My Fav Non-Toxic Cookware
the down low on those trendy non-stick pots and pans
Gooood Morning
Surprising you with a little extra newsletter this week that is going into a fav topic of mine
🍳 my low/non-toxic kitchen essentials - pots and pans edition 🍳
And this topic has been front of mind lately (as instagram subtly targets me with more Our Place products 🤭)
and for good reason!!
There is a big focus on non-toxic beauty, but I believe that we should also be prioritizing non-toxic cooking.
While non-toxic beauty lies on top of the skin, what we cook in and eat is literally going inside of our body…
Why Should I Care About My Pots and Pans?
Conventional non-stick pans (hi Teflon!) and plastic kitchenware can be convenient options
but they are often actually contributors of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and bisphenols, notorious for their role as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
So you’re probably thinking "Amanda, you’re being dramatic, what’s the big deal?" 🥱
Wellllllll….
these substances have a knack for mimicking our body's hormones, throwing our delicate endocrine system out of whack
This disruption can lead to a myriad of health concerns, from irregular menstrual cycles and hormonal imbalances to more serious issues like fertility challenges, impaired egg quality and even certain cancers
So no, not dramatic — but also not here to spread fear.
It is to offer you the information so you can make an informed choice. I believe that you are an empowered adult that can handle the tough info and utilize it in a way that best serves you
And if you’re giving me an eye roll here and planning on sticking to your pans anyway…that’s fine girlie. You do you 👊🏼
But for those that are intrigued, let’s read on.
The Best (and Worst) Materials in Pots and Pans:
THE BEST OPTIONS:
Cast iron
Stainless steel
Tempered glass
THE ONES TO AVOID:
Aluminum
Conventional Nonstick/Teflon
Plastic
A bit more on non-stick: the issue with nonstick cookware is the chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFAS), which has been linked to liver, immune, and hormonal issues (including developmental issues in pregnancy).
If you use traditional nonstick cookware (i.e. Teflon), it’s important to, at the very least, keep it in tip top shape. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that could scratch the coating; be mindful of overheating which can cause the coating to break down and release toxic fumes; and if you notice any flaking or chipping of the coating, it is time to get rid of it 🗑️
THE ONES THAT ARE “OKAY” (but should be sourced properly)
Enamel
Clay
Ceramic
Green (newer) non-stick options
and so that’s why we’re dropping our fav options below
Low Toxic Cookware Essentials
When it comes to pots and pans, I recommend having 3 essentials on hand:
cast iron skillet (this is the OG guys, pick one up if you don’t have it + it can boost up iron content of your meals!!)
stainless steel option
360 Stainless Steel
low-tox “non-stick” pan 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
With that, the non/low toxic non-stick is where it gets interesting. I will just note, that these are all $$$ options - and it is because green, low-toxic options of an otherwise toxic thing (i.e., non-stick) tend to be pricey.
They also don’t have a 1:1 comparison with All-Clad pans. Their non-stick properties are well…stickier. But that’s okay — just utilize a lil oil and butter (which for many women is my rec anyway 😉).
And/or just stick to the cast iron and stainless steel instead.
THE WINNER: LE CREUSET SIGNATURE FRY PANS OR POTS
a very important note - Le Creuset makes non-stick pans that actually use PFAs. This is obviously not what I’m recommended. Instead, look for their signature pots, pans and other cookware that use their enameled cast iron. While these options are technically not “non-stick,” they are comparable to things like Our Place and Caraway, which also require a lil butter and oil 🤷🏼♀️
THE RUNNER UP: OUR PLACE ONLY PAN
HONORABLE MENTION: CARAWAY
As you can see above, a lot of these options tend to have a short life span, meaning they have to be replaced every few years (trust me, I’m already on Only Pan #2 and will be debating whether I need #3 soon….).
For this reason, I recommend investing in cast irons and stainless steel options as the way to go - or in a higher quality, non-toxic option (like le creuset which can last 20+ years).
What’s your experience been with these??
Looking for Quick Access To The Favs?
I have all of them listed on my Amazon Storefront for your ease
Pssstt: this is the last free post I’ll be doing. Starting on Wednesday, we’re transitioning over to paid posts. More information to come, but I wanted to give you a heads up
Written while hoping someone gifts me a le creuset dutch oven
Very helpful!