The best non-toxic cookware you can buy in Singapore that are free from PFAS, PTFE, lead, cadmium, and other nasties

We stan healthy eating. Unfortunately, cooking with healthy, whole food is only part of the equation; what you cook with also matters. So here’s a list of cookware that are free from toxic materials, durable, and some even look super cute!

Just like all parents, ensuring my children eat healthily is a top priority for me. I invest a lot of time (and money) into meal planning and grocery shopping, incorporating as many types of whole food as possible into their daily diet. Eat the rainbow, sugar control, non-GMO produce – you get the gist.

Then, I read about how using the wrong cookware can result in harmful chemicals leaching into painstakingly prepared food. It’s the stuff of nightmares for parents. You might think that I’m overreacting because, “How can a little bit hurt?” But here’s the thing: a little bit daily, coupled with wear-and-tear, can be really harmful – especially for little bodies.

What you need to know about non-toxic cookware

Let’s take a step back and understand what exactly makes a cookware ‘toxic’. Some of the common harmful chemicals that you’ll read about are PFAS, PFOA, and PTFE. Overwhelmed by all the acronyms? Don’t be, here’s my simplified explanation.

PFOA is a chemical that’s classified as a type of PFAS. These are lab-made chemicals that are extremely hard to break down, they are called ‘forever chemicals’ by scientists. Many studies have shown that exposure to high levels of PFAS may severely affect our health. And where do we commonly find them? In the coatings of some non-stick pots and pans.

The good news is that many reputable cookware brands have stopped producing non-stick pans with PFOA coating. Some have switched to using PTFE aka teflon, often touted as the ‘safer cousin’ of PFAS. But there’s a catch: overheating a teflon-coated pan may release harmful gas into the air and your food.

Why trust this guide

HoneyKids Asia is a platform run by parents for parents. This guide is also written based on my actual research when looking to replace my existing cookware with a healthier set. I scrutinised materials of several brands, read reviews about their performance and durability to find non-toxic cookware that not only does the job, but is long-lasting. Without further ado, here’s a list of non-toxic cookware that’s great for you and your family.

Psst… I’ve even included a few that might fit your kitchen’s aesthetics (wink).

At a glance

• Best affordable non-toxic cookware: Neoflam
• Best durable non-toxic cookware: Lodge Cast Iron, Le Creuset, Cookcell
• Best stainless steel non-toxic cookware: Tramontina, Cookcell
• Best cast iron non-toxic cookware: Lodge Cast Iron, Le Creuset

The best non-toxic cookware you can buy in Singapore

Lodge Cast Iron

• Material: Cast iron
• Price: From $25.90 for a 3.5-inch (~8.89cm) skillet

Cast iron is one of the healthiest non-stick cookware as it’s made without PFAS and is naturally non-stick through a process called ‘seasoning’. And when it comes to cast iron, Lodge Cast Iron is one of the top brands in the market. Absolutely no PFAS goes into the making of Lodge’s cookware, and the brand even tests its products to ensure there are no dangerous levels of cadmium and lead.

Lodge Cast Iron

Le Creuset

• Material: Cast iron, stainless steel, and ceramic coating.
• Price: From $104.94 for a 14cm enamel on steel saucepan

Hands up if you think Le Creuset has some of the most beautiful cookware, ever. Looks aside, this brand does non-toxic pots, pans, skillets, and more that’s free from PFAS, whether it’s from its cast iron or stainless steel range. The latter is a good choice if you’re looking for cookware that conducts heat faster than cast iron. Le Creuset has both the classic and non-stick stainless steel range, with the non-stick range featuring a safe ceramic coating.

Le Creuset

Tramontina

• Material: Stainless steel, carbon steel, and ceramic coating.
• Price: From $38.90 for a 16cm stainless steel saucepan

Tramontina’s cookware wins at affordability and variety. From stainless steel pots, carbon steel woks, to ceramic-coated non-stick collections – you get to choose based on your budget and cooking style. While the brand has a non-stick line that uses Starflon, its proprietary non-stick coating that is PFOA-free, there’s no mention if it’s PTFE-free.

Tramontina

BergHOFF

• Material: Ceramic coating
• Price: From $38.50 for a 20cm ceramic frying pan

Here’s a cookware brand that’s healthy and eco-conscious. BergHOFF’s Balance range uses a PFOA and PTFE-free ceramic coating. Besides that, the brand’s cookware is made from 100% recycled aluminium. Plus, I’m absolutely in love with the pastel colour range.

BergHOFF

Neoflam

• Material: Ceramic coating
• Price: From $28 for a 16cm egg pan

Neoflam is known for its ceramic-coated non-stick cookware, which is free from PFOA, PTFE, lead, and cadmium. You’ll see this disclosure on its website, in which the brand has tested all of its cookware for PFAS and other substances of very high concern. There are currently three cookware lines that you can choose from based on your preferred design: Swedish-inspired Fika, adorable pink Sherbet, and the green Nature range.

Neoflam

Cookcell

• Material: Ceramic coating
• Price: From $63 for a 15cm egg pan

Love the durability that stainless steel offers, but worried about the food sticking and stubborn burns? Check out Cookcell’s range that uses ceramic coating that’s – you guessed it – free from PFAS, PTFE, lead, and cadmium. It’s also made from tri-ply stainless steel that’s built to last, as well as gives you better heat distribution. It may be pricey, but as the brand claims, it’s going to be the “last pan you’d ever need”.

Cookcell

Comparison table

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