2024 Guide to the Best Materials for Pots & Pans
Is there anything better than savoring a freshly cooked meal from scratch? The feeling of sharing something so delicious that you know is nourishing for family and friends. When it comes to cooking healthy, we often focus on organic ingredients, non GMO, gluten free, omega 3 oils - all incredibly important. But how often do you stop to think about your cooking tools?
Even though it's often overlooked, choosing quality kitchenware and the safest material for pots and pans is just as important as the quality of your food. Because when it comes to the best material for pots and pans, healthy cookware is no exception.
Since every healthy material for pots and pans has its limitations, our goal is to make this simple. Simple to choose safer materials that work best for your appliances and your kitchen vibe - while keeping your meals as healthy as possible. So let's dig right into the best cookware materials for health, starting with...
The healthiest material for pots and pans
Stainless steel, a kitchen staple
Stainless steel is highly durable, resistant to rust and corrosion, and often considered one of the safest materials for cookware. Though some studies show that stainless steel may leach a minimal amount of nickel and chromium into foods during cooking (more on leaching in a moment), it's a popular and generally safe choice for cookware like pans and pots. Stainless steel is made with an alloy of iron, carbon, chromium, and nickel.
Stainless steel is perfect for boiling, sautéing, and simmering
Stainless steel cookware is an all-around kitchen rock star, ideal for cooking a variety of foods on the cooktop, like pasta, rice, soups, and stir-fries. It’s highly durable, scratch-resistant, and won’t alter the flavor of your meals, so long as you're not cooking acidic ingredients for long periods of time. Plus, most stainless cookware is induction stove compatible.
The risks & benefits of stainless steel for pots & pans
In a nutshell, we love stainless steel because of it's readily available, nontoxic, and lasts a long time. It's relatively scratch resistant and works beautifully on gas ranges, electric cooktops and induction.
What we don't love about stainless steel is there isn't a nonstick coating, so certain foods like eggs tend to stick and get baked on. Also, heavy metals such as nickel and chromium may leach into your food. To minimize any heavy metal leaching, avoid using stainless steel with highly acidic foods for long periods of time, such as tomato-based sauces and citrus ingredients.
Overall, opting for a safe material for cookware, such as glass or stainless steel, will reduce exposure to chemicals like PFOA and PFOS, which are often present in non-stick options.
Recipe Suggestion: We love a quick and simple stir-fry with chicken, chili peppers, bell peppers and nuts (for those with nut allergies, crispy onions make a crunchy alternative for a stir fry topper). Stainless steel heats quickly and evenly, making your veggies crispy and delicious.
The classic kitchen favorite, cast iron
Cast iron is another timeless kitchen hero, known for its durability and natural nonstick properties when seasoned. And talk about seasoned - it's hard to beat the amazing flavor that cast iron cookware imparts upon a meal, making it a top choice for healthy material for cookware.
Cast iron is perfect for searing, stirring and oven roasting
Cast iron is heavy and heavy-duty, meaning it'll last for decades with proper care. It takes high heat extremely well and goes from stovetop to oven seamlessly. Use cast iron for high-heat cooking like searing steaks, making pancakes, or roasting vegetables. Once well seasoned, it becomes nonstick, so no need to worry about harmful nonstick coatings. This is what makes it one of the healthiest material for pans.
Little known fact... A handful of foundries in the U.S. have been making the majority of cast iron skillets sold in the United States for over a century. So when you purchase your next cast iron pan, take pride in knowing that a quality cast iron skillet that says 'made in the USA' is actually a little piece of U.S. history.
Recipe Suggestion: For a perfectly seared cast iron steak, sear each side for one minute. Then finish cooking in the oven on the same cast iron skillet at 500 F. Keep in mind that steak will continue to cook after removing from heat. We recommend taking it out before reaching your desired temperature.
Limits & benefits of cooking with cast iron
Cast iron cookware retains heat beautifully, distributes heat evenly, and boosts your iron intake (which is so beneficial for healthy red blood cell formation). It also transitions from stovetop to oven quite easily. The high heat from the cast iron will give meats, veggies and breads a beautiful crust while sealing in the moisture and flavor. Like stainless steel, cooking acidic ingredients can impart an unpleasant metallic taste. This isn't harmful; it's simply because an excess of iron may be in your next meal.
Remember cast iron transfers heat, so be sure to use a pot holder or slip-on insulated handle to avoid burning your hand. It's also important to avoid washing cast iron, as it will rust. This means no dishwasher and no handwashing. But...
Did you know cleaning a cast iron skillet is simple? Here's how...
After using your cast iron pan, let cool
Wipe off excess grease and food with a dry paper towel
Heat on medium with a handful of salt and a few tablespoons of cooking oil in the skillet
Using tongs and a wad of dry paper towels, wipe off the salt and oil mixture to remove baked-on grit and excess oil -- you're done!
Our cooktop favorite, ceramic cookware
In response to the public’s concern about the safety of the original Teflon non-stick surfaces, new types of nonstick cookware have emerged. Mineral-based coatings on stovetop cookware are made from naturally occurring minerals found in the Earth's surface. Popular options include cookware made with copper, crushed stone, sand, or other mineral mixes.
Our go-to for healthy ceramic cookware is natural ceramic coatings. This type of cookware has become one of the top nontoxic cookware alternatives, and among the safest cooking material for pots and pans because of its super-slick surface and nontoxic mineral coating, meaning oil isn't always necessary for cooking. Non-toxic ceramic cookware is our answer to replacing PFAS nonstick pots and pans.
Why ceramic coatings are the safest best material for pots and pans
Let's take a quick moment to drill down into ceramic coatings. These types of nonstick ceramic coated cookware use Thermalon which is made from sand, and contains silicon dioxide instead of Teflon. It's like using a natural glass coating, very similar to the process used to make nontoxic porcelain dishes, tile and stoneware.
The downside of this technology is the lifespan of these ceramic coated pots and pans, which averages around 1-3 years. If you cook everyday at home, you can count on the nonstick to last about a year. Personally, we love cooking with ceramic pots and pans and find the small cost of ceramic sets to be an important investment in the grand scheme of one's overall health.
When considering what material is safe for cookware, make sure your ceramic pots and pans are clearly labeled to be free of lead, cadmium or other harmful heavy metals. Also look for confirmation that they are free of PFAS chemicals. Our favorite ceramic cookware brands include Greenpan and Ozeri, just based upon our own experience using them in the kitchen :)
What's the deal with ceramic kitchenware?
Ceramic-coated cookware uses a safer, sand-based material that's manufactured without PFAS (a class of harmful synthetic chemicals known as C8, or Teflon.) These safe ceramic coatings are able to resist heat, grease, and water just like its toxic predecessor, but without the harmful health effects. One popular and safe non stick ceramic coating is known as Thermolon™.
Benefits of Ceramic for Pots & Pans
Ceramic cookware is perfect for cooking eggs, other delicate foods and acidic dishes that would otherwise be an issue in stainless steel and cast iron skillets, making it one of the best non toxic material for cookware.
Ceramic cookware is non-reactive and free from harmful chemicals like PTFE or PFOA, which makes your acidic dishes, like marinara or tomato sauce, not only toxin free but also super easy to clean up.
Recipe Suggestion: A comforting shakshuka, made of eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce, cooked in a ceramic pan.
We've learned recently that ceramic cookware does make an low but audible 'ringing' sound when it's on an induction cooktop. (This doesn't happen on electric or gas burners).
We also wish that the stovetop ceramic cookware coatings lasted longer. If you cook a moderate amount, they'll usually last around 2 - 4 years before replacement may be needed. If you're a chef at heart and love cooking, you're looking at likely a year or two, depending on how carefully you maintain and care for your ceramic cookware.
At the end of the day, replacing your stovetop cookware every few years is very small price to pay for healthier meals and a healthier you! But with proper care, ceramic skillets can last for many years -- something we've learned through use!
Our top ceramic cookware tips to preserve the longevity of the mineral coating are:
Use natural wood cooking utensils
Stick with silicone spatulas which won't scratch
Avoid long soaks with soap and/or water
Use elbow grease and a soft sponge
Clean with a natural, non scratch powder
(we 🤍 Bon Ami; baking soda is amazing, too)
Bottom line, ceramic pots and pans are not just safer. They’re also eco-friendly, using natural minerals for the nonstick coating, which is better for you and the environment.
What is the Safest Material for a Wok?
How fun is wok cooking though?!
With a large deep pan and those high sides, searing and stirring just got amazingly easy without making a giant mess. When picking a wok, the nonstick material is very important.
Healthy cookware options for woks include carbon steel and stainless steel woks. Carbon steel is a chef's favorite, since it's lightweight and super responsive to temperature changes. The downside to carbon steel is it may be more prone to rust, so just be careful to dry off your skillet after cleaning. Be sure to store in a dry area.
Personally, we use a mineral-based nonstick ceramic coated wok and absolutely love it! This Ozeri wok actually works on induction stovetops, too.
Good news is all these wok options work wonders for stir-frying and are easy to use and keep clean—plus, the ceramic coated and stainless steel woks are dishwasher safe.
DID YOU KNOW? Pure stainless steel woks and cookware don’t distribute heat evenly on their own, so you might want to choose one with an aluminum core for better heat conduction. (No worries, the aluminum doesn't touch the food.)
Why it's so important to avoid Teflon cookware and woks
When it comes to woks (as well as all cookware and bakeware), here's a gentle reminder to keep in mind if you're still wondering what is the healthiest material for pots and pans.
Make sure your cookware is free of nonstick PFAS chemicals (like PTFE, PFOA, and PFOS). Here's why...
Traditional nonstick cookware contains PFAS chemicals that leach chemicals into the food you cook when subjected to stovetop heat. These coatings will also off gas harmful airborne chemicals into your home when heated (fyi - these fumes kill pet birds). The PFAS class of chemicals has been linked to severe health problems like endocrine issues, blood abnormalities, and even cancers. If you've seen the documentary movie Dark Waters, you already know the backstory.
Have we all eaten off of Teflon at some point in our lives? The answer is almost certainly yes. It's important to remember that our bodies have an amazing ability to detox and repair themselves. We also feel it's very important to make the switch to healthy cookware and trash any cookware or bakeware with Teflon coatings.
When it comes to the safest cookware material for health, you want to stick with non-toxic choices that keep your meals clean and safe.
The other kitchen baking heroes:
ceramic is among the safest material for pans
When trying to avoid toxic nonstick cookware, ceramic bakeware is a gamechanger
Ceramic is an incredible nontoxic material for kitchenware. From dishes, to glasses, bakeware and cookware, ceramic bakeware is our pick for the best cookware material for health thanks to its non-reactive nature and resistance to high temperatures and acidic foods. Plus it's so pretty!
Some ceramic bakeware and kettles are safe to take direct heat, which means you can use them on a cooktop like you would with cookware. Ceramic is an eco friendly option that's of course free of harmful coatings like PTFE and PFOA, making ceramic cookware a healthy choice for baking and frying.
Another favorite safest material for baking sheets: glass
If you're wondering what is the safest material for baking pans, eco-friendly glass bakeware is a fantastic choice. It’s completely nontoxic and doesn’t interact with food, making it one of the safest options for baking.
Benefits of Glass for Pots & Pans
One of the coolest perks of glass bakeware is that it’s clear, so you can keep an eye on your food without opening the oven door.
Glass is super versatile—and our straight answer to the question what is the safest material for
baking pans? It's perfect for baking, reheating, storing, and serving meals. It’s also scratch-resistant and endlessly recyclable, so it’s durable and good for the planet.
Why organic cooking at home beats eating out...
If you feel it's important to choose fresh organic ingredients. And cook using nontoxic, sustainable cookware, you're not alone.
But is it realistic to never go out to dinner? Of course not... So we go by the 80/20 philosophy -- at least 80% home cooked meals and max 20% restaurant or store-bought prepared foods.
Why? Because restaurants and commercial kitchens often use lower-quality nonstick pans and conventional foods, which could pose health risks over the long term. In order to make sure you're giving your body the best nutrition possible, cooking with organic foods and the safest materials for cookware lets you stay in control of the ingredients you put into your body.
This way you and your family can avoid processed oils, excessive salt, and potential chemical exposure. And you may provide the best nutrition for you and your family. After all, we are what we consume!
For healthy cooking at home, our top priorities are:
Getting green veggies and some fruit every day, raw or cooked
Finding a fiber supplement that works for you (try psyllium husk, apple fiber or organic corn fiber)
Increasing your omega 3 oils (salmon, flax, fish)
Cooking with filtered water in nontoxic cookware
Avoiding leftovers after a day or two (cooked foods produce histamine which increases inflammation)
What's the best material for cooking utensils?
Most of us already know that plastic can release toxins when cooked and heated (like plastic to-go food containers and TV dinners.) But many don't realize that plastic in cookware exists in things like plastic-coated cooking ladles and most spatulas. Because plastic melts when it comes in contact with hot surfaces. The truth is many plastic-coated metal tongs, spoons and spatulas will get hot and melt plastic into your food. But good news is there are sustainable, safer alternatives.
When it comes to cooking utensils, choosing the right material is just as important as the cookware itself.
Wooden cooking utensils are great options for safety, durability, and environmental impact. Some of our favorites include acacia wood cooking utensils for their eco-friendly attributes and subtle wood grain, that's also quite dense.
Wooden utensils are gentle on nonstick surfaces and won’t scratch your cookware. They’re also free of harmful chemicals and won’t melt under heat. As mentioned in our best material for cutting boards article, wood is a clear winner when it comes to a non toxic material for cooking utensils.
Which is why we also love silicone cooking utensils. Silicone is heat-resistant, flexible, and nontoxic. It's even used for medical devices and surgical procedures. We like silicone because it acts like plastic in that it's ideally flexible for scraping pans without damaging them. And it’s dishwasher safe, making silicone a convenient option for home cooks.
Stainless steel metal cooking utensils like cheese graders, ladles and flatware are wonderful! Just be careful not to use them on cookware with mineral coatings, as the protective nonstick coating can scratch.
The best material for frying pans and baking sheets
When it comes to the best material for frying pans and baking sheets, you may have been able to guess it! Here's a few of our top nontoxic picks:
What is the safest material for a Frying Pan?
Cast Iron: If you have to sear meats and cook on high heat, go for cast iron! It is definitely one of the safest material for frying pan and it adds some extra iron to your food, which is always a plus.
Ceramic: Indeed the healthiest material for frying pan and ideal if you're cooking delicate foods like eggs or fish. Its nonstick and toxin-free surface makes ceramic a must-have in your kitchen.
Stainless Steel: Use it for stir-fries and evenly cooking food at high temperatures without worrying of leaching toxins.
Baking Sheets
Stainless Steel: Handles high heat, doesn’t warp, and is non-reactive with food. To avoid sticking, grease it with coconut oil or ghee.
Ceramic or Stoneware: Bakes evenly, toxin-free, and great for everything from cookies to roasted veggies.
Glass: Super durable and non-toxic, perfect for casseroles and other oven-baked dishes.
Did you know? Wax paper is covered in a layer of yucky petroleum-based paraffin wax. Instead, opt for baking with parchment paper, which is covered in a light layer of nontoxic silicone... While unbleached parchment paper is relatively safe for normal baking, it's important to note that there are concerns about high heat use. Our favorite way to bake is actually without any papers ;-)
What are the Health Risks Associated with Other Types of Materials in Pots & Pans?
While there are great materials for cookware, some should be avoided, mostly because of the nasty chemicals they release when exposed to high temperatures or specific ingredients.
What Bakeware Cooking Materials to Avoid and Why
Teflon (PTFE)
Nonstick pans coated with Teflon are convenient, but they release harmful fumes when overheated and scratch easily, exposing the toxic chemicals underneath. Stay away also from nonstick foil, as it could release dangerous fumes during cooking or baking!
Aluminum
We know, aluminum is famous for being lightweight and inexpensive, but it leaches into food (and then into you) through contact, especially when cooking acidic dishes. Aluminum intake has been linked to serious and incurable health risks such as Alzheimer’s disease. Avoiding any amount of aluminum in your bakeware is important for vitality and health.
Plastic Utensils
As mentioned before, plastic utensils can leach chemicals like BPA, especially under high heat. Switch to safer options like wood, metal or silicone for a healthier kitchen.
In a nutshell, what’s the healthiest cookware material?
We've talked a lot about cookware... Remember, cookware generally refers to pots and pans for stovetop use. But sometimes the terms cookware and bakeware are used interchangeably. At the end of the day, choosing the healthiest material for cookware means investing in safe, durable and functional materials used for cooking and food prep.
Meal time is all about enjoyable cooking experiences and nutritious meals for you, your family, and your friends. Whether you're baking, frying, broiling or sautéing, opting for quality ingredients is just as important as sourcing the healthiest materials for your cookware and bakeware.
And if you’re still wondering what is the safest material for cookware, keep in mind that there’s not really a straight answer, simply because each material has its pros and cons. It's all about what is best for your needs...
Quality construction and safe materials for your cookware and bakeware can be a bit of an investment. Start with the basics and slowly build out your collection. We invite you to check out our collection of nontoxic bakeware! Happy cooking, y'all :)
