What Exactly Is 'Non-Toxic Cookware' & 2 Brands We LOVE To Cook With

Chemicals in food is gross, off-gassing while cooking is also not great. Non-stick cookware is a case in point and not very eco-friendly or sustainable.

So let's talk about what healthy and safe cookware looks like, what it's made of, what you shouldn't use and which brands are doing it right.

Also see below for a bunch of resources on non-toxic cookware brands that we'd recommend for the finest à la carte.

00:00 Intro
00:15 Avoid Non-Stick Cookware
01:20 What is Non-Toxic Cookware
01:55 Ceramic
02:12 Cast Iron
02:29 Borosilicate Glass
02:50 Vintage Pyrex
02:54 Stainless Steel
03:10 Cookware To Avoid
04:22 Caraway
06:49 Our Place
09:22 Outro

Resources

[Natalie]

I have an Our Place pan and unfortunately it didn't hold up longer than a year. Honestly, the non stick started to give out after about 6 months, which was a huge bummer. I babied the hell out of that pan. Handwash only, never harsh chemicals or abrasive sponges, always put oil in the pan and let it heat, never cooked with it on high heat. Ceramic just doesn't hold up well. Not only that, but there isn't a lot of data out yet on the safety of ceramic. People used to think the ceramic Green Pan brand was safe, until their Thermolon was discovered to contain a bunch of shit that wasn't disclosed. We're kind of taking these companies at their word. Our Place tested their pans for a few heavy metals, which was nice, but there was a lot that was left out from the test. The pans are gorgeous though. You have a very pretty set there 💕

I've decided to try to learn to cook on stainless steel because it seems like the best and safest option. Basic and boring, but at least I won't have to throw out pans every year!

[kristiofca]

I have a set of Caraway that I love, however on an electric stove it takes forever to cook anything on the recommended heat settings of low to medium! I use medium high to start with and gradually lower to medium to get the pan hot enough to start cooking, otherwise I would be there all day waiting for the pan to heat up. The set has held up nicely with no scratches or burn marks for over 2 years now. I bought my daughter a set, as well. She has a gas stove and says the same thing about the heat settings. Her large frying pay does have some evidence of using too high heat with visible rings on the surface, but still usable. We both love Caraway. It’s very pricey, but worth it if you are careful and appreciate good cookware that won’t harm you.

[dulceencinas]

Thank you so much for all these info and your time! Very helpful. ❤

[olakotke]

Thank you! I was looking for info on both of these brands!

[jpaulglobal]

Best pot to use for like boiling a whole chicken? Stainless? Thx gang!

[Stellaakasteky]

what is to best non toxic cookware for acid foods ?

[axepagode]

If aluminum is toxic, why is it okay to use it when baking or roasting?

[xqspx]

What kind of pan do you recommend for frying eggs?

[shravaniakulaa]

Are they dishwasher safe? Please let me know. Thanks

[drnadiatalks]

This is a great video. Thanks for posting

[Erik-oegc]

The fumes only happen when you way over heat the pans. Just use stainless.

[rayrwyr]

I always cook at low heat when the risk is much less.

[craigs]

Just so you know there's no such thing as "pure" stainless steel. Any type of stainless steel will always be an alloy.

[timmyblast]

Talks fast couldn't keep up.. thx for the information

[RandomRabbitHoles]

The whole "non-toxic" marketing practice with jacked up prices for ceramic-coated or enamel-coated bakeware has me shaking my head. These products are not sustainable, they get damaged if you use the wrong utensil or scrub too hard. CorningWare has always been non-toxic and non-porous. You don't have to worry about scratches and leaching chemicals into your food. Freeze, microwave, air fry, bake, or cook directly on the stovetop with it. It is also dishwasher safe. Because it's made from "pyroceram", it withstands the thermal shock and can go straight from the freezer to the oven.

Quit paying $60-$100 for a coated pan of any kind that's going to get thrown in the garbage in 3 years! Buy some old unglazed Pampered Chef stoneware, FiestaWare, Fire King, Anchor Hocking, Corelle or CorningWare from a thrift store and it will last a lifetime with a little TLC. Plus, you'll be keeping stuff out of the landfill. My grandmothers kept and used this stuff their whole lives, passed it on to my mother and then on to me. If I buy new bakeware/cookware its one of these old vintage pieces.

[rushfanjames]

Teflon and other nonstick pans are fine, just use low to medium heat ( under 400° ) and you’ll be fine 🙄

[TheTmillion]

A channel educating people on sustainability should encourage people to buy the OG non-toxic, buy-it-for-life materials : cart iron, stainless steel and carbon steel. You guys are just buying into Our Place's marketing hype.

[somnia]

not me just using a cast iron pan that will last forever

[Phlegethon]

Why is this needed? Cast iron carbon steel stainless steel and that’s it

[Flieder]

Please, why do you have to talk so fast? No time to digest the good info!