Last Updated on April 9, 2022 by Ellen Christian
Are you wondering about the healthiest non stick pan for everyday cooking? Choosing healthy non-stick cookware was one of the first things I did when I learned of the dangers of some nonstick pans. I absolutely love to cook and I really enjoy the time I get to spend making meals for my family.
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Healthiest Non Stick Pan
I often use cooking and baking as a way to relax after a stressful week. There is only one part of cooking and baking that I don’t enjoy and that is washing dishes. Actually, I don’t mind washing your average cup and fork. What I really dislike is scrubbing pots and pans with dried-on or stuck-on food. I have actually been known to toss a pot or two in my life simply because I could not get them as clean as I wanted to. That’s why non stick cookware is so important to me.
Some non-stick cookware is made using a cancer-causing chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) that starts to give off toxic fumes you breathe in every time you cook with them. As if that isn’t bad enough, at high temperatures, the coating of this PFOA coated cookware will break down into a chemical agent that is related to nerve gas! Obviously this type of pan isn’t something that I really want in my kitchen and I definitely don’t want to use it to make dinner.
What is the safest cookware for your health?
When choosing the healthiest non stick pan, you need to choose one that does not use PFOA to make it non stick. There are many different types of pans you can choose depending on what you want and what your budget is.
If you’re looking for the safest cookware for your health, you’ll want to invest in a good quality set of cast iron. I love my Lodge cookware but rarely use it because it’s heavy. And, my arthritis does not like me picking it up any longer. Unfortunately, cast iron isn’t really non stick.
What is the best non stick pan?
So, if you have decided that cast iron is not for you and you want the healthiest non stick pan, what are your options?
- All Clad is relatively lightweight and heats evenly. The handles are comfortable to hold and it’s balanced when you use it. It’s a tad on the pricey side. But, I think it’s the best option. See it here.
- If All Clad is out of your budget, your next best choice will be TFal. My daughter loves her set and says it cooks evenly and is easy to work with. Plus, this version has a color-changing dot that tells you when the pan is hot. See it here.
- Xtrema is a 100% natural ceramic cookware that is non stick. It has mixed reviews. Some people love it and some hate it. If it’s in your budget, give it a try and form your own opinion. Find out more.
What about Green pan?
I’ve heard tons of good things about the Green pan. So, I did a little bit of research. If you want the healthiest non stick pan for everyday cooking, GreenPan uses a ceramic non-stick coating to achieve good results. It’s definitely not a cheap option but it is both oven and broiler safe which is a definite plus. Ceramic cookware is a great option that is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium.
One of the reasons that many people opt for ceramic cookware like GreenPan is that it is metal utensil safe. So, you can use whatever kitchen utensils you want to from knives to spatulas to whisks without worrying about scratching your non-stick surface.
And, because it cannot be scratched, the likelihood that the non-stick coating will flake off is very low. This really makes it one of the healthiest non stick pan options available today.
How long do non stick pans last?
This really depends on the quality of the pan. It’s unlikely that you will buy one set of non stick pans that will last forever. The coating will wear off with use no matter which set you buy. My recommendation is that you purchase the set you can afford on your budget. And, use it for as long as possible. Keep in mind that the higher the heat you use, the more likely food will stick even with a non stick pan.
Here are three options based on your budget from low to high.
This post was originally published in 2012 and has been updated with more current information in 2020.
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Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
