2024 Safe Non-Toxic Cookware Guide
Written by:
Maia James
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.
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.
1. Xtrema / 2. Lancaster Cast Iron / 3. 360 Cookware / 4. Visions / 5. Caraway / 6. Our Place/ 7. Le Creuset / 8. GreenPan
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.
Best Non-Toxic 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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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. .
Carbon Steel Cookware
Carbon steel is a great non-toxic cookware material, but it’s hard to find brands that offer it! We like these Alva carbon steel frying pans.
Tempered Glass Cookware
If you want to try cooking in glass, we like this set from Visions.
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:
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:
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:
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
More About Nonstick Cookware
The main concern with nonstick cookware is a class of chemicals called perfluorooctanoic acids (PFAS), which have historically been used in the manufacturing process of many nonstick coatings.
There are two big problems with PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals“:
- Health Risks. Studies have linked PFAS exposure to a variety of health problems, including cancer, liver damage, immune system dysfunction, and developmental issues in fetuses and infants.
- Environmental Risks. PFAS can persist in the environment for a long time and can accumulate in plants, animals, and the food chain. This can lead to contamination of drinking water supplies and other environmental problems. (We have a PFAS water filter in our store, by the way.) Worse, PFAS do not break down easily in the environment and are resistant to degradation. This means that even if their use is stopped, they can continue to be present in the environment and potentially cause harm.
If you choose to use traditional nonstick cookware with PFAS, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid using metal utensils or abrasive scrubbers that could scratch the surface of the coating. Overheating the cookware can also cause the coating to break down and release toxic fumes. Of course, our recommendation is that you switch to one of the less toxic types of cookware below.
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.
Stay sane,
About the Author
Maia, Founder & CEO
Maia grew up in a Vermont household without a TV or microwave. She has been researching and writing about non-toxic products since 2010, and has appeared in a variety of media outlets, including The New York Times, The Huffington Post, New York Magazine, and The Dr. Oz Show. Maia lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two sons, and you can follow along as she tries to live a less toxic, more planet-friendly life here.
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!
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247 responses to “2024 Safe Non-Toxic Cookware Guide”
Hi,
Would you see much difference in the health benefits of Le Creuset v Staub?
Not much info on Staub on the web.
Many thanks!
SandraWould you consider Green+Life Healthy Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware good stuff?
Unfortunately, this company is too vague on details for us to give the official Good Stuff stamp.
Hello,
Thank you for this amazing website. Your guides have brought my attention to so many things my family shouldn’t be using.
By chance do you have any other recommendations for your Porcelain Enamel or Ceramic cookware? The ones you mention are a bit high in price for my family right now.
Thank you in advance.Unfortunately, we haven’t found other brands that I can recommend right now. Xtrema is having a major sale this week, which makes it slightly more affordable! Here’s that link:http://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=595230&u=660232&m=52296&urllink=&afftrack=“>Xtrema
I am allergic to Nicole, chromium and my worst metal allergy is titanium. I was injured in a crosswalk in April. My Ortho lied to me about the rods used to replace my Fibula and Tibia for 3/4 oder my lower leg. He doesn’t believe I am allergic to metal. My upper rods are being attacked by my own body. I will most likely loss my lower leg.
My point is that I haven’t walked in over 7 months and people especially 17% of woman are either sensitive or as I am totally allergic to so many Metals. I am an herbalist who was given more drugs then required while in the hospital for 27 days and have just learned this weekend that many which were not required were those which contain toxic ingredients like Fluoride as well as titanium dioxide. Beside my unacceptable rods this ortho also used close to 100 staples to close the incisions in my leg. He did not grasp my allergy to Metals. I was sent home with a developing infection that not only infected my leg, but also my brain. Please do not list titanium as not a toxic metal. Many of those who have joint, dental etc placed in their bodies only become sensitive after the surgery.
Many are diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue, Lyme Disease, as well as, MS.
Hi Maia,
Have you done any investigation or heard of Scanpan brand out of Denmark? They supposedly ceramic coated, however they claim to be PFOA-free that you mentioned is always a sneaky stuff…. Just curious if you know anything about it.
Thank you!
PolinaHi Polina,
Please do not get confused between the terms “Ceramic coated” and Ceramic Cookware”. That are NOT the same thing.Ceramic coated is a term that refers to a proprietary method of creating a non-stick surface on a pan…usually aluminum.
“Proprietary” is code for, “we’re not telling you what’s in it.”
For this reason we cannot know if it is toxic or not, but it probably is toxic.We boil it down to this:
Any cookware called “non-stick” contains questionable or toxic materials.
If it says “non-stick” it is probably toxic.
If it is not toxic it is also not “non-stick”.Best,
JohnJohn, 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.”
Did you ever get a response to this. I’m interested in scanpan too! What did you end up purchasing?
Wonder what you think of these “red copper pans” that are advertised constantly on the only TV show I watch (an old Star Trek)
Here they are online: https://www.redcoppersquareasseenontv.com/index.jsp?uid=6D000FE51733B59037C4253DA65C1213
Hi Darshana,
John here…
Red Copper, like many cookware manufacturers uses a proprietary technology to produce their nonstick surfaces. “Proprietary” is code for, “we’re not telling you what’s in it.”
For this reason we cannot know for certain if it is toxic or not, but it probably is!We boil it down to this:
Any cookware called “non-stick” contains questionable or toxic materials.
If it says “non-stick” it is probably toxic.
If it is not toxic it is also not “non-stick”.Best,
John
Dear Maia
I would appreciate if you can tell me the safety of Woll cookwares. they are apparently made of Aluminum-titanium oxides or diamond crystals. Apparently they are non-stick. They are made in Germany.Thanks in advance,
DewittJohn here…
Woll, like many cookware manufacturers uses a proprietary technology to produce their nonstick surfaces. “Proprietary” is code for, “we’re not telling you what’s in it.”Woll’s technology is, in our opinion, definitely NOT “Good Stuff”.
We boil it down to this:
Any cookware called “non-stick” contains questionable or toxic materials.
If it says “non-stick” it is probably toxic.
If it is not toxic it is also not “non-stick”.Best,
John
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