Video:Safe Cookware Options
with Christopher PadgettSome cookware options are safer to use than others. If you are concerned about toxins and potentially hazardous materials in your cookware, watch this educational video to learn more about your options for safe cookware.
Transcript:Safe Cookware Options
Hi I’m Christopher Padgett, an environmental scientist, for About.com and today we’ll be talking about the environment. Everyday, cooks in restaurants and people in their home cook meals for themselves and their families. You want to make sure that you are cooking those meals in safe cookware.
Stainless Steel is the Safest Cookware
The safest choice is to go with stainless steel. It is corrosion resistant, hard wearing, and is very easy to clean. While it may leach a small amount of nickel, as long as you clean properly you will be fine.Cast Iron may be heavy, but they are great to cook in and are very safe. They are very durable, and can withstand very high temperatures. They do require extra maintenance to clean, but they are relatively inexpensive and will even add a little iron to your food.
Anodized Aluminum cookware is also an alternative that is relatively safe. It doesn’t feel coated and the surface is very smooth. The electron-chemical anodizing process locks in the cookware’s base metal, which makes it non-porous and non-reactive. It is an ideal non-stick and scratch resistant cooking surface.
Potentially Hazardous Cookware
Teflon cookware has become a favorite among consumers because they are nonstick, and can be cleaned very easily. However, when you cook with these products, they can emit fumes that could potentially get you sick. Also, some Teflon can flake off into your food as you cook it. These flakes are non-toxic and would pass through the body without being absorbed, but you should still be aware of it. The EPA has said that Teflon is safe to use and there are no harsh affects from using the cookware.
Ceramic and Copper Cookware
An eco friendly choice to the kitchen is ceramic cookware. You can take this cookware basically anywhere. They retain and distribute heat very well. They are also somewhat easy to clean. Letting them soak in the sink is usually the best way to do it. Depending on what you are cooking may also influence your decision on the cookware you use. Copper is a nice alternative for sauces and sautés due to its quick warm up ability and even heat distribution. The cooking surface is usually line with tin or stainless steel to prevent copper from leaking into the food.
Hopefully now you have a better idea about safe cookware to use. Thanks for watching. If you’d like to learn more please visit us on the web at About.com.