What Are Safe Cookwares?

A safe cookware is a one that doesn't produce any toxic substance during cooking. The manufacturing material and coating determine if it is safe. The interior surface material which could be either a coating layer or base material is vital to the safety because it contacts with food directly.

Teflon coated nonstick fry pans are not safe because they release toxic fumes when heated above certain temperature. There are many concerns about Teflon nonstick fry pans. Many lawsuits have been filed over the nonstick surface both as a cookware and in its manufacturing.

Pure aluminum fry pans are not safe too. Colic, rickets, gastrointestinal problems, interference with the metabolism of calcium, extreme nervousness, anemia, headaches, decreased liver and kidney function, memory loss, speech problems, softening of the bones, and aching muscles can all be caused by aluminum toxicity.

There is no doubt that nonstick provides a great convenience for cooking and cleaning. But safety is always the first concern. More and more people are seeking substitute for a good and safe cookware. How to find a one that work as good as a nonstick and is safe as well? Following are some recommended safe cookwares:

Teflon-free titanium
Pros: Teflon-free, scratch resistant, long lasting, healthy, light weight, easy cleaning
Cons: not many products
The best choice is obviously Teflon-free nonstick. Such a cookware keeps the advantages of a Teflon coated one. It also overcomes the disadvantages of a nonstick. Is there such a good and safe cookware existing? The answer is yes. But only one kind of such cookware is available on market. That is titanium.

Titanium has many advantages due to titanium metal properties. They are healthier, lighter, lasts longer, heats quickly, easy to clean. But don't be confused with nonstick titanium or titanium reinforced cookwares. Here titanium means pure titanium material without any coating while nonstick titanium or titanium reinforced ones have coatings made of material similar to Teflon. There is an easy way to tell the difference. Titanium cookwares have a silver metal color while others in dark colors.

Stainless steel
Pros: Teflon-free, non-toxic, good heat conduction, low price
Cons: not nonstick
Stainless steel cookwares eliminates toxic Teflon coating and aluminum surface. Instead it use safe materials like chromium, nickel and steel as interior surface layer, which makes all clad cookware a safe and healthy one.

Cast iron
Pros: nonstick, Teflon-free, uniform heat distribution, long lasting
Cons: need careful seasoning
Cast iron is used for cookwares because it has excellent heat retention and diffusion properties and can be produced and formed with a relatively low level of technology. Seasoning is used to protect bare cast iron from rust and to create a non-stick surface. Only a proper seasoned cast iron cookware is a safe one.

Copper
Pros: excellent heat conductivity and distribution, Teflon free, long lasting
Cons: not nonstick, need special care
Copper cookwares are classically used by chefs because of their quick heat conduction. Copper is a safe material for cooking. Copper cookware usually is coated with a thin layer of tin to prevent the copper from reacting with acidic foods.