Looking for Suggestions for Safe Cookware and Food Storage

I use a lot of cast iron. It is great when it has been well seasoned. LOVE my cast iron pots and skillets.

I also have a higher end set of All-Clad and I love it as well. It is not cheap. I paid about $125 for the smallest pan and then I bought a 10 piece set on sale for a little over $600. LOVE my All-Clad as well.

I don't keep up with the safety aspects of it... I use what I like and what is best for my kitchen.

Hi K.,
I have several of the Pampered Chef stones. They are expensive, but I hosted a PC party when my SIL was working for them and got most of my stuff for free! If you know someone who works for PC, host a party and get lots of stuff for free.

I've been slowly trying to replace all my bad non-stick with something healthier too. Unfortunately most of the PFOA-free cookware I've found are junk. But I did finally find one recently that so far I love!

It's from the Food Network line of pans that you can get at Kohls, and they're called Cooking Green. Food Network has a regular line as well, and the packaging isn't drastically different, so look carefully.

I bought the big skillet about a month ago now, have used it almost daily, and so far I love it! Cooks well, doesn't stick, washes easy, and the surface seems really durable. And no PFOA! Yay! The skillet was normally $50, got it on sale for $40. More than I would normally want to spend, but it's the only quality green pans I've found at a semi reasonable price!

Hey K.,
Wow, good for you! I went through this about 6 years ago and haven't turned back since. You will find that this is just the beginning.
When it comes to cook ware the best out there is Le Creuset. It is cast iron enameled with porcelain and therefore emits no fumes, does not need to be seasoned and you don't have to add a ton of oil to keep your food from sticking. However, it is VERY expensive. But if you are lucky you can find it on occasion at TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Another option is to purchase Calphalon which is steel layered over aluminum. The only caveat with this is you wouldn't want to purchase the non-stick varieties which will mean you have to add more oil to keep things from sticking. Cast iron is a good choice but it requires a TON of maintenance. You would have to season your pans each time after you clean them.
As for bake ware I do have a good selection of Pampered Chef stoneware and everything cooks beautifully on it. However, if you are on a budget you can always purchase Pyrex or Corningware which are easy to use. Their lids are made of plastic or rubber, so you will want to be sure that your food is sufficiently cooled before you put the lid on. This will keep the plastic from transferring the BPAs. I also use the Pyrex and corningware bowls for storage. They work GREAT!!

cookscountrytv.com has some great pan suggestions. For pots, we go with stainless steel, and have stainless steel and cast iron pans. We do have one non stick as well, for eggs, grilled cheese, etc. You just have to make sure that you never heat it up empty, and that it really isn't used for anything over med-high heat. The plastic snap-ware storage stuff is great, just don't put them in the microwave. Put the food in a non plastic bowl,and then microwave.

Sorry, no time to read responses, just want to mention: we have some eco-friendly (supposedly safe) non-stick frying pans I got at TJ Max (cheap). Ecolution works great (doesn't stick). Ecopan does NOT work well (everything sticks). We've had them for about a year.

I do use stainless steel pots. I just did a quick search on "stainless steel metal leach"- you might want to check some of the results:
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=291607

Try not to be overwhelmed with it all (I know it is)!

non stick is super unsafe if it is scratched.

never heat anything in plastic.

glass is probably safest. But, I have no idea about stainless steel vs enameled. great q's!

LOVE LOVE LOVE My Kitchen Aide Stainless Steel Cookware set. They have silicone handles that can safely go in the oven as well, you can use any kind of utensil AND you can put them in the dishwasher worry free. We got ours from Target on sale... I want to say price range of $120-150 (per set, not per pot or pan). Less stress is what we were going for... all you need is to spray some pam or use some olive oil for the "non-stick" effect.

Tupperware has always been a problem for us. Usually because it gets left somewhere else, but if I had my way I would get glass. Big reason is because you could cook a dish with the glass and when it has cooled, just put the top on and refrigerate. Hope this was somewhat helpful :) Good Luck!

Avoid the non-stick all together, even if it claims to be green and safe. If it's non stick, the company had to spray that chemicle on it to make it that way. If it's heated too warm (and how do we know what the highest temp that is) the chemicle will start melting even though you don't actually see or smell that happening. It's then gets into your cooked food that you and your family are going to ingest.
In my area, 3M, one of the biggest makers of non stick cookware when it first came out, was experiencing with different chemicles about 20-25 years ago. They didn't know what to do with one of the chemicles so they decided to bury it under ground. In the last five years now the near by cities are finding it the cities water wells, and private wells too. In my immediate area, I have five neighbors within a 3 block radius that all have MS. Coincidence...who knows, but since we live less than a mile from the 3M mfg facility and less than five miles from one of their burial grounds with literally acres and acres of this chemicle they are in the process of digging up for the last year, seems like there's a good chance it could have something to do with the many MS cases around here. This stuff has no taste or smell but gets into our bodies.
As far as glass or plastic, we NEVER heat in plastic. Plastic is a petroleum bi-product. Another thing that if heated too long, will leech nasty chemicles in our bodies when we ingest the food that has been microwaved (btw...no mic here either :) We do have just a few plastic bowls with covers but they are only for when my husband bikes to work, plastic would be too heavy. He keeps a plate at his work and will transfer the food to it when he wants to eat. For leftover food storage at home, instead of using saran or any other plastic wrap, I cover the bowl with a small plate. Do you know it takes 20 years for plastic to degrade down? I do my best to keep it out of the landfill.
I believe CA and WA are way ahead of the rest of the states when it comes to being "green" so I'm sure you already know a lot of this stuff that I said but thought I'd throw it out there anyway.

Hi K.,
Are you familiar at all with Princess House? We introduced a line of stainless steel cookware in 2006 with a lifetime guarantee. I won't lie - it's not inexpensive - but it's guaranteed for a LIFETIME! We also introduced a PFOA-free nonstick cookware in 2009 that finally is up to the company's standards. This nonstick surface is called Excalibur and you can read all about it at: www.whitfordww.com/excalibur.html
If you ask any MD, they'll tell you that the safest cookware to use is stainless steel. Our is not only beautiful and made or 18/10 stainless (the best you can get) it also has a 5mm encapsulated aluminum core giving superior heat conductivity with no hot spots. The "peak a boo" lids are gorgeous and allow you see what's cookin' along with giving you "stove top jewelry" when not in use. The best part? We're SO commited to getting Healthy Cookware into EVERY woman's home, that we have now implemented a layaway plan. I will tell you though - as good as the layaway plan is - it's better to get it FREE. Contact me and I'll share how you can get an entire set or individual pieces.
BTW - I too LOVE the Pampered Chef's stoneware and believe that it's generally worth the money. The problem with stoneware is that it's ONLY for the oven. Our stainless is stovetop AND oven safe along with being dishwasher safe too! Hope this helps and hope to hear from you soon!
S.

I love glass it's not too pricey well it is considering your only getting one & not a set of 5.Pyrex is a great choice they have safe plastic lids they are now microwaveable just look for the ones that are(plastic lids contains no BPA) they can be strored in fridge,or freezer whcich is great & you don't get the stains or odors caused by plastic.As for the stones i;m not going to be buying Pmapered Chef whn they are else where the baking stones they maynot be as high quality but top me they look and feel the same it's just the price difference.The plastic route I know i;m getting tired of them but are great for picnics and the kids there is such a variety & they contain no BPA less expensive and good on the budget.I'm getting where i'd like to be in my glass wares now jsut to trash all the old plastic ones not hard for me but hubby needs them for lunches & fishin...If at anytime you think a plastice lid is unsafe don't use it in the microwave it is the heat that releases the chemicals

Pampered Chef stoneware is the bomb! You get value and your food turns out great, hard to over cook or burn something in it so that saves money lol. I like the person's suggestion of hosting a party so you can get it for free or half off.

Non-stick = toxic so good choice to get out of it. I went stainless steel and here are the tips that I have learned on cleaning it. When cooking something like eggs, use olive oil and have it coat the sides and bottom well. For cleaning anything that seems to cake it, I put a little soapy water in the pan, heat it up, then clean, usually using the spatula to just move the caked on food right off. If there is something really stubborn, baking soda! Some people like to use Barkeepers Friend as well to keep it looking really nice. NEVER put cool water in it when it is still hot as it will warp. Learned the hard way on this.

I do love the Le Creuset line as well.

Keep the green concept going. For cleaning in our house: baking soda to clean tubs, showers, toilets, vinegar, and my favorite is Sensaria's Citrus Cleaner. I use this anywhere in the house, especially for my laundry, getting stains out throughout the house, keeping the kitchen clean and washing my fruits and vegetables. www.sensaria.com/J.

Hi K.,

Kudos to you!!!!! First off, the Pampered Chef stoneware is worth every single shiny penny you spend on it, I promise. I've been a faithful stoneware user for about 15 years and can't imagine using anything else. Yes, it can be a bit pricey to get started, but it is so worth it.

I am also a stainless cookware fan. I have a few random stainless pans from various places. Love them but clean up can be a beast. I recently started buying the Pampered Chef line of stainless pans. Yet again, pricey, but holy cow I will save every extra quarter I have to buy the rest of them and throw out everything else I've got. Just yesterday I made chicken soup for lunch. We ate, and ran out the door. When I finally got home about 11:00 last night, the empty pan was still in the sink with those last few random noodles and chunks of celery stuck to the bottom of the pan. I tossed it in the wash water, let it soak for about two minutes, and it cleaned right up with no effort. None of my other stainless stuff cleans up that easy. You can also put the Pampered Chef stainless stuff in the dishwasher. So easy!

I have hosted a party every year in October or November for the last 10 years or so, earning my most expensive stuff for free. I can't afford to just go out and buy the pans, but I can earn them one at a time. And, if you buy the cookware from Pampered Chef, they have a lifetime guarentee. If something goes wrong, you get a new one free. Love it!

I put my leftovers in the fridge in the container or pan that I cooked them in, just until they are no longer warm, then transfer them to a plastic container. I use mosty new tupperware just because I was given some by a friend. Then, when it comes time to reheat the leftovers, I dump them out into a small piece of Pampered Chef stoneware and put it in the toaster oven. You can also microwave the stoneware to reheat food. Heck, you can cook food in the microwave in the stoneware. Just did a baked chicken last week in the microwave in a piece of stoneware. No kidding, it was very tasty, but that's a post for another day.....

You can look online at the main Pampered Chef website and there is a link (I think) to find a consultant in your area. Or, just ask around, I'm sure someone you know will know someone who sells it, or who had a party or something like that. The gals who sell it aren't hard to find.

Have fun!
G.

Cuisinart makes a non-stick green line and it's awesome. Petroleum is the problem with non-stick pots and pans, but Cuisinart uses ceramic instead. You can use these on the stove, in the oven and broiler. I have attached a link so you can read about it. They come in either hard anodized or stainless steel. (same price) You can get this set for about $150 at Williams Sonoma Outlet (Cal/Nev border) which is $100 less than the web listed price.

http://www.cuisinart.com/products/cookware/GreenGourmet/G...

I just did the same as you about a year ago. After a great deal of research and shopping, I bought Calphalon Stainless at Bed, Bath and Beyond in a set that was on sale and was able to use one of the MANY coupons they send out and ordered just one non-stick from the same line and we use it only for eggs. I was able to use a coupon for that, as well, because I ordered it through the store. I preferred the feel of the handle of Calphalon compared to All-Clad and the glass lids also.

As far as food storage I purchased sets of glass Pyrex in various sizes from Amazon and got free shipping. Quite often, Kohls has this on sale also. Their plastic lids are safe and food does not usually touch the lid any way. I don't put the lids in the micro, though. I use a paper towel or a glass plate to cover the containers.

It felt REALLY satisfying throwing out all of my old junk and putting the new, safe items in the cabinets! Have fun shopping!

Glass is fantastic for storage! I've also been cheered to see Ziplock brand plastic containers that are now BPA free. Stainless steel is great to cook in and so is cast iron and enameled cast iron -just make sure you season it and keep it dry to keep it from rusting. I have a lot of cookware, but my Le Creuset enameled cast iron is my favorite. I generally stay far away from non-stick.

I like corning ware. You can bake, microwave and serve and store leftovers in it. It's made of ceramic and glass They're pretty easy to clean, too.

I am interested to read all of your responses, but I thought I would add my experience with pampered chef (stoneware). Not happy with it at all. I will not waste any more of my money on it again. I have/had the loaf pan and the pizza stone. After only about 3 years of use, the pizza stone exploded in the oven while cooking a pizza, yes EXPLODED. Shards of stoneware everywhere, the pizzas were not edible, and obviously my pizza stone was done with. $$ down the drain... in the trash. The loaf pan is so difficult to get my loaves out of. I have seasoned it, used it many times, but still, the loaf sticks to the bottom and jacks up the bottom of the bread. I feel like it dries out the bread as well. I don't use it anymore. So considering the breakage potential with stoneware, I would not recommend this as a long term investment. With so many variables, washing, storing, cooking, something is bound to happen to your stones. Even the most careful person is bound to do something wrong and have one break or explode. Personally I feel safest cooking and baking with stainless. I use All-Clad.