Don’t judge or laugh at me when you read the following sentence. My dog is why I threw out all my old cookware and bought new ones. That’s right! Because of Gatsby, I decided to trash my old non-stick Teflon pans and traded them for new non-toxic cookware.
If you’ve followed me on Instagram or my blog, you’ll know that when Gatsby was six months old, I took him off kibble and started making homemade meals for him instead (he’s now finally transitioned to a raw diet. You can read about that here). I was lightly cooking his ground bison, and then I turned to my husband and was like, “OMG. Wait. Is this pan even safe to cook his food?!”
I don’t know why I never thought that my Teflon pan wasn’t safe to cook with, even for myself. My husband looked at me in shock and said, “So you don’t care if MY or OUR food is being cooked on a toxic pan? You only care about the dog?” That’s right, Danny. It’s ALWAYS about the dog! ?
But seriously, after doing some research on my non-stick Teflon cookware, I was convinced I had to throw it all away. If you’re still cooking with the traditional non-stick pans and now wondering if you should upgrade your cookware, here’s what you need to know.
Why traditional non-stick cookware is terrible for you
1. Traditional Nonstick, aluminum, and even copper cookware can leave traces of chemicals and metals in your food. Let’s say you’re using an affordable non-stick pan bought from HomeGoods, Target, even William Sonoma like I did. Then chances are they contain Teflon, which consists of Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coatings. They’re a risk factor for health issues like chronic kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disorders, testicular cancers, low birth weight, and infertility.
2. When Teflon pans are heated at high temperatures, it produces polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fumes, which are extremely dangerous to birds. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, when birds breathe in these fumes, it causes their lungs to hemorrhage and starts to fill with fluid, leading to suffocation and death. Now, imagine what these toxic fumes are doing to your pets and family!
3. Did you know that it only takes traditional non-stick pans 2.5 minutes to heat up to 500 degrees? That’s the temperature where the chemicals start to break down and release into your food and home. Ugh! I’m going to kick myself here. Do you know how many times I used high heat to sear salmon or steak for Danny?!
Caraway Home – Safe non-stick, non-toxic cookware
So, after researching a few brands, I went with Caraway Home’s non-toxic cookware. They design and create ceramic cookware that is non-stick, non-toxic, and is good for our planet. Reasons why I chose Caraway Home’s cookware:
There are no harmful chemicals
Their high-quality ceramic-coated cookware is free of PTFE (such as Teflon®), lead, cadmium, and other toxic materials. Instead, Caraway Home uses a mineral-based non-toxic coating that doesn’t seep into your food.
Their products are made with storage in mind
If you get the complete cookware, it comes with a magnetic pan rack and a canvas lid holder, which you can attach to the inside of cabinet doors. It’s a plus for us because with our kitchen so small already in our NYC apartment, well-thought-out storage solutions are a must.
It’s beautifully designed and fits any kitchen decor
It comes in seven different colors for you to choose from and will look great in any style of kitchen decor. I just love how modern and sleek the design is!
It’s stovetop agnostic.
That means the cookware is suitable for induction, gas, and electric stoves.
Extremely easy to clean
After searing some salmon, all I had to do was use a paper towel to wipe away any grease and gently wash the pan with soap. I don’t even need to scrub!
Tips on using Caraway Home’s non-stick, non-toxic cookware
- Ceramic is naturally a non-stick cooking surface, so all you need is a bit of oil or butter. Caraway Home suggests coating the entire interior lightly.
- Use medium heat only. The maximum heat for these pans is medium, so be patient while your cookware heats up.
- Only use wooden and silicone utensils, so you don’t risk scratching the surface.
- DO NOT soak the pan with cold water after you’re done cooking. Leave it on the stove until it cools to room temperature before cleaning.
- Use a paper towel to wipe the pan out when it cools, and use non-scratch cleaning pads.
My everyday go-to is the 10-inch fry pan. I use it to make pancakes, eggs (they side right off the pan), stir fry, pasta sauce, and the list goes on. I’m so glad I switched over to non-toxic cookware because now, I have peace of mind that the food I make for Gatsby and our family is truly healthy and free of any toxins.
Caraway Home also has a bakeware line! I’m so excited to use them to make pupcakes for Gatsby! Oh, and cupcakes for Danny too.
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