What are the best skillets for healthy cooking and why do people want to get their hands on them so bad? Until 2014, Teflon which contains PFOA (a known carcinogen) was widely used in the manufacture of non-stick cookware leaving the risk of food cooked in them causing cancer.
Additionally, the use of uncoated aluminum when cooking acidic food has been associated with Alzheimer’s. Because of potential dangers associated with the use of certain types of cookware, as you can imagine getting the safest cookware is now high in the priority list for people.
However, as bad as you may want one, getting your hand on the best quality is not a walk in the park. Because of this, we tested and reviewed several skillets from different manufacturers and the five we’ll be looking at shortly stood out.
Hopefully, you’ll find the best one that meets all your needs below. Perhaps it would be worth your while taking a quick look at the side by side comparison of our top 3 options. Image Name Our Rating's Price Caannasweis Best Nonstick Omelette Skillet with Soft Touch Handle Rachael Ray Cucina Hard Anodized Nonstick Skillet with Helper Handle Nonstick Ceramic Copper Frying Pan With Glass Lid (Best Electric Skillet)
Best skillet for healthy cooking – our top recommendations
If you are looking to observe the safest cooking habits, do try out either of the skillets recommended below.
1. Caannasweis Best Nonstick Omelette Skillet with Soft Touch Handle
Whereas it proves to be good enough for healthy cooking, its rural and natural styles coupled with an ergonomic and safe wooden handle gives it amazing aesthetics.
To ensure heat conductivity is at its best, it features a premium aluminum alloy material design. In addition to this, you also get rapid heat transfer that’s made possible by the magnetic base.
Regarding how much you can to do with it, it’s ideal for almost everything from making pancakes and omelets to cooking sausages and burgers.
<strong>Check Latest Price on Amazon</strong>
2. Rachael Ray 87631-T Cucina Hard Anodized Nonstick Skillet with Helper Handle
For easy maintenance, the pan’s design is dishwasher safe. At the same time, the interior is a durable non-stick coat for effortless food release. Something else that makes it stand out is its ability to hold up well in high temperatures – it’s oven safe up to 350F.
Despite its large size, heat distribution is quite amazing. The skillet boasts a durable and hard anodized aluminum construction. With this, the heat is also transmitted faster. At the same time, hotspots are reduced which minimizes the odds of burning food.
<strong>Check Latest Price on Amazon</strong>
3. Nonstick Ceramic Copper Frying Pan With Glass Lid
Since it is made of copper, heat transmission will be fast and distribution will be even despite its 3mm thickness.
Included to ensure the utmost convenience is a tempered glass lid. This is oven safe for up to 500 F which is quite impressive. To add icing on the cake, the lid also keeps the flavor and aroma of your food locked in till it’s time to serve.
<strong>Check Latest Price on Amazon</strong>
4. Victoria SKL-208 Cast Iron Skillet Small Frying Pan
Right out of the box, the pan comes with ready to use seasoning. This is achieved with 100% non-GMO flaxseed oil. Sticking to that note, it’s worth mentioning that it does not contain PTFE or any other contaminants that could be harmful to your health.
In terms of design, it comes with a conveniently long handle and a helper handle on the opposite side. As such, you’ll find this efficient to use indoors and outdoors.
<strong>Check Latest Price on Amazon</strong>
5. Copper Chef 10 Inch Round Frying Pan With Lid
First, it features a tempered glass lid. What makes it stand out is that despite being glass, it’s not at all easy to break. It has been built with thermal shock resistant technology. As such, its ultra-durable design keeps it from shattering easily.
It’s also easy to maintain since the coating on this skillet prevents oxidation or tarnishing. At the same time, you can use this in an open fire, induction stoves, or grills. One more thing that stands out is that it is oven safe up to 850F.
What to consider when shopping?
If you are in search of one, here are some things you should factor in before buying.
The chemicals used in manufacturing
The rule of thumb into getting the best skillets for healthy cooking is that they should be free of chemicals such as lead, cadmium, and PFOA. Additionally, using uncoated copper or aluminum skillets with acidic foods will not only alter the flavor of your meals but the resulting corrosion will result in you ingesting these metals.
At the end of the day, it’s best to be safe and that would entail refraining from PFOA and sticking to mainly ceramic or anodized aluminum alternatives.
Your cooking habits
As far as these are concerned, you should pick a skillet based on what you do most – is it sautéing, boiling, steaming, or baking? The reason for this is that when some materials are heated up too much, they’d deteriorate in quality or even worse, release toxic chemicals. As such, it’s important to weigh up your options before spending your hard-earned cash.
Care and healthy cleaning
By observing these recommended maintenance tips, not only will you get the best results from your skillets but you’ll also keep it in the best condition.
- First, it may be tempting to crank up the heat for things to move a little fast. The problem with this, however, is that too much heat may result in off-gassing from the skillet. In addition to this, the non-stick skillets could chip and/or scratch faster than they’re supposed to.
- Even for Teflon pans that aren’t bonded with PFOAs, heating some of them too much could result in the production of fluorine fumes. This is harmful to humans and toxic to birds. As such, I’d recommend that you do use your exhaust fan while cooking. This way, any emitted gases will be expelled outside.
- As far as cleaning is concerned, you should have in mind that not all skillets are dishwasher safe and, in this case, carefully handwash them. At the same time, don’t use harsh metals while cleaning them – a silicone sponge should work fine for any skillet. If you have one made of cast iron, don’t wash it with soap.
- Furthermore, the type of soap you use counts. It’s important to use non-toxic soap exclusively regardless of the material used on your skillet.
- Except for cast iron, any scratches on your skillets call for a replacement. Again, how fast these occur depends on how good you maintain them.
Final verdict
To conclude, the importance of investing in the best skillets for healthy cooking is clear. At the same time, observing the recommended maintenance tips define how well the skillet serves you. You should also ensure you don’t pass the heat threshold to get the best it has to offer.
Leave a Reply