The Best Non-Toxic Cookware

We are going to explore the top 3 best non toxic cookware choices for your kitchen. After all, if you are a clean eater like we are, we don’t believe we should be cooking dirty. Let me explain.

How many of you can admit that you’re not sure if your kitchen has non toxic cookware in it? Up until a few years ago, I can admit, I had a general idea… but wasn’t really sure. However, I have done some extensive research, completely overhauled our kitchen and can now confidently say that our kitchen only boasts non toxic cookware.

Let me tell you what I learned.

What Non Toxic Cookware Is NOT:

Cookware can be toxic because of certain nonstick coatings used on cookware stocked in most American kitchens. One of the biggest culprits was used in nonstick pans like Teflon. If you’ve heard of Teflon, then you should know that the the chemical perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA was in the production of these nonstick pans and have caused concerns for decades. Thankfully, DuPont, the maker of Teflon did stop using PFOA during production in 2013. Except for, what about all of us that bought Teflon cookware prior to 2013?

Cookware with Teflon prior to 2013 can cause some people to have flu-like symptoms because the Teflon surface is scratched and over-heated. I will admit, 2 of my 5 Teflon coated pans had small scratches and without hesitation, they went in the trash. Even though nonstick pans are scientifically safe according to Today, thankfully many people like our family are choosing to avoid it and err on the side of caution.

Cookware can also be toxic if it uses polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE, which is known to deteriorate cookware when at high levels of heat as well as emit gases that can cause flu-like symptoms as well.

Is aluminum non-toxic?

There is a huge debate over whether aluminum is non-toxic or not. I love how the Cookware Advisor carefully and methodically walks us all through the basis for aluminum cookware with the understanding that all cookware sold with aluminum either comes coated (not recommended), anodized or clad and these are their two conclusions:

#1. Aluminum does not leach into food from coated or anodized aluminum cookware.  

#2: The amount that leaches from untreated aluminum cookware is not enough to cause a health hazard.

Tips for Sopping for Non Toxic Cookware?

When choosing non toxic cookware for your kitchen to replace the ones you have now identified as toxic, these are the words I looked for while shopping for non-toxic cookware replacements.

• 100% Ceramic
• 100% unglazed Clay
• PFOA-free
• PTFE-free
• enamel-covered cast iron
• glass

The 3 Best Non-toxic Cookware Brands

These are the best three brands of non-toxic cookware. We use them all — so if you have any questions, please let us know in the comments.

Xtrema®, Pure Ceramic Cookware

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Featuring a PFOA-free and PTFE-free, 100% ceramic and non-toxic, non-scratch and non-reactive is our absolute favorite brand: Xtrema® cookware.

We love that ceramic heats evenly and generates far-infrared energy, which means using Xtrema® means that your food will cook from both the inside and the outside at the same time. This 100% ceramic cookware can withstand very high and very low temperatures without breaking or reacting to food.

Not only is Xtrema® cookware FDA approved and meets all of the California Prop 65 requirements, but is also has no lead, cadmium or heavy metals. Xtrema® cookware can be used on the stove top, in the oven, in the microwave or be used on your gas or charcoal grill. Talk about versatile!

Shop Xtrema’s line of all natural 100% Ceramic Skillets and Woks. They have the perfect sizes from our 4.5″ Skillet to our 12″ Skillet.

VitaClay® Slow Cooker

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I want to share with you the incredible VitaClay Slow Cooker benefits.

VitaClay® is amazing because it uses nature’s organic unglazed clay. It is non-toxic, does not leach into your food while cooking, saves energy with it’s synergistic heating abilities and the cooking with clay amplifies the flavor while also providing nutrient bio-availability.

Why we love VitaClay® brand slow cookers:

• Cooks with unglazed pure clay.
• Superior taste, texture and nutrition.
• Fast and easy with push of a button.
• Compact multiple settings plus warm, stock and yogurt.
• Make healthy nourishment in the half time.
• No added Lead, aluminum and Non-stick chemicals in your clay pot and is verified by a 3rd party laboratory.

Shop all of the VitaClay® brand slow cookers here. Our favorite model is the Organic Multi-Cooker as shown above and can be found here.

Cast Iron Cookware

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The cast iron cookware collection from Pampered Chef is by far my favorite set of cast iron cookware. They now sell a 12″, 10″ and these cute little 5’5″ mini cast irons that are great for single serve desserts.

We know that cast iron ware can sometimes be expensive. But, the benefit is that it does not react with any food and therefore, is a great non toxic cookware option. Cast iron is also heat-safe to 650°F, so they hold up to searing, sautéing, baking, frying, broiling, grilling, and even campfire cooking. Metal tools won’t damage them either.

This type of cookware lasts many years (My mom has been cooking with the same black cast iron skillet for nearly 40 years!) and holds the heat well because it is so heavy. Unless it is well seasoned, it can cause foods to stick.

This Pampered Chef cast iron skillets come pre-seasoned, so you can start using them right away. The natural, non-stick surfaces get better the more you use them.

Shop the Cast Iron Cookware Collection from Pampered Chef here.

The Best Non Toxic Baking Pan

Check out our most visited article here at Clean Cuisine. We share the ins and outs of choosing the best non toxic baking pan for all of those delicious baking recipes.