Cook Safe: How to Choose Non-Toxic Pots and Pans

Our Place ceramic pots and pans

Non-toxic cookware basically means saucepans and other cooking tools that are free from toxic chemicals that can cause ‘forever chemicals’ that end up off-gassing to kitchens, and ending up in our rivers and seas, after washing-up.

What’s wrong with conventional cookware?

Saucepans and frying pans made before 2013 often contain PFAS, which are linked to immune system suppression, cancer, infertility, liver damage and even kidney and testicular cancers. And also harm marine wildlife.

Most pans contain a coating, but cheap pans often scratch and chip pretty quickly, then millions of microplastics and nano-plastic particles end up in your food. Heating PTFE cookware above a certain temperature, also causes the coating to break down, and releases hazardous fumes. Like paint, these can lead to flu-like symptoms such as fevers, chills and headaches.

Forever chemicals are particularly unsafe near pets (especially birds, whose sensitive respiratory systems can fail within hours of exposure). Despite ‘safety claims of greener pans’, all cooking fumes are harmful to birds, who likely are happier living with other birds in aviaries.

How to reduce risk of cooking with pans

• Replace damaged pans. Invest in non-toxic alternative pans (listed below), and dispose of scratched/damaged pans. Some tips allow for recycling of metal pans, or else you’ll have to bin them.
• Never preheat non-stick pans or use on high heat. Many people are not fans of those pans where you wait until the red dot appears before adding food, as it encourages over-heating and release of fumes.

Turn pan handles inward, avoid floaty sleeves and tie long hair back.

Read up on food safety for people and pets. Before recycling tins, rinse/remove lids (or pop ring-pulls over holes) then step on cans to pinch inner rims together, to deter inquisitive wildlife. 

Food waste bins turn scraps into biogas. But if you don’t have one, bin acidic scraps (peppers, onions, leeks, garlic, shallots, shive) and citrus/tomato/rhubarb scraps to avoid harming compost creatures. Same with tea and coffee grounds. 

Best materials for non-toxic cookware

Non-toxic cookware is more expensive than a £10 saucepan set from Argos. But you don’t have to buy everything as a set, just pick the two or three pans you will actually use. The main materials used for non-toxic cookware are:

• Ceramic pans are insert and safe, perfect for everyday cooking.
• Stainless steel is durable and non-reactive, idea for everyday cooking. Try to find pans that have thermal handles, as stainless steel ones get too hot.
• Cast iron or carbon steel are also popular. They are naturally non-stick and can be seasoned to make food taste nicer.

Don’t be too scared by the word ‘aluminium’. This is used as it holds heat well. As long as the brand is good quality, an undercoating should be fine. The problem is with cheap pans where the coating easily wears off.

Our Place: quality ceramic pots and pans

Our Place makes ceramic pots and pans that are also oven-safe and induction compatible. The non-stick coating is free from forever chemicals.

ProCook: budget-friendly stainless steel pans

ProCook offers a more budget-friendly range of stainless steel pans (preferable over their non-stick pans). Most carry 10-year guarantees.

Reduce heat setting with induction hobs, as soon as low-medium temperature is achieve (do not just boost setting to heat oil or fat).

Joseph Joseph stainless steel cookware

Joseph Joseph Cookware is one of the best choices. All items carry a 2-year guarantee, and free returns on orders (with a 30-day money-back guarantee). This cookware is designed to take up less space, so is ideal for small kitchens, or if you don’t have lots of cupboards. Many items have nesting designs and folding handles, to take up to 50% less space in cupboards.

Not for grills or hobs, and hand-wash only, following safety instructions.

The range includes:

• Roasting trays ideal for your Sunday veggie roast
• Saucepans with tempered glass lids, with their own storage tray.
• A wok with lid for veggie stir-fries
• Stock pots for homemade soup

Caraway (ceramic, cast iron and glass)

Caraway offers ceramic, cast iron and heat-resistant borosilicate glass cookware, all free from the usual chemical nasties. The steel is good for high-heat cooking, the ceramic for acidic foods (like tomato sauce).

All items are ethically made and sent in sustainable packaging. This brand also offers soup stockpots, griddle pans and roasting pans.

WAFE silicone air fryer baskets

Many people now use air-fryers over pots and pans, to save energy. Buy new ones with safety cut-offs (stores have to legally recycle old electrical appliances like fat-fryers for you, even if you don’t buy anything new).

These silicone air fryer baskets (also in rectangular shape) are in various sizes (measure air basket before ordering). The slotted holes and air-flow keeps them clean, and the liners capture oil and large food bits.

Silicone is a food-safe alternative to plastic that can withstand high temperatures and is easily recycled, after years of use.  Use alongside silicone oven mitts, that protect fingers up to 220°C, and stay firmly in place.

Joseph Joseph quality kitchen tools

You only need a few kitchen tools to make good meals. So splurge a little and buy good ones that work well, are easy to clean and will last you years. The difference between spending hours grating, peeling (and swearing) using cheap tools and easily peeling potatoes and grating vegan cheese is immense!

Joseph Joseph makes wonderful items (along with amazing knife sets). They cost a few pounds more, but are so easy to use and store, you’ll be inspired to cook with fresh seasonal ingredients:

• Collapsible can openers can only be used to open bottles and ring-pull cans. One folds away in a drawer.
• Potato mashers are comfortable to hold with a unique D-shape design and non-slip grip. They feature pan-scraping edges and curved mashing plates, that fit into the edges of pans.
• Peelers don’t just peel vegetables, but have special features to julienne carrots for salad. And little gadgets to remove potato eyes. The main version has a blade guard, to safely store in the cutlery drawer.
• Graters & Zesters are comfortable to grate vegan cheese or zest citrus fruits or nutmeg. Keep citrus fruits and nutmeg/mace away from pets.