8 Best Non-Toxic Cookware Sets to Keep Your Food and Yourself Safe

While Teflon has been used extensively in traditional pots and pans since the 1940s, studies have shown that switching to a non-toxic option is much better for your health and the health of the planet. But with so many options available, it can be hard to narrow down the best non-toxic cookware sets.

In this article, we’ll discuss eight cookware options that use materials ranging from stainless steel to granite to cast iron. We’ll also give recommendations for budget-friendly and multi-purpose pots and pans so you can choose the best set for your eco-friendly kitchen.

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Best Non-Toxic Cookware Sets

Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. Learn more about our review methodology here. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn a commission.

• Best Overall: GreenPan Lima Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set
• Best Budget-Friendly Cookware: GreenLife Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set
• Best Stainless-Steel Option: HomiChef Nickel-Free Stainless-Steel Cookware
• Best Granite Option: Michelangelo Stone Cookware
• Best Cast Iron Option: Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron
• Best Bakeware: Caraway Bakeware Set
• Best Multi-Purpose Pan: Always Pan
• Best for Easy Storage: Caraway Cookware Set

Why Switch to Eco-Friendly Cookware?

When it comes to eating our favorite meals, it isn’t often we consider the toxicity of the cookware we use to make them.

Teflon is a brand name for the synthetic chemical polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is in the family of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. According to the Environmental Working Group, “PFAS chemicals pollute water, do not break down and remain in the environment and people for decades. Some scientists call them ‘forever chemicals.'”

Chemicals such as PFAS and PTFE are common in nonstick cookware and can transfer into the food we eat. It was only found recently by the FDA that these synthetic polymers actually put our health at risk, as they have a long half-life, don’t metabolize and bio-accumulate, leading to health problems. When Teflon cookware is heated above 300 degrees Fahrenheit, it can produce toxic fumes; if inhaled, these can lead to polymer fume fever, better known as “Teflon flu.” Some studies have also shown a link between PFAS and certain cancers.

PFAS and PTFE also don’t break down in the environment, making it possible for the polymers to re-enter our bodies and the ecosystems around us.

Instead of purchasing cookware that uses a synthetic chemical like Teflon, other materials such as stainless steel, granite and ceramic can be much safer options. Pots and pans made of natural stone or metals are considered the safest cookware to purchase, as they usually don’t contain harmful chemicals.

Full Reviews of Our Top Picks

When choosing our top recommended eco-friendly cookware sets, we looked at factors including:

• Materials: Even though a product may be ceramic or stone, it still can have coatings containing PFAS chemicals. We verified that each cookware option on our list is made without harmful synthetics.
• Durability: When investing in suitable cookware, it’s important that what you buy will hold up with the wear and tear of daily cooking.
• Customer reviews: As always, we consider what real, long-term customers have to say about products’ wear, efficacy and overall satisfaction.

Choosing the Best Non-Toxic Cookware Set for Your Kitchen

It’s important to pick a cookware set that’s free of PFAS and other toxic chemicals, but how do you narrow down the best option for your cooking and baking needs? Consider the benefits of each cookware material:

Ceramic-coated cookware is a safe alternative to Teflon, especially if you’re looking for smooth nonstick pots and pans. Ceramic is considered a great heat conductor, helping your food cook evenly, and the slick surface makes for an easy clean. Ceramic cooking surfaces are best for preparing more delicate meals like eggs, tofu and fish. This type of cookware typically comes in a range of colors that are mixed into the layer of material just under their final coat of ceramic glaze.

Granite cookware actually doesn’t contain pure stone, so it’s much lighter than cast iron cookware. These pots and pans have an inner core made typically of aluminum or carbon steel that’s finished with porcelain or stone-derived enamel. The nonstick coating doesn’t leach when heating highly acidic foods, so it’s great for cooking with tomatoes, vinegar, citrus and alcohol. Plus, specks of black and grey in the nonstick enamel leave an attractive appearance that makes for a unique feature in any kitchen.

Stainless-steel cookware is best for sauteing, boiling, browning or deep frying. These pots and pans are usually composed of an aluminum core with stainless-steel walls. The bright and shiny look can give a kitchen a more professional appearance. This material has a non-porous surface, which makes it easy for cleaning. However, it is not a naturally nonstick surface, so you may need to use oil or an alternative fat to prevent sticking. Even if burn spots happen, soaking your cookware in common household items such as baking soda and vinegar will bring back the shiny surface.

Frequently Asked Questions: Eco-Friendly Cookware

What is the safest cookware for your health?

Ceramic cookware is considered safer than Teflon cookware because it is free of harmful chemicals such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances such as polytetrafluoroethylene) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). It can be safely heated to higher temperatures than traditional Teflon pots and pans while still maintaining a nonstick surface.

What brand of cookware is non-toxic?

Many non-toxic cookware brands such as GreenLife, Le Creuset and Caraway have safe kitchen products that won’t seep toxins into your food. Ceramic and other stone-derived products are naturally nonstick and are great heat conductors, so these eco-friendly choices never need harmful synthetic additives such as PFAS.

Is ceramic cookware eco-friendly?

Removing as little as one to two steps while constructing cookware can lead to producing fewer carbon emissions. Ceramic cookware only takes one layer of coating to be nonstick, whereas Teflon usually takes around three coatings. Cutting down manufacturing leads to 50% less carbon dioxide emissions compared to the Teflon pans. Ceramic items also don’t contain toxic chemicals that risk leaching into the environment or into your food.