Have you ever seen the movie Dark Waters ? Based on the true story of a lawyer who takes DuPont to court, tries
protagonist Robbert Billot throws away all his Telflon pans in the middle of the night in a dramatic scene: "They're poisoning us!".
Teflon pans are still very popular because of their handy non-stick coating. But behind the convenience of not having to scrub lies forever chemicals . PFAS , including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) used in Teflon, have been associated with (serious) health risks upon exposure. When a non-stick coating is damaged and comes into contact with heat, it will evaporate. We then breathe that in again, which directly exposes our body to these harmful chemicals.
In our search for a 'less toxic' life, we discovered that many cookware contains substances that can be harmful to health. But luckily there is an alternative! In this blog we show you our top five 'toxic-free' pans.
De Buyer Mineral B pro steel frying pan
De Buyer is a renowned French brand known for its high-quality cookware. Unlike the Teflon pans mentioned above, the Buyer Mineral B pro frying pan is made of steel, without any chemical coatings. In addition, the Mineral B steel frying pan develops a natural non-stick coating over time. By regularly greasing and burning it, the pan becomes increasingly smooth and creates a durable non-stick surface. Steel is in principle 'poison-free', but over time very small amounts of nickel can leak into your food. Therefore, always look for a pure steel pan of good quality (i.e. without nickel), such as the Buyer Mineral B steel frying pan. 
De Buyer steel frying pan
We are big fans of the Buyer and cook with this all-round frying pan almost every day. It takes some getting used to if you've always cooked in pans with a non-stick coating, but after a few days you won't be able to do without them (promise!).Le Creuset Round Frying Pan in Enameled Cast Iron
Cast iron is 'toxic-free' because it is a natural metal that does not react with food. When you cook food in a cast iron pan, there are basically no harmful chemicals released that could end up in your food. Some iron can sometimes leak, but this is stopped by the coating. The cast iron in this pan is covered with a kind of glass layer (the 'coating'). This layer is called enamel and ensures that small traces of iron cannot leak into the food you cook. This thin glass layer also ensures that the pan is easy to clean. Finally, it prevents the iron from rusting, making your Creuset pan last longer.
Le Creuset Merinque pan in enameled cast iron
The enameled cast iron Creuset pans have been tested for the heavy metals lead and cadmium. It is known that Le Creuset pans are not completely free of 'toxins'. This means that (very small) amounts of toxins (for example lead) can still be released. Small amounts of these types of heavy metals were found on the outside of the red pans. We especially want to tell you not to be too hard on yourself: living completely toxin-free is impossible. Do you really want certainty? Please contact Le Creuset to inquire about the presence of heavy metals before purchasing your pan.Xtrema 100% ceramic Versa pass
Xtrema is our favorite when it comes to ceramic pans.
Ceramics are a great choice if you are looking for non-toxic pans, but pay attention to the quality of the pan. Always go for a 100% ceramic pan.
Made from 100% ceramic, Xtrema is completely natural. According to the company, the ceramic pans do not contain metals, cadmium, lead, PFOA, PTFE, adhesives, polymers, coatings or dyes. So no chemicals leak into your food. What is extra nice about Xtrema is that they are very transparent about the way they test their products. You can view the heavy metal studies carried out by third parties on their website.
100% ceramic pan from Xtrema
Lodge L10CF3 cast iron pan
Okay, it's a bit heavy... but this Lodge frying pan absolutely belongs in a non-toxic kitchen. A cast iron pan is one of the best choices if you want to cook with as few chemicals as possible. If all goes well, a cast iron pan should not contain lead or cadmium. However, as indicated above, a cast iron pan does release small amounts of iron during cooking (this 'leaks' into the food being prepared). We all need iron to feel healthy, so getting some iron by cooking with a cast iron pan is not a problem for many people. It is therefore an advantage for people with a (chronic) iron deficiency to use this pan often. However, too much iron can be toxic. That is why we recommend alternating the cast iron pan with pans made of other materials while cooking.
Lodge L10CF3 cast iron pan
Why do we choose the Lodge brand? Lodge has been producing cast iron pans since 1896. So they know a thing or two about making high-quality products. If you grease the pan regularly, a natural non-stick layer is created and the pan becomes easier to use. It takes some getting used to at first, but we can no longer live without this beautiful Lodge pan!Glass VISIONS sauce pan 1.5 liters
Glass is an excellent 'less toxic' material for cooking. No chemical coatings are added and it does not react as strongly to acidic foods during cooking as some other materials. In the past, lead or cadmium was regularly added to glass cookware and this still happens, so always pay close attention to this before adding glass cookware to your kitchen. In any case, avoid vintage glass pans (with or without paintings): there is a good chance that they contain lead and cadmium.
Glass VISIONS sauce pan
The major disadvantage of glass is of course that you have to handle it very carefully and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. If you don't do this and there will be too great a temperature difference? The glass can then break or cracks may appear. This glass pan from the VISIONS brand is made of 'ceramic glass'. This type of glass is designed to withstand high temperatures and thermal shock, making it safe for use on both the stovetop and in the oven. According to the manufacturer, the glass-ceramic material used to make VISIONS does not contain lead or similar harmful metals as its main ingredient. Various sources show that the older 'real vintage' pans from VISIONS often contain lead and other metals. That is not surprising, because in the past there were no strict rules regarding the use of heavy metals in products. So also pay close attention to this brand to ensure that you do not accidentally purchase a vintage pan.
Disclaimer (Do Your Own Research): We love to share with you our experiences and knowledge that we have gained in our search for a toxic-free life. At the same time, we would like to emphasize that you are solely responsible for your health (that goes without saying, right?). The information we share here is for general educational purposes and is not personalized medical advice. Everyone is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another.
*This blog contains affiliate links, which means if you click on the affiliate link and purchase an item, we will receive a commission. This allows us to test new products and expand the less toxic community. Want to know more about how we select products and maintain our integrity? Check out our selection procedure .