This article was reviewed by Jennifer Levasseur and by wikiHow staff writer, Cheyenne Main. Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College.
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Aluminum cookware is a popular choice for many home chefs because it’s affordable, lightweight, and versatile—but is it safe? Aluminum cookware is typically non-toxic and safe to cook with, however, some experts are worried about the long-term effects of consuming the small amount of aluminum that can come off them. In this article, we’ll cover the potential risks and benefits of aluminum cookware, debunk the myths, tell you how to reduce aluminum leaching, and give you some alternative cookware options (including anodized aluminum).
Things You Should Know
- Aluminum cookware isn’t considered to be harmful, however, the long-term effects of consuming aluminum aren’t known and some recommend avoiding it.
- Aluminum exposure can be harmful to those with kidney problems, the elderly, and children. Cookware from outside the U.S. might also contain other harmful metals.
- The safest alternatives include stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron. Anodized aluminum might also be a safer option than uncoated aluminum cookware.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp22-c1-b.pdf
- ↑ https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/household-products/safe-use-cookware.html
- ↑ https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxguides/toxguide-22.pdf
- ↑ https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/household-products/safe-use-cookware.html
- ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/june/deodorant
- ↑ https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=190&toxid=34
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056430/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6323513/
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3886758/
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22981396/
- ↑ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-022-00431-y
- ↑ https://blogs.edf.org/health/2023/08/15/fda-says-cookware-that-exhibits-any-level-of-leachable-lead-upon-testing-is-prohibited/
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37505605/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/symptoms-complications/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/health-effects.htm
- ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/article/effed-it-up-stainless-steel-pans
- ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/article/effed-it-up-stainless-steel-pans
- ↑ https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=190&toxid=34
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11130287/
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21157018/
- ↑ https://www.npr.org/2019/12/05/785099705/aluminums-strange-journey-from-precious-metal-to-beer-can
- ↑ https://www.npr.org/2019/12/05/785099705/aluminums-strange-journey-from-precious-metal-to-beer-can
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/dining/08curi.html
- ↑ https://www.southernkitchen.com/story/eat/2021/07/22/heres-how-choose-best-stainless-steel-cookware/8057763002/
- ↑ https://www.southernkitchen.com/story/eat/2021/07/22/heres-how-choose-best-stainless-steel-cookware/8057763002/
- ↑ https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/household-products/safe-use-cookware.html
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/food/kitchen-assistant/how-to-care-for-nonstick-pans
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/food/kitchen-assistant/how-to-care-for-nonstick-pans
- ↑ https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2021/pots-and-pans-safety-guide.html
- ↑ https://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2004-09/amazing-rusting-aluminum/
- ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/things-never-clean-in-dishwasher
- ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/things-never-clean-in-dishwasher
- ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/what-is-hard-anodized-cookware-7967434
- ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/what-is-hard-anodized-cookware-7967434
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/toxic-chemicals-substances/you-cant-always-trust-claims-on-non-toxic-cookware-a4849321487/
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/cookware/buying-guide/
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/cookware/buying-guide/
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/cookware/buying-guide/
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/cooking-tools/cookware-reviews/a17426/nonstick-cookware-safety-facts/
- ↑ https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/chemicals/teflon-and-perfluorooctanoic-acid-pfoa.html
- ↑ https://www.delish.com/kitchen-tools/cookware-reviews/reviews/a781/kitchen-equipment-101/
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/a-guide-to-the-best-material-for-pots-and-pans-pros-cons-168241
- ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/kitchen/copper-cookware-pros-cons
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/a-guide-to-the-best-material-for-pots-and-pans-pros-cons-168241