DuPont Teflon survey: We're doing more cooking at home

    112
    Advertisement

    DuPont’s Teflon business has released a survey of home cooks that might not be good news for some restaurants.

    The findings, released at an International Culinary Expo show that consumers are cooking more often, experimenting with food and using time in their kitchen to help save money and eat healthier.

    “Societal and economic shifts such as the fluctuating economy, combined with evolving national demographics and the introduction of new nutritional guidelines, are likely to have heightened people’s awareness of the need to evolve eating and cooking behavior,” said Christa Kaiser, global business segment manager, Teflon nonstick coatings systems. “Consumers are living smarter and healthier, and having more fun in the process.”

    Compared to this time last year, for example, about three-quarters of consumer indicated ways in which they have changed how they cook and eat in their home. More than one-third of consumers (37 percent) reported they are cooking more often, and more than one-fourth (26 percent) are experimenting more with food. Others (23 percent) are eating more natural or organic foods .

    The majority of consumers are using new or shared recipes to inspire their cooking (59 percent using online recipes, cookbooks, recipes from family, friends, cooking shows and apps).

    Advertisement

    Consumers’ biggest challenge in the kitchen, not surprisingly, is cleaning up after cooking (40 percent), followed by preparation time (26 percent) and making foods that everyone likes to eat (24 percent). The most commonly used cookware is nonstick (66 percent), followed by stainless steel (48 percent) and cast iron (23 percent).

    Interestingly enough, the influence of TV cooking shows and classes was not mentioned, even thought a survey roundtable was moderated by Kelsey Nixon, host of Kelsey’s Essentials on the Cooking Channel.

    The origin of the DuPont Teflon brand began with the discovery of polytetrafluoroethylene, (PTFE), in 1938 by DuPont chemist Roy Plunkett. Teflon nonstick coating systems were first commercialized for cookware more than 50 years ago in the United States..

    Teflon literally took some heat a while back over possible problems when pans become overheated a released some of the chemical used in the coating. That furor has settled down, although it is a good idea to immediately toss a pan that ends up with the coating being damaged. 

    Advertisement
    Advertisement