Nontoxic Cookware for the New Year

I spend a lot of time thinking about what I’m going to make for dinners during a busy workweek. Like a lot of people, I strive to cook healthy meals that taste good and come together quickly. Striking a balance between creativity, speed, and flavor while prioritizing wholesome ingredients isn’t always easy, but I genuinely enjoy the challenge. And yet, it took me a few years to realize that while my health is definitely impacted by what I eat, it’s also impacted by my choice of cookware. Using flimsy nonstick skillets that are coated with chemicals and cooking with partly melted black plastic utensils is likely to counteract all the good I do by planning well-rounded meals in the first place. 

Once I came to this conclusion, I began the slow process of replacing my questionable kitchen gear with non-toxic pieces designed to last. To help you do the same, I listed a few of my favorites below. From Lodge cast iron skillets to Caraway Home’s ceramic saucepans, my picks start at just $10 and will set you up for a healthier New Year.      

Best Nontoxic Kitchen Gear 

• Caraway Home Utensil Set, $125 at carawayhome.com 
• Caraway Home Saucepan, $165 at carawayhome.com 
• Made In Stainless 8-Quart Clad Stock Pot, $239 at madeincookware.com
• Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet, $30 at amazon.com
• All-Clad Stainless Steel 12-Inch Fry Pan with Lid, $130 at amazon.com
• OXO Good Grips 3-Quart Glass Baking Dish with Lid, $23 at amazon.com
• Joyce Chen 2-Tier Bamboo Steamer Baskets, $23, originally $26 at amazon.com
• Mosser Colored Glass Batter Bowl, $69 at food52.com
• Sonder Los Angeles Large Teak Wooden Cutting Board, $80 at amazon.com
• Winco Stainless Steel Ladle, $10 at amazon.com 

Caraway Home Utensil Set 

In my quest to rid my home of the black plastic utensils that have a bad habit of melting over my food when left too long on a skillet, I stumbled upon this set from Caraway. The brand was kind enough to send it my way, and I’ve been using it ever since. While they aren’t dishwasher-safe like their plastic counterparts, I’m willing to put in the extra work to hand wash them. The set includes five pieces — a wooden spoon, server, scraper, spatula, and a pair of tongs — all of which won’t scratch nonstick cookware. I can cook confidently now that these are within easy reach.    

Caraway Home Saucepan 

Food & Wine editors love Caraway’s saucepan — and I agree. We labeled it the “Best Splurge,” noting that “it’s incredibly heavy duty and feels built to last many years.” As I’ve owned mine since 2019, I can attest to this. It still has a pristine, scratch-free exterior and interior, which is testament to the durability of its ceramic coating. Whether I’m heating up leftover soup or slowly poaching eggs, this 3-quart saucepan is in constant rotation in my kitchen.  

Made In Stainless 8-Quart Clad Stock Pot

Another of my favorite non-toxic pots is Made In’s 8-quart stockpot. While my version includes the pasta insert, I appreciate that not everyone makes spaghetti as often as I do. With this in mind, I recommend grabbing the stockpot alone as I’ve found it to be extraordinarily versatile. More than 2,800 Made In shoppers (and Food & Wine editors) agree that its superior heat retention and conduction are worth the investment. Plus, you can also shop it in two other sizes: 6 quarts and 12 quarts.  

Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

It’s hard to compete with the price and quality of a Lodge cast iron skillet. I’ve owned mine for more than six years, and it continues to churn out cornbread with deliciously crisp edges and steaks with restaurant-quality sears. While it comes pre-seasoned, I’ve found that it pays dividends to do it again yourself. If you take care of yours like I do mine, you’ll have nonstick cookware that will last a lifetime.      

All-Clad Stainless Steel 12-Inch Fry Pan with Lid 

If you’re looking for a lighter skillet, All-Clad’s stainless steel fry pan is an excellent option. It has more than 6,500 perfect ratings and hundreds of reviewers vouching for its “top-notch” craftsmanship. One shopper is especially fond of its lack of coating and is “looking forward to using it forever.”    

OXO Good Grips 3-Quart Glass Baking Dish with Lid 

OXO’s 3-quart glass baking dish with an accompanying BPA-free plastic lid is the type of kitchen purchase that is nearly impossible to regret. The dish is made of borosilicate glass that doesn’t stain or absorb odors and is compatible with the microwave, dishwasher, oven, and freezer. Its handles are easy to hold, its lid makes it easy to travel with, and its price is unbeatable. I already own four pieces in different sizes, but I think I might need to grab another. 

Joyce Chen 2-Tier Bamboo Steamer Baskets 

A bamboo steamer is one of the most versatile tools in a kitchen. Whether you’re steaming bao buns, dumplings, sweet potatoes, broccolini, or a whole fish, it’s the key to making healthy weeknight dinners that taste delicious. This set from Joyce Chen has two tiers, but you can always buy more if you’re cooking for a larger crowd.  

Mosser Colored Glass Batter Bowl 

I love my glass batter bowl for so many reasons: it’s sturdy, so it stays put while mixing; it’s pretty, so it looks gorgeous on my shelf; it’s huge with an 80-ounce capacity, so I never need to dirty another bowl; and it’s dishwasher-safe, so it’s easy to clean. In addition to all of these amazing attributes, it also has a spout, letting me easily pour batter into a baking dish without dripping fat and flour all over my counter. Yes, Mosser’s bowl is expensive, but it’s one of the best models I’ve ever had the pleasure of owning.    

Sonder Los Angeles Large Teak Wooden Cutting Board 

I’m in the market for a wooden cutting board, and this $80 pick from Sonder is at the top of my list. It has a gorgeous design, a wide surface area, and more than 1,300 five-star ratings at Amazon. One shopper wrote that it “isn’t just a cutting board, it’s a work of art,” adding that they “couldn’t be happier” with their purchase.   

Winco Stainless Steel Ladle 

I shudder to think about the days when I dipped my black plastic ladle into a vat of boiling hot soup, which is why I’m forever grateful I switched to Winco’s $10 stainless steel model a few years ago. Available in 14 sizes, the ladle has a bent tip that allows it to be stored upside down in a utensil crock or hanging from a rack. I also find it easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. It’s no wonder that more than 3,000 Amazon shoppers have already bought one this month.