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The Best Clean Cookware

The two most important pieces of cookware are a good fry pan and a versatile dish (like a dutch oven) that can go from stove top (for searing and sauteing) to oven for roasting and baking.
Oct 25, 2020 | Joy McCarthy

NOTE: This post has been updated with the new fry pans I'm using. I no longer have an All Clad Fry Pan.

Even though I've written extensively in all three of my cookbooks about the cookware I use, it's still a question I receive regularly. And it's a great question that I am more than happy to answer, which is why I wanted to share this video with you on my favourite clean cookware.

Just as you care about what you eat, what you cook that nourishing food in is just as important that it's free from harmful and toxic chemicals.

The two most important pieces of cookware are a good fry pan and a versatile dish (like a dutch oven) that can go from stove top (for searing and sauteing) to oven for roasting and baking. Now I realize there are a lot of opinions on kitchen essentials but I speak as someone who cooks ALL THE TIME and you really do not need 20 different pots and pans despite what you may think - I promise! Aside from these two essentials I have 3 different sized Le Creuset stainless steel pots that I use for everything else. 

Clean Cookware: Fry Pan

Clean Cookware - cast iron pan

I have three different fry pans that I have collected over the years. However, you really only need one that you can use all the time. The key is that these are free from PFOAs which are known carcinogens. Up to 90% of North Americans have this chemical in their bloodstream. It's also found in "Scotchgard" and other products such Goretex and it's an environmental contaminant too as it's found in our water.

PFAs are considered "Forever chemicals". That means they never break down in our environment and they build up in our blood and organs.

This is the Cast Iron Pan I have (photo above). Use code "JOY" for 10% off. Cast iron pans can help raise your iron levels too, which is a bonus if you have low iron. Please note that it is super important to season your pan properly and care for it properly, that means no soap. This will prevent it from being reactive to foods and breaking down. It's not ideal to cook a tomato sauce in a cast iron for a lengthy time. I use it for fish, pancakes , burgers - that type of thing. I use my coated cast iron (Staub and Le Creuset) for tomato sauces. 

I have three different-sized non-stick fry pans from Green Pan. You can buy them on Amazon or at Williams Sonoma. However, the better quality ones are at Williams Sonoma.  It's important to note that non-stick does not mean "chemical-free". So if you want to truly avoid all non-stick chemicals then just stick with a cast iron pan. 

Green Pan Fry Pan

A good fry pan is incredibly versatile because you can scramble eggs, sear a piece of salmon or cook a veggie burger. I love making my chickpea savoury pancakes in the cast iron pan because the heat is consistent and even. 

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Clean Cookware: Dutch Oven

I use my dutch oven multiple times per week. A dutch oven is essentially a heavy cooking pot with thick walls and a tight fitting lid. It really traps in the heat and flavour. In the oven I use it to roast veggies (but only when I want them soft - not crispy), cook a whole chicken (remove the lid for the last 10-15 minutes to get the skin crispy) and you can even make sourdough bread!

Clean Cookware - Le Creuset French Oven

These are such good quality pots that I have only hand-me-downs of all my Le Creuset Pots and they are still in such amazing shape. 

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Staub is another brand that is super high quality and also very beautiful. 

Clean Cookware - Stuab

Now I know you're probably wondering, but what about bakeware? I've got another post coming up about that which I'm super duper excited to share with you!! Stay tuned.

Btw, the best way to be in the know when I have a new post is to subscribe to my newsletter.

Joy xo

Oct 25, 2020 BY Joy McCarthy
37 Comments
Alex   •   October 27, 2020

Great post! I am also very curious to learn about the best materials for cutting boards and cooking utensils

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   October 27, 2020
Alex   •   October 30, 2020
Joy McCarthy   •   October 31, 2020
Joy McCarthy   •   November 1, 2020

Alicia   •   October 27, 2020

Thank you for the cast iron info, brand recommendation and discount code! Ordered! What’s the difference between a Dutch Oven and CorningWare?

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   October 28, 2020

Jen   •   October 28, 2020

This is amazing! I have both abs seem to use other pots but now I’ll ditch the ones that are met for sure healthy!

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Sandra   •   October 28, 2020

Hello Joy, I believe you are quite mistaken on naming any of this as either ‘safe’ or ‘healthy’ For one thing Doesn’t cast iron rust and release the wrong and dangerous form of iron non stop? Cast iron never stops rusting correct? Sure coat it with Oil, even bake it into the pores and then ‘never wash it’. 🤢. Years ago I almost fell for cast iron and then thought about it more - for one thing you never are to cook tomatoes in it. Or apple sauce or vegetables or anything reactive (which is basically any food or water). And I’m a foodie so that limited my choices right away. Also I thought if cast iron gave us the safe form of iron we could just add iron nails into our water bottles, or let them rust in our water tanks and even soups. Aren’t there ‘good’ forms of iron and also dangerous forms that affect the brain?

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Joy McCarthy   •   October 29, 2020

Anita   •   October 29, 2020

This is great information, thank you! What sizes are your Le Creuset and Staub dutch ovens? I find it difficult to decide on the size best for us.

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   November 4, 2020

Danielle   •   October 31, 2020

What products would you recommend for muffin tins and baking sheets? I want to move away from the traditional muffin pan

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Joy McCarthy   •   November 1, 2020

Jasmine   •   November 2, 2020

What do you think about ceramic pans?

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   November 4, 2020
Jasmine   •   November 9, 2020

Leslie   •   November 11, 2020

Hi Joy, If you are using silicon muffin liners do you still need to worry about the muffin tin? Isn't the food protected?

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   November 11, 2020

Corinne S.   •   November 17, 2020

Hi Joy! What waffle maker do you recommend?

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Joy McCarthy   •   November 17, 2020

Corinne S.   •   November 19, 2020

Thank you! I went with the Nordicware 15040 Cast Aluminum Stovetop Belgium Waffler. I hope it's clean!

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   November 19, 2020

Corinne S.   •   November 19, 2020

They say it is coated with a silicon of some kind and is free from PFOA's and PTFE's and assured me on the phone that it would not leach harmful chemicals into our waffles! I am still skeptical but am hoping you can shed some light?

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Joy McCarthy   •   November 19, 2020

T.Webster   •   December 26, 2020

I'm wondering about the best cookware for induction range tops?

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   December 27, 2020

Sandy   •   January 21, 2021

Thank you for all this wonderful info! Very excited to order some new pots!!! 😀

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   January 24, 2021

Maria Bakkers   •   March 13, 2021

Hi, Joy Mccarthy I found the article helpful. I was looking for a fry pans and your article just saves time.

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   March 15, 2021

Deb   •   July 19, 2021

Hi Joyous Team, Could you provide a link for the coated frying pan by Staub or Le Creuset please? As I’m only finding an enamel coating and not ceramic, unless of course, either coating is good to use.

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   July 20, 2021

Christine Kodric   •   February 24, 2023

Hi Joy, Most pans say that they are PFOA-free, PFAS-free, lead-free

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   February 24, 2023
Christine   •   February 24, 2023
Joy McCarthy   •   February 25, 2023

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