Best nontoxic cookware: Audit your kitchen and switch out potentially dangerous aluminum pots and pans

There’s a growing focus on the potential health concerns related to using aluminum cookware — an inexpensive and lightweight staple in kitchens around the world. While it’s less common in the U.S., experts say it is still possible to find aluminum products in your kitchen, particularly if you have hand-me-down dishes, finds from secondhand stores or kitchenware from outside the country (which can be bought online). In a recent study looking at whether aluminum cookware can put someone at risk for lead poisoning, researchers bought and tested products in their home state of Washington, using products they could find in-store or online.

Aluminum cookware can contaminate food with lead

The researchers tested 100 aluminum, brass and stainless-steel pans and pressure cookers to see whether they contained lead and could contaminate food with it. “The study revealed many of the aluminum cookware and pressure cookers released enough lead under simulated cooking and storage conditions to present a significant risk for lead poisoning,” says Katie Fellows, one of the authors and an environmental scientist in the public health department of Seattle and King County. “The finding is especially important for children and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, because of lead’s effect on childhood brain development.”

The findings from the study are so important, that, in response, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a letter to cookware retailers and distributors telling them not to distribute the cookware tested by Fellows and her team.

Stainless-steel, cast iron and ceramic cookware is safer

The research also showed that “stainless-steel cook pots and pressure cookers are safer alternatives,” says Fellows, as are cast iron (particularly if enameled) and ceramic cookware. These materials have minimal leaching risks and are durable with proper care.

Products made from anodized aluminum without nonstick coatings are safer choices when undamaged, says Wesley McWhorter, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, because they are “less prone to leaching.” But note: Pots and pans with nonstick coatings like Teflon may pose their own risks, particularly when used at high temperatures (above 500°F) or if the nonstick coating has been scratched or damaged.

Ways to reduce exposure

Of course, cookware isn’t cheap, and replacing potentially dangerous options in one fell swoop may not be possible (although you should throw away any of the lead-containing items tested by Fellows and her team if you find them in your kitchen). If your budget doesn’t have space for replacing aluminum cookware or worn out nonstick cookware right now, Fellows recommends hand-washing kitchenware with a nonscratching scrubber and mild soap and avoiding cooking very acidic foods (such as vinegar, fruits and tomatoes) “to decrease the likelihood of leaching.” Finally, don’t store food in aluminum cookware, because the longer a food is exposed to the surface, the greater the chance of heavy metals leaching into your food.

Find more tips for reducing your exposure on the King County Public Health website.

Audit the cookware and kitchenware you have

Places you might find aluminum in your home include baking dishes, cookie sheets, roasting pans, measuring cups, large cookware (like pots for low-country boils or other big meals) and in your regular pots and pans. It’s a good idea to do a quick inventory, because there is strong evidence to suggest that cooking with aluminum can be hazardous to your health. One thing to note: A lot of cookware has an aluminum core coated in a safer material such as stainless-steel or nontoxic enamel, which Fellows says is a solid choice, because “it is unlikely the aluminum will leak out.”

If you find aluminum products in your kitchen and you’re looking for safer options, consider replacing them with some of these nontoxic cookware alternatives

Nontoxic cookware and skillets

Lodge

Lodge is a reliable workhorse in the cast-iron skillet world with affordable skillets that work well. This one is a little lighter than most, which is nice for quick maneuvering and ease of lifting. Our reviewer especially liked the comfort of the long, ergonomic handle and the addition of the helper handle on the side.

$60 at Amazon

Macy’s

For a low-cost replacement, this 10-inch skillet was chosen as Yahoo’s best value in the cast-iron category and comes from a company that’s been making them for nearly 100 years. Our reviewer liked the smooth surface of the pan and how easily food releases off it. One downside: It weighs in a little more than some of the others.

$21 at Macy’s

GreenPan

These ceramic-covered, eco-friendly, nonstick pans get rave reviews, especially given their price point. If you need to replace several pans, this set is a good value (it includes 8-, 9.5- and 11-inch fry pans), but you can also choose from their individual pans for exactly which replacements you need.

$100 at Amazon

Calphalon

If you want to upgrade your whole set of pots and pans in one go, the best option where quality meets affordability is this 10-piece, stainless-steel set from Calphalon, which frequently goes on sale.

$149 at Wayfair

Caraway

At the higher end of cook and bakeware, Caraway stands out as one of the prettiest options out there. Our editors love that it heats quickly and evenly and is reliably nonstick. “You don’t have to use much butter or oil, even if you’re pan-frying things,” Yahoo’s Health editors says. Plus, this hardy crew (yes, they are on the heavier side) can handle whatever your oven can throw at them up to 550 degrees F. It’s definitely a big investment, but one that comes with a big payoff.

$355 at Amazon

Nontoxic bakeware and cookie sheets

Wildone

These stainless-steel baking sheets are a good option if you’re looking to replace a set of older or aluminum cookie pans. The smallest size is even suited for most toaster ovens. 

$32 at Amazon

Caraway

These higher-end sheets with an aluminum core covered by a nontoxic ceramic coating are well-loved for their even cooking and easy release of cookies or whatever you decide to cook on them. You can grab a single pan here.

$90 at Caraway

Lodge

While cast-iron bakeware may not be as commonly used as cast-iron skillets or Dutch ovens, it’s a good, safe option if you’re looking to make changes to your kitchen. This set covers the basics for casseroles, breads, pies and muffins. 

$131 at Amazon

Anchor Hocking

This set will meet all your mixing bowl needs at a great price, and glass bowls are super versatile in the kitchen, since they are dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe. Chefs like them for their transparency when consistency is key to a dish, as it often is in baking.

$40 at Amazon

Bamboozle

If you still have your grandparents’ aluminum measuring cups in your kitchen drawer, consider using them for some kind of cool decor and switching to these Bamboo versions. Bamboo is a safe alternative, and these colors are adorable.

$28 at Amazon

OXO

If you’re looking to replace all of your measuring cups and spoons, OXO is a great brand that’s known for its high-quality construction. Plus, stainless steel is a durable, safer material and these stack tightly to maximize space in your kitchen drawers.

$32 at Amazon

Nontoxic roasting pan

Cooks Standard

This eminently affordable roaster is well-liked by food journalists and Amazon reviewers alike. Its thickness offers even roasting, if adding a little weight. No matter, the wide handles are easy to grip. This version is on the smaller side (it won’t fit your Thanksgiving turkey), but the company offers a larger model that will.

$47 at Amazon

FAQs

How can I minimize aluminum leaching?

First, make sure any aluminum cookware or bakeware you’re using is coated in other materials, like stainless steel or ceramic, or anodized to help reduce the likelihood of leaching. Avoid cooking highly acidic foods in aluminum pans, as these can increase the likelihood of leaching. Cooking with high temperatures (over 500°F) is also not appropriate for aluminum cookware or bakeware. Finally, if your pans appear to be scratched or damaged, it’s time to replace them.

Are there any specific groups who should avoid aluminum cookware?

Be sure to cross-reference your cookware with the list of aluminum items that Fellows’s team discovered could lead to lead poisoning. These shouldn’t be used by anyone, although children and pregnant or breastfeeding women are at the greatest risk of adverse health outcomes from using the products.

Additionally, aluminum can leach in small amounts into foods cooked in aluminum cookware, particularly those that aren’t anodized or coated in other materials. Some aluminum intake is expected, but the World Health Organization (WHO) set the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) of aluminum to 2 milligrams per kilogram of bodyweight, so it’s important to be careful about preventing excess or inadvertent intake. Individuals with kidney disease may need to pay closer attention to potential aluminum intake (which also occurs naturally in some foods), as their kidneys may have more difficulty processing it from the body. Consult a doctor for personalized advice.

Meet our experts

• Katie Fellows, environmental scientist in the public health department of Seattle and King County

• Wesley McWhorter, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.