As we enter more homes and engage in conversations with clients and friends alike, common questions emerge regarding low-tox lifestyles and the steps we can take to eliminate chemicals and toxins from our daily routines. Naturally, the most common dialogues revolve around safer home maintenance (our specialty, of course), but a close second question is: "What are the safest non-toxic cooking pots and pans for home use?" - to many, that will come as no surprise, there's a ton of misinformation and a distinct lack of accessible options out there! Finding the least toxic pots and pans can be a cookware minefield.
Manufacturers keep churning out products laden with toxins, causing environmental harm and serious health issues. Now, think about how we cook and use our kitchenware—microwaving, boiling water in pots or kettles to sanitise baby or pet items. Are they nickel free? These everyday actions can leach toxins from plastics or metals into your food or water without you realising it. In response, families and communities are turning to non-toxic cookware free from carcinogens, BPAs, PFOAs, and PTFEs. If you’re ready to switch, it’s key to know what to avoid and which are the safest, low tox pots and pans for your health.
As boutique cleaners, we make our own artisanal, organic cleaning products to use in your home, so sanitisation is of course a huge part of the process; we've sourced hypoallergenic, nickel free low tox cooking pots and glass kettles for exactly this purpose, reducing possibilities for allergic reaction or intolerance development. We believe all families and individuals should have easy access to this kind of information so you can make better home health decisions. In this guide, we’ll dive into what materials to avoid, recommend the best non-toxic cookware, share top picks for non-stick options, and explain why these choices are important for your health. If you're after quick choices without reading all the details, see directly below. These pots and pans have been composition tested to contain no nickel, no toxins and stress-tested resulting in excellent durability. They're all completely non-toxic, dishwasher safe, and compatible with induction, gas stove, barbecues, oven, even campfire. If you're looking for more background and detail, keep reading for an in-depth look at why these non-toxic cookware options are the better, healthier kitchen replacements.
Best Non Stick and Non Toxic Cookware
Best Stainless Steel No Nickel Pots & Pans: Solidteknics Nöni
Click here to see why this nickel free stainless steel option has come out on top as the zero tox choice
Best Affordable No Nickel Pots & Pans: Homichef Nickel Free
Click here for more detail on these nickel free pots and pans as the best affordable zero tox option
Best Cast Iron Cookware: Solidteknics Cast Iron
Click here to read more about why this healthy cast iron is the best zero tox kitchen winner
I want healthy non toxic cookware, what should I entirely avoid when it comes to pots and pans?
Unfortunately, we can't rely on what a manufacturer tells us their products are made from. Sadly, there are so many legal loopholes or just tricky marketing campaigns to sway you from knowing exactly what you're using, breathing or consuming. In search of healthy non-toxic cookware, a benchmark method professionally used to understand what is or isn't leaching harmful substances is known as XRF testing. XRF testing specifically tests for leached contaminants and toxic metals in water, since we're talking about cookware, of course this testing method is a staple for use to determine either safe or toxic levels of metal leaching in pots and pans. To be on the safe side, the following is an up-to-date list of tested items and materials to avoid, as all of these will either mildly, or some quite heavily, leach toxic and carcinogenic substances and metals into your food and water (details of what is safe towards the end of the article!).
WHAT TO AVOID:
-ALL Non-Stick Coatings -Painted Cookware -Antique/Vintage Cookware -Silicone Cookware -Brass/Copper Cookware -Aluminium Cookware -Microwave-Safe Plastics -Glass Cookware -Ceramic Cookware -Glazed Ovenware
Are Non-Stick Pans Safe, and is Teflon safe?
No, teflon non-stick pans are unsafe, including those claiming to be "non-toxic" or presented with marketing terms such as titanium, diamond, hexclad etc. Anything marketed as teflon does and will contain PFOA, PFOS or a slightly modified chemical structure of the same, which is just as carcinogenic and toxic, not to mention evidence of reproductive, hormonal and immune issues borne of this commonplace coating. The new "hexclad pans" fad promotes a stainless steel layer over the teflon, which makes it sound and seem durable, however teflon is still there and entirely exposed. This marketing gimmick is unfortunately a way to adapt to the increasing public awareness that teflon is of issue, but neglects to address the release of chemicals through high heat exposure. So long as the pans are still made from teflon, your food remains in direct contact with it meaning once heated, you're still exposed to PTFE, PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAs. There's simply no need to take risk or expose yourself and your family to these chemicals since PFOA and PTFE free non stick pans can be found without using teflon.
Is Painted Cookware Safe?
Kitchen items with painted elements or markings are best avoided as some manufacturers still use lead paint in their product development and may not need to disclose this information depending on the government's regulation in the region in which it was made. This includes wooden utensils or other kitchen tools with painted decorative markings or dips, and extends to finding healthy non stick pans too.
Is Antique and Vintage Cookware Safe?
As beautiful as it truly is, vintage cookware (as the name may suggest) is old, meaning it came from a time when safety standards and disclosure of processes, chemicals and material compositions were much more lax, or more concerningly, even non-existent. Due to this, there's a highly increased chance they were made at least in part from toxic components. Disclosure remains a rampant problem for a majority of available products to this day, consider what it was like back when there was no regulation whatsoever.
Is Silicone Safe to Cook With?
Many items of cookware with silicone components (or made entirely from silicone), have been found to contain trace levels of cadmium and even unsafe levels of lead. Branding is a persistent issue that we're certain many of you are hesitant about, and while silicone has been viewed to be a great eco-friendly alternative to throw away plastics, until we have more regulation and transparency from the things we buy, it's best to avoid it in direct contact with heat exposed settings. Think silicone travel cup lids that boiling water still passes through and then ingested - this is best avoided. Conversely, an external silicone sleeve around the base of a glass travel cup for insulation is perhaps a safer use case.
Are Brass and Copper Pots and Pans Safe?
Cookware made entirely from, or with brass handles may contain high levels of lead. Similarly, copper based pots and pans are soft metals that can leach into food, causing a myriad of health issues, including chronic abdominal pains and cramps, or in long term exposure, damage to the liver and kidneys.
Is Aluminium Cookware Safe?
Aluminium is often seen used specifically in chef applications, which may lend to the belief that it is safe. In practice, aluminum is very soft and leaches far more than other relatively inert metals (more below on safe metals for cooking with), therefore considered unsafe from a health perspective. Since it transfers so easily in heat, once ingested and in the blood, it binds to proteins such as albumin and is rapidly distributed through the body. Much like brass and copper, you don't want this in your food nor your bloodstream.
Is 'Microwave Safe' Plastic Safe?
'Microwave Safe' plastic means the item you're putting in the microwave won't melt, catch fire, explode etc. It doesn't actually mean that it is safe for your health, this is a common misconception. Plastics contain BPAs, hormone disruptors as well as cancer causing elements. General removal of plastics from your kitchen products is best practice but more importantly, avoid the heating of plastics (such as in a microwave) as this is where exposure to BPAs is at its highest. This includes "microwave-safe" labelled tupperware. For health safe alternatives, thankfully there are many great glass options available and for simple lunch box alternatives, there are a range of wonderful stainless steel and bamboo options too.
Is Cooking in Glass Cookware Safe?
In general, yes! However, while glass is typically considered very safe, it's best to avoid all tinted or coloured glass when it comes to cooking or boiling (more below on great glass options, especially for kettles). Unfortunately, while they may look lovely and add character, similar to painted cookware, many coloured glass tints contain heavy metal based colorants and constituents, all of which will leach. To be certain, make sure any glass you're using is completely clear. Otherwise, if any tint or colour is visible in your glass cookware, this unfortunately won't sit in the healthy non stick pans category.
Is Ceramic Non Stick Cookware Safe?
Many ceramic non stick pans use aluminum at the actual pan core, coated within a thin layer of a silicone dioxide, polymer, and chromium/titanium coating, so it's best to avoid these kinds of "healthy non-stick" marketed pans, including examples such as Greenpan, or Caraway. To achieve their coating, they spray the aluminium pan with these mixtures of silicone dioxide and inorganic polymers, the latter of which aren't disclosed with specificity. Similar to teflon, high temperatures and scratching exposes you to toxins through the release of these polymers (plastic) and leaching of aluminium metals of the pan core.
Is Glazing and Glazed Ovenware Safe?
Glazed ovenware and bakeware are also best avoided and generally considered unsafe due to lead glazing. They may look great, but glazing is glazing, is glazing, and the process uses a range of toxins, namely trace metals such as lead in the form of lead bisilicate frit, just to note one. Sometimes confused with enamel pans (which are relatively safe), the difference is that enamel does not contain lead and is used as a base coat on cast iron, such as used in dutch ovens. Glazing on the other hand, is more of a decorative finish intended to make your bakeware look good. Unsurprisingly, manufacturers generally lack consideration for what the glazing contains, and therefore what is being leached into your food.
Okay, that's a lot! I'm overwhelmed, is there anything left that's safe, what should I use? We've done the testing and research for you, see below:
Safest Non-toxic Pots and Pans; Choosing the Best Non Toxic Cookware Materials
Two of the best materials for healthy, non-toxic cooking are cast iron and stainless steel. Both are durable, easy to maintain, free from BPA, PFOA, and other harmful chemicals, and they don’t leach toxins into your food. However, not all cookware is created equal. It’s crucial to choose a reputable manufacturer that openly discloses the composition of their products. Cheaper quality common options that you can get at a standard homeware store can still (and likely do) contain contaminants. Read more below to understand why reputable options are important; we've provided detail and knowledge to help you make informed choices for your kitchens and families.
1. Is Stainless Steel Cookware Safe?
One of the safest materials for cookware is stainless steel as it is a durable, non-reactive material that is resistant to corrosion and scratching. It's in the top ranks of the healthiest cookware you can have, and thankfully for everyone (we're particularly happy about this one for obvious reasons!) it is also relatively easy to clean, and is arguably the best 'naturally' non stick frying pan material available, both in terms of maintenance and cook quality. It is however important to note that when seeking safe pans to cook with, many stainless steel cookware options may contain trace amounts of nickel, and while quite uncommon, can cause allergies in some individuals (you can however, source nickel free stainless steel - see below).
Many stainless steel cookware items contain trace amounts of nickel, a normal inclusion in manufacturing to help improve the material's corrosion resistance and overall tensile strength. However, while quite uncommon, some people can develop rash reactions with long term exposure.
Considering this, the preferred choice is to find nickel free non-toxic pots and pans; avoidance of allergy development, especially for kids can often be best practice. Stainless steel is by far the healthiest option for PFOA and PTFE free non stick pans but finding no nickel stainless steel alternatives can be tricky as the composition varies between different manufacturers.
We've done the work for you to make things easier and have found and stress tested a handful of trusted no nickel stainless steel pots and pans that are of lasting quality and readily available online.
Best Nickel Free Stainless Steel Cookware:
For the best non stick pan that comes nickel free, firstly is the well trusted Australian brand Solidteknics. We've regularly tested them for years now and can say that they always come out as the best non-toxic cookware to date. Why? When it comes to stainless steel, they have they have the most reputably available no nickel line called "nöni", with a range of non-toxic pots and pans forged from a single piece of metal; no screws, pins or pieces to fall apart, ensuring longevity and quality. You simply won't find that elsewhere. These are lifetime non-toxic pots and pans which will last decades, if not forever. Products are simply not made like that these days so when you find one, it's a no-brainer. If you're looking for the best safe pans to cook with and want to upgrade to a nickel free set that are a family and health safe option, which will also literally last you multiple generations, this is the choice. To note; they're induction friendly, gas stovetop, oven and even campfire friendly, so you can use them for any application. We've gone through most of their cookware in our years and they've always proven the best non stick frying pans and cooking pots we've used. You can find their range here: Solidteknics Nöni
Best Affordable Nickel Free Stainless Steel:
Alternative nickel free options are really hard to find. However, if you're looking for the best affordable non toxic cookware line in a non-nickel option, we recommend Homichef. They aren't single piece stainless steel designed, meaning their handles are still screwed on to the pot or pan, but have still help up very well (we've been using their products for some years now too). We've stress tested them to great results and all Homichef reviews indicate similar. These are also PFOA and PTFE free non stick pans and they've made their products quite easy to access, you can best find them on Amazon at the following link: Homichef Amazon or, if you're looking for a more comprehensive nickel free stainless steel set to replace almost everything you need in the kitchen, they also have a more extensive range here.
Best Stainless Steel Pots & Pans (General):
While Solidteknics offer the longest lasting and highest quality no nickel stainless steel option, for the best non toxic cooking pans that are traditional stainless steel and do contain nickel (if that's not of bother to you), kitchen warehouse has a great all-stainless steel cookware set from the Tramontina Grano collection, which holds up wonderfully, although they may require a little more care and maintenance compared to the single piece Solidteknics option. Similar to Homichef above, there are more moving parts (screws, attached handles etc). Remember, not all is created equal — click here for the non toxic Tramontina stainless steel pans. Make sure you're looking at the "Grano" collection, this is their low-tox stainless steel range, their other ranges are teflon based designs which is not what we want in our kitchens.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Pans and Pots:
As organic home experts, we make all our own organic cleaning products ourselves, by-hand, many of which require boiling for sanitisation pre-bottling. The stainless steel boilware we use is all zero nickel, to ensure all possible reduction of allergenics. We understand not everyone has the knowledge or time to be making effective organic cleaning solutions as we do, life is busy. So for cleaning your own pots, pans and steelware at home after cooking with them, we recommend using neutral, low-tox products such as Koala Eco's stainless cleaner, or their fruit and veg wash, both excellent options for cleaning and maintaining stainless steel or anything that touches food and consumables (benches, chopping boards, utensils etc). If you're using one of best non toxic cooking pans from the above suggestions, cleaning will be a breeze as they're designed to be dishwasher safe, scratch resistant and heat resistant. So if you've had a bad cook day and need that extra rough steel wool and boiling water combination when things get tough, go for it.
Is Stainless Steel Safe for Microwaves:
No, metals should not be used in a microwave. Whether it be any piece of your stainless steel cookware set or otherwise. The atoms in metals are easy to excite, which result in electron sparks that build up; the longer the time spent, the higher the chance you'll have a fire/explosion hazard, even if minimal. In saying that, there are suggestions that some metals are okay for the microwave, so long as there aren't sharp points, and the material is flat, and it doesn't have rounded edges, and it's a single piece design, and th.. okay, that's exhausting, but I think you get the point. Almost any metal you'll put in the microwave won't adhere to that entire list, so be safe, and don't put stainless steel or other metals (cutlery and foil included) in your microwave oven. Stick to the healthy option of stainless steel pots and pans on any stovetop. Remember you can also use your non toxic skillet on induction, gas, electric or even your campfire.
2. Is Cast Iron Cookware Safe and Non Toxic?
Cast Iron is one of the healthiest, oldest used and fantastically health conscious options out there. With the right 'seasoning', (a term which refers to applying oil to the pan and heating it to the point where it develops a protective sheen), you more or less have one of the most "non-stick" cookware items you'll ever use. Truly one of the most versatile non-toxic options available. Neurotoxic metals (such as lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic and antimony) are not found in cast iron and this, alongside it's excellent heat retention and searing capabilities makes cast iron a deeply loved kitchen tool by chefs and home cooks alike. We recommend using an organic flaxseed oil for seasoning as it has a high smoke point, is health forward and creates on of the most glass like finishes on your pans, by far the best option of all we've tested. Follow the guide by your manufacturer for the seasoning process, once done, you're good to go for life! If you need to re-season for whatever reason, you can clean off the seasoning and start again.
Some of the best non stick pan options from a branding perspective are Solidteknics, Stargazer and for enamelled cast iron, Le Creuset. They are all great choices, however some people have issues with enamel cast iron options and brands based on the rare possibility for the brightly coloured paints used on the outside of the pots to potentially contain trace metals. This is unlikely to be the case for a reputable brand, and of course down to personal preference. We love our Le Creuset dutch ovens as the food is of course cooked on the inside of the pots, but if you want to play it extra safe, non-enamelled cast iron such as solidteknics cast iron and wrought iron is our go-to choice.
Best Cast Iron Pots & Pans:
Which cast iron brand is the best? As was with the the stainless steel offerings - reviews and testing once again reign supreme for Solidteknics. They offer high build quality in a range of some of the best non-toxic pots and pans in cast iron, as well as (our favourite) a much lighter and sleeker AUS-ION version. These are our first pick in the home, especially the aus-ion line which is "wrought iron", designed in a much less bulky and relatively light weight 3mm thickness format, with all the original benefits of the heavy cast iron retained! Some cheap cast iron can crack due to high temperature fluctuations due to the way they are poured and set (cast into the pan shape), however since wrought iron is modelled from a single sheet of metal, this will never happen, which makes them an superior choice. They also heat up much faster, which is amazing for decreasing your cook time and for saving money on energy. We've yet to find another reputable 'wrought iron' option on the market, solidteknics continue to do pretty amazing things.
Identical to their stainless steel range, these are multi-generational, health conscious and completely natural non-stick safe pans to cook with that are induction, gas stovetop, oven and even campfire friendly. Luckily, you can easily access their full cast iron and wrought iron (aus-ion) range here: Solidteknics Cast Iron and Wrought Iron
How to Clean Cast Iron Pans:
Unlike stainless steel, cast iron doesn’t require cleaning in the usual sense. In fact, cleaning cast iron with traditional methods, such as using lots of soap or dishwashing liquid, can strip away the natural non-stick oils we mentioned earlier—those that make cooking with cast iron so exceptional. But don’t worry, you can always reapply oil to restore this surface if you do happen to accidentally give them a heavy soap scrub. That’s precisely why cast iron is so amazing: you can continually create a non-stick surface, over and over for a lifetime. For cleaning cast iron, we recommend using water, the tiniest drop of dishwashing liquid and an organic cotton kitchen wipe to ensure your cast iron seasoning is maintained well. If you have cotton cloths at home, feel free to use them. No need to get anything fancy, however, make sure that what you're wiping your pans down with also doesn't contain microplastics or inorganic threads, you don't want to undo the purpose of having a low-tox cooking utensil by wiping and lathering it down with an unknown fabric, especially when hot. If you're not certain as to what your cloths are made from, or, you want to play it safe, you can find some organic cotton options on the trusted eco platform Biome; we personally use these organic kitchen cloths, which are especially nice as we personally love the colourway. Otherwise if you're needing a more neutral palette for your kitchen design aesthetic, these dish cloths are also 100% organic, come in a grey/light colourway and are great for cast iron maintenance. We've found both to be soft, durable and excellently used as dedicated cast iron cleaning materials for our cook sets.
Cast Iron Pans Care:
In terms of maintaining the non-stick seasoning for your pan, the other beautiful thing about cast iron is the more that you use it, the seasoning improves with age - all by itself. Beyond that, if for whatever reason you've gone particularly hard on your pans one day, or a family member or friend misuses it, worry not, it’s not the end of the world—or your pan! Just remind them, gently, that cast iron is like the royalty of cookware—it needs a little extra love and care. Maybe throw in a dramatic gasp for effect when they completely lather it in dishwashing liquid, but then laugh it off as you explain the sacred art of seasoning.
If needing to undergo a re-seasoning session, just do the same as your originally did when getting your pan. Don't use general kitchen oils like olive oil, their smoke point is at too low a temperature which doesn't allow the seasoning to adhere to the pan. You'll find this will easily chip off with use. We've tried a range of different recommended seasoning oils and always come back to flaxseed oil for a superior glass like finish, this one (click here to view) comes from a reputable brand delivering organics, and as a bonus is easily available for order. Apply a layer of your chosen oil to your pot or pan, wipe off any excess with a cotton cloth or paper towel so there's only a thin layer remaining and heat your pan on the stovetop at the highest temperature for 15-30 minutes. Let cool and do this a few times as needed, without fail your pans will be as good as new. Plus, now you have a great excuse to bond over a cooking lesson! It's a win-win: they learn, you protect your beloved pan and everyone leaves happy 🍳
3. Non-Toxic Kettles; Glass and Stainless Steel
Another safe cookware option is glass - best used in the kitchen for containers, brewers and kettles. Believe it or not, you can actually find glass pots and pans for stovetop cooking too, just make sure that if you want to go down this route that it's not tinted glass as noted above! Glass is non-reactive, inert and doesn't release any chemicals into food or water during cooking, so long as they aren't tinted/coloured. It's also resistant to scratching, incredibly easy to clean, dishwasher safe and a lot more heat resistant than you may assume (including exposure to naked flames). It is however no where near as durable as stainless steel or cast iron and will break relatively easily if dropped, or exposed to particularly extreme shifts in temperature, e.g. straight from the stovetop moved directly under a running tap. Of course, broken glass can also present danger in the home; so for all these reasons, I'd stick to glass specifically for kettles and choose stainless steel and cast iron for the rest. Dual-walled glass kettles are a brilliant option (if you can find them), as they are not only stronger and safer but also keep the outside of the kettle relatively cool while the water boils. Safe across the board for your health and home. Do remember, as before, that not all products are created equal. Some glass kettles have a plastic internal base, which entirely defeats the purpose of finding a glass wall option as it will still leach BPAs into your water. We use this dual walled glass kettle as the internal base of this particular model is stainless steel, so it ticks all the boxes for a low-tox, health safe glass kettle (no BPAs!).
And that's that, when it comes to non toxic cookware and kitchenware, it's not just about what looks good in your kitchen (although we admit a well styled kitchen is immeasurably important!), it's also about what's safe for you and your family, and we're sure you agree. Let's be honest, nobody wants to be eating toxic chemicals with their morning omelette or drinking lead dosed water for some extra "flavour".
So if you're needing some new pots and pans, or you know you should make a shift from the toxic options you currently have, then hopefully you're now equipped with a little more knowledge as to which safe and healthy alternatives to look for. Just make sure to buy from reputable brands when seeking your cast iron or stainless steel cookware sets, and of course please take good care of your non toxic cookware to keep it in tip-top shape for you and your family's health! They'll last you a lifetime 🙂
Low Tox Lifestyle Series ✨
Ready to make smarter choices for a healthier home? Our Low-Tox Lifestyle Series is here to help you reduce and remove harmful chemicals from your everyday life. From cleaning tips to product swaps, each article is packed with practical advice to create healthier, baby safe, pet safe, toxin-free spaces 🌿
Looking for more low-tox tips? Check out the latest installments from our series below! • What is Oxygen Bleach and is it Safe? Better Laundry Alternatives
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