Here’s your easy-to-follow guide to what makes cookware “toxic,” how to find cleaner materials and brands, and how to use them safely. Because all you should have to worry about in the kitchen is nailing that recipe. For a long while, these chemicals were used to give nonstick materials like Teflon their slick coating. There’s research suggesting that exposure to PFAS can cause hormone disruption, reproductive issues2, and certain cancers3 in animals and humans—though scientists are still unsure about the level of exposure needed to affect health. It’s best to play it safe and avoid the chemical altogether—if not for your own health, for the health of the planet. Since they’re created to resist water, oil, and grease, PFAS are super persistent, and they continue to accumulate quickly in our environment4 after being scrubbed clean and washed down the drain. The good news is, PFOA has been largely phased out of American cookware manufacturing. As of 2015, eight major chemical manufacturers have agreed to cut ties with it through an agreement with the EPA5. However, the forever chemical still may be present in older cookware and cookware made overseas (as well as in textiles, packaging materials, makeup, and tap water.) As such, building biologist and environmental consultant Ryan Blaser of Test My Home recommends getting rid of any older pans that may contain PFOA—especially if they’re chipped. “We want to get rid of those and replace them” with a nontoxic option, he suggests. Anyone can pop it on a product, clearing the way for mislabeling and greenwashing. This means that consumers will have to decide for themselves what they consider to be nontoxic. We like this definition from Blaser, and it’s the one we use to vet products too: “If I wouldn’t eat it, rub it on my skin, or give it to my kids, I wouldn’t consider it nontoxic,” he tells mbg. “Even if it just makes you tired or makes your stomach hurt—anything that takes you away from your optimal health, I’d consider that toxic.” Blaser and Caroline Blazovsky, another environmental health expert who has tested over 30,000 homes over the course of her career, say that while there are pros and cons to every material, these are the ones they use in their own kitchens: Avoid nonstick pans that are not explicitly labeled PFOA-free. They use safe materials, are responsibly made with the environment in mind (we’ll call out their individual eco-accolades in the description), and come highly rated by home cooks. Seeing as they all have different uses in the kitchen, you’ll want to choose a few based on the types of cooking you do most often. Blazovsky and Blaser add that swapping between two to three different types of materials is the safer move in the kitchen anyway. It reduces your likelihood of overusing or damaging any one product. French company Le Creuset has been creating safe, high-quality cookware for nearly a century. This pan has the heat retention of cast iron but is covered in an enamel glaze that makes it easier to clean. Its wide, shallow base makes it great for searing vegetables and whipping up stews. And its bright color and classic design mean it can double as a serving platter, too. It comes with a lifetime warranty, so with a little TLC, you won’t need to buy another one ever again. Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Buffet Casserole with Glass Lid ($332.95) This American-made (and chef-approved) pan is made without PFOA, from five layers of stainless steel for more even cooking. The 12" size is great for larger high-heat cooking jobs, like frying up a big batch of eggs or searing a few pieces of meat at once. And at $99, it’s affordable for the high quality (trust those 10,000+ top-mark reviews). Made In Stainless Clad Frying Pan ($99) Designed to replace eight traditional pieces of cookware, this beauty lets you steam, fry, sauté, and more—all in one place. In addition to being PFAS-free, the ceramic-coated aluminum pan doesn’t contain lead or heavy metals. Made partially from recycled materials, it is shipped in plastic-free packaging. Our Place also claims to make all their gorgeous kitchen staples in ethical factories. Our Place Always Pan ($145) Take a step beyond the glass loaf pan or casserole dish with this vintage stovetop set. While glass can scorch at high temperatures, this set is suitable for low- and slow-cooking and can even go in the microwave. Just be careful if you’re new to glass cookware as the material can be finicky and take some getting used to. VISIONS 5-pc Cookware Set ($169.88) Another enameled cast-iron option, this Dutch oven is designed to go from stovetop to oven, making it perfect for casseroles and stews. Great Jones is all about making modern cookware that’s nontoxic and beautiful, and this bright blue number can double as a kitchen centerpiece. Great Jones The Dutchess ($160) This safe cast-iron pan is affordable, comes pre-seasoned (though many users say that you might want to season it yourself, too), and is topped off with a silicone handle holder to reduce the risk of any accidental burns. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet ($29.90) Finally, if you are really hoping for a matching set, this 10-piece one from Danish company Scanpan—though an investment—has everything. Scanpan has a long reputation for creating safer nonstick cookware, and this set is completely PFAS-free and oven-safe up to 500 degrees. Scanpan CTX 10-Piece Cookware Set ($999.95) Again, they don’t use the same pan every time they cook, opting to alternate between them to minimize exposure to any one material. (“Moderation is key,” says Blazovsky.) They also keep a close eye out for chipping, and once a pan begins to degrade, they stop using it. Finally, they agree that cleaning your pans using nontoxic dish soap is essential if you want to avoid chemicals in your food. Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
