this post was submitted on 04 Aug 2023
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It's not burned, it's polymerized. It's not dangerous because there's nothing fundamentally dangerous about the oil to begin with.
Oil contains carbon atoms, so when it gets heated and the molecules break down, some of the carbon gets set free. This is what makes used oil darker than the fresh stuff. And that carbon is the same as the one on burnt food, which is a known carcinogen. I'd love to find a study about the concrete amounts of probable or proven carcinogens transferred to foods cooked in seasoned cast iron vs teflon, because I'd prefer the everlasting quality of cast iron - but convincing a doctor who works with cancer patients every day requires solid evidence.