Cooking delicious meals for yourself and your loved ones is one of life‘s great joys. But deciding which pots, pans, and bakeware to stock your kitchen with can be a challenge. You want to cook with items that are highly functional, long-lasting and healthy – not pieces leaching dangerous chemicals into your food.
That‘s where the Environmental Working Group (EWG) comes in. For over two decades, the EWG has been researching and rating products based on human health concerns. When it comes to cookware, they‘ve identified the very best materials and manufacturing methods for non-toxic, safe cooking.
In this detailed cookware guide, we‘ll explore all the EWG‘s science-backed recommendations on choosing the healthiest, safest pots, pans, and more. You‘ll get the key factors to look for according to experts, plus plenty of specific product recommendations. Time to equip your kitchen with dependable, non-toxic cookware!
A Summary of EWG‘s Top Cookware Recommendations
First, let‘s do a quick overview of the EWG‘s guidance on the healthiest cookware:
Recommended Materials
- Stainless steel
- Cast iron
- Ceramic
- Glass
- Carbon steel
Labels to Look For
- PFOA-free
- PTFE-free
- Lead-free
Features to Avoid
- Non-stick coatings
- Porous surfaces
- Unlined copper
- Unlined aluminum
Now let‘s dive into the details on why these materials rank at the top of EWG‘s list, and how to shop for the very best cookware.
The Safety Benefits of EWG-Recommended Cookware
High quality pots, pans, and bakeware made of stainless steel, ceramic, cast iron and other inert materials recommended by EWG offer tremendous advantages:
Non-reactive surfaces that won‘t degrade or leach metals into food, even with acidic ingredients like tomatoes or lemon.
Superior heat conduction for quick, even cooking with no hot spots to burn delicate foods.
Long-lasting durability over years of regular cooking and cleaning. These investments will serve you well.
Ease of care – most are simple to hand wash, safe for dishwashers, and easy to sanitize.
When you choose cookware using the EWG‘s guidelines, you benefit from their decades of scientific research into product safety. Let‘s examine why each recommended material makes their list.
Stainless Steel: An Ideal All-Purpose Choice
Stainless steel earns top marks from EWG for its durability, ease of cleaning, high heat tolerance and lack of chemical reactivity. When produced by reputable brands, stainless steel cookware is formulated using:
- Food-grade steel with a minimum of 10.5% chromium to resist corrosion
- Nickel and molybdenum for enhanced structural integrity
- Polished finishes that are non-porous and prevent surface degradation
Quality stainless steel cookware is compatible with all cooktops including induction, oven and broiler-safe, and dishwasher-safe for easy sanitizing. It provides quick, even heating critical for precise cooking.
Just be sure to avoid stainless steel cookware with a non-stick coating, as these degrade over time. Uncoated stainless steel is ideal.
Cast Iron: A Natural Nonstick Workhorse
Cast iron earns high praise from EWG for its durability, superior heat retention and distribution, and natural nonstick properties. Traditional cast iron cookware is produced by:
- Melting and pouring iron into molds
- Polishing the interior cooking surface until smooth
Well-seasoned cast iron develops a natural patina that makes food release easily. Its unparalleled heat retention makes it perfect for searing, frying, braising and more. Enameled cast iron exterior makes it suitable for more acidic foods.
Ceramic: A Smooth Nonstick Surface
Ceramic cookware provides an amazingly smooth cooking surface akin to glass. Quality ceramic cookware is produced using:
- Natural inorganic clay and minerals
- Water and heat to form a durable finished product
- Non-toxic glazes/coatings that create a nonstick surface
Ceramic‘s non-porous quality prevents food and oils from penetrating the cookware. It‘s durable, resistant to scratches and metal utensil marks, and easy to clean.
When shopping for ceramic cookware, be sure to verify it‘s PFOA/PTFE-free according to EWG recommendations.
Glass: An Ultra Nonstick Choice
Glass cookware offers a supremely slick nonstick cooking surface. Items like baking dishes, pie plates, and specialty pans are made of:
- Silica sand, limestone, and sodium carbonate
- Melted and shaped into cookware
- Tempered for thermal shock resistance
Glass won‘t react with acidic foods. It withstands oven temperatures up to 500°F. And used properly, glass bakeware can last for years.
Carbon Steel: Cast Iron‘s Lower-Cost Sibling
Carbon steel shares many benefits with cast iron – excellent heat conduction and retention, and natural nonstick properties when seasoned. It‘s produced by:
- Rolling mixtures of iron and carbon into pans
- Polishing cooking surface until smooth
Carbon steel is lower cost than cast iron, and lighter weight. Avoid carbon steel with non-stick enamel coating, which may contain PFOAs.
Now that we‘ve covered why EWG recommends these inert, nontoxic materials, let‘s examine what to avoid.
Cookware to Avoid According to EWG Research
Just as important as choosing safe cookware is avoiding hazardous materials. Here are the key items to keep away from based on EWG findings:
Nonstick Pans: While providing an easy-release cooking surface, nonstick pans made with PTFE (Teflon) and PFOA break down over time, releasing toxic particles and chemicals.
Aluminum: Uncoated aluminum pans can leach aluminum into food, causing neurotoxic effects. Anodized aluminum with a coating minimizes this risk.
Copper: Unlined copper pans allow copper leaching into food, resulting in gastrointestinal issues with acute toxicity.
Enamel-Coated: While lovely, enamel coatings found on some pots and pans contain PFAS chemicals that may migrate into food.
Whenever possible, avoid cookware with nonstick or chemical coatings and unlined reactive metal cookware.
Tips for Identifying the Safest, Healthiest Cookware
You‘re probably eager to get started building your own collection of safe, non-toxic cookware. Here are some top tips for choosing the best of the best:
Examine the Labeling
- Look for PFOA-free, PTFE-free, lead-free markings
- Verify cookware was made in a PTFE-free manufacturing facility
Assess the Surface
- Ensure pans have smooth, non-porous cooking surfaces
- No signs of wear, scratches, or degradation on pots/pans
Check Cookware Weight and Wall Thickness
- Heavier weight pans often have higher-quality construction
- Thick walls and tight-fitting lids retain heat and moisture
Review Rivets and Handles
- Rivets should fit flush against pan walls with no gaps
- Handles should be securely attached
Consider Ease of Cleaning
- Cookware should be non-porous and smooth for easy washing
- Oven/dishwasher safe options simplify sanitizing
Compare Brand Reputations
- Choose manufacturers adhering to strict quality controls and standards
- Well-known brands often back products with generous warranties
With so many factors to weigh, it can feel daunting to decide what cookware to invest in. Let‘s look at some excellent pre-vetted sets that check all the boxes.
Recommended Non-Toxic Cookware Sets
To give you a head start on putting together your own collection of safe, healthy pots and pans, here are some outstanding complete cookware sets approved by EWG guidelines:
1. GreenLife Soft Grip Cookware Set
- Durable ceramic nonstick interior made from sand
- Thermolon coating is PFOA/PTFE free
- Soft-grip handles stay cool while cooking
- Oven safe to 550°F
2. GreenPan Padova Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware
- Hardy anodized aluminum exterior
- Thermolon Minerals Pro healthy ceramic nonstick interior
- Riveted stainless steel handles suitable for oven use
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
3. Tramontina Enameled Cast Iron Cookware
- Vibrant porcelain enamel exterior finish
- Cast iron interior for unbeatable heat distribution
- Can be used on induction, ceramic, electric and gas cooktops
- Oven safe to 450°F
4. Handle the Heat Oven and Grill Set
- 100% ceramic construction, including stay-cool handles
- Won‘t react with acidic foods
- Naturally nonstick glazed interior
- Metal utensil safe
5. All-Clad Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set
- 3-layer construction with aluminum core
- 18/10 stainless steel interior cooking surface
- Tight-fitting lids lock in heat and moisture
- Oven and broiler safe up to 600°F
Get Cooking with 100% Non-Toxic Cookware
Whether you‘re a seasoned home cook or just setting up your first kitchen, following the EWG‘s advice takes the guesswork out of choosing safe, healthy cookware. Stainless steel, ceramic, cast iron and other inert materials give you high performance without hazardous chemicals leaching into food.
By keeping cookware free of nonstick coatings and unlined reactive metals, you protect yourself and your loved ones from ingesting toxins released during cooking. Taking time to invest in high-quality pots, pans, bakeware and utensils made by reputable brands ensures you‘ll be cooking delicious meals safely for years to come.
Equip your kitchen with these EWG-recommended products, and enjoy total peace of mind knowing your cookware is completely non-toxic. Now get cooking! Your healthy homemade meals await.
