What Cookware Should I Use?

I often get asked “what cookware should I use?” It’s a great question because apart from being aware of the pesticides on produce, the mercury in fish and the chemicals generally in our food, it is important to realize that your choice of kitchenware can make a difference too because the materials can contain chemicals which can leach into your food–Teflon in particular but also aluminum and lead and even PVC Plastic.

Here are my guidelines:

Avoid non stick pans, pots, bakeware and utensils because they contain Teflon. Although non stick kitchenware is very convenient, Teflon is made from perfluorinated compounds which have been linked to cancer and reproductive problems.

If you use non stick kitchenware and the coating is coming off, you should not use it. Get new ones.

If you use non stick kitchenware and the coating is intact, avoid heating them above 450F because above this temperature, they release toxic gases.

Avoid aluminum pots and pans as it may cause aluminum to leach into food. Although the dangers of ingesting aluminum are disputed by some, I think it is silly to use them as we don’t know they are safe.

Avoid ceramic dishware that is cracked or chipping because the glazes used in ceramic dishware often contain lead and cracked or chipping glazes may be more likely to leach lead into foods and liquids.

Avoid dish racks made of plastic-coated wire, substituting instead stainless steel dish racks

So I suggest using glass bakeware and stainless steel or cast iron pots and pans. Stainless steel and glass mixing bowls are great too.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Ruth R.

9:03PM PDT on Apr 13, 2011

"So I suggest using glass bakeware and stainless steel or cast iron pots and pans. Stainless steel and glass mixing bowls are great too."
Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/what-cookware-should-i-use.html#ixzz1JSzuSbic

Great summary. Thank You. Shared, saved, emailed to save.

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Beverly L.

6:10AM PST on Nov 17, 2010

Good article!

Electrah D.

2:50PM PDT on Oct 24, 2010

Correction on previous statement- apparently stainless steel cookware can release nickel and "nickel triggers more hypersensitive reactions than any other metal" http://www.melisa.org/nickel.php

Interesting that peanuts and chocolate are listed as high in nickel.

So, as for cookware, I'll stick to glass!

Anne F.

7:49PM PDT on Sep 26, 2010

I'm asking for more cast iron as a birthday gift.

2:44PM PDT on Aug 27, 2010

I use stainless steel or glass. A magnet won't stick to aluminum, so a good way to test.

Charles W.

5:14AM PDT on Aug 27, 2010

So there is no mention of what SHOULD be used.

8:22AM PDT on Aug 17, 2010

good article. why has aluminum not been banned in cookware? wouldn't its discovery in Alzheimer's brains warrant a ban based on The Precautionary Principle? Or is this principle a legal myth?

Eileen P.

1:36PM PDT on Jul 27, 2010

Dr. Mercola has great cookware too.....

thanx for the article...

Jellila K.

11:00AM PDT on May 19, 2010

good to know I did see some lovely pots ..at whole foods.

Taya A.

9:57AM PDT on May 19, 2010

Good to know that good old cast iron is still a healthy choice! :D