My 4 Favorite Non-Toxic Cookware Products I Use Every Week
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In the spirit of clearing as many toxins from our lives as possible, I want to to share some of my discoveries over the past years regarding cookware.
This may be the last place you would think of toxins being present, but alas, even our cooking tools can cause us harm.
I am a stay-at-home-home so I definitely spend A LOT of time in the kitchen. Some times it is more of chore, and the daily monotony of making snacks and meals can make my nerves raw. BUT, I actually really enjoying cooking and occasionally baking.
I love finding new recipes to try with my family, and I wouldn’t feel I could do this as well using harmful cookware. So, finding safe, non-toxic cookware has been a huge priority for me over the past several years (and I am still working on it).
The words non-toxic and toxins are pretty broad terms that are used a lot in the health and wellness industry. I going to do my best to define what they mean and what options we have when it comes to cookware.
My simple definition? Anything that makes us feel bad physically or mentally is toxic. That may vary from person to person because we all react differently to things. But this also doesn’t mean that nothing is happening internally (or we have equated it to being normal). If there is even a question of whether I should put something on or in my body, I steer clear.
What toxins are in cookware?
The BIG BADS when it comes to toxins in cookware are typically the result of chemical processing, the use of plastics and heavy metals. The most prominent are PFAS (includes PFTE, PFOA, PFOS, etc) lead, cadmium, aluminum & copper.
1. PFAS – Nonstick
Traditional nonstick has been made up of one or more of these PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) since its inception. When one substance gets banned or they stop using it, another very similar substance takes its place. These chemical processes have been linked to a variety of physical problems like cancer, fertility, growth in children, thyroid issues and so many more.
Plastics, plus chemical processes is what these companies use to turn their cookware nonstick. You may have heard the term “forever chemicals” and if you haven’t, this is what the term refers to. Researchers have discovered that these coating chemicals are found and have altered the human body and the Earth’s environment. They have been found in drinking water at home, breastmilk, unborn babies and nearly every living thing on Earth.
PFAS are in much more than nonstick cookware which is probably how they have managed to leach into everyone’s bodies. Basically, get rid of your nonstick! It is an adjustment at first, but I promise you there is better cookware.
2. Metals – Lead, Cadmium & Aluminum
These are all sneaky metals in the cookware world because we think that hardened metal should be harmless. Many companies use these metals has heat conductors and hardeners in their cookware, but they are all known to leach into our food as they are used.
- Lead – Lead is used in cookware to make it harder or less likely to shatter which is why is has been often found in ceramic and glass cookware. Lead is quite likely to leach into any food you cook and this can result in side effects like fatigue, abdominal pain, memory loss and can cross the placental barrier if pregnant. Researching brands producing both types of this cookware is super important because some will disclose this detail but many will not.
- Aluminum & Copper – Both of these metals are great heat conductors which is why they have been used so much in cookware (aluminum probably more so because it is so cheap). They are also both highly reactive metals which means they will also leach into your food.
Aluminum is a neurotoxin which means it kills brain cells and it bioaccumulates in the body over time. Because of this, it has been linked several times to diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Copper, in the correct amount and assuming it is the bioavailable kind, is something that is essential for our bodies. Too much copper, however, can cause some serious side effect from nausea or vomiting to liver or kidney damage. - Cadmium – You may have not heard of this metal before, but it is a listed carcinogenic by U.S. agencies. Researching brands is again important here because you want to make sure any ceramic or enameled cookware you are shopping for does not use this in their manufacturing. Most of our regulations here have banned the use of this metal for cookware so this may be more prevalent in other parts of the world (but is always best to check).
3. Cookware Care
Taking care of our cookware is equally as important as which kind we use. It will be counterproductive to spend money are safe, high-quality cookware and then not take proper steps to ensure it lasts.
For me, a gentle and non-toxic soap is a must for washing my cookware. Then I know that I won’t be ingesting any soap nasties lingering on my dishes.
Proper storage for cookware will help with wear and chipping if your using anything ceramic or enamel-coated. At the moment, I put either a paper towel or dishcloth between my pans to help with this. In the future, I would love to find a cupboard/counter storage rack or a hanging rack for my pots and pans.
Properly seasoning will help with rust/iron exposure.
Safe Cookware Options
There are PLENTY of safer cookware options out there. As with any of my healthy living decisions, I’ve had to do crazy research to find the best options.
These are the safest, non-toxic cookware options (based on their material) to use in your kitchen:
- Glass
- Stainless Steel
- Cast Iron
- Ceramic Coated
- 100% Ceramic
- Porcelain Enamel
Now, even though these materials are safe to use, there are brands who use sneaky tricks to label and sell something as non-toxic, natural, etc. but it really isn’t. This falls under the term you may have heard before called greenwashing. Greenwashing more often relates to the sustainability practices a brand uses, but I have found it to be more inclusive than that.
The public trend for many years has been about using more natural products (whether it is cookware, cleaning supplies or makeup), and big brands have cast in their lot right alongside small businesses who are dedicated to really making safe, quality products. Many of these companies make a big deal of toxins they don’t use in their products, but they also don’t disclose which they do use. It is akin to an illusion show where the performer starts with a big claim, utilizes fanfare and misdirection and at the end of the trick, you don’t know what happened!
All of this to say, again, it is so so important to research what products you’re using and where you’ll be spending your money. I always try my best to support brands I know have my best interest at heart, not their bottom line. These businesses are the most transparent, and their products are stellar.
My peace of mind is also a 10 when I cook because I know there is one less product I’m using that could potentially be harming me and my family.
My 4 Favorite Non-Toxic Cookware Products
Favorite Non-Stick
The Original Green Pan
I got 3 Green Pan’s this past Christmas and so far, I love them! They are so SLICK (actually slick, but they are “cool” too).
I pitched my nonstick pots and pans years ago, and figured out how to use other cookware that was safer. However, this past year, I found out about the alternative to nonstick which is ceramic coating.
The Original Green Pan coating utilizes sand instead of plastic like traditional nonstick. Their cookware does not contain any PFAS, PFOA, lead or cadmium. This is super important because many brands that utilize ceramic will often have lead in their products.
These pans heat really fast but are best used at low to medium heat. This means I can fry an egg at a 2 or 3 on my electric stove. AND Most of The Original Green Pan’s cookware are oven safe up to a certain temperature. Definitely double-check their website if you are wanting more dual-purpose cookware.
Other amazing ceramic cookware brands that are my list to try are Caraway and Xtrema.
Favorite Multi-Purpose
Lodge Cast Iron Pans
Cast iron has been a staple tool in my kitchen for that last 5 years. I’ve used these on the stove, in the oven, on the grill and even over an open fire while camping. If well taken care of, anything cast iron will last for generations.
There is a learning curve to cooking with these, but if you use them frequently, you’ll get the hang of it. They take awhile to heat up, but then they are HOT and stay that way. Because of this, I have found that cooking them on a medium-low temperature works best.
Cleaning cast iron is both easy and hard. If properly seasoned, you only need to wash them with water and scrub brush and a scraper (for any stuck-on food). Make sure to dry them immediately and then wipe them down with oil or fat. The only hard part is that they are very heavy and cumbersome to handle.
Always use and routinely season your pans so that unwanted iron does not get into your food (see Wellness Mama’s guide). I also would avoid cooking anything acidic (tomatoes, citrus, etc.) with these pans as that may strip the seasoning and leach more iron into your food.
If dealing with any iron overload, you may want to only use cast iron everything once in awhile or for a recipe that calls for their use. However, I think that a good cleaning and seasoning routine will help with any major leaching. If this is still concerning, try using enameled cast iron but always find a quality source like Le Creuset.
Favorite for Oven
Pyrex or Anchor Hocking Glass Pans
Glass is the perfect place to start when switching over to non-toxic cookware. It is very affordable, excellent for baking and my favorite material to use for drinkware and food storage. There is glass cookware out there for the stove that works great for low and slow cooking, but I have yet to try any of it out.
Since glass is inert, it will not leach anything into your food and is easy to sterilize which is why it is the best food storage option!
I’ve stuck with American brands Pyrex or Anchor Hocking for any glassware as I know the quality is high and the glass is kept toxin-free. The bakeware I have had for almost 12 years has stood the test of time so far and I expect it too long in the future.
If money is really tight, thrift stores are an excellent place to find great used options for glassware, whether its use is for baking or storage.
Favorite for Sauces & Soups
Stainless Steel Pots
I have the same stainless steel set from Cuisinart that I received as a wedding gift almost 12 years ago. Stainless steel has been thought to be super safe for many years, but more recent scrutiny has made me question this.
Many brands pose that it is the number of layers your cookware has that determines its safety and how well it cooks. Others rally for the thickness of the metal. I think both sides have merit as there are some great brands out there utilizing high quality materials that are manufactured and made in the U.S.
I would steer clear of any brand made in China or other places overseas as these place will often utilize scrap metal to make their stainless steel and you have NO IDEA what your are cooking with.
I only ever use my stainless pots for making soups or sauces now because I have found other great options for frying. I’m wanting to get better quality stainless steel in the future so I can have that peace-of-mind when consistently using it–finding a good brand is on my list.
I keep hearing great things about 360 cookware because of the thickness of it’s outer layer (that is made of surgical grade stainless steel). My parents have used them for years and absolutely love them for their stovetop and slow cooker.
Frequently Asked Questions
The last thing you need to know about non-toxic cookware
This is by no means an exhausted guide to non-toxic cookware as there many brands and types of great cookware I haven’t tried yet. But knowledge is power and I want you to be able to make the best healthy living choices for you and your family. I hope this will get you researching about your own cookware or something else in your home that may need a change. When you know, you know and this is where I find I can’t stop researching and questioning everything so I can be a super knowledgeable, empowered mama!
Which cookware is your favorite to use? Did any of them make my list? I can’t wait to talk about it in the comments!
Muchos love,
Stephanie
