NOTE: This post has been updated with the new fry pans I'm using. I no longer have an All Clad Fry Pan.
Even though I've written extensively in all three of my cookbooks about the cookware I use, it's still a question I receive regularly. And it's a great question that I am more than happy to answer, which is why I wanted to share this video with you on my favourite clean cookware.
Just as you care about what you eat, what you cook that nourishing food in is just as important that it's free from harmful and toxic chemicals.
The two most important pieces of cookware are a good fry pan and a versatile dish (like a dutch oven) that can go from stove top (for searing and sauteing) to oven for roasting and baking. Now I realize there are a lot of opinions on kitchen essentials but I speak as someone who cooks ALL THE TIME and you really do not need 20 different pots and pans despite what you may think - I promise! Aside from these two essentials I have 3 different sized Le Creuset stainless steel pots that I use for everything else.
Clean Cookware: Fry Pan
I have three different fry pans that I have collected over the years. However, you really only need one that you can use all the time. The key is that these are free from PFOAs which are known carcinogens. Up to 90% of North Americans have this chemical in their bloodstream. It's also found in "Scotchgard" and other products such Goretex and it's an environmental contaminant too as it's found in our water.
PFAs are considered "Forever chemicals". That means they never break down in our environment and they build up in our blood and organs.
This is the Cast Iron Pan I have (photo above). Use code "JOY" for 10% off. Cast iron pans can help raise your iron levels too, which is a bonus if you have low iron. Please note that it is super important to season your pan properly and care for it properly, that means no soap. This will prevent it from being reactive to foods and breaking down. It's not ideal to cook a tomato sauce in a cast iron for a lengthy time. I use it for fish, pancakes , burgers - that type of thing. I use my coated cast iron (Staub and Le Creuset) for tomato sauces.
I have three different-sized non-stick fry pans from Green Pan. You can buy them on Amazon or at Williams Sonoma. However, the better quality ones are at Williams Sonoma. It's important to note that non-stick does not mean "chemical-free". So if you want to truly avoid all non-stick chemicals then just stick with a cast iron pan.
A good fry pan is incredibly versatile because you can scramble eggs, sear a piece of salmon or cook a veggie burger. I love making my chickpea savoury pancakes in the cast iron pan because the heat is consistent and even.
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Clean Cookware: Dutch Oven
I use my dutch oven multiple times per week. A dutch oven is essentially a heavy cooking pot with thick walls and a tight fitting lid. It really traps in the heat and flavour. In the oven I use it to roast veggies (but only when I want them soft - not crispy), cook a whole chicken (remove the lid for the last 10-15 minutes to get the skin crispy) and you can even make sourdough bread!
These are such good quality pots that I have only hand-me-downs of all my Le Creuset Pots and they are still in such amazing shape.
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Staub is another brand that is super high quality and also very beautiful.
Now I know you're probably wondering, but what about bakeware? I've got another post coming up about that which I'm super duper excited to share with you!! Stay tuned.
Btw, the best way to be in the know when I have a new post is to subscribe to my newsletter.
Joy xo
Great post! I am also very curious to learn about the best materials for cutting boards and cooking utensils
ReplyThat's an excellent question! I'm all about wood cutting boards and in fact research shows they are more sanitary than plastic cutting boards. Now that you've asked me this, I'm thinking I should do a video on this.
Awesome! Any thoughts on cooking utensils aside from stainless steel?
I use mostly silicon and wood cooking utensils :)
Wood and stainless steel are great!
Thank you for the cast iron info, brand recommendation and discount code! Ordered! What’s the difference between a Dutch Oven and CorningWare?
ReplyYou're welcome! CorningWare is not made with cast iron, unless they've changed? Also, a glass lid doesn't provide the same seal as a iron lid.
This is amazing! I have both abs seem to use other pots but now I’ll ditch the ones that are met for sure healthy!
ReplyHello Joy, I believe you are quite mistaken on naming any of this as either ‘safe’ or ‘healthy’ For one thing Doesn’t cast iron rust and release the wrong and dangerous form of iron non stop? Cast iron never stops rusting correct? Sure coat it with Oil, even bake it into the pores and then ‘never wash it’. 🤢. Years ago I almost fell for cast iron and then thought about it more - for one thing you never are to cook tomatoes in it. Or apple sauce or vegetables or anything reactive (which is basically any food or water). And I’m a foodie so that limited my choices right away. Also I thought if cast iron gave us the safe form of iron we could just add iron nails into our water bottles, or let them rust in our water tanks and even soups. Aren’t there ‘good’ forms of iron and also dangerous forms that affect the brain?
ReplyHi Sandra, thanks for sharing! I knew about cooking acidic foods but that's only the case if you're cooking for extended periods of time and you're using a cast iron pan this is improperly seasoned or rusty. I will update that to include in my post as it's important information.
The coated cast iron is not a worry though, as is the case with Staub and Le Creuset, which is very different than the cast iron pan I shared. I've never had a cast iron pan rust when properly cared for as it's very visible. Would you please share a good quality reference link so I can go do some more research? I would appreciate it.
This is great information, thank you! What sizes are your Le Creuset and Staub dutch ovens? I find it difficult to decide on the size best for us.
ReplyI have a small one that is probably a 2.5-3L and a larger one that is maybe 5L. The problem is it doesn't say anywhere on the pot and I've had the Le Creuset for many years. If you're only going to get one, go with a larger size so you can use it for soups and stews. Hope that helps!
What products would you recommend for muffin tins and baking sheets? I want to move away from the traditional muffin pan
ReplyStay tuned, I've got another video coming up on the best clean cookware including my recos for baking sheets :)
What do you think about ceramic pans?
ReplyI have one from Staub that I love. Usually they are cast iron but ceramic coated. Is it something different that you are asking about?
No, you didn't mention them and I read that they're good and sage, so I wanted to check with you. Thank you for your answer :)
Hi Joy, If you are using silicon muffin liners do you still need to worry about the muffin tin? Isn't the food protected?
ReplyHi Leslie, I updated the post to include the muffin tin brand that I love and use. However, it's a bit controversial whether or not non-stick or aluminum pans still leach or off-gas when into your food when you're cooking it even if you've got parchment paper or a muffin cup on it. I do believe that's better than nothing. I notice a lot of people still put aluminum foil at the bottom of their oven to catch fallen food but I would definitely avoid doing that.
Hi Joy! What waffle maker do you recommend?
ReplyI don't have a clean brand of waffle maker... yet! It's on my Christmas list :) But I would recommend you get a cast-iron one.
Thank you! I went with the Nordicware 15040 Cast Aluminum Stovetop Belgium Waffler. I hope it's clean!
ReplyAwesome! I assume the aluminum is coated?
They say it is coated with a silicon of some kind and is free from PFOA's and PTFE's and assured me on the phone that it would not leach harmful chemicals into our waffles! I am still skeptical but am hoping you can shed some light?
ReplyI'm guessing they won't get into specifics because it's proprietary but that's great it's PFOA/PTFE free which is pretty much the standard in the industry now for non-stick surfaces.
I'm wondering about the best cookware for induction range tops?
ReplyI really love Le Creuset. They work on an induction range tops!
Thank you for all this wonderful info! Very excited to order some new pots!!! 😀
Replyawesome!
Hi, Joy Mccarthy I found the article helpful. I was looking for a fry pans and your article just saves time.
ReplyPerfect!
Hi Joyous Team, Could you provide a link for the coated frying pan by Staub or Le Creuset please? As I’m only finding an enamel coating and not ceramic, unless of course, either coating is good to use.
ReplyI believe enamel coating is the same thing as ceramic coating.
Hi Joy, Most pans say that they are PFOA-free, PFAS-free, lead-free
ReplyDid you have a question... not sure if it got cut off, or just a statement? Agree, good quality pans will be free of these chemicals, but the question remains, what are the other chemicals. It's a bit of a grey area unfortunately.
My question got cut off. I was asking if PFA's are different from PFOA's and if we should be looking for PFA free in addition to PFOA and PFAS free etc. ?
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that include Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA). Hope that helps!