Before you think yikes, I’m throwing all my pots and pans away, let’s see how to dispose of them correctly. Check with your local council recycling program. Some do accept clean pots, pans and other metal cooking dishes (even with plastic handles) but some will say no ceramics, crockery or Pyrex.
If they in good condition you can donate or list them on free cycle.
If they are scratched you need to stop using them straight away.
Some cookware companies are amazing. When you buy your new set, they have an option to send back your old set and they will recycle them for you.
Try visiting sustainability Victoria for a list on where to find scrap metal recyclers.
Just to mention, if a brand is listed, it doesn’t mean the whole brand is low tox. Please check each range for its material description and contact the brand if you are not sure / need more info.
Here are some brands I have looked into per category:
POTS AND PANS
🔹Glass – Visions stovetop cookware
🔹Nickel Free Stainless Steel – Homichef
🔹Stainless steel – Scanpan eg. Impact range, Baccarat, Estelle, Raco, Ikea
🔹Ceramic Nickle free – Silit brand
FRYPANS
🔹Cast iron – Lodge cookware
🔹Wrought Iron – Solid Teknics Aus Ion
🔹Non-Nickel stainless steel – Solid Teknics Noni
🔹Carbon Steel – De Buyer
🔹Stainless Steel – Scanpan, Ikea, Raco, Esstele
WOK
🔹Solidteknics
🔹Carbon steel
🔹Stainless Steel – Scanpan
ROASTERS, DUTCH OVEN AND CASSEROLES
🔹Cast iron coated in enamel – Le Crueset / Chasseur / Staub
🔹Carbon steel with enamelled finish – BK cookware
🔹Glass – Pyrex
🔹Ceramic – Corning ware
🔹Enamel – Wiltshire
BAKING
TIP ** This is a big non stick and aluminium category so be aware**
Muffin
🔹Glass – Libbey (US Amazon)
🔹Cast iron – Lodge (US Amazon)
🔹Stainless Steel – Fox Run (US Amazon)
🔹Porcelain – Sweese (US Amazon)
🔹Enamel – Crow Canyon (I Buys – in Australia)
Cake
🔹Loaf – Glass Lock, Crow Canyon, Wiltshire
🔹Square – Crow Canyon, Falcon, Wiltshire
🔹Round – Neo Flam
Tray
🔹Stainless Steel – Solidteknics, Others on US Amazon
🔹Enamel – Falcon, Whiltshire, Crow Canyon
🔹Glass – Pyrex dish
PRESSURE OR SLOW COOKER
🔹Stainless Steel – Scanpan
🔹Ceramic – Cuisinart, Breville
🔹Electronic / Multifunction – Instant Pot
🔹Termomix – without the plastic inserts
KETTLE
🔹Enamel – Le Crueset – stove top
🔹Glass – Trendglas JENA (found on Goop)
🔹Stainless steel – various
🔹Cast iron
🔹Use a cooking pot
SANDWICH PRESS
🔹Cast iron – Lodge panini press
Some recommended retailers are Everten, kitchen warehouse, Victoria’s basement, kitchen discounts and I buys.
