Much of the drive for eco-conscious living is for investing in products and practices that are genuinely better for the earth. It’s leaving things a little better than we found them and preserving something good for the generations ahead.
It’s also about choosing a better lifestyle, healthier living, and cleaner products that we feel good about incorporating into our family’s routines.
I love gathering my family and friends around a good meal, incorporating in-season produce, and supporting my local food producers however I can. Recently I’ve been evaluating my cookware and realizing some of my tools are not on the up and up, becoming potentially toxic to my people and the environment.
Today let’s talk about cookware that is good for us and our earth.
What’s So Bad About Teflon?
Teflon had been around since the ’40s. However, it became a recognized household item in the ’60s. It was the first of its kind and was the best thing since, well, dinner sticking to a pan. It offered an easy-to-clean and easy-to-use convenience for cooking at home.
This convenience had a cost, as it was later linked to birth defects, stillborn births, and nervous system development abnormalities. It was phased out of the US starting in 2003 and eliminated by 2014.
The formula was changed and re-integrated in 2013, making it safer to use. However, there is still a risk in using this type of cookware at high temperatures. It will eventually break down, introducing toxic gasses to the environment and your food. It’s also difficult to dispose of. Once tossed into a landfill, the earth is left to absorb its toxic chemicals and gasses. Teflon is not biodegradable to humans or the ground and can only be used for around 5 years.
But not to worry. There are a few other better, more sustainable options you can incorporate into your kitchen that will last longer and provide non-stick cooking.
Stainless Steel Cookware
This beautiful shiny option makes one feel very professional. I’m basically Top Chef, right?!
Stainless steel pots and pans can be used for up to ten years, are almost indestructible, and provide non-stick cooking when used correctly.
Thanks to TikTok, I finally learned how to use these pans! The trick is to get the pan warmed up before cooking and test it with drops of water (before oil). If the water sizzles, it’s not ready. You’re ready to cook if the water balls up and runs around the pan.
While it is more sustainable, a healthier alternative to Teflon, and pretty affordable, stainless steel pots and pans can be finicky and tricky to get the hang of.
Ceramic Pots and Pans
Ceramic cookware is an excellent choice for cooking thanks to its many benefits. It’s non-toxic and free of harmful chemicals, making it a healthier option than other cookware materials. It’s also lightweight, easy to clean, and conducts heat evenly, so food cooks quickly and even throughout. Kinda like teflon without the teflon!
While Ceramic pans require hand washing to maintain their life and have a shorter lifespan than stainless steel, they still feel more approachable to me personally. I just purchased a few daily-use ceramic pans, like my egg frying pan. I ordered the duo by GreenPan off amazon. *Remember, make your online purchases eco-friendly by choosing the slowest shipping option.
Non-Toxic Cookware Options
There are many great brands of non-toxic cookware available on the market. Some of the top-rated options include:
- GreenPan
- Cuisinart Ceramica
- Scanpan
- Caraway
- Xtrema Ceramic Cookware
- Ozeri
These brands are designed with non-toxic materials and are free from PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium. Additionally, many of these brands offer a variety of cookware items such as pots, pans, skillets, casserole dishes, and more.
I’m the first to admit in a fast-paced world, it’s easy to let convenience damper our eco-living goals and ideas. It’s my dream and passion to provide convenient and practical eco-living tips and products that benefit your family and lifestyle.
As we embark on a new year and organize every inch of our homes, set new goals and intentions, and incorporate new products and rhythms into our lives, I hope this space will provide helpful guidance in living a more sustainable, eco-conscious life. Let me know if there are specific topics you would like covered.
What new rhythms are you incorporating into your family this new year?
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