Because what you cook with matters just as much as what you’re cooking!

Alright, let’s get real for a second.

You can be the queen (or king!) of additive-free cooking — reading and scanning every label and lovingly preparing food from scratch — but if you’re cooking all that goodness in a pan that’s leaching toxins into your meal? Ugh. It’s a hard no from us.

Just like sneaky additives, toxic cookware is often hiding in plain sight in kitchens everywhere. So let’s dive in and break down what to watch out for, what to avoid, and most importantly — our fave low-tox cookware alternatives that actually do what they promise.

🚫 What to Avoid in Cookware (aka Teflon, we’re looking at you)

Here’s the dirty truth: most mainstream non-stick pans are coated in chemicals that don’t belong anywhere near your food — or your body. The big culprits?

1. Teflon / PTFE / PFOA

That smooth, easy-clean coating we all grew up with? Yep, that’s Teflon. It’s made using PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) — a chemical linked to hormone disruption, developmental issues, and even cancer. While some brands now advertise “PFOA-free,” they often swap it for other dodgy fluorinated chemicals that are just as bad. For a full breakdown of just how toxic Teflon is, check out our blog here.

➡️ Bottom line? If it’s “non-stick” but doesn’t say what it’s made of, steer clear.

2. Aluminium (especially uncoated)

Aluminium is lightweight and heats up quickly, but it’s reactive, meaning it can leach into acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus. Aluminium exposure has been linked to neurological concerns, including Alzheimer’s.

➡️ If it’s not clad in stainless steel, it’s a no from us.

3. Ceramic Coated Cookware

Now hear us out — we love the idea of ceramic. It sounds wholesome, earthy, and low-tox, right? But many ceramic pans are actually just aluminium with a ceramic coating that breaks down over time. Once it chips? You’re back to cooking on aluminium again.

✅ What to Look for in Low-Tox Cookware

Now that we’ve rained on your non-stick parade (sorry, but you’ll thank us later), let’s talk about what we do love.

We’re looking for cookware that is:

  • Non-reactive (won’t leach into your food)
  • Long-lasting (no coatings that wear off)
  • Non-toxic and made from safe, pure materials
  • Ideally made by companies that care about health and sustainability

🥇 Our Top Low-Tox Cookware Picks

1. Solidteknics (our one true love)

If you’ve been around our community for a while, you already know we’re totally obsessed with Solidteknics — and for good reason.

✅ Made right here in Australia 🇦🇺 (yes, we love supporting local!)
✅ Crafted from a single piece of iron or stainless steel — no joins, rivets or coatings
✅ Non-toxic, non-stick (once seasoned), and literally built to last forever
✅ Suitable for all cooktops (including induction), oven-safe, and can even go camping with you

💥 Hot Tip: The seasoned iron pans are like cast iron but lighter and easier to care for. And the nöni stainless range? Chef’s kiss — perfect for boiling, simmering, and everyday use.

Our faves:

  • Solidteknics AUS-ION Frying Pan
  • Solidteknics nöni Sauteuse or Saucepan
  • And yes, they will last you generations!

You can purchase them here and use our discount code SOLIDFREE for 5% off.

2. High-Quality Stainless Steel Cookware

Stainless steel is a fantastic low-tox option — as long as you choose the right grade. We recommend 18/10 stainless steel (that’s 18% chromium and 10% nickel — food-safe and durable).

✅ Non-reactive
✅ Doesn’t chip or wear
✅ Oven-safe, dishwasher-safe, and nearly indestructible

Brands to look for:

  • Solidteknics nöni (yep, again — it’s that good – use our discount code SOLIDFREE for 5% off)
  • Scanpan Impact range – affordable and widely available in Australia
  • Essteele – Aussie-made with great quality control
  • All-Clad (for those who want to splurge — pricey but lasts forever)

➡️ Just avoid anything labelled “stainless steel” that feels too light — it’s probably a cheap blend that won’t heat evenly and might warp.

3. Cast Iron

If your nan had one, you know it’s legit. Cast iron is a classic low-tox cooking option that, when seasoned properly, is naturally non-stick and crazy durable.

✅ Great for frying, baking, searing, and even popping into the oven
✅ Naturally boosts your iron intake (especially handy for some women)

Brands to look for:

  • Lodge – well-known and widely available
  • Victoria – made from recycled iron, ensuring durability and sustainability. Available from Kitchen Warehouse.

4. Wrought Iron/Carbon Steel

Wrought iron and carbon steel are another amazing low-tox option — they’re basically cast iron’s lighter, quicker cousins. Made from just iron and carbon, they’re 100% natural, toxin-free, and safe for all types of cooking.

✅ Naturally non-stick when seasoned properly
✅ Free from synthetic coatings or chemicals
✅ Oven-safe, BBQ-safe, and stovetop-friendly
✅ Lightweight compared to cast iron, but still durable as heck
✅ Perfect for high-heat cooking (no risk of toxic fumes)

Brands to look for:

  • Solidteknics AUS-ION range – Aussie-made, built to last generations – and use our discount code SOLIDFREE for 5% off.
  • d.Line – a popular and affordable brand for carbon steel woks. Available from Kitchen Warehouse, Matchbox and other online retailers.

➡️ Like cast iron, carbon steel does require seasoning and a little care — but once you’ve got that natural non-stick layer going, it’ll outperform most non-stick pans without any of the toxic baggage.

5. 100% Pure Ceramic

If you’re looking for cookware that’s about as clean and non-toxic as it gets — pure ceramic is the winner. We’re not talking about ceramic-coated pans (those are a whole different story which we touched on above). We’re talking solid ceramic, made entirely from natural minerals and clay, fired at super high temps — with zero metals, coatings, or chemicals.

✅ Non-reactive and non-toxic (no heavy metals, no PFAS, no nasties)
✅ Won’t leach anything into your food — even when cooking acidic dishes
✅ Naturally non-stick when used correctly
✅ Oven, microwave, and dishwasher-safe
✅ A beautiful alternative for low-tox baking and stovetop cooking

Brands to look for:

  • Xtrema – 100% ceramic, no glazes or metal cores, and available in Australia

➡️ Just be aware: pure ceramic isn’t invincible. It can chip or break if dropped or misused — so treat it like your favourite ceramic mug and it’ll last for years. Totally worth it for the peace of mind and low-tox kitchen vibes.

6. Glass

Given that they are truly non-toxic and chemical-free, pure glass cookware is a fantastic option. Made from tempered or borosilicate glass, these pots and pans are non-reactive, ensuring that nothing leaches into your food—even when cooking acidic dishes.

✅ Completely non-toxic and non-reactive
✅ Transparent, allowing you to monitor cooking without lifting the lid
✅ Suitable for oven, microwave, and some stovetops (check manufacturer guidelines)
✅ Easy to clean and doesn’t retain odours or stains
✅ Aesthetic and functional—adds a touch of elegance to your kitchen

Brands to look for:

➡️ While glass cookware offers a clean and non-toxic cooking experience, it’s essential to handle it with care to prevent breakage. Avoid sudden temperature changes, and always follow the manufacturer’s usage guidelines.

🔧 What About Maintenance?

Yes, some of these low-tox options require a bit more TLC than your average non-stick — but it’s totally worth it.

  • Iron and Cast Iron pans need to be seasoned (coated with oil and heated) — but once seasoned, they’re a dream to cook with and clean.
  • Stainless steel sometimes sticks if you don’t heat it properly, but once you get the hang of it? Easy peasy.

The Takeaway?

If you’re going to the effort of cooking additive-free, healthy meals for your family, don’t let your cookware undo all your good work. Making the switch to low-tox cookware is one of the BEST ways to reduce your family’s toxic load.

💬 Got a favourite low-tox pan we haven’t mentioned? We’d love to hear about it! Leave you’re recommendations in the comments.

And if you’re ready to ditch the Teflon and level up your kitchen game, Solidteknics is hands down our top pick — it’s Aussie, it’s non-toxic, it’s gorgeous, and it’s built for generations. Make sure you use our discount code SOLIDFREE for 5% off.

Much love,
Jo & Tracey