LET’S TALK ABOUT COOKWARE

The Truth About Cookware…

Hey guys …! Thought it was time to discuss a subject that most people don’t even think about.  The average person may say, “You know what? I need a new set of cookware. Let me go to the nearest mall, kitchen store, Target or Walmart and get me a new set of cookware.”  Usually we get what we can afford, not really doing our research on what kind of metals or non-stick materials this cookware is made out of. We just grab a good looking set off the shelves and keep it moving!  We really, however, need to do our research when it comes to cookware. Why? Because the food we cook IN our cookware goes into our bodies. I found out that a lot of cookware materials leach out into our food while cooking.  Have you ever had a meal and afterwards you felt kind of nauseous? Well … it could be that the nauseous feeling was most likely coming from the metals in your cookware!

Let’s talk about the metals that cookware is made out of:  Stainless steel, aluminum, copper, cast iron and glass are the most popular ones.

Stainless Steel – When you go shopping for stainless steel cookware …  you need to know that there are different content levels of this metal. 18/8, 18/10, 18/0, 304, 316.  Let me break it down for you:

These numbers describe how much chromium (18), and how much nickel (8, 10 or 0) are composite in your cookware. For example,  18/10 = 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel. The stainless steel used for cookware is considered food grade stainless steel, but it is the nickel that you want to be aware of because nickel is what can ‘leach’ out while cooking.  The nickel is actually what makes the stainless steel rust or corrosion resistant. The lower the nickel amount … the more it is susceptible to leaching out into your food. Stainless Steel is actually made of different metals including carbon, chromium, nickel and/or manganese. To make stainless steel more efficient for conducting heat, you will find that the stainless steel cookware on the market has a copper or aluminum core that also extends up the wall of the pots and pans, with copper being the best but most expensive.  You want that conductive disc that is bonded to the bottom of the pan in order to get the best heat distribution. So, in my humble opinion, 18/10 is the best stainless steel cookware you should get if you are buying from a mall or retail store. 

Now, if you want to get the top of the line, try 304, 316 stainless steel which is also  called surgical stainless, the same stainless steel that hospitals use. With these you get very little leaching of the other metals.  Most of the cookware that they call water-less cookware would be under this category. This type of cookware is usually found online or through a cooking party of some sort. This cookware is very easy to clean and keeps it luster for years.  If something sticks, just put some dishwasher liquid and hot water in the pan and let it sit for a few minutes, it will wash up like a dream. Saladmaster Cookware (https://saladmaster.com/) is one company that sells this type of cookware. It is on the expensive side, but well worth it, as you will have it for the rest of your life.  I have had my set for 30 years and it still looks brand new!

You might want to avoid aluminum cookware for the obvious reason that, as we’ve heard, aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Why take chances with your health?   Contrary to popular belief however … cast iron is still on the non toxic list and safe to use, assuming you are properly cleaning and seasoning it. There are also some health benefits to cast iron.  If you’re deficient in iron, this cookware could help you get the proper amount that you need. But if you are not … be careful not to overload on iron. If you have the proper iron levels, then I would suggest sticking with the stainless steel rather than cast

You will also want to be careful with copper cookware because of the chance of getting an over consumption of copper, unless the copper is only on the outside and stainless steel on the inside. Although glass is considered nontoxic, it is best used in the oven as bake-ware. Check out the Environmental Working Group (EWG)  for more information. This website is a wealth of information and their main goal is to educate us on the most safe products to use. (https://www.ewg.org/)

The bottom line is do your research on cookware before you go out and buy and make an informed decision.  Remember you are cooking your food in these pots and pans. and the leaching metals may be entering your body and that of your family.

Referenceshttp://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=dailytip&dbid=92