Posted by Nikoletta Ventseslavova

Cost: from $60 to $500

Save: from 25% to 50% of the products’ price

Most non-stick cookware includes Teflon, or a similar equivalent. The major component of those non-stick coatings is PTFE- polytetrafluoroethylene. When heated over 500 degrees F this substance can produce toxic fumes that can kill small pets and provoke flu-like symptoms in people. The other substance in those coatings, that provokes concerns is the PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). According to the Environment Protection Agency it is dangerous, because it is may provoke cancer. So, the EPA has asked companies to eliminate the use of PFOA by 2015.

You can read more about the dangers of non-stick pans here: Learn Why Ceramic Coating Knocks Teflon Out of The Pan

In order to help you find an alternative to the toxic cookware, I have written a review of the top-rated Eco-products in this area:

The 10″ Green Earth Frying Pan by Ozeri, with Smooth Ceramic Non-Stick Coating (100% PTFE and PFOA Free)

Product overview:  This pan is part of the Ozeri’s new generation green pans, with Smooth Ceramic Non Stick Coating and its PTFE and PFOA free. The ceramic coating is 100% scratch resistant and it’s super easy to clean. The pan possesses comfortable heat resistant Bake light Handle and a magnetized induction stove base for speedy  head transfer.  Even under excessive temperatures, no harmful toxic fumes  or toxins are released.

Customers’ pros and cons:
● “This pan is great. The handle is nice and sturdy. “
● “The instructions say that the pan IS dishwasher safe but that they still don’t recommend you clean it in the dishwasher.  I emailed Ozeri to ask them why it’s recommended that you wash it by hand instead of in the dishwasher and never received any response…So it’s a mystery what would happen to this dishwasher safe item if you put it in the dishwasher, but I am still very happy with my purchase.”
● “This pan is awesome. I am a big fan of Teflon frying pans, but the health concerns made me want to find an alternative. It’s a solid frying pan, heavy, good handle, heats well and even, but the best part is how non-stick it is.”
● “ You don’t need to worry about things sticking to it and clean up is easy. I would definitely recommend this pan and plan an buying the other version with the non-flat bottom.”
● “I purchased this pan specifically because I wanted a non-toxic skillet. And this was a great price compared to other brands.”
● “Far better than my other skillets. I was very impressed that you really don’t have to coat it with non-stick spray or oil. The eggs didn’t stick at all to the pan and food washes off with ease. I love the silicon handle and most of all that it’s eco-friendly and non-toxic! I will definitely be buying another one for myself and more as gifts!”
Scanpan Classic Ceramic Titanium 11-Piece Chef’s Cookware Set

Product overview: This is the top-rated non-stick cookware, which is a bit expensive. The tests show that it has excellent performance, heat distribution and durability.

The set includes : 10.25″ Frypan1, Quart Saucepan with Lid2, Quart Saucepan with Lid3, Quart Saucepan with Lid10.25″ , Sauté Pan with Lid6.5  and a Quart Dutch Oven. It is produced in Denmark and it is made of pressure-cast aluminum with ceramic-titanium nonstick coating. The high-density phenol handles are attached without rivets. The break-resistant glass lid with metal rim allows monitoring of cooking. Its oven safe to 500 degrees F; it’s dishwasher safe and metal utensil-safe. It has lifetime warranty.

Customers’ pros and cons: The rating of the pans is 4 stars out of 5. People say their surface is truly nonstick and easy to clean. But, some of the users complain that their pans’ coating wore out in a few years, while others say they are in great shape even after 4 and more years of usage:
● “I have had my set of SCANPANs for 5 years. They are the most awesome pans you will ever buy… The glass lids are heavy duty Pyrex glass. It sure is nice to be able to see the food as you are cooking it. Do be careful as the glass lids will chip or break. I have several that have bounced off of the ceramic tile and chipped the edges. They still work. The lifetime warranty is worth it. I sent it in to SCANPAN for replacement. In 3 weeks I had a brand new pan; one of the new ones with the New Tek coating. It is an awesome pan.”
● “blister/peeling bubbles happened within one to two years of normal use to all but two of the pans we bought. And we bought them based on the so called “lifetime” warranty. We packed up the blistered pans and paid $17 shipping to have them replaced, following the directions exactly from their website. Only to have the box returned unopened with a return shipping charge of $17! They did not even accept the delivery!! Do NOT purchase these pans.”
● “This is the best nonstick cookware I  have ever used. I will never own any brand other than Scan pan ever again.”

Another line of alternative Eco-nonstick cookware is the EarthPan.  The EarthPan Hard Anodized Cookware is cheaper than the Scanpan Classic – about $200 for 10-piece set, but right now it’s value is reduced to $130 in Amazon. Cook’s Illustrated say that its silicone polymer lasts longer than the ceramic ones. It’s also oven-safe to 600 degrees F and is metal utensils save.
The EarthPan Hard Anodized 10 pieces Cookware set includes: 1-1/2-, 2- lidded saucepans; 8-, 10-inch skillets, 3-quart lidded saute; 8-quart lidded stockpot.  It possesses a  SandFlow nonstick surface, which is PTFE and PFOA free. This unique nonstick originates from sand and is formulated to provide excellent food release and easy cleanup. Based on industry lab tests, the SandFlow nonstick food releasing performance will outlast all other ceramic-based, Eco-friendly cookware, 3 to 1. The hard anodized exterior is highly wear-resistant, provides quick and even heat distribution. The producer doesn’t recommend it for dish-washing.

The user opinions for this set score 3.5 stars out of 5. Here are the pros and cons:
● “I haven’t found anything I don’t love about it. It is eco-friendly, it cleans up easily whether you wash it by hand or in dishwasher, and the stainless finish is really attractive. I’ve only used phosphate-free liquid dishwasher”
● “The sand-flow/ceramic coating seems really durable”
● “Somehow when you get stains on the outside of the pots or pans, NO WAY of cleaning it off. I have research the Internet and tried everything, and the stains are still there.”
● “The pots are too small for everyday use.”
● “If one day the non-stick coating comes off (and they will, like all the other non sticks cook wares we ever own), I don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals getting into our bodies (especially our kid’s).
● “Earth pan is well made and attractive. Price is right.”

The new energy-efficient and eco-friendly Cuisinart GG-12 GreenGourmet Eco-Friendly Nonstick Hard Anodized 12-Piece Cookware Set is the next stop of our review. You can save 67% of its price right now. Amazon offers a huge discount of its price, selling it only for $190.
Product overview: The GreenCourmet set is PTFE and PFOA free. Every piece of this cookware is hard-anodized for a quick heating. The coating for the GG-12 set is ceramic, instead of the traditional petroleum based ones. It has the ability to save oil while cooking. The pans have superior heat conductivity and that’s why they need less energy to achieve the desired temperature. The hard anodized exterior is harder than the steel, nonporous and is strongly wear-resistant. The stay-cool steel handles are made of 70% recycled stain steel and are oven-safe to 500 degrees F.

The set features: one 8-inch skillet, one 10-inch deep fry (with cover), one 1.5-quart saucepan (with cover), one 2.5-quart saucepan (with cover), one 3-quart everyday pan (with cover), one 6-quart Dutch Oven (with cover), and a steamer insert that fits the 2.5-quart saucepan.

The packaging is made of 100% recycled materials.

Customer pros and cons: This set’s rating is 4 out of 5 stars
● “The pan handles do not get hot, but the lid handles do, so be prepared to use a potholder to move the lids.”
● “The set must be hand-washed and handled carefully to avoid chipping.”
● “When we first received and began using them, the pans were perfectly nonstick. The loss of the nonstick capacity and the subsequent difficulty with cleaning the pans drops my rating to two stars.”
● “I bought this cookware after several months of research and trying one or two pans from this line and comparing them to other pans. I am delighted with this cookware!!! “
● “The sizes are just right for my little electric stove, are heavy enough to perform like ceramic coated cast iron, but are much lighter than cast iron, the handles feel good in my hand and stay cool, the construction is solid and made to last, they look beautiful, cook superbly at medium, energy saving, heat and clean up effortlessly. “
● “I love the fact that the non stick coating does not flake off or leech gasoline bi-products into my food and that there is recycled materials in the construction. The packaging was also great-recycled paper and soy based ink, no plastics, bubble wrap or foam. “

Emile Henry Flame Top Wok is the next ceramic alternative to Teflon with rating 5 out of 5 stars. It’s more expensive, but now Amazon gives a reduction of 25% of its price.
Product overview: Like the other products of Emile Henry Flame-Top cookware this wok is light and versatile. It’s made of Burgundy clay. It can be used on any stove top (gas,electric or halogen) and it won’t break or crack. It’s curved interior is perfect for stir-frying. Its wide top and narrow bottom allows frying with less oil than with straight-sided pan. This 5-quart-capacity wok retains heat and distributes it gently and evenly, making it suitable for braising, simmering and steam cooking. It is strong enough to survive extremely high temperatures and to keep the natural taste of food at the same time. It’s completed by an oven-safe tempered-glass lid and a handy tempura rack. It’s dishwasher-safe for quick clean up and oven-safe. Measures approximately 16 by 13-1/2 by 6 inches and has 10-year limited warranty.

Product features: 5-quart wok; 2 integrated side handles provide easy lifting; removable tempura rack included ; transparent tempered-glass lid with knob traps in heat and moisture

Customers have only positive reviews about the wok. There are no cons:
● “This wok really works for me. I did buy a carbon steel one earlier but I replaced it with this flame-top ceramic wok. I didn’t like that the food & oils, etc. were still embedded in the carbon steel version which came off in the drying process. I really don’t like cooking on high heat, more for health reasons. It does a nice job.”
● “Have used the steamer & grill functions only. Not interested in tempura because of all the oil you need to use. I now own 3 Emile Henry Flame-Top cookware pieces & really like everyone of them. Feel they really are high quality pieces.
● “The wok looks wonderful on the table and the ceramic acts as a warmer, keeping the food from getting cold. You can’t go wrong with Emile Henry. I know it’s a little spendy, but this is something you buy one time. And then you pass it down through generations, so I think it’s well worth it.”