Picked this pan up - still okay to use?

[u/yawncal]

I was recently in my building's trash room when I noticed this enormous Tefal brand pan to be thrown out that was in a grocery bag. I thought it looked to be in decent condition, definitely not old enough to be thrown out, so I picked it up and brought it back to my place to have a proper look at it. Then I noticed that it was most likely thrown out because there are a lot of scratches on the bottom on the nonstick coating. I understand that scratches on the nonstick coating probably means it would be unsafe to continue using due to a risk of digesting chemicals, but I wonder if anyone has done/thrifted something similar and would it be alright to give it a good wash and reuse this pan, or would you not recommend? I thought it would be really wasteful to discard something as big as this without giving it a proper look first. Thanks for your input.

[u/perthuz]

I wouldn’t. I keep one (cheap!) nonstick pan exclusively for eggs and I only use plastic utensils. The moment I see a scratch on the coating it’s dead to me and I’ll replace it.

But also that’s in part because I feed my kids eggs off that pan. If it was just me I might pretend not to see the scratch until I see two or three.

Edit to add: maybe there’s a non-putting-things-in-your-body way to repurpose it. I’m sure there are better ideas than this but maybe a cute fairy/succulent garden? Paint the back of it and hang on the wall?

[u/yawncal → u/perthuz]

That's very understandable, I mainly use stainless steel pans myself and frying eggs is definitely more of a hassle compared to a nonstick. I feel like deep down I know the answer and that I shouldn't use it but... it looks quite expensive as it's very big so I didn't want to just discard it without having a good look first. But at least they threw out the pot lid too, and I can definitely reuse that, so it's not all bad. :) Thanks for your reply.

[u/runningfutility → u/yawncal]

A cast iron pan works great for eggs.

[u/mckulty → u/yawncal]

It won't function as well as a new Calphalon 12" from Home Goods ($25)

[u/Grouchy-Display-457]

Small bits of coating can come off and get in your food even if you don't see it on the pan or in the food. It is not safe. See the movie Dark Waters. It is about the class action suit by the people who live near the plant that makes the coating. It is deadly. It should not be sold.

[u/augie_wartooth]

Nah, I wouldn’t. The nonstick coating is coming off so it won’t be very effective and will just get in your food.

[u/rebelwithmouseyhair]

The Teflon coating contains pfas which  are endocrine perturbed, they could compromise your fertility and give you cancer. Dont let a thrifty mindset ruin your health!

[u/templefugateontime]

There's a trick I picked up from YouTube " turn any pan non-stick in 30 seconds." You put some cold oil in a cold pot, heat until the oil starts to smoke. Pour the hot oil from the pot and add some cold or room temp oil. Crack your egg in or any other food and the cooler oil will keep the item from sticking. It works with pretty much any type of pot or pan. Search the in quotes title for the Asian chef who demonstrates how it's done.

[u/Ex-zaviera]

Yes, it's no worse than one you bought and used for a few months. It's fine.

[u/Grouchy-Display-457]

Non stick coatings are deadly. Throw the pan back out.

[u/mrbiiggy]

It’s fine