Cooking is one of life’s daily rituals—sometimes therapeutic, sometimes hectic, but always essential. Whether you're flipping pancakes on a Saturday morning or furiously meal-prepping for the week ahead, your cookware is a silent partner in the whole operation. But here’s the catch: Not all cookware is created equal. Some pans come with a side of unwelcome companions, like coatings and materials that could sneak their way into your food (and nobody wants a sprinkle of chemicals with their scrambled eggs). It’s enough to make anyone side-eye their skillet.
But before you banish all your pots and pans to storage and start cooking everything over an open flame, take a breath. The good news is that there are plenty of safe, nontoxic cookware options out there that can give you peace of mind and perfectly seared veggies. The trick is knowing what to avoid (bye-bye, mystery coatings) and what to prioritize.
One big offender? PFAS, a.k.a. "forever chemicals," found in some nonstick coatings. They make your eggs glide out like magic but stick around in the environment—and possibly your body—way longer than you'd like. Then there's PFOA, PTFE, and other alphabet soup culprits that you don’t want in your Tuesday night stir-fry. While these coatings may have once seemed like the superhero of the kitchen, their shady side has come to light, making it clear why steering clear of them is a recipe for peace of mind. These chemicals have been linked to various health concerns, including hormonal disruptions, immune system effects, and potential risks to long-term well-being.
Thankfully, there’s a whole sea of cookware out there that’s both safe and seriously functional—no not-so-great chemicals included. From sleek stainless steel to trusty cast iron, the options are as endless as your Pinterest recipe boards. I did the heavy lifting (and sautéing) for you and narrowed it down to the top 19 picks. These are the ones that made the cut in my book.
Pans
First things first: ans are the unsung heroes of everyday cooking. From frying eggs to sautéing vegetables, a high-quality pan is essential.
If versatility is your goal, this skillet is a dream. Made with titanium-strengthened stainless steel, it cooks evenly and lasts forever. Bonus points for being entirely nontoxic. “It heats up so well and evenly, and it is a breeze to clean,” shares chef and registered dietitian Sara Haas.
The hallmark of GreenPan is its ceramic nonstick coating, free of PFAS and PFOA. “Their nonstick coating is made from ceramic, a nontoxic alternative material,” shared Lindsey Joe, registered dietitian and author of The Meal Planning Method. “Their pans truly make kitchen clean up quick—there's no soaking or scraping necessary, ever,” Joe adds.
Cult-favorite for a reason, this multifunctional pan does it all—frying, steaming, braising, and more. Stylish enough to leave out on your stove, it’s a true overachiever. Made with a nontoxic, PTFE- and PFOA-free ceramic coating, it ensures safer cooking. “Plus, it’s super versatile and easy to clean,” explained Mascha Davis, registered dietitian and author of Eat Your Vitamins.
Seeking that perfect sear? Victoria’s pre-seasoned cast iron skillet comes ready to go and will last a lifetime with proper care. Affordable and reliable, it’s a no-brainer. Crafted without synthetic coatings, it offers a naturally nonstick cooking surface.
One thing that makes this skillet unique is its smooth surface, as they use a machining process modeled on the best of vintage cookware, leaving a touch of texture on the surface to hold seasoning. It has thinner sidewalls vs. some other cast iron skillets, and it weighs less too, making it easy to grab. It is PFOA- and PFTE-free. Bonus? The skillet arrives pre-seasoned with three coats of organic grapeseed oil, so it’s ready to cook with right away.
Pots
Whether you’re making soups, stews, or sauces, the right pot will make your culinary life so much easier.
A stunning combination of functionality and design, this cocotte is perfect for slow-cooking, braising, and baking. With Staub’s signature enameled cast iron for even heat distribution and Buster Punch's stylish detailing, this piece is as much a showstopper on your table as it is in the kitchen. Durable and timeless, it’s an investment worth making. Its enameled coating ensures it's nontoxic and safe for all your cooking needs.
For sauces and reductions, Cristel’s saucepan is unbeatable. Its removable handles offer clever storage solutions while maintaining top-tier performance. Made from high-quality stainless steel, it’s nontoxic and guaranteed not to leach harmful materials into your food.
Ideal for making broths, boiling pasta, or hosting your annual chili cook-off, the Cuisinart stockpot is durable, spacious, and evenly heats every drop of liquid gold. Its stainless steel construction ensures safe cooking without the risk of unwanted toxins.
This hybrid cookware saucepan is built with the performance of stainless steel, the ease of a nonstick product, and the durability of cast iron. Made from food-grade materials, ensuring a nontoxic cooking experience every time. As the name implies, it is made with PFAS-free ceramic, for a nonstick experience, and is silver ion-charged for anti-microbial protection. It is also free from heavy metals lead and cadmium.
Sheet Trays
Sheet trays may not get as much love in the cookware world, but these workhorses can roast vegetables, bake cookies, and even crisp up leftover pizza. Treat them well, and they’ll repay you tenfold.
The Holy Sheet isn’t just a cheeky name. This baking tray is hefty, durable, and equally efficient at baking or roasting a weeknight medley of veggies. It’s also dishwasher-friendly, and it comes in super fun colors. And when it comes to toxic chemicals, it is PTFE-free, which means it does not contain PFOA or PFAS. The nonstick ceramic (read: Teflon-free) coating is engineered to be chemical-free for safe and effortless food release.
All of the Caraway baking sheets are free of PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, lead, cadmium and other unwanted materials that may leach into your food. Made with high-quality ceramic-coated steel, these baking sheets provide even heat distribution, ensuring consistent cooking results every time.
This sheet pan is constructed with triple-bonded clad stainless steel and a responsive aluminum core, ensuring even heat distribution, which makes for evenly browned and roasted foods. The stainless steel used in the pan is food-grade and free from harmful chemicals and other potentially toxic coatings. Its uncoated surface ensures there are no synthetic layers that could break down or release fumes under high heat.
Other Vessels
Alright, here’s where it gets fun—these “other vessels” are the Swiss army knives of cookware. From steaming to grilling, these tools add versatility to your arsenal.
Miss cooking on a grill because of your small kitchen or bad weather? The Kenyon Indoor Grill gives you smokey, seared goodness without stepping outside. Its nontoxic, PFOA-free nonstick surface ensures safe, worry-free grilling. Plus, without the need for charcoal, you lose the potential health risk of inhaling harmful smoke while still enjoying those perfect grill marks.
Anyday’s glass containers are a game-changer. Steam veggies, cook rice, or even roast chicken—straight in the microwave. Made from pure, food-safe glass, they are completely free from harmful plastics or chemicals.
A budget-friendly solution for casseroles and baked pasta, this Lodge dish combines the benefits of cast iron with an easy-to-clean enamel coating. Its lead-free enamel guarantees safe and nontoxic meal prep.
Stir fry, anyone? Smithey takes the durability of carbon steel and molds it into a stunning, versatile wok. Its natural seasoning ensures chemical-free cooking and a naturally nonstick performance. It even comes pre-seasoned! Its lightweight carbon steel construction allows for easy handling while still delivering high performance for stir-frying, searing, and more.
Perfect for making egg bites, baking muffins, or portioning leftovers, these reusable silicone cups are nonstick, oven-safe, and an eco-friendly alternative to paper liners. They’re made from 100 percent food-grade silicone, ensuring no chemicals leach into your food.
A Dutch oven is a versatile, heavy-duty pot designed for slow cooking, baking, braising, and more. This particular Dutch oven features a non-reactive stainless steel interior that is ideal for cooking a variety of dishes—meaning it does not leach any harmful chemicals or react with acidic or alkaline ingredients like tomatoes or vinegar.making it perfect for deglazing. Its three-layer system of metals, including an aluminum core, ensures even heat distribution all the way up the sides, allowing you to sear, sauté, and reduce with professional-level precision.
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