Safety of gold Chinese skimmer tool..........

[CathyA]

In my big cleanout I came upon a kitchen utensil I've never used. It looks really cool, but I don't think I want to ask my kids if they would like it because........
Its very gold-colored. Where the wire goes into the bamboo handle, the wire turns gray. Makes me wonder if it was just sprayed with gold color. It would be great (I guess) if the wire were truly brass, but I'm thinking this was sprayed to look like brass wire.

Is brass wire colored the whole way through the wire?

I know I'm being anal........but I don't want to give away something neat-looking and very functional, if its safe to use. It would be used in boiling water.
I bought it probably 20 years ago.
I do worry about anything connected with cooking/eating/drinking when it comes from China.
Any input?

(You can see why cleaning out is so time-consuming for me! I obsess over everything!). >8)

[SteveinMN]

Dip it into the water, move the food, done. For the length of time the skimmer would be in contact with food -- mere seconds -- I don't think using it would cause any identifiable problems. Certainly if the color started changing after the first use, I'd reconsider. I have one of those skimmers, too. I don't use it often, but when I do, it's never with a second thought.

[Tussiemussies]

I feel differently about it. If it was spray painted, I would not give it away or use it. Have seen them before and they look like handy tools. Too bad they don't make them with better quality materials...

[CathyA]

Actually..........I decided to send it to the local Caring Center, and its gone! It does seem like a handy tool, and I'm seeing it being sold at some places with stainless steel......which seems safer. I actually feel a little bad giving it to anyone..........but I guess if it doesn't bother some people.......(then they deserve to eat toxic things. JUST KIDDING!!!) haha

[SteveinMN]

but I guess if it doesn't bother some people.......(then they deserve to eat toxic things. JUST KIDDING!!!) haha
I hear you. :) I just figure ... well, without turning this into a political thread, a teacher in Nevada survived combat in the Middle East and got sandbagged in a middle school by one of the students. Pretty much all of us here grew up rolling around in the backs of station wagons and pickups and somehow we survived. Many of us live in houses which contain lead paint and asbestos. I think we're just exposed on a daily basis to way too many possibly-unhealthful substances and activities to avoid all but the most obvious (or highest-risk) activities. I'll save the energy I'd have spent on avoiding a cheap Chinese food skimmer for the 48 seconds a year that I'd use it for something like working to make texting while driving socially unacceptable. I suspect the risk of injury is far higher with distracted drivers.

[lhamo]

Cathy, if it makes you feel any better, I've been eating off of Chinese plates and out of Chinese pots and pans for more than 10 years and no signs of major health issues yet. We have switched to stainless for most of our cooking pots, with the exception of the new rice cooker we just got that has a teflon interior.

I don't think nominal use of a little skimmer is going to do too much damage -- you probably do more damage by stressing about it. If you are really worried you can get testing kits for lead, etc.

lhamo

[CathyA]

I understand Steve and lhamo! I'm cleaning a TON of stuff out. It all started with mice getting into the house and pooping everywhere. I guess I have the mice to thank for motivating me to do what I should have done a long time ago. haha
But..........since I'm a bit of a hoarder.......even though I'm getting rid of so much, its still a painful process. And I think I turn that anxiety into funky things like "Is this Chinese skimmer going to kill me if I keep it?" haha
I think I bought it many years ago and have never used it. So maybe worrying about it containing some funky thing from China helps me part with it! It was such a bright gold color.......kinda unnatural.
Anyhow......I do appreciate everyone's perspective!

[SteveinMN]

It was such a bright gold color.......kinda unnatural.
Many of the Asian supermarkets around here have small jewelry shops inside them (also small dress shops, beauty parlors, etc.). Much of the gold in those stores is that brighter variety. I'm told many Asian customers prefer gold in that color. I guess I don't know enough Asians who wear gold to verify. :)

[lhamo]

Maybe you can just create a rule for your self. Like if there is the smallest chance it might kill or injure you, you have permission to get rid of it. But then you'd end up in a house without scissors, knives, needles, razor blades, etc.