5 Safe Cookware Options-Best Pots and Pans

Cookware is an essential part of every kitchen, without it, there would be no kitchen! There are some good, and some bad, or very bad choices we can make when purchasing cookware. Some very reactive pots, pans and bakeware can leach toxic metals and other dangerous substances into our food, causing serious health problems.

Which pots and pans to avoid:

• Aluminum. Aluminum is soft and highly reactive metal that can leach into food, it is toxic, causes genetic mutations and may disrupt hormones.
• Teflon-coated and other nonstick pots and pans. Chemicals which are used to make pots and pans with nonstick coating are toxic and hazardous. Number of studies shown that chemicals used to produce nonstick coated cookware, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), can cause developmental problems, like birth defects and cancer.

Here are 5 safer cookware options:

1. Cast Iron

This is great, healthy, old-school choice and it is naturally nonstick. I absolutely love my cast iron pans, they are my favorite! Cast iron is very durable, once seasoned, it can last a lifetime. You can buy pre-seasoned pans, Lodge is one of the manufacturers. Cast iron is heavy and is great at retaining heat, so you can use lower temperatures than if you were using another cookware, it is an energy saver!

2. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is durable, it does not react to acidic or alkaline foods. Pick pots and pans with heavy bottom, for optimal heat conductivity.

3. Enameled Cast Iron

Enameled cast iron is one of the most durable, versatile and long-lasting materials for cookware. It is very versatile, just like non-enameled cast iron, you can use it on the stove top, under the broiler, on the grill, in the oven and even on an open fire.

4. Glass and Ceramic Cookware

Both glass and ceramic cookware are nonreactive materials.

5. Silicone

Silicone is my first choice for bakeware. It seems strange, but this rubbery-looking bakeware is actually nonreactive and safe for baking. Silicone bakeware is nonstick, distributes heat evenly and it is also dishwasher safe. Silicone withstands extreme thermal changes, it can go from freezer to oven.

In order to pick which cookware you would like the best, you would need to try and experience working with it. I have all 5 kinds of above listed cookware, I use them for different purposes, each different kind of materials have different qualities.