EN In this article we will discuss the healthiest cookware options, care, and dos and don’ts for optimal health using them.
WAIT! This is part two of a two part article. Continue if you like or go read part one first. https://essentialnartisans.com/2024/04/20/cooking-to-the-tune-of-heavy-metal/
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you.
Good cookware Summary
- Cast Iron
- Glass [best for acidic foods]
- 100% Ceramic
- Stainless Steel [no acidic foods]
- Earthen ware [depends on clay source]
- Enameled Cast Iron [depends on mineral source]
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is made by mixing steel, chromium 3, nickel, molybdenum and other metals.
In general 18/10 or 18/8 are labeled the safest food grade stainless steels, but when stainless steel is exposed to acidic foods like tomatoes and are under heat for long periods of time, it can leach nickel and chromium into your food.
When cooking acidic foods an alternative could be glass, a quality ceramic, or enameled cookware.
Care: Wash with soap and water
Ceramics
Natural ceramic is non reactive so it makes a great option for acidic foods.
Some ceramic coats are made of synthetic polymers that can contain lead and cadmium. Find companies that use 100% natural ceramic coatings or are made completely of solid ceramic.
Xtrema is a brand to consider.
Care: Wash with soap and water
Earthen Cookware
Find clay pottery and cookware made from high quality primary soil.
Because of heavy metal disturbance and distribution, clay can contain different levels of toxins so where it is sourced is important.
From multiple sources, clay is safe for cooking and eating on. Having a non toxic, food safe glaze can also help prevent potential toxin leaching.
Some safe glazes are Kaolin and Feldspar
Clay ware benefits
Unglazed pots keep moisture and nutrients in the food. Its porous structure creates steam and cooks the food in its natural juices. Clay is also alkaline, which neutralizes food acidity.
Care
DO NOT use soap on porous clay wear, it will absorb it and ruin the taste of your food.
- Wash by mixing water, vinegar or lemon juice, and salt.
- Place on your cooktop and bring your cleaning liquid to a simmer on medium heat.
- Rinse with warm water (to avoid temperature shock) and lightly scrub.
- Set in the sun to dry or place in an oven cold, then heat to 200 to 350 Deg F for 30min more or less, to avoid molding.
Important: When heating up a clay pot, heat it gradually. Going from cold to hot to fast will cause cracking or breakage.
Seasoning
There are many ways to season clay wear. One way is to soak your pot in starch water, baking soda, or plain water for 6 to 8 hrs to remove odor, then on a stove top, fill with fresh starch water or vegetable peels, bring to a boil and dry-oven or sun.
Example two, Soak in plain water for 6 to 8 hr or overnight, coat with edible vegetable oil of your choice then slowly heat in the oven at 200 to 350 Deg F. until the oil has absorbed into the clay. Let cool and test for leakage with water.
Cast Iron
Cast Iron is a great cooking material. It’s durable, universal, and it helps to supplement iron in our diets. Use wooden tools when possible to reduce metal scratching if Iron intake is a concern.
Care
Soap can be used on cast iron every now and then, but It will strip it of its’ protective oil coat. Most times wash with only hot water and a medium abrasive scrub or dish cloth. When needed use a tiny bit of soap. Dry your pan as soon as possible to avoid rusting and coat with a light coating of edible oil.
Seasoning
Steps:
- Oil your pan evenly
- Heat the pan up on a stove or in an oven at 400-F
- Watch for the oil coating to absorb into the pot
- Add more layers of oil one at a time until it creates a shiny black coating that doesn’t absorb
- Let cool and store
Tip: If your pan ever rusts, use steel wool to scrape it off, clean it well, and re-season.
Versatile 12in Lodge cast iron skillet Buy here.
Glass Cookware
Quality glass is a great cooking option, especially for acidic foods because it is non reactive. For stove top safe pots, care must be taken to not chip or over heat them or you risk them shattering. For oven bakeware you have less to worry about.
Care
Most glass is dishwasher safe and can simply be washed with soap and water.
Enamel Cookware
Lastly, the controversial enamel pot. From multiple sources I have found that because, high quality enamel is made from a mixture of natural minerals, that more than likely the reason that traces of heavy metals are found on the interior of pots is due to soil contamination.
Remember these two points from above.
[because of heavy metal disturbance and distribution, clay can contain different levels of toxins so where it is sourced is important.]
[when reactive materials are exposed to acidic foods like tomatoes and are under heat for long periods of time, it can leach nickel and chromium into your food.
If you look into how toxic materials are released into our natural resources you will see how they have been contaminated. But the good news is, most toxic metals need an acidic reaction to release into our food from cookware, so it would seem the best way to avoid over consumption of these toxins would be to stop using acidic ingredients in vessels at risk of leaching. In other words, enamel coated cookware is generally safe and would be safer than stainless steel when it comes to toxicity levels from acidic contact.
Enamel Dutch oven brands to consider.
- Staub- French brand Buy here. [ Great Quality, great price]
- Le Creuset- French brand Buy here. [Most expensive, great quality]
- Lodge- American brand Buy here. [ Most affordable, prone to chipping]
- And many others to choose from
Conclusion
Toxins are everywhere but with research and passion for the truth, we can strive to make the best decisions we possibly can to make our lives healthier.
I hope this article helped some of you and I strongly suggest you read the first part to this cookware series if you haven’t already to bring more clarity to the subject. Click on the previous article below.
