We get it, nonstick pans are great for scrambled eggs, French omelettes, and many other stick-able foods that we love. But their coatings flake over time, and their per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAs)—more commonly referred to as Teflon—have been found in our tap water and can have harmful health effects.
Over the years, we’ve tested plenty of cookware that’s free of PFA coatings, including stainless steel skillets, cast iron Dutch ovens, carbon steel woks, and more. If you’re ready to let go of your scratched-up nonstick cookware and the potential health problems that come with their coatings, here are the best deals we found on non-toxic cookware, including our favorite Made In stainless steel sauté pan, Le Creuset Dutch oven, Lodge cast iron skillet, and more for up to 55% off.
The Best Deals on Non-Toxic Cookware, at a Glance:
- The Best Dutch Oven: Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven
- Another Great Dutch Oven: Staub Cast Iron Dutch Oven 4-Quart Round Cocotte
- A Durable Cast Iron Skillet: Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet
- The Best Ceramic Frying Pan: Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Frying Pan
- A Great Ceramic Skillet: Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick Pro 8-Inch Fry Pan
- The Best Stainless Steel Skillet: Made In Cookware 12-Inch Frying Pan
- The Best Sauté Pan: Made In Cookware 3.5-Quart Sauté Pan
- A Durable Enameled Cast Iron Skillet: Staub 12-Inch Cast Iron Pan
- The Best Affordable Wok: Yosukata Carbon Steel Wok
- The Best Small Stainless Steel Saucepan: Duxtop 1.6-Quart Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan
- The Best Baking Sheets: Nordic Ware Naturals Aluminum Commercial Half Sheet Pans
- An Essential Bakeware Set: Staub Ceramics 4-Piece Baking Pans Set
- The Best Budget Stockpot: Cook N Home 12-Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot with Lid
Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven
We’ve recommended Le Creuset’s Dutch oven for years thanks to its even heat retention and distribution. The glossy enamel interior is also easy to clean up and resisted stains during our tests no matter what we cooked in it.
Staub Cast Iron Dutch Oven 4-Quart Round Cocotte
This 4-quart version of our favorite Staub Dutch oven has a black enamel interior that resists staining. During our tests, the Staub deeply seared pork, braised meat to perfect tenderness, and stood up to durability tests. Plus, it’s 32% off.
Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet
This $20 cast iron skillet can sear a pork chop just as easily as it can release a fried egg. It heats evenly and maintains this heat to cook foods thoroughly. With the right care, it can last virtually forever.
Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Frying Pan
If you really need to keep nonstick in your life, Caraway’s ceramic frying pan is the best ceramic skillet we tested. It made tear-free omelettes, evenly cooked crepes, and even has tall sides for stir-fry dinners.
Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick Pro 8-Inch Fry Pan
Another ceramic skillet we recommend is the Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick Pro, which comes in a variety of sizes so you could buy a whole set. The smooth but durable surface resists scratching and cleanly releases foods.
Made In Cookware 12-Inch Frying Pan
Stainless steel can be virtually nonstick if heated correctly, and we saw great results with the Made In frying pan during our tests. It sears pork chops to a golden brown and can release eggs as if it has a nonstick coating. The handle is also comfortable to grip.
Made In Cookware 3.5-Quart Sauté Pan
With even heat retention and distribution, the Made In sauté pan has an ergonomic handle and a wide cooking surface for braising chicken thighs, shallow-frying chicken piccata, and wilting spinach. The helper handle is a plus for maneuvering the pan around the stovetop.
Staub 12-Inch Enameled Cast Iron Pan
This enameled cast iron pan is a lightweight option that heats evenly and quickly. It was the fastest to reach the highest temperature in our tests. Be it steak or eggs, this pan releases foods easily and is even dishwasher-safe, though handwashing it was a breeze.
Yosukata Carbon Steel Wok
A nonstick-coated pan simply can’t achieve the same flavorful stir-fry charring as this carbon steel wok. In order to reach high searing temperatures for tossing a stir-fry, we recommend this Yosukata carbon steel wok, which heats up quickly and churns out great fried rice and stir-fried greens.
Duxtop1.6-Quart Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan
We love the rolled rim on this saucepan that minimizes dribbling when pouring. The curved corners also make it easy to stir hot cocoa in this pot (no clumps!) and water boils quickly.
Nordic Ware Naturals Aluminum Commercial Half Sheet Pans
It’s time to replace your warped and scratched nonstick baking sheets with these Nordic Ware sheet pans, which are made of non-toxic aluminum. They bake evenly browned cookies and roast crispy potato wedges. The heavier gauge also ensures that they never warp.
Staub Ceramics 4-Piece Baking Pans Set
Staub makes one of our favorite casserole dishes, and you can grab this set of baking dishes on sale for a whopping 55% off. Staub’s stoneware bakes evenly and cleans up easily, making them ideal for lasagnas, casseroles, and other wintery comfort foods.
Cook N Home 12-Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot with Lid
We like the rubbery grips on this stockpot that stay cool on the stovetop. The large 12-quart capacity stockpot easily browns mirepoix, simmers stock, and boils water. It also cleans up easily with warm water and soap.
FAQs
What is non-toxic cookware?
We dive into the meaning of non-toxic cookware in this guide. Simply put, it’s any cookware that’s made without the use of toxic PFA coatings. Stainless steel, cast iron, or carbon steel are all non-toxic since they don’t have any coatings.
Can non-toxic cookware be nonstick?
Yes, when heated correctly, stainless steel, cast iron, and carbon steel cookware can be virtually nonstick.
Why We’re the Experts
- An Uong is a writer for Serious Eats.
- An has been testing kitchen equipment for Serious Eats for two years.
- Ever since learning about toxic nonstick coating, she’s switched over to cooking with stainless steel and cast iron cookware only.