What is the Safest Cookware?

Posted on May 8, 2020 in Green Products by Anh Speer, Ph.D. 0 Comments

Modern cookware provides a lot of convenience, especially the nonstick services that make cooking and cleaning much easier. Unfortunately, such pans may also contain chemicals you don’t want in your kitchen. Better choices for the safest cookware can include iron, stainless steel, ceramic, glass and aluminum.

It’s an important issue. Many non-stick pans can leach chemicals into your food if scratched. Most of the concerns revolve around the potential of toxicity in non-stick coatings. While there have been improvements in this area, such as removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from nonstick pans, concerns remain. That’s why people continue to look for non-toxic cookware for their kitchen.

Much like aluminum water bottles and ecofriendly gifts, the safest cookware is readily available, but will require some research to find. Here are some categories for safest cookware that can get you started in the search for the best ways to prepare safe, healthy food.

Cast Iron Pans

The older generations had it right the first time. Cast iron pans have been around as long as cooking has been around. They are affordable. They can take a beating. They absorb flavor over time, making them a kind of seasoning for your food. They also can add iron to your food, and are easy to clean if you do it while the pan is still hot.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel pots and pans are another staple of your grandmother’s kitchen. While they can contain a certain amount of nickel, chromium, and other metals, they are generally considered safe for cooking. They also are exceptionally durable and can last decades if properly cared for and cleaned.

Ceramic

Many consider ceramic the safest non-stick pan. This cookware is made in kilns under extremely high temperatures that render the quartz sand surface essentially non-stick. It’s also extremely durable and will last for many years if properly handled. On the downside, it can prove more expensive than other choices on this list.

Glass

Glass is great if you like to bake or make casseroles. In those areas, glass is perfect for making great tasting food in a non-toxic pan. In a related issue, you can also get glass containers with airtight lids to store your food.

Aluminum

One of the biggest advantages of aluminum is that it is a great heat conductor and will heat food evenly (and fast). Aluminum needs to be anodized or it can leach heavy metals into your food. It’s also not as durable as other types of pans. But it is typically more affordable than other choices.

Any of these choices can provide you with the safest cookware – certainly safer than pans coated with non-stick chemicals. Your choice depends on how much you cook at home and what you like to cook. In some cases, you might want to get different types of pans for different types of cooking (stainless steel for pan frying and glass dishes for baking, for example). Whatever the case, by putting in some time to search, you can find non-toxic cookware that works best for you.