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Eco-friendy and healthy pots and pans? Need ideas!

post #1 of 12
Thread Starter 
We desperately need a new set of pots and pans. I was given an old set of Pampered Chef from my mom, but they are all scratched up, and I don't even want to think about what "nonstick chemicals" are seeping into our food because of it. They are also uneven, and I'm missing many lids. SO, I'd like to buy a nice set. I like nice things. I am generally very thrifty - I hate spending large amounts of money and coupon and reuse and buy used often. But with some things, I like to have nicer items. And with pots and pans, I think that quality can make a difference in the cooking results, so I'm willing to spend a little more.

But I really know nothing about this stuff - I'm a beginner learning to cook as I go, and don't know anything about the types and materials of pots and pans. I was wondering what eco-friendly materials are available in pots and pans, and what to avoid. Also, if this is different than eco-friendly, what is the healthiest material to cook in in terms of chemicals and materials seeping into our foods. And what to avoid? Thanks!
post #2 of 12
We use stainless steal and cast iron for pots/pans/cookie sheets/bread pans. I also have a bunch of pyrex for pies/cakes/bread/casserole type dishes. I have 3 baking stones (one pizza stone, one bar pan, one muffin pan) and 1 silicone popover/deep muffin pan that truly rarely is used because I'm not loving cooking with silicone. I got rid of all of our aluminum and non-stick bakeware/cookware about a year ago. ETA: I did this for health reasons more than eco-friendly ... not sure about that. Stainless Steel, glass and cast iron is supposed to be safe. I think stones and silicone is fairly safe as well.
post #3 of 12
We also use stainless steel pots and pans - they heat evenly on our gas stove and are easy to clean. I've had them for several years and they still look really nice. I guess if you wanted Eco-friendly, you could buy them used. . I've been wanting a few cast iron pieces for awhile now, but the fact that everything cooks so well with the SS pans (even eggs), I haven't bought any.
post #4 of 12
We use a combination of stainless steel, cast iron, and tempered glass (Pyrex). We have saucepans, two stock pots, cookie sheets, and muffin tins made of stainless steel. We have pyrex roasting and baking pans. We have a cast iron wok, a cast iron dutch oven, and two cast iron frying pans in different sizes, and also a big cast iron griddle that covers two burners on the stove. Oh, and a baking stone. We avoid aluminum and anything with a non-stick coating. Our cast iron is heirloom so there's no issues with "preseasoned" coatings, but you can remove the coating on those and season them yourself naturally. It's not very hard at all. We also have thus far avoid silicone, because I haven't been able to find reliable information about it.

Stainless steel and tempered glass are fairly inert, so you're not getting issues with leaching into food. Cast iron does shed iron into your food, but for most of us, that iron is a beneficial addition to our diet, rather than a hazard.
post #5 of 12
If you can afford it go with Le Creuset. That stuff will last for the rest of your life...and it works so very very well. Its just enameled cast iron so no nasty chemicals as far as I know.
post #6 of 12
Thread Starter 
Thank you guys so much for the advice!
post #7 of 12
thrift store revere ware is ptfe free and lasts for decades
post #8 of 12
I was going to suggest second-hand cookware - that's the most earth friendly way to go! I have a set of cast iron pans a friend gave me; they were all rusty and old, but I was able to salvage and season them, and they work great! Enameled cast iron is also awesome, but very expensive and hard to come by second-hand. Stainless steel might be easier to find, and is awesome too.
post #9 of 12
we just got a new "hard anodized" pan from target. have not tried it yet but should be ptfe free.
post #10 of 12
All I cook on is either stainless steel or cast iron. All my fry pans/griddles/etc are cast iron along with two cast iron dutch ovens (though I do actually have one cast iron fry-pan... I think it 12"? I almost never use it ). All my pots/sauce pans/etc are cast iron. Can't imagine cooking in anything else. I hear the tramontina stuff sold at walmart is actually quite nice if your looking for cheaper options. If your wiling to spend some $$ I love all-clad!!
post #11 of 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chamomile Girl View Post
If you can afford it go with Le Creuset. That stuff will last for the rest of your life...and it works so very very well. Its just enameled cast iron so no nasty chemicals as far as I know.
The rest of your life and your great great grandchildren's, and gets better with age. I love ours originally from DH's great great grandma.
post #12 of 12
Cast iron. Lodge. If it weren't so heavy and expensive to have shipped to MiddleofNowhere, Alaska, I'd own a whole lot more.
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