The Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Healthiest Best Cookware Sets For Your Kitchen

When it comes to cookware, it's not just performance that matters. The materials used to make pots and pans can impact their durability, safety, and performance. While non-stick pans are convenient, they often contain harmful chemicals like PFAS, PFOA, and PTFE, which can leach into food and release toxic fumes when heated.

So, what are the healthiest and safest cookware options? Here's an introduction to guide you in choosing the best cookware for your needs:

Materials to Avoid

- Non-stick Teflon-Coated Cookware: Despite being convenient, non-stick pans with Teflon or PTFE coatings can emit toxic fumes when heated. These chemicals are linked to health risks and have been phased out of newer cookware.

- Aluminum Cookware: While aluminum conducts heat well, studies show it can leach into food, especially when cooking acidic dishes. Excess aluminum exposure has been linked to potential health issues.

- Copper Cookware: Copper looks attractive and cooks food evenly, but it can leach into food if the coating is scratched or insufficient. Too much copper intake is linked to neurodegenerative diseases and coronary artery issues.

Healthiest and Safest Cookware Options

- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is a durable, corrosion-resistant, and healthy option. It doesn't leach minerals or interact with food. It's easy to clean and dishwasher-safe. However, some stainless steel may contain nickel and chromium, which can leach into food, so look for grades like 18/8 or 18/10.

- Cast Iron: Cast iron cookware is heavy-duty and maintains heat well. It becomes more non-stick over time with proper seasoning. It can leach small amounts of iron into food, which can be beneficial for those with iron deficiencies but should be used cautiously by those with iron overload.

- Enamel-Coated Cast Iron: This type of cookware has a porcelain coating that makes it rustproof and easy to maintain. It's lighter than regular cast iron, dishwasher-safe, and won't leach chemicals or iron.

- Ceramic or Ceramic-Coated Cookware: Ceramic cookware is generally safe and non-toxic. It's scratch-resistant, slow-cooking, and oven-safe. However, if it's ceramic-coated, ensure the coating doesn't chip, and use wooden utensils to avoid scratching.

- Titanium Cookware: Titanium is lightweight, durable, and biocompatible, making it ideal for outdoor cooking. It doesn't leach into food and is easy to clean, but it takes a while to heat up and may not conduct heat evenly.

Non-stick Cookware

Non-stick pans make cooking easier but come with a hidden health risk. Many use PFAS chemicals, which can be harmful over time, even in newer, PFOA-free versions.

• Best Overall: Demeyere 5-Plus: This set combines stainless steel's versatility with the heating speed of hard-anodized cookware. It offers balanced heating speed and retention with an easy-cleaning Silvinox finish.
• Best Stainless Steel Set: Made-In 5-ply: Similar to Demeyere in heating ability but at a lower price. It’s made in Italy and perfect for high-heat cooking.
• Best Budget Set: Cuisinart Multiclad Pro: Heats up faster than 5-ply sets, offering quick temperature changes and excellent value, especially under $300.
• Best-Performing Non-Stick: GreenPan GP5: Stands out in performance and longevity, with superior heat retention and a durable, diamond-reinforced ceramic coating.
• Most Versatile Pan: Our Place Always Pan 2.0: Its unique shape and PFAS-free ceramic coating make it highly versatile and easy to clean.
• Overall Safest Cookware: Xtrema Pure Ceramic: Made from pure ceramic, it’s safe for high heat and won’t leach chemicals. It offers similar heating to cast iron but is microwave-safe and non-reactive, shining for acidic ingredients.
• Best Overall Cast Iron & Carbon Steel: Lodge: Offers excellent heat retention and lifelong durability at an affordable price. Durable pre-seasoned surface for easy cooking and compatibility with all stovetops.
• Best Enameled Cast Iron: Staub: Blends the benefits of cast iron with the convenience of a non-reactive, rust-proof enamel coating. No need for seasoning upkeep, but it’s not as non-stick as traditional seasoned cast iron.

Stainless Steel Cookware

Stainless steel is a common type of cookware that is generally considered safe. However, there are different grades and compositions of stainless steel, so it's important to choose a reputable brand that uses high-quality materials.

• Stainless steel is durable, versatile, and non-reactive, but it is not naturally non-stick.
• Look for stainless steel with a grade of 18/10 or 18/8, which indicates a high-quality alloy that resists rust and retains its shine.
• Choose stainless steel cookware with an aluminum or copper core, often described as "clad" or "ply, for better heat distribution.
• Stainless steel cookware is typically oven-safe and dishwasher-safe, but always check the manufacturer's instructions for proper care and use.
• While stainless steel is fairly resistant to scratching, it's best to avoid using metal utensils to prolong the life of your pans.
• Some popular brands of stainless steel cookware include All-Clad, Tramontina, Cuisinart, Calphalon, and Made In.

Ceramic Cookware

• Caraway Ceramic Cookware Set: This set includes a frying pan, sauté pan, saucepan, and Dutch oven, all made with a non-toxic ceramic coating. The set is oven-safe up to 550°F and comes with a canvas lid holder and magnetic pan racks for easy storage. Caraway also offers a stainless steel cookware set if you want the benefits of both types of cookware.
• GreenPan Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick 16-Piece Cookware Set: This set includes a variety of fry pans, saucepans, a sauté pan, and a stockpot, all with lids. The pieces are oven/broiler safe up to 600°F and are dishwasher-safe.
• Farberware EcoAdvantage Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set: This budget-friendly set includes lightweight pots and pans with large, comfortable handles. The set performed well in tests, with even heat distribution and good non-stick properties.
• OXO Professional Hard Anodized Cookware Set: These ceramic cookware pieces can withstand high temperatures and have wide bases that sit flush on range tops. They have sturdy, easy-to-maneuver handles and are oven-safe up to 600°F.
• Williams Sonoma Ceramic Nonstick 11-Piece Cookware Set: This high-end set includes a fry pan, saucepans, a sauté pan, and a stockpot, all with lids. The pieces have wide, comfortable handles and are oven-safe up to 600°F.
• GreenLife Soft Grip Healthy Ceramic Nonstick 16-Piece Kitchen Cookware Set: This affordable set includes pots, frying pans, and saucepans with kitchen utensils and lids. The pieces are dishwasher-safe and come in a variety of colours.

Cast Iron Cookware

Cast iron pans are also versatile and can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, and even over an open flame. They are usually seasoned with oil for a "natural, easy-release finish", making the pan easy to hand-wash.

However, cast iron pans should never be soaked or submerged in water for too long, so make sure to dry them thoroughly after each wash to prevent rusting.

• Lodge is a well-known brand that offers pre-seasoned cast iron skillets. Their skillets are durable, affordable, and can be used for various cooking methods.
• Lancaster offers American-made cast iron skillets with a naturally non-stick cooking surface. Their skillets are lightweight and a preferred choice for seasoned chefs and home cooks. They also come with a lifetime warranty.
• Field Company offers handcrafted cast iron skillets made in the USA. Their skillets are free of harmful chemicals and engineered coatings.
• Alva has a cast iron cookware collection called Nori, which is indestructible and designed to retain its timeless look. Their products are oven-safe up to 482°F (250°C) and compatible with various heat sources.
• Lodge also offers enameled cast iron cookware, which is PFOA and PTFE-free. This collection includes skillets, chicken fryers, and square grill pans.
• Le Creuset offers enameled cast iron cookware with a porcelain enamel that makes cleanup a breeze. Their products are built to withstand heat up to 500°F (260°C) and are perfect for searing and glazing.

Glass Cookware

• Pyrex 4-Piece Extra Large Glass Baking Dish Set With Lids and Handles
• Visions 4-Piece Glass Cookware Set
• Visions Pyroceram Flair Glass Cover, 5.5L Cookpot, Brown
• Pyrex Easy Grab 2-Qt Glass Casserole Dish with Lid
• Visions Glass Casserole with Lid & Airtight Plastic Cover
• Glass Saucepan with Cover,1.5L/50 OZ Heat-resistant Glass Stovetop Pot and Pan with Lid

Frequently asked questions