You have just come back from either the store or the farmers market with a lot of fresh and organic produce that smells great. You can’t wait for a delicious, comforting, and healthy meal. After you have chopped and prepped all the ingredients, you are ready to begin cooking. But wait! Are you using healthy cookware? The meal you’re about to eat might be contaminated with toxic chemicals from the sauté pan or stockpot. Additionally, the chemicals may be released into the air, which you would then breathe in.
There are now many different types of cookware to choose from, including stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic, copper, aluminum, clay, and surfaces marketed as non-stick. Some of these habits are fine, while others can be bad for your health, and bad for the planet.
What to Consider When Choosing Non-Toxic and Healthy Cookware
What are the chemicals used in the cookware? It is important to consider how durable the cookware is, what your personal cooking needs are, and how much the cookware costs. You will need to decide which type of cookware is best for you based on the advantages and disadvantages of each type. Let’s explore each of these factors in more detail.
Chemicals in Cookware
The chemicals in the cookware can end up in the food that we cook in it. They actually leach into the food you cook and get released into the air. Which cosmetics leach the most chemicals, and which of those chemicals are most harmful? The best cookware to use depends on what the primary components are. However, many brands of non-stick cookware are some of the worst options.
Durability of Pots & Pans
How long will the cookware actually last? Nobody likes having to trash a perfectly good pan after just a year or two of use. We all want to buy items that will last us a long time. How often you need to maintain your cookware often determines how long it will last. The durability of something can also be determined by how easily the materials can get scratched or damaged. Cast iron and good quality stainless steel cookware typically lasts for decades, while most non-stick pots and pans wear out every few years.
Your Cooking Needs
Do you do more sauteéing, boiling, steaming, or baking? Is non-stick cookware necessary for the food you prepare? If you cook only occasionally, you may only need to invest in a few higher quality pieces as opposed to an entire set. You can also save space and reduce waste by buying pots and pans that have multiple uses.
Price
The quality of your cookware will usually be determined by how much you pay for it. A durable pan is better in the long run because it will not break down from heat, cold, bumps, or heavy use. Although it may be ideal to purchase a high-quality product, it is not necessary and you should not worry if you are unable to do so. There are a lot of options that are neither too expensive nor too cheap that can be reasonably safe and last a while.
Best & Healthiest Cookware Materials to Consider
Why Stainless Steel Cookware Is Safe
If you’re looking for a healthy and long-lasting cookware option, stainless steel is a great choice. It can be used for pressure cookers, big pots of soup, steamed vegetables, and cooking legumes and grains. Stainless steel is a great material to use for sautéing once it has been heated up. You may need to add a little bit of water or vegetable broth to your pan to keep your food from sticking.
High-quality stainless steel cookware can be pricey. A good quality stainless steel pot can last for many years.
Enamel-Coated Cast Iron Cookware: A Healthier Option for Cast Iron
Cast iron with a porcelain coating is rust-proof and easy to maintain. You don’t need to season this pan before using it because it’s non-stick. This cookware also has many benefits including that it won’t leach chemicals or iron, is not affected by acidic foods, is relatively lightweight, and works on induction stoves. The enamel coating on good brands can degrade over time, but they are still durable. You might have to replace your pans every few years if you use them a lot.
Enamel-coated cookware differs from regular cast iron in that it is available in multiple colors, not just black. If you want to clean your cast iron pan with soap, be aware that this will likely remove the seasoning that has built up on the pan. The enameled coating on cast iron pots and pans make them a good choice for cooking, as they can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher. This skillet by Le Creuset is a healthy cookware product made from enamel-coated cast iron.
Ceramic or Ceramic Coated Cookware as a Healthier Option
Ceramic cookware is a healthy cooking option for a number of reasons. Ceramic is a natural, inorganic material that is non-reactive, meaning it won’t leach chemicals into your food. Ceramic cookware is 100% non-toxic and does not leach chemicals into food. There is no need to worry about using them in the oven or on the stove. The other benefits of ceramic are that it is resistant to scratching and it cooks food slowly and evenly.
When using ceramic coated cookware, you should ensure that it does not contain any lead, cadmium, poly- or perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) – a carcinogenic chemical which is released when PFAs are heated. Although these chemicals can be found in many ceramic coated cookware products, it is not difficult to find cookware without them. If a manufacturer claims their product is free of PFA’s, PFOA’s, lead, and cadmium, you can be sure that none of those chemicals are present in the product.
However, 100% ceramic cookware cannot be used on induction stoves. One downside to ceramic cookware is that it can break if dropped on a hard surface.
Xtrema Pure 100% ceramic cookware is a good option if you are looking for something safe and solid. This appliance can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, or under the broiler. Xtrema ceramic is scratch resistant and easy to clean. The Food Revolution Network is offering a 15% discount for more information about their organization. (Use coupon code: FRN15)
Biocompatible Titanium Cookware Safety Advantages
Titanium is used to make sterile surgical instruments because it is not rejected by the human body. Titanium cookware is a good option because it is lighter, more durable, and doesn’t leach into your food. It is also typically more affordable than other options. Furthermore, it’s highly resistant to rust and scratching. The metal reacts with the oxygen in the air and water to create a natural titanium dioxide shield. Pretty cool, huh?
Although titanium cookware is durable, it has the downside of taking a while to heat up and not conducting heat evenly. Some manufacturers have created better pans by coating them with titanium over an aluminum core. In some cases, ceramic-titanium blends are used to improve durability and create a non-stick surface. Although not all titanium cookware is non-stick, some of it is, especially if it’s made entirely out of titanium. If you want to use your titanium cookware on an induction stove, make sure to check that it is compatible before you buy it. You can usually find this information on the package or on the manufacturer’s website.
The Keith brand of titanium is well-rated and made of pure titanium without a lining or non-stick coating.
What are the safest non toxic cookware brands?
1) Best Cast Iron Cookware – Lodge Cast Iron
I switched to this type of nontoxic cookware as my first choice. This activity/thing has been around for a long time and I really enjoy it because of that. Although it may take a little while to get accustomed to it, you will eventually figure it out if you keep working with it.
I really love the Lodge Cast Iron pans. You can find them at Target or order them on Amazon. They’re also budget friendly! I use this pan for cooking eggs, veggies, frying- really the list of things I can cook with it is endless.
Here are a few tips for cooking with cast iron: First, make sure to slowly add heat. I find it works best to cook the food slowly rather than using high heat. If you don’t want to burn your food, it’s best to use a cast iron skillet because it holds heat very well.
Next, make sure you season it regularly. This creates a natural non-stick surface. When you season a cast iron pan, you are essentially adding a layer of oil to the pan to help keep it hydrated. You then bake the pan to help set the oil. Acidic foods should not be cooked in cast iron because it will break down the seasoning or patina.
Cleaning cast iron is not difficult, although it may seem so at first. Soap is not recommended for use with cast iron cookware as it can damage the seasoning and cause the cookware to dry out. Instead, use some salt to clean it. I sprinkle salt on top and then use a scrubby to scrub it away. Then rinse with water. Next, you’ll want to dry the wood and then rub in a cooking oil.
Since trying newer brands of cookware such as 360 Cookware and Caraway, I have stopped using my cast iron as much. One downside to cast iron is that it is very heavy. Additionally, soap cannot be used to clean it. I don’t always feel it gets as clean.
2) Best Stainless Steel Cookware – 360 Cookware
I have found the best stainless steel cookware to be 360 Cookware.
I have always wondered if it is safe to use stainless steel cookware because it may leach metals into food. I wasn’t so sure about it. I did some research and found that 360 cookware is a safer option than other nontoxic cookware options. A 360 cookware pot or pan has a layer of T-304 Surgical Grade Stainless Steel, a layer of Aluminum Alloy for conducting heat, and a layer of T-400 Series Stainless Steel. Since the aluminum alloy is in the middle, it never comes into contact with your food. Many companies are lying about the quality of their products by calling scrap metal “stainless steel”. The scrap metal could come from anywhere, but it often originates in China. You don’t know what’s in your stainless steel. I also love that it’s surgical grade stainless steel! This is what they use in your body if you were having surgery for something particular- next level that they use the highest quality. This is what they use in your body if you were having surgery for something particular- next level that they use the highest quality.
The more layers a piece of cookware has, the better it is. Unfortunately, this isn’t the truth. You don’t want more layers, but you do want thicker layers. 360 has one of the thickest layers overall at .11″. It is important to feel safe when cooking your food. I highly recommend 360 Cookware for those who are worried about harmful chemicals. It is one of the best options available. Use coupon code: GURLGONEGREEN25 for 25% off!
3) Best Ceramic Coated Cookware – Caraway Cookware
It is definitely one of my favorites! These ceramic pots not only look sleek, but they are effective as well. The cookware is coated with a mineral-based material that does not release chemicals into food during cooking. Traditional non-stick coatings emit much more carbon dioxide than the new coating.
The base of the cookware is made from aluminum and stainless steel, which is then covered with a mineral-based coating. This ensures that the aluminum does not leach into the food. The mineral coating is free of lead, cadmium, and teflon. The coating on most ceramic pots and pans is made of a mineral-based mixture of silica, oxygen, binders, and color pigments.
In the past, people were worried that the ceramic coating on pots and pans would chip, but I have found that high-quality ceramic pots and pans do not have this problem. This is referring to the poor quality, usually inexpensive items that tend to fall apart or wear out quickly. I always say that you get what you pay for! Correct use and care of your belongings will make them last longer.
Caraway Cookware is definitely high quality. Very durable and stain resistant. I haven’t had any issues with stains or discolorations. I’m so happy with how well this product has held up. I really appreciate how easy it is to clean the cookware. To clean something, you only need warm soapy water and a scrub pad.
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