a carcinogen. A serious argument. Opponents of Teflon for slow cookers unanimously cried out: the bowl releases PFOA, filling the ingredients placed inside. The acid disintegrates at 250 ºС, the coating itself is applied at 400 degrees. Health-obsessed Europe didn't seem to have enough. By 2015 (decided on January 25, 2006), European manufacturers will stop using the toxic substance in the manufacture of Teflon for multicookers.
On the other side:
- DuPont, the owner of the Teflon trademark, was fined for failing to provide product analysis results between 1981 and 2001.
- In laboratory animals, PFOA causes cancer of the reproductive organs and liver; the ability to remain in the body for up to four years makes the substance dangerous.
- Exceeding acid concentrations in water were discovered around the company's factories, and residents of the surrounding area received compensation.
- The effect of a bomb exploding was produced by the fact that traces of acid were found in the blood of all US residents, and Teflon was blamed.
The half-life of PFOA is hundreds of years; the poison accumulates in the environment and people. The concentration inside animals is several times lower. The company changed its coating production technology.
The opponents calmed down. Teflon is a polymer that degrades over time and breaks down into its component parts. Does the problem apply to multicookers? There is reason to believe that manufacturers have used special technologies to slow down decay. Experts say: degradation begins no earlier than after 5 years when it comes to building materials.
After 2 years of use, the Teflon coating leaves no trace on the multicooker pot. I think this was not done by accident. Surely a thicker layer could be applied, but this was not done due to the ability of polymers to disintegrate. In other words, whenever the multicooker is analyzed, nothing harmful will be found. In 2 years, in 5 years. Research has shown that the concentration of hazardous substances is extremely low, unless the production technology of the products is violated.
The trouble - rumors - concerns not only Teflon. They say that when producing ceramic coatings for multicooker bowls, catalysts and hardeners are used. These remain in a frozen layer and at a certain temperature begin to mix with food in the slow cooker. It is difficult to judge how true it is; AiF provided the information.
Ceramics are sintered at a temperature of 1000 ºС; it is simply impossible to coat an aluminum multicooker pot. Therefore, chemicals are added to the composition. Manufacturers claim that the ingredients are natural, but experts tend to doubt it. No serious studies have been carried out.
When it comes to stainless steel, the perennial problem is nickel. The metal used in multicookers is good when you need to give the metal strength; allergy sufferers are not inclined to consider it the best additive. One thing can be said. Stainless steel has been used in household utensils and multicookers for half a century, and no one has died. It seems that the coating cannot be more dangerous than Teflon, which is a dubious ceramic coating technology. Steel is unlikely to be harmful to health when it comes to making crock pots.
Radiation
In one review of juicers, plastic housings are called unhygienic and get dirty quickly. We agree: the multicooker should be encased in steel. The device emits. The frequency of 50 Hz is extremely harmful to the brain; the fields suppress the vital functions of the body. Try checking the field with a tester screwdriver (price 200 rubles per piece).
Think about it: our youth should not hold such powerful sources of radiation on their knees, let healthy offspring be born. An American professor spoke about mobile devices with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies. Even tiny amounts of radiation are enough to disrupt the reproductive function of the human body. When you place your laptop on your lap, turn off the wireless adapter.
The radiation from the multicooker cannot be called strong. A typical household appliance, the metal body will greatly weaken the factor. Applies to multicookers with induction heating. Electromagnetic waves are present openly under the pot. Considering the power of the average device is 800 W, the radiation can be harmful to human health. Applies to the case when the multicooker pot is not put in place. True, induction heating of expensive models is parallel to the protection option against switching on in disassembled form. Waves will pass through plastic without difficulty.
Nutrients
The multicooker retains the maximum amount of nutrients if you use a relatively low cooking temperature. It is believed that a slow cooker, operating at 80 degrees Celsius, is valued by gourmets for its stated feature - providing health benefits.
In the absence of air, the multicooker will preserve vitamins and enzymes. Ultimately, no one is forcing you to purchase products equipped with non-stick pots. For fans of a healthy lifestyle, we recommend multicookers with clay and steel saucepans. The materials have been known for a long time and have shown their best side.
As for recipes, some multicooker models cook porridge wonderfully. In a world full of preservatives, genetically modified products, taste enhancers, it’s nice to find an outlet. Let's look at a couple of healthy slow cooker recipes.
Recipes
Vegetable soup
- Chop cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, green beans with a total weight of 200 grams. Cut a couple of potato tubers into cubes, add salt to taste. Pour into the multicooker, add 1 liter of water. Turn on the “Extinguishing” mode for 1 hour. When serving, sprinkle with dill.
- Cut 5 red onions into rings and fry in 100 ml of vegetable oil in a multicooker under the “Baking” mode. The resulting mass is poured with 1.5 liters of water, seasoned with salt, and simmered for 1 hour. Grate 100 grams of cheese and sprinkle on bread slices, pour cream over each. Bon appetit.
- Place 50 grams of white beans in a slow cooker, add 3 liters of water, simmer for 2 hours. Meanwhile, chop three tomatoes, one onion, and chop 100 grams of white cabbage. Chop 2 potatoes, one carrot, zucchini, and celery root into cubes. Chop parsley and basil. Strain the bean broth and pour it back into the slow cooker. Add 20 ml olive oil. Add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, zucchini, fry in the “Baking” mode. Then season with tomatoes, 20 grams of tomato paste, 50 grams of peas, potatoes, beans, cabbage, 50 grams of pasta. Salt, add pepper, parsley, basil, simmer for 1 hour in a slow cooker. The spilled soup is sprinkled with cheese.
- Wash 50 grams of dried porcini mushrooms, add 1.5 liters of water, and simmer in a slow cooker for 1 hour. Meanwhile, cut a couple of potatoes into cubes, one carrot, and simply chop the onion. Add to the broth, season with herbs, salt, add 100 grams of pasta. Continue to simmer in the slow cooker for one hour. When serving the soup, season it with sour cream.
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Conclusion
It is impossible to say whether the multicooker is good for health; the quality is pleasing. To justify ourselves, let's say: in the West, fireproof mattresses were sold that dissolved the internal organs of sleeping people; someone even put such substances in children's toys (sold). Giving preference to clay, stainless steel is difficult to lose. It is advisable to choose a metal case. The remaining properties are determined mainly by the recipe of the dishes. Preference is given to natural products.
Why is a multicooker harmful to health? Today, rather, nothing. The rustle caused by US technology will prevent Teflon manufacturers from playing tricks with perfluorooctanoic acid, no harm is possible. Until polymer degradation blockers are invented, it is assessed as a dubious choice in favor of units due to one non-stick coating.
Is a multicooker harmful to health... Time will tell.
In a short time, multicookers have gained incredible popularity. Such a rapid entry into the hit parade of household appliances did not go unnoticed by manufacturers, and now on store shelves you can find models of this kitchen helper for every taste. But is food cooked in a slow cooker really safe? Let's figure out what the advantages of a multicooker are and what nutritionists say about this method of cooking.
Advantages
Fans of cooking in a multicooker are attracted by the following advantages:
- Save time. During the cooking process, there is no need to ensure that the dish does not burn; there is no need to stir it or add water. It is enough to prepare the products, put them in the bowl and select the desired mode, the multicooker will do the rest itself. You can easily go on business or just relax while food is being prepared, and on holidays this device will relieve the stress and help you prepare a large variety of dishes.
- Comfortable use. Selecting a cooking mode is easy. The instructions contain basic recipes with a clear indication of the optimal mode. In addition, the multicooker has a delayed start function, which allows you to cook at the right time and keeps the dish hot for a long time.
The multicooker is convenient, just select the desired mode
The multicooker is compact and easy to store
The benefits of a multicooker
What is the use of a multicooker? What advantages does the device have? A multicooker is one of the most multifunctional appliances that is in demand. What attracts buyers to it?
Benefit:
- Quick and easy to use - the appliance prepares meals independently. There is no need to add or stir food during cooking.
- Easy to control - on the device itself, and in the instructions for using the multicooker, the cooking modes are described in detail. Just press a button and the dish begins to cook at the desired rhythm.
- Functionality - the multicooker will cook almost any dish. Soup, porridge, pies, casseroles. She can bake apples and make yogurt.
- Safe use - the device is hermetically sealed, which reduces the risk of burns and other damage.
- Saves space - the device becomes a replacement for an oven, pressure cooker, bread maker, convection oven and electric frying pan. The device is portable and small in size.
The multicooker has a delayed start function, which allows cooked dishes to remain warm for a long time. The multicooker does not require special care. The inner cup, which can be removed, is subject to regular washing. Less often it is necessary to wipe and ventilate the lid, bottom, moisture collector and steam valve.
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Flaws
Consumers know enough about the benefits of a multicooker, because manufacturers do not forget to advertise new models and position this device only on the positive side. But during operation it turns out that multicookers also have disadvantages:
- One cycle - one dish. If you cook all dishes only in a slow cooker, then you need to start making lunch in the morning. In one cycle, you can cook only one dish, in contrast to the stove, where both the first and the second are cooked at the same time, and baking is done in the oven. In addition, the bowl will have to be emptied to prepare the next recipe. To simplify the task, you can purchase another bowl for the multicooker, but this will entail additional material costs.
- Functionality as a disadvantage. Like all multifunctional appliances, the multicooker is inferior to specialized models. For example, it is more convenient to constantly prepare yogurt in a yogurt maker. If the menu is dominated by steamed dishes, it is better to purchase a steamer. Baking from the oven tastes better. A slow cooker will not produce a fragrant crust, although biscuits and casseroles will never burn.
Additional functions
To choose a high-quality multicooker, you can read reviews from owners. Recently, more and more housewives are using models that allow them to control the device using a mobile application and a smartphone that supports it. This allows you to change programs and temperature conditions while being away from home and, accordingly, the multicooker.
The Sous-Vide technology allows you to prepare dishes from products sealed in vacuum packaging. The technology will help preserve maximum benefits, vitamins, juice, taste.
If you have small children, it is a good idea to purchase a function to block the switch on when the container is empty.
Rubber feet will help fix the device in one place and prevent slipping.
A moisture collector will help collect excess moisture, although this element is not present in all models.
Photos of multicookers will help you evaluate the appearance of home helpers, and the rating of multicookers will help you choose the most optimal indicators.
Food from a slow cooker - benefit or harm?
As you can see, the multicooker has the same number of pros and cons. Each housewife decides for herself whether it is advisable to purchase this household appliance. But the decisive question becomes about the benefits and harms of a device such as a multicooker for human health.
The operating principle of the multicooker is based on tightness during cooking. Inside the device with the lid closed, the temperature rises to 400°C. For comparison, in a frying pan when cooking on the stove, the average temperature range is about 100-150°C, and the maximum value is 200°C. Teflon coating releases perfluorooctanoic acid at high temperatures, which can cause cancer.
The health hazard of a multicooker increases if:
- the bowl has been in use for more than five years;
- Mechanical damage appeared on the Teflon coating.
Damaged Teflon coating
To determine whether a regular slow cooker is harmful to health, laboratory tests were conducted. They showed a direct correlation between the appearance of cancerous tumors in people who frequently or incorrectly use this device.
Is Teflon harmful?
What is Teflon?
Teflon is a plastic substance that has rather rare physical and chemical properties. The compound is often used in everyday life as a coating for non-stick items, including bowls in a multicooker. What properties does Teflon coating have? Can it harm human health?
It is known that at high temperatures Teflon is capable of releasing carcinogenic substances. The temperature in the multicooker reaches 400 o C due to its sealed properties.
When heated, the coating releases a toxic substance (perfluorinated carboxylic acid), which leads to the development of malignant tumors.
Currently, multicooker manufacturers are working to reduce the harmful properties of Teflon. But if you buy inexpensive models, the bowl coating of which consists of budget ceramics, plastic and stainless steel, the health hazard increases.
How to avoid the harmful effects of a multicooker?
In order for the multicooker to bring only benefits, you must follow the rules for using the bowl for cooking:
- Carefully care for the Teflon surface: do not use metal utensils for stirring food, clean only with dishwashing detergents without abrasive particles;
- change the bowl every 5 years - this is the period allotted by manufacturers for the use of Teflon surfaces;
- Do not use a bowl with damaged Teflon coating.
When purchasing, you should choose models no older than 2000, since it was from that moment that manufacturers were required to declare the composition of Teflon and the materials from which multicookers were made. Do not buy devices second-hand, as well as models that do not have accompanying documentation and certificates.
According to professionals, not only the bowl, but also other elements of the multicooker require care: the bottom, the inner surface of the lid, the moisture collector, the steam valve. Clean the device thoroughly after each cooking, wipe all parts dry and do not forget to ventilate to avoid unpleasant odors or the appearance of pathogenic flora.
Teflon coating requires careful care
Safety precautions during operation
When working with the device, certain requirements must be observed:
- use plastic or silicone spatulas, spoons, ladles;
- do not use abrasive detergents or sponges that are not suitable for washing non-stick coatings;
- wash the multicooker after each cooking;
- do not store prepared food in a bowl, but transfer it to another container;
- Do not cook food if the Teflon coating is damaged.
Following these simple rules will extend the life of the bowl and allow you to eat healthy food.
Nutritionists about cooking in a slow cooker
Basically, the opinion of nutritionists about dishes prepared in a slow cooker is positive:
- cooking requires less fat and oil;
- during the cooking process, the consumption of spices and table salt is minimal;
- food is heated more evenly.
Multicooker food contains less salt and fat
Food from a multicooker is healthier than dishes prepared on the stove, but nutritionists also recommend strictly monitoring the integrity of the Teflon coating and replacing it at the slightest damage.
A multicooker should be used with caution for preparing children's menu items, and for children under three years of age, nutritionists advise excluding food from this appliance altogether.
Adults should not get carried away with food from a slow cooker. Choose recipes that don't require a long cooking time to avoid overheating the bowl. Use the multicooker from time to time when there is a real need for it.
In the traditional way, food is prepared on the stove for the elderly. Food from a slow cooker can be harmful, as the risk of cancer increases with age.
Food from a multicooker will be beneficial if you follow the instructions for using the device
Careful care and proper operation of kitchen appliances become the key to human health. Take care of your assistant to avoid potential health hazards and get only positive emotions from cooking in a slow cooker.
The multicooker quickly gained popularity. Today such equipment is present in almost every home. However, many housewives are concerned about the question: is a multicooker harmful to human health? You can immediately give a definite answer - this is a safe technique, but only if the operating conditions are observed. If used incorrectly, any equipment, including a multicooker, can cause harm to the human body.
How to choose the right multicooker
A multicooker is a widely used device these days. How to choose a kitchen appliance? What features might be useful?
Properties:
- Power – high power ensures fast cooking.
- The capacity of the bowl is an important indicator; it ranges from two to ten liters. The required volume is calculated based on the number of people in the family or the frequent arrival of guests; one and a half liters per person.
- Multifunctionality - choose a multicooker that does not have too many programs. Why pay for something you won't need? Necessary functions: cooking popular cereals, baking, steaming, soup and multi-cook mode.
- The presence of handles on the cup is an important criterion when choosing a multicooker. Some devices do not have holders, and instead they are offered with special tongs or potholders, which makes them inconvenient to use.
- Lock - if there are children in the house, the “lock on when the cup is empty” function will be useful.
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There are induction multicookers that consume half as much electricity. The cost of such devices differs significantly (three to five times more expensive). Some multicookers have a three-dimensional heating function added, so the food is heated from all sides at the same time.
Can a slow cooker harm your health?
The bowl in which the product is directly prepared has a special non-stick coating. It is usually made of Teflon. The coating eliminates the possibility of food burning. However, at high temperatures, acid is released from the material, which has a toxic effect on the body. Harm from this acid occurs when the permissible acid content in the human body is exceeded. This includes the risk of developing cancer.
For reference! Teflon has several unique characteristics, making it optimal for creating a non-stick coating. In its normal form it is not harmful to humans. But, as it is used, it wears out and enters the body, which entails health risks. Do not use cookware with damaged Teflon coating for cooking.
In order to minimize the negative impact of Teflon on the body, the following measures have been taken:
- minimizing the thickness of the non-stick coating layer;
- exclusion of harmful impurities from the production process;
- compliance with recommended temperature conditions during the cooking process.
A multicooker will be safe not only if the non-stick layer of the bowl is of high quality, but also if the impact of electromagnetic waves on the body is minimized. Any electrical devices study such waves. This is true for phones, computers, microwave ovens, electric kettles and even ordinary sockets.
But, manufacturers use special technologies to reduce the negative impact on humans and the environment. First of all, a metal body is used for this, due to which the waves do not extend beyond the device. Electromagnetic waves affect food, but it does not spoil it. Waves appear and disappear inside the device; this does not make food harmful. Moreover, due to the design of the bowl, the waves have virtually no effect on the food at all.
Note! The multicooker body must be completely sealed. If the structure is damaged, use of the device is prohibited. A housing with defects cannot fully retain electromagnetic waves. As a result, they will constantly affect people nearby. Including a damaged body, the quality of food deteriorates.
The safety characteristics of each model are indicated in the technical data sheet for the device. The instructions also list operating recommendations that must be followed to avoid negative effects. Manufacturers minimize the amount of harmful materials, trying to improve the taste and biological properties of food.
How to avoid the harmful effects of a multicooker
To eliminate the harmful effects of a multicooker on the body, you must follow these tips:
- Prefer products exclusively from well-known, reliable manufacturers. The equipment must be of high quality, meeting current international standards. Don't try to save as much as possible. Cheap technology uses plastic that emits harmful substances and transmits electromagnetic waves. You need to give preference to equipment from proven brands. Such equipment will be guaranteed to be of high quality and safe for health.
- Proper care of the device. To wash the bowl, you must use only suitable materials and detergents. Teflon is easily damaged when using metal spatulas, etc. Harsh powders can also scratch the surface. If scratches and other defects have formed on the non-stick layer, you cannot continue to use such a bowl. The condition of other parts should also be constantly monitored. For example, the design has a special valve to allow steam to escape. Due to its malfunction or clogging, the operating mode is disrupted. All equipment components must be serviced in a timely manner.
- Made from quality ingredients. If food contains harmful chemicals, they will remain in the finished food after cooking. For example, vegetables often contain a lot of pesticides, and meat often contains antibiotics. Choose only high-quality food products that have been tested by the relevant services.
Thus, depending on the specifics of use, a multicooker can bring not only benefits, but also harm to the human body. Therefore, it is extremely important to comply with all safety requirements and choose only high-quality equipment and food products. If you follow the manufacturer's recommendations and timely care for the multicooker, the prepared food will only provide benefits to the body.
