Cookware that is versatile and easy to use, such as non-stick and stainless steel pans, encourages your creativity. For my part, there are several reasons why I adore these two cookware pieces.
While I adore non-stick pans for the sheer ease with which cooking and cleaning are made, I adore stainless steel for its quality and longevity.
However, when it comes to cookware’s safety, is stainless steel safer than non-stick? Find out the advantages and disadvantages of using non-stick and stainless steel cookware so you can make an informed decision easily.
STAINLESS STEEL AND NON-STICK COOKWARE
Before we try to answer the question: is stainless steel safer than non-stick cookware, let’s lay a little foundation or define stainless steel and non-stick cookware.
Let’s start with stainless steel cookware material. Stainless steel is one of the most popular cookware materials that can be found in almost every home and among professional chefs.
Stainless steel comes in various grades, examples are 18/8, 18/10, and 18/0. I have written detailed articles on the safety of 18/10 stainless steel and 18/8 dishwasher use and 18/0 stainless steel safe use.
Stainless steel is a metal alloy composed of iron, carbon, nickel, and chromium. Stainless steel cookware is one of the best and healthiest cookware materials. They are also an excellent choice for pressure cooker pans and pots.
To prevent sticking, stainless steel requires the presence of oil or water when cooking. Stainless steel is one of the healthy non-toxic cookware materials that is recommended for everyday use.
Although high-quality stainless steel is costly, it can last for decades. Some premium brands of stainless steel cookware are:
Vikings 3 ply contemporary 10 Pieces Stainless steel cookware
Made in cookware stainless steel
Cuisinart stainless steel cookware
Calphalon stainless steel cookware
Legend 5 ply stainless steel cookware
All-clad stainless steel cookware.
NON-STICK COOKWARE
Non-stick simply means a coating that can be added to a cookware or dinnerware material that makes clean-up easy. Non-stick coating can be added to stainless steel, ceramic, porcelain, carbon, cast iron, and other cookware materials.
There are different types of coating used in cookware, examples are: Enameled Cast Iron coating, Silicone Non-stick Coating, Super hydrophobic coatings, Ceramic coated cookware, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Coating, hard-anodized coating, and carbon steel coating.
All of these coatings have pros and cons, for instance, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Coating is not recommended because it contains Teflon that emits harmful substances when under high temperature.
A good example of a safe non-stick pan is the T-fal cookware as it is made without PFOA and PTFE.
Non-stick cookware (pots and pans) is a staple for everyday cooks. Non-stick pans are perfect for making eggs, fish, or sautéing vegetables.
While a non-stick pan is easy to clean and easy to use, avoid high extreme temperatures as this can ruin the non-stick coating. We recommend you use the medium to low heat setting for durability.
Avoid using metal utensils on your non-stick pots and pans as this will destroy the non-stick coating. Instead, use a wooden spoon or silicone utensil.
It is better you hand wash your stainless even though many are labeled “dishwasher safe”, the coating might still get destroyed.
Make sure you add a little oil to your non-stick pan before turning on the heat as this enhances the effectiveness of the non-stick coating.
IS STAINLESS STEEL NON-STICK?
Stainless steel is not non-stick in its raw or natural state, however, a non-stick coating can be applied to make cleaning easier, as the naked surface of stainless steel is easily prone to sticking tender food items like eggs and fish fillets.
IS STAINLESS STEEL TOXIC?
No, Stainless steel doesn’t emit any toxic fumes and won’t leach any substance into your food as it is very stable.
IS STAINLESS STEEL SAFER THAN NON-STICK?
Yes, stainless steel cookware is safer than non-stick cookware because most non-stick pots and pans are constructed with inferior coatings that may contain poisonous compounds when damaged, but stainless steel doesn’t emit dangerous substances, doesn’t react with food, can endure oxidation, corrosion, and cooking pressure.
WHAT IS THE SAFEST COOKWARE?
The safest cookware to use for cooking and recommended health-wise are as follows:
High-quality surgical-grade stainless steel cookware.
Glass cookware free from lead and cadmium.
Cast iron cookware coated with temperature-resistant enamel or glass rather than Teflon.
IS STAINLESS STEEL TOXIC WHEN HEATED?
Metal, in general, and stainless steel in particular, do not release toxins when heated. You simply find a glowing red heat on the bottom of the cookware.
IS STAINLESS STEEL SAFE TO DRINK FROM?
Yes, drinking from a stainless steel water bottle or drinking cup is safe since stainless steel has stable chemical and physical qualities, does not pollute the water, has high corrosion and rust resistance, and ensures the water remains clean and hygienic.
We recommend high-quality 18/8 drinking stainless steel or 18/10 stainless steel water drinking cups.
IS STAINLESS STEEL GOOD FOR COOKING?
Yes, stainless steel is excellent for cooking since it does not react with your food or leach hazardous toxins into it. Secondly, because stainless steel is a stable material, it is widely used in the food and beverage sectors for the preservation of edible goods.
BEST STAINLESS STEEL NON-STICK COOKWARE
As stated at the outset of this article, not every stainless steel cookware has a nonstick propensity, but they can be combined to make cooking easier.
The best stainless steel non-stick cookware is the American Kitchen non-stick 3 Piece fry pan set.
To begin with, the American Kitchen non-stick stainless steel fry pan is USA-made stainless steel that is proudly designed with tri-ply stainless steel with PFOA-FREE Eterna non-stick cooking surface that makes cleaning a breeze.
The fry pan cookware is further strengthened with 2 layers of professional-grade stainless steel with an aluminum core. Get ready for superior heat conductivity and cooking performance.
Another beautiful feature about this Premium USA-made stainless steel cookware is that the handle stays cool during stovetop cooking.
Perfect pan, nothing sticks to this pan and it can be used in the oven as well. A quality product no doubt. They’re even oven safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
MADE IN COOKWARE – 7-PIECE STAINLESS STEEL POT AND PAN SET
Another premium stainless steel cookware we recommend is the Made-in cookware. It is designed with 5-ply construction, 18/10 stainless steel, pure aluminum, aluminum alloy, and high-grade ferritic 430.
The Made in cookware has everything you need in cookware, be a Master of your kitchen and cook, boil, sear, and fry all your delicious meals with this durable stainless steel cookware that can also transition from stovetop straight to oven roasting up to 800 degrees.
Made in cookware 18/10 stainless steel prevents corrosion and rust and will not react with your food.
Another unique quality about this Stainless steel Made in cookware is that while you cook, the handles stay cool.
The cookware’s exterior layer on the element-facing side is comprised of high-quality ferritic 430 stainless steel, making it both robust and magnetic (to work with induction cooktops).
Enjoy a balanced weight for optimal cooking performance. Finally, the Made in stainless steel cookware is suitable for gas, electric, glass, ceramic, induction, and oven use.
NICKEL-FREE STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE
Nickel-free stainless steel cookware simply means the absence of nickel compound in stainless steel as most grades of stainless steel contain nickel. For example, we have the 18/8, 18/10, and 18/0 stainless steel.
The Nickel-free stainless steel cookware is the 18/0 grade classification which simply means 18% of chromium and zero (0) percent of nickel.
A good example of nickel-free stainless steel cookware is the Homi-chef cookware.
IS CERAMIC COOKWARE SAFE?
Yes, Ceramic cookware is considered safe because it is made of natural materials. We recommend 100% ceramic cookware because it is the safest for health, scratch-resistant, won’t chip or peel off, and is effective in even cooking.
To read more about ceramic cookware, visit the best pure ceramic cookware.
NON-STICK VS STAINLESS STEEL VS CERAMIC
Below is the difference between non-stick versus stainless steel and ceramic cookware:
| NON-STICK COOKWARE | STAINLESS STEEL | CERAMIC COOKWARE |
| Exist in multiple cookware materials like ceramic, stainless steel, and others. | Stainless steel is made up of nickel, chromium, silicon, carbon, iron, and manganese. | Ceramic is made up of clay, minerals, and quartz sand. |
| Exist in various shapes and forms like frying pans, and Dutch ovens. Etc. | Exist in limited shapes and forms. | Just like non-stick, it can exist in various forms and shapes of cookware. |
| Easy to use and clean. | Takes a bit of care to clean but is easy to use. | Easy to use and clean. |
| Susceptible to damage, the coating can chip and fracture. | Durable than non-stick and ceramic cookware. | Ceramic cookware coatings might easily get damaged. |
| Affordable | Expensive | Affordable |
| Good heat conduction | Good heat conduction | Good heat conduction |
| Suitable for low and medium temperatures. | Suitable for high, medium, and low-temperature cooking. | Suitable for high, low, and medium temperatures. |
| The coating is added to various materials of cookware. | It comes in raw form and can only be non-stick if it is added. | Ceramic cookware is naturally non-stick |
| The poor non-stick coating is dangerous to health, especially under high temperatures. | Safe and healthy for use. No leaching of toxins. | Ceramic cookware is safer than Teflon-coated pans. |
| Most non-stick cookware is light based on the material. | Depending on the brand, stainless steel can be both light and heavy cookware. | Most ceramic cookware is heavy. |
| Not suitable for microwave use. | Not suitable for microwave use. | Refrigerator, freezer, and microwave safe. |
CONCLUSION
When it comes to choosing one type of cookware over another, it all boils down to personal preference, cooking style, and recipe. Non-stick cookware is preferred by certain professional chefs above other types of cookware.
Others prefer stainless steel over other types of cookware. Whether you choose stainless steel or non-stick cookware, simply follow the directions for care and usage of stainless steel and non-stick cookware mentioned above.
Surely, I’ve offered a thorough response to the topic, “Is stainless steel safer than non-stick?” allowing you to make educated decisions that will benefit you and your family.
