Some people say that the kitchen is the most important room in a house. If you want to do something for your family, catch up with your friends, or celebrate a meaningful occasion, you probably gather everyone around the table. You want to eat healthily, use fresh products, and cook wholesome, nutritious meals. However, you may not even realize that your own cookware may be a source of toxic chemicals that can end up in the food you prepare or eat. We’ll share 6 useful tips on choosing the best non-toxic cookware that will suit your needs. If you want to learn more about specific products and brands, visit https://www.stonefryingpans.com.
Learn about toxic chemicals
You can probably find some Teflon-coated pans and aluminum pots in your kitchen. These once innovative and practical products revolutionized cooking for home and professional cooks alike. However, these two cooking materials would instead belong in a chemistry lab, not in your kitchen. Why? Those famous non-stick pans are coated with compounds like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE – trademarked as Teflon), or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA or C8). These materials proved to have negative effects on both humans and animals. What’s more, prolonged exposure to aluminum may be linked to severe conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and neurological problems. It’s best to avoid kitchenware made of these materials from now on. There are, however, more things to consider before you replace your cookware.
Know your needs
First of all, you want your cookware to last and serve you well. For this reason, you may want to consider cookware made of durable, versatile, non-toxic materials. Avoid those that get easily scratched or damaged. Don’t get carried away, though – choose something that won’t require much maintenance. Also, make smart purchases! Consider what you need your cookware for. Instead of cluttering your kitchen cupboards with new, shiny, one-purpose pieces, think about buying a multi-functional set or a couple of high-quality appliances instead of the whole package.
Get to know safe materials
There are some cookware materials known to be effective in the kitchen and safe for your health. Stainless steel is a great choice – it can last a long time and is perfect for pressure cookers and pots of all sizes. However, it can be pricey, and unfortunately, it isn’t non-stick. Next up is ceramic cookware. It’s non-toxic, easy to clean, scratch-resistant, and can be used in the oven and on the stove. Additionally, ceramic coated cookware can be used on induction stoves, but make sure it’s labeled as “PFA-free”, “PFOA-free,” and “lead- and cadmium-free”. Stoneware is another great non-toxic alternative. It’s perfect for baking. From baking sheets, muffin tins, bread and roast pans, and many more, stoneware pieces cook evenly, add amazing flavor to food, and can last a lifetime.
Look for the middle ground
It turns out that copper cookware is not that safe as well. It looks beautiful but can be toxic; it’s also quite expensive and rather high-maintenance. However, copper bottoms and stainless steel coating are a perfect mix due to the fantastic conductive benefits of copper and a safe surface against the food. You may want to try out glass cookware. It’s completely non-reactive, which means it doesn’t release chemicals. Nevertheless, it can be heavy and fragile, isn’t non-stick and won’t work on induction stoves. Want something else? Even though cast iron cookware is heavy and high maintenance, it’s incredibly durable and spreads heat well, making your food heat evenly and thoroughly.
Think about other appliances
Always pay attention to the material when you look for containers, cutting boards, or utensils. Avoid plastic and aluminum. In the case of utensils, you can replace plastic with stainless steel, wood, or even bamboo. If you want a non-toxic cutting board, wood is your best option, but remember to look for PEFC-certified products. When it comes to containers, ditch aluminum in favor of bamboo or glass – it’s very durable.
Last resort
If, for some reason, you have no time or can’t afford to buy non-toxic kitchenware right away, line your cookware or bakeware with parchment paper. It will create a safe barrier between your food and toxic surfaces, and may even add some flavor.
Having non-toxic, durable cookware can help you make your home cooking safe and healthy. However, we know that cookware brands can overwhelm you with the amount of information they share about their products. For more quick information, advice and reviews, don’t forget to visit our website!
