Top 10 Healthiest Cookware On The Market in 2023

In this article, we examine science backed healthy cookware materials to use, and those to avoid. It's time to get off the grid and start cooking your own fresh meals. Shall we?

The Healthiest Cookware At a Glance:

• Best Overall Frying Pan - Ozeri Stone Earth Frying Pans
  "The best frying pan that there is on the market. No more sticking, scratch-resistent surface for an easy clean."
• Best Induction Ceramic Set - GreenPan Valencia Pro 11-piece Cookware Set
  "The best induction set available - evenly heated pans, no hot spots and safe to use."
• Best Soft Grips - GreenLife 14-piece Non-stick Cookware Set
  "Heat resistant grips so you don't have to worry about burns while cooking and no more slippery pans."
• Best Stainless Steel - Made In Cookware
  "Dishwasher and oven safe as well as induction compatible, making cooking go a whole lot quicker and easier."
• Best Durability - Calphalon Commercial Hard-Anodized 13-piece Cookware Set
  "The most durable frying pan for frequent use."
• Best Overall Cookware Set - WearEver Pure Living Cookware Set
  "Enhance your cooking experience with this high-quality, durable, and easy to use cookware set."
• Best On A Budget - Rachael Ray Hard Anodized 10-piece Cookware Set
  "Durable and budget-friendly, it'll last for ages."
• Best Nonstick - Anolon Advanced Bronze Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set
  "Quality you can depend on, but without the price tag. Get all your cooking needs met with this one easy purchase."
• Best For Home Cooks - Tramontina 15-piece Hard Anodized Cookware Set
  "Enjoy easy cleanup with this set's nonstick surface."
• Best Quality - Le Creuset Signature 5-piece Cast Iron Cookware Set
  "Durable, high-quality pots and pans that will last you a lifetime, even with daily use."

Healthiest and Safest Cookware Options (Backed By Science Research)

What is the healthiest cookware and why do people crave these sets so much? With the cookware market saturated with new gimmicky cookware, healthy cookware takes a back seat.

To make things worse, manufacturers and distributors are not even honest about labeling their cookware as toxic.

Thankfully there is a lot of information that is available on healthy cooking online. We have compiled the healthiest cookware listed in order of preference based on our research.

Hopefully this list will help serve you well when you purchase your healthy pots and pans.

What Cookware Materials To Avoid?

Before we list our top 10 healthiest cookware, we wanted you to know the main problems with traditional cookware such as traditional Teflon coated non-stick pots and pans, pure aluminum cookware and copper cookware.

All of the above mentioned have harmful chemicals that release hormone altering chemicals into your food. We stress the need for using the safest cookware. 

Here's a quick list of what to avoid backed by science:

• Pure Aluminum Cookware - Aluminum cookware was popular a few decades ago. The benefits are ease of use, easy to clean and lightweight cookware. It was considered a breakthrough. However, recent research by Mount Sinai Hospital and Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, have listed aluminum exposure as a possible link to Alzheimer's disease and human reproduction illnesses. 
• Cookware with Teflon, PFOA nad PTFE - PFOA and PTFE are toxic chemicals that was developed by DuPont in 1938. It's trademarked just like Teflon. From a history perspective, Teflon was game changing and allowed cleaning to become easier. However, there were certain diseases that arose from the PFOA (see Environmental Working Group and American Cancer Society research). The resulting symptoms of these checmicals are flu-like symptoms when heated at high temperatures. 
• Copper Cookware - Copper cookware was populare a few decades ago because of the high conductivity of heat. This naturally abundant material was great value for lots of people. However, copper can leach into your food and cause mental disorders, nausea / vomiting, hyperactivity, heart problems and artritus. However, if the copper is contained in the base of cookware, the cookware can be safe. 

A lot of the cookware from the previous generations contain one of the above materials and are harmful to cook with. Luckily, some of the newest healthy cookware on the market are tremendously improved and create healthy alternatives.

What Are Safe Cookware Materials?

The new age kitchen ware available on the market right now has been improved drastically and healthy cookware is now a norm. There are so many cookware materials available on the market currently. 

Here's a list of the safest cookware materials:

• Safe Stainless Steel - Stainless steel is a very common type of cookware. However, there are different grades and composition of stainless steel according to the Finish Insitute of Occupational Health. For example, some stainless steel cookware contain nickel and chromium that can leach into the food particularly when cooking acidig foods. Stainless steel made with 18/8 or 18/10 stamped on the bottom are least likely to leach into food. We review the best ones here.
• Safe Ceramic - A safer alternative to chemical heavy nonstick pans. However, there are some ceramic pans that contain harmful chemicals. That's why we stated "safe" ceramic is healthy. If you're unsure of whether a chemical is healthy or not, check out the FDA's import alert list as well as Proposition 65 which requires a list of checmicals known to cause people harm. We take a in depth look at the best ceramic cookware here.
• Cast Iron - Generally safe and one of the most heaviest types of cookware. Numerous studies have pointed that iron cookware combats anemia. In addition, research has pointed out that cast iron cookware can increase the iron content in foods such as eggs and applesauce, but not hamburger patties. Take a look at our in depth review here.
• Stoneware - Mostly used in baking, stoneware can last a considerable amount of time. Since most stoneware, is composed of differently, it's best to check the FDA's import alert list as well as Proposition 65 for list of checicals known to harm people. We have not come across any unsafe checmicals used in Stoneware. We review the best stone frying pans here.
• Glass - Carries the same risks of ceramic cookware but is generally more expensive. If new, it's quite safe and both Canada and USA have strict production standards to avoid the use of lead and cadmium in the cookware. 
• Titanium - One of the safer nonstick surfaces available according to the book Toxic Home / Conscious Home. In this book, he has researched titanium as being a cookware material that helps you live healthier lives. Level up your cooking with the best titanium cookware.

Without a doubt, new cookware materials have advantages and disadvantages and so it’s up to the consumer to distinguish between the toxic and healthy pots and pans to purchase.

However, the new non stick cookware coatings offer more benefits than the prior generation non safe traditional cookware. We summarized a list of pros and cons of cookware materials here.

Not only have the new kitchen ware been safe guarded against toxic coatings such as Teflon, but they also provide new ergonomics that will make your healthy cooking even more enjoyable. Along with these improvements, stackable cookware is also available with some brands.

Such improvements are in the heat resistant handles, heat conduction through induction surfaces, and sturdier material construction to prevent vibrations and increased durability.

Without further ado, here are the top 10 healthiest cookware options in order of preference:

Our Healthy Cookware Picks

Best Overall Fry Pan - Ozeri Stone Frying Pan 10 Inch

Material: Stoneware | Available Sizes: 8, 10 and 12 inch | Weight: 2.4lbs for 10 inch | Pre-seasoned: No | Lid included: No | Add-on Options: None | Colors: Anthracite Gray, Coconut Brown, Granite Gray, Lava Black, Obsidian Gold, Red Clay, Warm Albaster

Check out this healthy and cool frying pan! It’s one of our favorites here because it’s one of the best healthiest cookware around. The stone pan is 100% PFOA free (no Teflon coating) so no harmful chemicals enter your food and ultimately into your body.

Better yet, the super non-stick Stonehendge coating allows you to use no oil at all for your cooking. Great for pan sticky foods like eggs and fish.

I’ve been covering Ozeri stone frying pans for months and have never seen a pan this wonderful overall.

RELATED: The 5 best Stone Frying Pan Brands

Best Induction Cookware Set - GreenPan Valencia Pro 11-Piece Set

Available Sizes: 4, 11 and 16 pieces | Weight: 10.65 lbs for 11-piece set | Pre-seasoned: No | Lids included: Yes | Add-on Options: None | Set Pieces: 8'', 9. 5'', 11'' frypans; 2QT and 3QT saucepans with lids; 3QT skillet with lid; 5QT casserole with lid

The original GreenPan  cookware carries a nonstick coating that is coated with their famous Thermolon which can resist high temperatures up to 500 degrees Celsius. This healthy cookware has a high-end nonstick coating and is made with premium materials that are PFOA free.

In addition, GreenPans leave a very small carbon footprint when they are produced so you will be saving the environment.

Included in this set are a 8, 9.5 & 11-inch frying pan, 2 & 3-quart covered saucepan, 3-quart covered skillet, and a 5-quart covered casserole. Also included are four beautiful glass lids.  This cookware set is your ultimate cooking partner and assistant in the kitchen! Create the perfect dish that you have been craving. 

Best Soft Grips - GreenLife 14-Piece Non-stick Cookware Set

Available Sizes: 14 pieces | Weight: 12.19 lbs for 14-piece set | Pre-seasoned: No | Lids included: Yes | Add-on Options: None | Set Pieces: Pans : (1) L 9.5" H 2.5" (2) L 9.75" H 1.75" (3) L 7.5" H 1.75" Pots: (1) L 9" H 5" (2) L 7.5" H 3.5" (3) L 6.5" H 3"; Available Colors: Black and Burgundy

This piece of kitchen cookware brings out the chef in you. It’s design is for healthy cooking starting with the premium materials to the Thermolon non-stick coating that won’t distort the taste of food nor the look after cooking. This coating is cadmium, lead and 100% PFOA free which rates highly on our list of healthiest cookware.

Oven safe and made with stainless steel, the handles are ergonomic and insulate the heat to keep your hand from burning on the handle.

Healthy Cookware Brand #4: 
Made In Cookware

BEST STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE

Made In Cookware is 100% 5-ply American stainless steel. In fact, you can even use metal utensils on the cookware without damaging it. Better yet, it comes with a lifetime warranty for headache-less cooking!

>> Get the Made In Kitchen Sous Chef Right Here <<

WORTHY MENTIONS

Healthy Cookware Brand #5: 
Calphalon Commercial Hard-Anodized 13-pc. Cookware Set

Healthy Cookware Brand #6: 
WearEver Pure Living Cookware Set

As one of the healthiest cookware sets around, we highly recommended for people who have allergies and sensitivities. Our hypo allergic kitchen ware testers have given us the two thumbs up.

Healthy Cookware Brand #7: 
Rachael Ray Hard Anodized II 10-Piece Cookware Set 

The ergonomic design makes this healthy cookware set stand out in your kitchen to remind you that healthy cooking starts with the healthiest cookware.

Rachael Ray Hard Anodized II Nonstick Dishwasher Safe 10-Piece Cookware Set, Orange 

Healthy Cookware Brand #8: 
Anolon Advanced Bronze Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set

Healthy Cookware Brand #9: 
Tramontina 15-Piece Hard Anodized Cookware Set

Healthy Cookware Brand #10: 
Le Creuset Signature 5-Piece Cast Iron Cookware Set

This set is the combination of the most commonly used kitchen ware and includes a 3 quart saucepan, cooking pot, stock pot, steamer pot and skillet. Best of all, the Le Creuset skillet doesn’t require any seasoning.

Built to withstand heat up to 500 degrees, you’ll be able to cook almost almost any type of gamy meats such as lamb. We recommend that you buy a handle mitt so that your hands don’t burn. Comes in a punchy red color which will stand out to your guests!

Le Creuset Signature 5-Piece Cast Iron Cookware Set, Flame

Frequently Asked Questions

How Safe Is Granite Cookware and Granite Pans?

Granite cookware is a material used in frying pans. Today granite cookware and granite pans are made with a stainless steel core and topped with a glass coating. Most granite cookware has a porcelain enamel fused at 2,000 F. This creates a non-stick glass surface that’s non-porous and inert. Granite these days are much lighter than previous generations of granite because of technological advancements.

It’s considered safe unless there are PFOA and PTFE on the pans. These are the same chemicals used in Teflon. In addition, the granite cookware looks the same as regular non-stick cookware.

If you have a granite pan, make sure you take these precautions to be safe:

Some granite cookware has a porcelain coating. To protect this coating, make sure you use wooden utensils on there instead of metal.

If you have damaged porcelain coating on your cookware, make sure you dispose of it immediately. You can tell the coating is damaged by frying an egg. If the egg sticks to the bottom of the pan, it’s damaged. The pan will no longer be safe for use.

Instead of granite coated pans, take a look at the below healthy pans: