Non-Toxic Cookware Guide

Maia James
Non-Toxic Cookware Guide
247 comments
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Best Cookware Brands

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1. Xtrema

2. Lancaster Cast Iron

3. 360 Cookware

4. Visions

5. Caraway

6. Our Place

7. Le Creuset

8. GreenPan

I’m lucky to live in a neighborhood with lots of great “healthful” restaurants. I put that word in quotes because while organic French fries cooked in trans-fat free oil are better than what you’ll get at McDonald’s, they aren’t exactly kale chips.

So we try to cook at home most nights. My husband is much more of a chef than I am, so he is the one who purchases most of our pots and pans (and woks and stockpots and mandolins and 87 different knives…he loves kitchen gadgets!).

As with many products in our home (from toilet paper to laundry detergent to shampoo), Daylon is primarily worried about the performance of his cookware, and I am mainly worried about the safety. The good news here is that you really can have both. We’ve managed to find high-performing AND non-toxic cookware that both Daylon and I are happy with. And yes, nontoxic nonstick cookware does exist!

I hope this guide helps you decide what cookware to eliminate, and what non-toxic cookware to buy when it’s time for new pots and pans. And as much as we should avoid toxins in what we breathe and touch, we REALLY should avoid eating them! For this reason, we consider upgrading to non-toxic cookware an important step for those of you looking to make your homes safer.

Are There Toxins in Cookware?

Unfortunately, pots and pans might be introducing toxins into your food as you cook. The big takeaway from our research is that most types of cookware do infuse small amounts of material into our food. Some of those things are bad for us, some are good in the right quantity, and some are neutral. This matters with cookware because not only are you ingesting whatever leaches into your food, but leaching is increased by heat exposure, which is of course a factor when it comes to cookware.


In our home, we use a variety of types of pots and pans, including nontoxic nonstick cookware.

My Favorite Non-Toxic Cookware

You’ll find lots of details on a variety of non-toxic cookware options in this guide, as well as materials we’d rather see you avoid. If you’re short on time, here is a cheat sheet of the non-toxic cookware brands we love, including some nontoxic nonstick cookware brands.

Best Stuff

360 Cookware

360 Cookware is our top pick for non-toxic stainless steel cookware. It’s an 18/8 blend, made in the USA, and lasts forEVER.

My favorite non-toxic cookware pieces from 360:

Note: All-Clad also makes toxin-free stainless steel cookware, but their non-stick items should be avoided.

Buy from Amazon Buy from 360 Cookware
360 Cookware

Carbon Steel Cookware

Carbon steel is a great non-toxic cookware material, but it’s hard to find brands that offer it! We liketheseAlva carbon steel frying pans.

Buy from Amazon Buy from Alva Carbon Steel Pans
Carbon Steel Cookware

Great Jones

Great Jones meets all CA Prop 65 standards, but we still only recommend select products from Great Jone. We like their enameled cast iron as a more affordable alternative to Le Creuset. Their ceramic coated non-stick cookware contains PFAS, so that should be avoided.

My favorite non-toxic cookware pieces from Great Jones:

Buy from Great Jones
Great Jones

Heritage Steel

Made in the USA from titanium-strengthened 316 stainless steel with a fully clad aluminum core, Heritage Steel cookware is free of PFAS and other toxic coatings. The aluminum layer is completely encapsulated between stainless steel, so it never touches your food. We love that they’re manufactured domestically and come with a lifetime warranty.

Buy from Amazon Buy from Heritage Steel
Heritage Steel

Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

We love Lodge for its reasonably-priced cast iron cookware that’s made in America.

My favorite non-toxic cookware pieces from Lodge:

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Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

Lancaster Cast Iron Cookware

We love these high-quality pans, which are made in Lancaster, PA, and come pre-seasoned and with stout handles and large pour spouts. Each pan is handcrafted and has a beautiful glossy finish that you won’t find in most cast iron skillets.

My favorite non-toxic cookware piece from Lancaster Cast Iron:

Buy from LANCASTER CAST IRON
Lancaster Cast Iron Cookware

Xtrema Ceramic Cookware

Our favorite brand of ceramic cookware is Xtrema. This line contains no glaze, and each batch is third-party tested for heavy metals. If you’re worried about leaching when cooking acidic foods (like tomatoes) from cast iron or stainless steel, then this is a great choice for you. From a performance standpoint, I appreciate that this is much lighter than cast iron cookware.

My favorite non-toxic cookware pieces from Xtrema:

Buy from Xtrema
Xtrema Ceramic Cookware

Le Creuset Enamled Cast Iron Cookware

My friend recently called my from the emergency room after dropping her Le Creuset and breaking her toe. “Is there a more classic Brooklyn injury?” she asked.

In any case, I am sure many of you–wehter you live in Brooklyn or elsewhere–have a hefty piece of Le Creuset cookware in your kitchen. Good news: it’s Best Stuff!

One caveat: Le Creuset says that there are trace amounts of lead on the outside of the bright-colored Le Creuset pots (such as red and orange). They add that “these levels are very low, but the interior enamel is completely free of lead.”

The Le Creuset non-stick line should be avoided as it contains PFAS.

My favorite non-toxic pieces from Le Creuset:

Buy from Amazon Buy from Le Creuset
Le Creuset Enamled Cast Iron Cookware

Non-Toxic Crock Pots/Slow Cookers

Most crockpots/slow cookers contain a ceramic insert. Avoid any that specify that they have a non-stick coating on the ceramic, and avoid those that have an aluminum insert. .

There are two that we like: Green Pan and 360.

Buy from Amazon Buy from 360 Crock Pot
Non-Toxic Crock Pots/Slow Cookers

Titanium Cookware

We found just one brand on Amazon,Wild Peak, that doesn’t appear to be coated with any non-stick chemicals. As of 2024,Our Placemakes a titanium version of the Always Pan!

Buy from Amazon
Titanium Cookware

Tempered Glass Cookware

If you want to try cooking in glass, we like this set from Visions.

Buy from Amazon
Tempered Glass Cookware

Types of Toxic & Non-Toxic Cookware

Pots and pans come in a wide range of materials. Some cookware materials are okay, if you have the right variety, or if you don’t use them every day. Let’s go through these one by one, including the brands we recommend.

Nontoxic Cookware Materials

The following materials are always non-toxic. We will share our favorite brands made of these materials below, under The Best Stuff.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is sometimes used for frying pans and woks. It’s similar to cast iron, and can leach small amounts of iron into food, which is great if you have someone with slight anemia in your home!

Cast Iron

For most of human history, people suffered from iron deficiencies, so cooking with cast iron helped to prevent anemia. In modern cultures, the opposite is true. Most of us get plenty of iron, and there’s a point at which ingesting too much can be problematic. In our kitchen, we try to switch between cast iron pans and pans made of other materials throughout the week. If you want to be extra cautious, you could avoid cast iron for recipes with long cooking duration or acidic foods, as this will cause increased iron leaching.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel pans are generally Good Stuff. The only caveat here is that stainless steel is made with nickel (the more nickel in the mix, the more “stainless” it is). The problem is that our bodies can handle some nickel, but too much isn’t healthy. This means that high quality stainless steel cookware, which has higher percentages of nickel, is actually of more concern than lower quality stainless steel! We know that stainless steel pans do leach nickel (along with some chromium and iron), especially with longer cooking times and when cooking acidic foods such as tomatoes. To minimize the potential for nickel leaching, you’d ideally want a pan that’s 18/4 or 18/0 stainless steel (that first number is the percentage of chromium; the second is nickel). I wouldn’t be concerned about using stainless steel as long as you just switch up your cookware. If you sometimes using cast iron and enamel pots and pans, you won’t be exposing yourself to too much nickel from stainless steel. If you’re still worried, you could avoid stainless steel when cooking acidic foods for long time periods.

Tempered Glass

Glass is probably the most inert of any cooking surface, and you can even get pots and pans made of this ultimate Good Stuff!

Titanium

Titanium is a non-toxic and biocompatible metal, so it is used for medical instruments, dental implant devices, and joint replacements. Titanium is also lightweight and extremely strong. Titanium cookware uses an aluminum base for even heat transfer and distribution. The non-porous, non-stick titanium outer surface does not allow any aluminum to leach through. The only reason to be cautious about titanium cookware is that it seems that most manufacturers now coat their titanium cookware with non-stick finishes, rendering it “Bad Stuff.”

Materials That May Be Safe in Cookware

When shopping for non-toxic cookware, some of these materials come in safe forms. Other times, they are treated (or untreated, as the case may be) in a way that renders them less safe.

Clay

Without testing a clay pot for every possible contaminant, you have no way of knowing what might be leaching into your food. Without a glaze on the pot, there is no protective barrier between what’s in the clay and your meal. The risks of unglazed clay pots and pans outweigh the potential benefits of the good minerals that might leach into your food—calcium, iron, etc.

Coated Ceramic

Made from natural materials such as clay and minerals, ceramic cookware offers excellent heat retention and distribution. Its non-reactive surface makes it ideal for cooking acidic foods, and it is also appreciated for its nontoxic nonstick cookware properties, requiring less oil or fat during cooking. Furthermore, it is generally considered safer than nonstick alternatives since it doesn’t contain potentially harmful chemicals like PFOA or PTFE. Ceramic cookware can be considered a safe less-stick if not truly truly non-stick material. Some ceramic cookware is coated with materials that may contain harmful substances like lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals. To ensure safety, it is crucial to choose ceramic cookware that is labeled as free from toxic materials and is certified as being compliant with safety standards.

Enamel

In essence, enamel is a form of glass. Enameled cookware is most often cast iron with an enamel coating. This type of cookware is wonderful to cook with. Some people have worried about lead in the enamel cookware, since the enamel coating is often made of clay, which can leach lead. For this reason, we suggest choosing high quality enamel cookware from well-known brands.

Newer Non-Stick Materials

For more details on these materials, and the brands we like most (and which brands should be avoided), check out the Best, Good, Bad, and Sneaky brands that follow. You can’t necessarily believe brands that advertise themselves as nontoxic nonstick cookware.

Materials to Avoid in Cookware

The following materials are always unsafe when used for cookware. You’ll learn more about how to avoid them under the Bad Stuff and Sneaky Stuff, below. Look for cookware brands that they have tested under limits for California Prop 65 for more peace of mind.

  • Aluminum.
  • Copper.
  • Nonstick/Teflon
  • Plastic

Bonus: The Best Non-Toxic Teakettle

Lots of you have asked about the best non-toxic teakettle. Our picks are the kettles from Xtrema, Staub, or Caraway.

Bonus: The Best Non-Toxic Teakettle

Good Stuff

Nontoxic Nonstick Cookware

We are calling the following brands Good Stuff rather than Best Stuff only because they do not disclose exactly what they use to achieve their nonstick coating. The brands below all provide independent testing results that show that their cookware is not leaching toxins or heavy metals. However, it is important to note that this is only true when the cookware is not scratched or degraded. We recommend replacing even nontoxic nonstick cookware if it becomes damaged.

GreenPan Nontoxic Nonstick Cookware

We originally called GreenPan Sneaky Stuff, because they don’t disclose exactly what they use in their nonstick cookware line. They’ve recently provided the results of independent tests, and these are hugely reassuring regarding contamination with heavy metals.

GreenPan’s nonstick coating is the proprietary Thermion, which is “made by a Sol-Gel process that results in forming a coating layer on the surface of the pan. This layer comprises mainly Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass.” We are now comfortable calling GreenPan Good Stuff!

My favorite non-toxic cookware from GreenPan:

Buy from Amazon Buy from Greenpan
GreenPan Nontoxic Nonstick Cookware

Caraway Nontoxic Nonstick Cookware

Caraway cookware is non-stick and does not contain PFAS. The company has provided reports on lead, cadmium, PFOA, PFOS, and PTFE, which show no detectable levels. One thing to keep in mind is that we do not know the exact composition of Caraway’s non-stick coating as it is patented. While this is not ideal, Caraway has reliable third-party tests that show no detectable levels of harmful contaminants, so we can consider it a good product. Most new non-stick brands use a Sol-Gel process to make their pans non-stick, so it is likely that Caraway does the same.

My favorite non-toxic cookware pieces from Caraway:

Buy from Amazon Buy from Caraway
Caraway Nontoxic Nonstick Cookware

Our Place Nontoxic Nonstick Cookware

Our Place is slightly less transparent than GreenPan, but I still consider this to be a reasonably non-toxic cookware brand. Our Place has disclosed the independent testing that reveals that their pan doesn’t contain heavy metals. It looks to me like they are using the same exact technology (Sol-Gel) as GreenPan. While we’d love them to be more transparent, we can’t call them Bad Stuff or Sneaky Stuff. I have and use various pieces of cookware from Our Place to cook for my family.

My favorite non-toxic cookware pieces from Our Place:

Buy from Amazon Buy from Our Place
Our Place Nontoxic Nonstick Cookware

Bad Stuff

Toxic Cookware

Plastic

Believe it or not, you can actually get a plastic pot. Don’t buy one.

Aluminum

Various studies have linked elevated aluminum levels to everything from anemia and other blood disorders to ALS and Parkinson’s, and even reproductive damage in mice. We recommend avoiding all aluminum cookware. Note that pans with an aluminum core within cookware made of safer metals (such as stainless steel) are fine—you just want to make sure that no aluminum touches your food.

Unprotected Copper

Like iron, copper is an essential mineral. A healthy diet supplies plenty of copper, but elevated levels of copper in your body can be toxic.

Many foods can react with unprotected copper cookware (where the food comes in direct contact with the copper) and leach too much copper into your food. Copper-core cookware is fine, though copper cookware that is “protected” with a coating of stainless steel is subject to the same concerns as stainless steel (see above, under The Good Stuff).

Nonstick (Teflon or PTFE)

You can read many reports claiming that Teflon is harmless, but the studies showing it to be toxic are far more convincing. The EPA told companies in 2015 to phase out some of the chemicals in their formulations due to health concerns, and the EWG advises consumers to avoid Teflon.

Most nonstick pans are aluminum coated with polytetrafluoroetheylene (PTFE), otherwise known as Teflon. The big issue with Teflon isn’t ingesting it, but rather breathing it in when it gets hot (it’s actually toxic enough to kill pet birds!). Teflon-coated pans should be avoided.

And yes, even expensive, high-tech non-stick pans (such as Circulon) contain Teflon. Here are a few examples of nonstick brands that have been found to contain PTFE:

  • Cuisinart
  • Hexclad
  • ScanPan
  • Zwilling

Sneaky Stuff

Greenwashed Cookware Brands

“Nontoxic” Nonstick Cookware

Newer “safe” nonstick pans are increasingly available, but unless we’ve included them above, under The Good Stuff, we advise you to proceed with caution.

Any nonstick pan that says it’s “PFOA-free” is sneaky, because no nonstick pans contain PFOA (it’s created during production but always burned off in the final product). Nonstick pans that specify that they are free of PFOA almost certainly contain PTFE, which is just another kind of PFAS.

One especially Sneaky brands is Ozeri, which claims to be PTFE free, but which was found to contain it in samples tested in 2020 by Ecology Center.

Another Sneaky brand, Hexclad advertises as PFAS-free when they in fact contain PTFE.

Hestan Culinary advertises that their non-stick pans are free of PFOA, but they contain PTFE, which is another kind of PFAS.

Made In does make some safe cookware, but they also make some PTFE coated pans that they (falsely) advertise as “100% safe” and “non-toxic.”

Unglazed Clay Cookware (“Earthenware”)

Companies like Earthen Cookware and Vitaclay have gained popularity because they contain no finish of any kind. However, the clay itself can provide a health risk, as it may contain harmful—albeit natural—things like aluminum, cadmium, and lead.

While both Vitaclay and Earthen Cookware do provide testing showing their products free of specific heavy metals, the actual composition of the clay in both cases is “proprietary,” which is why I’m calling both of them Sneaky Stuff.

Coated Ceramic Cookware

Under The Good Stuff, I mentioned ceramic cookware. This is just remember to avoid any ceramic pots and pans that are treated with nonstick materials, which includes brands like Caphalon and Farberware.

Stay sane,
Author's Signature

Author's Signature

Maia, Founder & CEO

Note: This article contains affiliate links or sponsored content, which means that if you make a purchase, we may earn a commission. We only recommend products that meet our strict standards for non-toxicity and that we use (or want to use!) ourselves. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that make Good Stuff! 

Tags:Kitchen

247 comments

Caroline Taylor

Hello,

Do you know of any non-toxic electric waffle irons? Thank you, Caroline

Mohammad Arshi

Hi Miaia,
Thanks for the great info. I also went through all the questions and answers on ur post. However I noticed you haven’t responded on SCANPAN . I was very curious to know about it since I read on some websites that it is very safe and does not leave any harmful chemicals in food. Please advise. Very keen to hear back from you . Thanks.

Debbie

What pan is safe to simmer homemade spaghetti sauce(or any tomato product)?
Is my moms revere ware a safe stainless steel pan for everyday use? Thanks

Tara

If plastic leaches even during storage, why doesn’t aluminum? I would’ve thought that aluminum could leach just from the long contact with the food.

jillian

Hi,

Have you researched an American made and owned, called 360 Cookware, which uses non-leaching T-304 stainless steel? I wonder if anyone else experienced when cooking with Xtrema Cookware, a funny smell. This happened on more than one occasion, and I find it very unsettling. In good health,

Maia James

I’ll disagree with my mom here;). I personally would be fine with freezing in it. Sure, glass is better, but…

Suzanne Weaver-Goss

Hi Melissa, This is Suzanne, Maia’s mom. I will let her weigh in on this too but I would not use aluminum for food storage as it is a toxin. I prefer glass for freezing food.

Melissa

Hi Maia,
I was wanting to make freezer meals for my family but I’m not wanting to use plastic Ziploc bags to freeze them obviously to avoid leaching of plastic chemicals into the food. I was wondering what your opinion is on using disposal aluminum foil pans to freeze meals. Would it be safe to use if they are used in the freezer but not heated? If not, do you have any good suggestions for what I could use that is safe?

Thank You! Your feedback is much appreciated!

John Goss

We remember the days when everybody said that Teflon coated pans were totally benign. It seems that every few years someone comes out with a new supposedly nontoxic version. As a result I find it hard to endorse any of them. Sooner or later legitimate concerns arise.
Personally I’ll stick with cast iron, stainless steel, enamel, glass etc. I do realize that nonstick makes cooking a bit easier, but is it worth it?

Anahita

Hello,
what do you think about the SALADMASTER brand for cooking?
Thanks

Aude

Curious about your thoughts: What about Tefal’s Intensium Non-stick coating? They haven’t used PFOA since 2003. I have a lot of Le Creuset but wanted something lighter and stackable and purchased these in 2.2107. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HZVO9FY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks in advance!

Sachin Sharma

I used to think not all metal and ceramic cookware are toxic but i found out about the alkaline baking soda test to test the toxicity of cookware (a simple test that you can do at home: put link). I was shocked to see that all metals leach and make food toxic. I got so worried about the health of my family and started doing research for 100% non-toxic cookware. Luckily I found MEC’s pure-clay pots that are naturally inert and non-reactive. Since then I just love this new way of healthy cooking and everyone in my family is happy with how delicious food cooks in them.

Sachin Sharma

I used to think not all metal and ceramic cookware are toxic but i found out about the alkaline baking soda test to test the toxicity of cookware (a simple test that you can do at home: put link). I was shocked to see that all metals leach and make food toxic. I got so worried about the health of my family and started doing research for 100% non-toxic cookware. Luckily I found MEC’s pure-clay pots that are naturally inert and non-reactive. Since then I just love this new way of healthy cooking and everyone in my family is happy with how delicious food cooks in them.

Maia James

Yes, the Le Crueset one is safe.

Sabrina

What is a good, safe grill pan? I want something easy to clean…..I found LeCreuset makes a cast iron grill pan that doesn’t need to be seasoned. Are there products typically “safe” or does it depend on items??? Any thoughts/feedback would be great! TIA

Sandy Weber

Hello Maia,
What are your reviews on the instant pot that’s out on the market? It sounds like a healthy way to cook food quickly.

Thanks, Sandy

Dr Faye Teichman

What do u think of graniteware?
Where are uniware enamel pots manufacted?
Items thst contain kaolin mau be radioactive so ask xtrema to check it that has been tested

Most urgrnt is where do i find vision cookware which is nontoxic

Jody

Zelancio cookware seems to be a cheaper version of Le Creuset. Am I missing something?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6CX9QQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apis_1501856170964 Thanks!!!

Lita Watson

I see that copper material is bad, too. Although it gets hot fast, it takes me some time to polish and take care of.

Abby

Have you reviewed kitchen utensils such as silicon spatulas? Also, are Pampered Chef baking stones considered clay?

Anjali

What are your thoughts on stovetop tea kettles made of borosilicate glass? For instance the medelco one: https://www.amazon.com/Medelco-12-Cup-Stovetop-Whistling-Kettle/dp/B000V5X826
I bought the Staub kettle you recommended and like everything about it except the handles get too hot to use without a cloth and it is veryyyyy heavy. I thought about returning it and getting a glass tea kettle if it is as safe as ceramic

Bill

I’m not so sure Xtrema is as safe as it’s portrayed. The idea that it contains lead, even if it doesn’t leach, is off-putting: http://tamararubin.com/2017/06/mercola_pan/

I think CorningWare Pyroceram may be the best option. I ordered mine but they haven’t arrived yet (I also wish I could get Pyroceram lids for it instead of Pyrex).

Jaime

Did you ever get a response to this. I’m interested in scanpan too! What did you end up purchasing?

Jennifer

I just used my self cleaning stove for the first time. I had the windows open but it still smelled and I had my 18 month old home. I’m assuming it’s covered in Teflon which is toxic. I should have done my research first and now I’m in a panic. Is one time enough to do major damage to my baby’s lungs? I’m always worried about cancer risks and now I’m really worried!

John Goss

Hi Andrea,
Renaware appears to have an 18/0 Stainless exterior covering an aluminum core. 18/0 stainless is fine as long as it does not wear through to the aluminum core.

Ana Jiménez

Hello,
what do you think about the SILIT brand for cooking? Their pots contain a pottery that they make called silargan. And the pans of the WMF brand with ceradur? Both are German brands and are made of ceramic. Do not recommend them?
Thank you very much.
I live in Spain and I follow your page. What do you recommend, because there are things I can not buy here

Andrea

Hi Maia-

What do you think about Rena Ware cookware? Is it safe to use? My mother has always used them and keeps insisting they are great! I did a little research and it seems it’s mainly stainless steel and aluminum, but I’m not sure if it’s good or sneaky stuff. Here is their website https://renaware.com/product-category/cookware/ but I found more info here: http://training.renaware.com/Thailand/PDFs/Product_Resources/English/1921_01_0711_Cookware.pdf Thank you for all your valuable information. :)

Mat

Hello Maia

Thank you for gathering and sharing all this useful info in order to help us all. Just wanted to bring something to your attention after reading the bit on Greenpan. The material they use is silicon (SiO2) not silicone. Hope this helps with some of your research :) Mat

John

Hi Rebeca,
John here…
20/0 has no nickel. This means that it is “Economy” grade cookware. From a health perspective, Economy grade (less nickel) is a good thing. It is interesting that, in the case of stainless cookware, the lower priced stuff is often the healthier choice!

Grades of Stainless steel Flatware and Cookware - Economy grade Kitchenware in India is made with low carbon 14/1 (Chromium: 14%, Nickel: 1%) stainless steel - Economy grade 21/0 is used to make economy flatware. It is comparable to classic 18/0. Neither 21/0, nor 18/0 has any Nickel. Thanks

John

Hi Harvey,
Aluminum that is clad with Stainless is fine as long as the stainless is not scared through to the aluminum on the inside. Older/heavily-used clad pans can have this problem, but it takes a long time to wear through.

Thanks, John

John

High quality stainless (Surgical) has a higher nickel content…which is a good thing from a surgical/quality perspective but a bad thing from a health perspective.

If, however, you are considering their teapot, I’d think it’s ok because you will never be scaping of scouring the interior of a teapot. Therefore you wont be releasing nickel. Thanks… John

John

Hi Nancy,
John here,

We are not fans of any cookware that is “non-stick”. The aluminum core is fine as long as the coating over the aluminum does not become compromised. Thanks

John

Hi Erica,
John here…
In our opinion, anything that is “non-stick” should be avoided if possible.

Thanks

Rebeca

Hello Maia & John, I came across 21/0 stainless steel pans from Costco. I know you have mentioned that the best ratio is 18/0. Would 21/0 be ideal? The brand is Chantal.

“*Made with superior 21/0 Japanese stainless-steel *The steel includes: Copper for better heat conductivity, Titanium for quick heating and extra strength, and Chromium for added durability" Any input or insight is greatly appreciated!

grace

John, I saw your response to one of the reader’s questions regarding the Scanpan brand. I too was interested to learn more about that brand. I understand your concerns with the fact that it is an aluminum core and contains a proprietary non-stick surface. That being said, their website claims that the manufacturing process guarantees safety from both the nonstick material and the aluminum. I’ve copied and pasted the text below. Would you agree that is possible? Or are you of the opinion that chemical leaching can still be present?

Thanks, Grace “That’s where SCANPAN CLASSIC NEW TEK comes to the rescue. We start with the best tradition in professional cookware: Pressure-cast aluminum. Aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat. The SCANPAN heavy-duty base is literally forged into shape under 200 tons of pressure. That’s the only way to really eliminate hot spots and to create a perfectly even pan base. And we have researched the optimum thickness for the pan base to prevent any warping and, at the same time, create the perfect condition for the pan to heat up quickly and evenly. Our combination of raw material, pressure casting and thickness of the pan body, thus, results in perfectly even heat distribution, superior heat retention and a perfectly flat pan base for life. SCANPAN Cookware is especially engineered for halogen, ceramic and electric ranges but will, of course, work on gas and electric coil ranges, as well. Now to SCANPAN’s space-age surface: Both ceramic and titanium are incredibly hard materials. After having pressure-cast the raw pan body, the ceramic-titanium compound is super-heated to 36,000º F (thirty six thousand degrees!) at which point it liquefies. The ceramic-titanium enters a “plasma state”. That liquid plasma is then fired into the pan surface at twice the speed of sound. Lots of heat and impact. The ceramic-titanium literally anchors itself in the aluminum surface and becomes one with the pan. That’s NASA technology. The SCANPAN surface technology is based on the principle of using ceramic tiles on the space shuttle, which prevent the shuttle from burning up during re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere. We have that concept patented for aluminum nonstick cookware. When looking at SCANPAN CLASSIC NEW TEK under a microscope, we see something like a lunar landscape. A myriad of mini-craters, all similar in size and shape. These craters were created when firing the ceramic-titanium compound into the cooking surface, and are then filled with our specially formulated NEW TEK non-stick compound. The compound is in the craters, not on them. The ceramic-titanium protects it from being scraped away. Even if you use a metal spatula. We have tried. Ran a metal spatula with a 2-lb-weight over the SCANPAN surface 300,000 times. A third of the spatula was literally ground away after the test (performed by an independent laboratory in Germany). The pan’s non-stick surface and performance remained perfectly intact! The MOHS scale measures hardness of gemstones. Diamonds come in with a perfect 10. SCANPAN CLASSIC is a 9.5. There is no tool in your kitchen that could damage or destroy the SCANPAN surface. If we can’t destroy the surface, we can’t get at the non-stick compound. If we can’t get at the non-stick compound, it can’t be scraped away. If we can’t scrape it away, it will work for as long as you own the pan."

mallory cash

Are borosilicate glass tea pots safe?

Harvey

Mia;

First, thank you for this wonderful information. Question: Is a Farberware aluminium clad saucepan safe? I have got a Farberware saucepan. It holds about 4 or 6 quarts. I thought it was solid stainless steel. I bought a glass induction cooktop. A pot has got to be steel for an induction cooker to work. The Farberware saucepan would not work. I looked on the bottom and it says “Aluminium Clad Stainless Steel.” It appears the aluminium is on the outside bottom only. A refrigerator magnet will not stick to the outside bottom. However, the refrigerator magnet will stick to the inside bottom and the inside sides. Thanks.

Maia James

As far as I know, this should be fine.

Sumiyah

I got a kettle from primula “catalina” and the inside is sandblasted stainless steel…it’s gray. is this safe?

Judy

Can you tell me anything about the Willow and Everett surgical Stainless According to THEIR answer to a question the interior is surgical stainless steel. Can I trust this reply and is this safe?

Nancy

Hello I am just learning about all the dangers in everyday household supplies. Thank you for all your research. I am wondering about Rachael Ray hard enamel cookware, Sturdy aluminum construction promotes even heating, helping to reduce hot spots that can burn foods, and the bold two-tone enamel cookware exteriors show plenty of stylish kitchen personality. Rachael Ray hard enamel cookware features durable nonstick interiors that provide beautiful food release and make cleanup snappy (Copied and paste description from walmart online). Thank you for your time.

Erica

Hi there, love this website.

I am wondering about your thoughts on the Cuisinart Green Gourmet line.

Ines

Hi Maia
Thank you for providing all this vaulable information what is your opinion on the thermomix machine? Is it good stuff?
Thanks a lot

John

Hi Tara,
John here…
Pampered Chef Executive cookware is nonstick. As such it does not make our “Good Stuff” list. The good news is that although it is aluminum, your food never touches the aluminum. The bad news is that the reason your food never touches the aluminum is because the aluminum is coated with a nonstick substance. Although current nonstick coating are somewhat better than their predecessors, they are far from benign.

https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/safe-product-guides/cookware/ Best,

Tara

Do you happen to know if Pampered Chef Executive Cookware, which is advertised as “hard-anodized aluminum reinforced with titanium,” is the bad aluminum?

Maia James

Yes, I think Calphanon is just as good:).

Britney

Hello Maia.
Nice blog!!!
Thanks for the post of “safe cookware guide”
I just like the helpful information you provide to your articles
Really you’ve mentioned here nice information about Cookware.
I likes your cookware reviews.
Best of luck.
:-)

Maia James

Yes, but aluminum is only a concern if it’s touching the food.

Laura Mendez

Hi! Is there a difference between the Calphalon Stainless Steel and the All Clad Stainless cookware sets, besides the price? All Clad is much more expensive, but are they both the same amount of non-toxic?

Thanks! Laura

cheryl

But aren’t some stainless steel just covering the aluminum?

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