Non-Toxic Cooking

Non Toxic Cooking

The terms "toxic" and "non-toxic" have gotten thrown around a lot in recent years with regard to various aspects of the American lifestyle. Indeed, the "organic" industry was born because of the desire to avoid harmful chemicals often found in pesticides used by many American farms. More and more studies have revealed the negative effects of manmade chemicals and materials used in all kinds of products that scientists have tied to health challenges that have become more prevalent now than in any other generation (including dementia, cancer, and autism, for starters). Substances called PFAS, PTFE, and PFOA (otherwise known as forever chemicals) are found in all kinds of household items that have been linked to childhood development and reproductive problems. Everyday cooking tools are a prime source for these chemicals to hide - which is why non-toxic cooking is something you should care about.

Why Non-Toxic Cookware? Plastics and Your Kitchen

Plastics have infiltrated nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Whether you notice it or not, manmade plastics and other toxic materials are not just present in the form of grocery bags, disposable coffee cups, and fake flowers - they are also in our shampoos, hand soaps, clothes, perfumes, towels, and many more everyday household items. With this knowledge, it may not be surprising to hear that they've also entered our kitchens in a multitude of ways, both in plain sight, and hidden in things you might not suspect, such as nonstick coatings on frying pans and other nonstick cookware (especially those made with Teflon). Nearly everyone has benefitted from using nylon cooking utensils and polyester dishcloths, but these too present problems. Cutting boards, salt and pepper grinders, butter dishes, and measuring spoons are all commonly made of plastics that can leach into your food as you cook.

Similarly, other materials used in making various cooking tools pose long-term health threats, especially aluminum and copper. While no firm conclusions have been drawn yet, researchers have found connections between chronic exposure to aluminum and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and seizures. Likewise, copper is even more so known to react with acidic foods, especially when cooking with it at medium heat or high heat, causing leaching and breakdown of the cookware - right into the food that's cooking. Regardless of whether you are concerned about the health effects of using pots and pans made with these materials, it's a given that they won't last as long as other types of cookware - just one more reason to consider switching to using quality, non toxic cookware sets.

Traditional Nonstick Cookware - What You Should Know

What are the odds that you have a Teflon nonstick pan in your kitchen? Many households swear by these nonstick cookware pieces for their slick surface and excellent food release capabilities - and yet, they pose a high health threat you may not have known about before. Teflon pots and pans can quickly release toxic fumes when heated to high temperatures because of nonstick coatings that often contain PFAS or PTFE. PTFE is short for polytetrafluoroethylene, a synthetic microplastic chemical that's used in all kinds of industrial and household items. Not only can heated PTFE cause polymer fume fever, a temporary sickness with flu-like symptoms, but it can also leach into food even when unheated. This means that your cooking utensils could be leaching chemicals into your dinner, just by stirring up your pasta salad before serving.

Cooking at medium to high heat increases risk all the more - studies have shown that thousands, and even millions of nanoparticles and microplastics are released with every use of these non stick pans... right into the air you breathe and the food you eat. And since thousands of microplastics have been found in the average human (some studies have found microplastics in the bodies of 99% of people tested for them), making the decision to move away from nonstick cookware made with Teflon and forever chemicals may be a lifesaver - literally.

Thankfully, there's other great choices for non toxic cookware that can help.

The Big Three: Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, and Ceramic Nonstick Cookware

Deciding to find a non-toxic cookware set can be incredibly overwhelming. The internet has hosts of misleading information that can make the decision process difficult, especially if you've never used any of the types of cookware that fit the bill. Our goal is to help you choose quality cookware that will serve you safely for years and years to come without releasing harmful chemicals like traditional nonstick cookware, while still conveniently limiting cleanup and hassle while cooking.

The three most common cookware types that are considered non toxic cookware include stainless steel, cast iron, and ceramic nonstick. Each type of cookware has nuances and varying information that can be easy to get lost in when trying to weed through your options. We're here to clear the confusion about each type of cookware - including their advantages and disadvantages, proper usage and care, and some of our favorite options. Let's dive in!

It's a Steel - All About Stainless Steel Cookware

Stainless steel cookware is famously known for not being inherently nonstick, to the dismay and frustration of many newbie users. Stainless steel pans come in a variety of metal qualities, including 18/10 stainless steel, 18/8 stainless steel, and "heavy-duty" or "professional-grade" stainless steel, which are often hidden terms for a lower-quality stainless steel. The numbers in the various grades of stainless steel indicate the ratios of chromium and nickel present in the metal, which allude to the durability and rust resistance of the metal - higher nickel content tends to be the most resistant to rust. 18/10 stainless steel is the most common high-grade stainless steel used in frying pans and other cookware, and is composed of 18% chromium and 10% nickel, while 18/8 stainless steel is close behind.

Your Pan's Ply Impacts the Fry!

Stainless steel cookware is also rated based on "ply," which reveals how many layers of metal were used to make the frying pan - many quality stainless steel pans are "tri-ply" or 5-ply. The higher the "ply," the better the pan. Each layer of stainless steel used adds to the durability, warp-resistance, rust-resistance, and heat retention. Many stainless steel pans also have an aluminum core that's sandwiched between layers of metal, protecting your food from the potential of metal leaching into it while it helps your pan heat evenly. However, cookware pieces with fewer layers of metal take less time to heat up and are lighter-weight and more affordable, still being a great alternative to their nonstick cookware counterparts. Stainless steel cookware comes in every form that nonstick cookware does - frying pans, sauté pans, stock pots, saucepans, and even Dutch ovens.

How to Cook with Stainless Steel Cookware

Cooking with stainless steel requires a little practice to get right - beginners cooking with stainless steel pans often find that they burn easily, making them hard to clean too. However, following a couple key steps before cooking with stainless steel frying pans can make all the difference! Preheat the pan by setting it on your burner at high heat and sprinkle a few drops of water on the pan periodically to check if it's ready - when the droplets sizzle and evaporate quickly from the pan, you're good to go. Then turn down the heat and add a healthy cooking oil (such as olive oil or avocado oil) before adding your food to the pan. While cooking, always make sure your food is moving around the pan to ensure your pan and your food don't burn. Unlike most cookware that's non toxic, stainless steel cookware is dishwasher safe, especially with minimal staining or mess left from cooking with them. Stainless steel pans can also be easily cleaned by using soap and warm water (and some steel wool in case you do find a burn spot or two).

Throw These Irons in the Fire... The Scoop on Cast Iron Cookware

We bet you 10 bucks that if you went upstairs and dug around in your attic, you'd find at least one of your grandma's old cast iron skillets - and it's probably covered in dust from being abandoned since you were too scared to learn how to cook with it. That's okay, pull it out anyway - it will still cook up a mean steak or a hearty shakshuka just as well as it did fifty years ago. Cast iron cookware pieces are timeless essentials for a non toxic kitchen that can keep food from sticking even better than your favorite nonstick cookware if maintained reasonably well.

Cast iron cookware has been a household favorite for a long time, and it's no wonder. Cast iron skillets can be passed down through generations of families because of their durability and strength. Cast iron is notorious for its excellent heat retention capabilities and can be used to cook on gas, electric, and induction cooktops. Cast iron is oven safe too, so broiling, roasting, baking, and browning are all possible with the same piece of cookware. Cast iron is safe to use at very high temperatures as well (up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit / 425 degrees Celsius with proper seasoning and even higher for bare cast iron). Cast iron tends to be a great non toxic cookware option for those who have low iron levels, as the pots and pans do leach small amounts of iron into the food as it's cooking, especially when working with acidic foods (not an issue for toxicity concerns since iron is a necessary part of human nutritional intake).

Let's Iron Out How to Maintain Cast Iron:

Maintenance - that's the key word when it comes to cast iron cookware. Bare cast iron can only do so much for you... and cleanup can be far from quick and easy. However, well-seasoned cast iron has a built-in, reliable nonstick coating that works so well, you won't dread seeing your skillet on the counter ready to be cleaned up after dinner yet again. By consistently coating your cast iron Dutch oven or skillet with a layer of a high-smoke point oil after each use (such as avocado oil), your cast iron cookware will be serving dishes for years to come while maintaining an easy to clean surface that just requires a little soap and water.

Our Favorite Cast Iron Cookware

While Le Creuset and Lodge tend to be the some of the most widely known names in cast iron, they aren't necessarily the most reliable for quality. At Kooi Housewares, our favorite brand of cast iron cookware is Victoria Cast Iron. This three-generation family business casts all of their products in Colombia and pre-seasons them with certified non-GMO flaxseed oil, making them ready for you to use right out of the box. The smoother interior of Victoria's cast iron develops a nonstick coating over time that's far superior to Lodge and other cast iron brands. Some of Victoria's best sellers include the Cast Iron Tortilla Press, Cast Iron Grain Grinder, Cast Iron Meat Grinder, and their Cast Iron Skillets, which range in size from 8 to 12 inches. Other customer favorites of Victoria Cast Iron include their pizza pans, Dutch ovens, and griddles - check out their full collection of cast iron cookware here!

Like any type of cookware, cast iron has its disadvantages. Cast iron cookware is quite heavy compared to other cookware options like stainless steel or ceramic nonstick cookware. Cast iron is also very picky about cleaning - hand washing is a must for cast iron, so the dishwasher is a no-go. And while cast iron is good at cooking a lot, boiling pasta and reducing a tomato sauce are two things it's not suited for. Seasoning the cookware can be a pain too... when all you want for the night is to have dinner done so you can get off your feet and watch some football, using a cast iron skillet might feel like the bane of your existence (but we promise, it's really not that bad).

All in all, cast iron cookware is one of the best non toxic cookware options out there - but wait, there's more!

Ceramic Cookware: A New Normal for Nonstick

Not all nonstick is created equal anymore - and some nonstick pans are actually healthy to use, thanks to new, innovative cookware designs. While the no-no nonstick pans have coatings made with microplastics, non toxic nonstick cookware is made with nonstick ceramic coatings that have a silica (sand) base. This base is then turned into a gel that's fired onto the frying pans, creating a ceramic coating that's not only more durable than Teflon, but also much healthier. As with Teflon pans, most ceramic cookware is made with a stainless steel or aluminum core as the base of the pan to aid with heat distribution as you cook.

Caring for and Cleaning Ceramic Cookware

Taking care of ceramic cookware with this new type of nonstick surface is very similar to taking care of Teflon nonstick pans. Ceramic pans are typically not dishwasher safe - hand washing them is recommended to keep the coatings in tip-top condition. They are best used when cooking with medium to low heat to prevent burning the nonstick coating. Ceramic cookware does not require using much oil or cooking fat either; in fact, using extra fats makes the pans less effective.

Using metal utensils on ceramic frying pans will damage the ceramic coating over time - thus, swapping metal utensils for silicone utensils or wooden spoons are more likely to preserve the quality of your pan. Many ceramic nonstick cookware pieces are oven safe in addition to being safe for almost any kind of cooktop, including electric, gas, ceramic, halogen, and induction cooktops in most cases.

The Ins and Outs of Ceramic Nonstick

Ceramic cookware comes in all forms and sizes, much like traditional nonstick pans and stainless steel cookware sets. Ceramic frying pans can be found in mini (usually 8-inch diameter) sizes all the way to mega sizes (some as large as 15 inches in diameter). Dutch ovens, saute pans, and stock pots are all commonly found in ceramic cookware sets that every home cook will appreciate having in their kitchen. While Caraway Cookware, Made In, Alva Cookware, and Gotham Steel are a few popular brands for ceramic nonstick cookware, our favorite ceramic cookware set is by GreenPan - especially their Valencia Pro ceramic nonstick cookware collection.

The Valencia Pro ceramic nonstick cookware set by GreenPan comes with three ceramic pans at 8, 9.5, and 11 inches in diameter, respectively, in addition to a 5-quart stock pot, 2-quart and 3-quart sauce pans, and a 3-quart saute pan. And if you're not interested in a full set of ceramic cookware, GreenPan offers many more pieces of their cookware individually, including a Griddle Pan, 8-Quart stock pot, and 10-inch frying pan. Check out the full collection of GreenPan Valencia Pro cookware here.

Carbon Steel and Enameled Cast Iron - Two More Hidden Cookware Gems

While ceramic nonstick, cast iron, and stainless steel cookware are the most common non toxic cookware options out there, two more types of non toxic cookware exist that are often forgotten. Carbon steel cookware is very similar in chemistry to cast iron - cast iron is made up of approximately 96-98% iron and 2-4% carbon, while carbon steel is 99% iron and 1% carbon. While cast iron cookware has better heat retention, carbon steel heats faster and responds quickly to temperature change (especially going from medium heat to low heat). Carbon steel is much lighter than cast iron, yet still functions much the same and requires similar techniques of seasoning and cleaning. Like cast iron, carbon steel cookware needs to be seasoned with a coating of oil after each use to help develop the patina, the nonstick coating that accumulates over many uses. Carbon steel requires hand washing and must not be washed in the dishwasher.

Enameled Cast Iron

Enameled cast iron is also quite similar to regular cast iron, but distinguishes itself by requiring no seasoning routine. Enameled cast iron is the child of cast iron and ceramic nonstick - the enamel coating on the cast iron cookware keeps it nonstick without requiring extra care, while still providing the same heat retention and cooking capability as regular cast iron. While it must be hand washed and doesn't do as well at cooking with high heat, enameled cast iron is great for cooking acidic foods and boiling pasta, unlike uncoated cast iron. Many home cooks find that enameled cast iron is perfect for baking sourdough bread or whipping up a hearty stew.

Regardless of what you choose or how you use them, these are all non toxic cookware options we highly recommend!

Plastic Isn't Fantastic - Ditch Your Other Toxic Cooking Tools for These Sustainable Swaps

Your cookware set is one of the most important cooking tools to get right... but that's just the beginning of the transformation your kitchen needs! Thankfully, we've got you covered at Kooi Housewares - here's a rapid fire description of all the non toxic cooking tools you could ever need.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel isn't just awesome for frying pans and stock pots - it's also arguably the most durable, long-lasting material for all kinds of cooking tools. Love your nylon ladle and cooking spoon? Stainless steel will do it even better. Tired of your plastic mixing bowls smelling like the last thing you made in them, even after multiple washes? These stainless steel mixing bowls won't! Broke the handle off your plastic measuring spoons after it went through the dishwasher one time too many? These stainless steel measuring spoons and measuring cups will serve generations of users. Using a flimsy plastic dough scraper to swipe your veggies off the cutting board? Try using this Stainless Steel Bench Scraper instead. Have a nonstick pizza pan? These Stainless Steel Pizza Pans will give you pizza mind too! From funnels to spatulas and colanders to cookie scoops, stainless steel is the real deal.

Wood and Bamboo

Plastic cutting boards are notorious for being easy to clean and long-lasting - but they're also becoming known for their tendency to release microplastics as you chop on them. Wooden and bamboo cutting boards are a perfect substitute. The Big Easy Chopping Block is a heavy-duty bamboo chopping board that can withstand lots of wear-and-tear without breaking down or budging in functionality. However, if you're looking for something lighter weight and slightly more storage-friendly, the Malilbu Groove Carving Board will perform equally as well. The only care these boards require after washing is an application of mineral oil (like this Revitalizing Mineral Oil) to keep them moisturized, preventing cracks and splitting.

Wood and bamboo make sturdy, non toxic cooking utensils too. Cooking spoons, ladles, toaster tongs, spatulas, and spurtles all come in wood and bamboo versions that hold up well with just a little bit of TLC (the same process as the cutting boards, that is). Want a full set of bamboo utensils to get started with? Try Totally Bamboo's 5 Piece Bamboo Utensil Set - or their beautifully dyed 7 Piece Baltique Bamboo Utensil Set. Getting rid of your plastic spice jars or salt shakers? Grab a wooden salt box instead! The Acacia Salt Box and the Olive Wood Salt Box make eye-catchingly gorgeous additions to any kitchen (not to mention they're oh-so-useful too).

Glass

Glassware has long been a healthy, safe alternative for cooking and storing food. Instead of using nonstick baking dishes or pie pans, glass options provide ultimate peace of mind that your food will not become contaminated with chemicals from a nonstick coating. Anchor Hocking's glass baking dishes are our favorite - the 8x8 Glass Baking Dish is great for making brownies or bars, while the 9x13 Glass Baking Dish is best for casseroles, lasagnas, and sheet cakes. Anchor Hocking's mini Glass Pie Pans make personal pies to perfection without the nonstick nasties.

Marble

Marble cooking tools are one of the overlooked gems in the kitchen. Not only is marble heavy-duty and non-toxic, it's also sophisticated and beautiful. Whether you're looking for a weighty rolling pin that doesn't require all of the strength you can possibly muster up to use or a lovely butter keeper that will keep your favorite fats cool and fresh while sitting out on the counter, marble cooking tools will elevate the look of your kitchen space while adding practicality like few other materials can. Check out this classy Marble Cheese Slicer while you're at it, along with this sleek Marble Paper Towel Holder.

Cotton Textiles

Textiles might be the last thing you had in mind as you've considered upgrading your kitchen tools... but if you're using polyester or microfiber dish towels and rags, it's time to switch those out too. Microfiber and polyester fabrics are actually forms of plastics that have been turned into flexible fabric form. Unfortunately, these too present health challenges in the home over long periods of use. On the flip side, Ritz Kitchen Textiles are made of 100% cotton that won't release plastics over time, nor will they break down or wear out easily. They're safe to wash and dry with the rest of your laundry and will be back, ready to wipe hands and pull out pans. Plus, they come in all kinds of lovely colors and designs, including Paprika, Black, Federal Blue, Cactus Green, and Graphite Grey. Check out our full collection of 100% cotton textiles here.

Silicone

Silicone utensils are a more recent invention for cooking use - thus, research on its longevity and safety is more limited than with other materials. However, the studies that have been done on it suggest that silicone is generally a safer substance for cooking than plastic since it has a higher heat resistance and doesn't easily break down. Silicone utensils and gadgets are nonstick cookware safe and dishwasher safe too. Instead of reaching for plastic wrap every time you need to cover a dish or mixing bowl to stick in the fridge, grab a silicone Universal Lid instead that can be reused over and over again. Swap out your plastic ice cube trays for this silicone one. These silicone spatulas will make your life in the kitchen a whole lot easier too - as well as the Multi-Purpose Roll Up Dish Rack that can also double as a cooling rack or trivet.

Let's Get Specific For a Second...

Choosing to pursue a non toxic lifestyle can be incredibly overwhelming - indeed, there are so many areas in just the kitchen alone that you may not know where to start. Besides choosing quality cookware and non toxic materials for your cooking tools, here are a few more basic suggestions that will cover most of the (big!) bases.

One of the top places that plastic can be found is in your food storage containers. While Tupperware and other types of plastic containers are often nonstick and easy to clean, storing food in them will lead to the plastic leaching into your consumables as they sit waiting to be eaten. Instead, choosing glass or stainless steel food storage containers (especially those made with 18/10 or 18/8 stainless steel) will store your food just as well without giving it any extra chemicals or materials you'd prefer not to have in it.

Similarly, many ingredient storage containers are made of plastic too. Even ingredients like honey and oil deserve to be stored in truly food-safe containers... we like this Glass Honey and Syrup Dispenser and the Precision Pour Glass Oil Dispenser as alternatives. Kitchen gadgets like funnels, ingredient scoops, and serving tongs are all commonly made of plastic or aluminum - but they too come in stainless steel form!

Plastic is also a problem when it comes to your favorite brewed beverages. Unfortunately, drinking coffee and tea with standard tools (like drip coffee makers, coffee grinders, and tea bags) is likely to expose you to more microplastics than we care to share about. However, it's not impossible to have a cup of tea that doesn't have contaminants, or sip on a cold brew without slurping plastic unknowingly. We carry some quality tools that will minimize risk - and potentially eliminate it altogether!

While most coffee grinders have plastic containers, gears, and lids that aren't safe for your coffee, this Manual Coffee Bean Grinder is made entirely of ceramic, wood, and stainless steel. The London Sip Cold Brew Maker likewise has zero plastic contacting your beverage since it has a stainless steel filter and glass carafe. Oxo's Adjustable Temperature Electric Kettle and Escali's RiteTemp Stovetop Kettle are both non toxic options for boiling water that we proudly carry. In addition, this Mesh Tea Infuser is perfect for steeping loose-leaf tea in order to avoid using plastic-contaminated tea bags typically found in most grocery stores.

It's a Journey, Not a Destination...

Trying to live a non toxic lifestyle will take time. Few people have the time or money to spend on eliminating every potentially harmful substance in their lives - neither do we! Even still, there is value in pursuing a lifestyle that's better for you. Have another look at our non toxic cookware products to choose the safest cookware possible for you - but most importantly, don't forget: take it all one step at a time!

Check out our full Non Toxic Cooking product collection here.