Staub is widely considered one of the safest, most non-toxic cookware brands available. Their enameled cast iron and ceramic pieces are entirely free of PTFE, PFOA, lead, and cadmium.
I found great non-toxic options, including Staub's beautiful ceramic baking dishes, Nordic Ware's trusted sheet pans, and Lodge's $20 cast iron loaf pan. Pro tip: A cast iron loaf pan will yield deliciously caramelized crusts, but remember that it's not dishwasher-safe.
Ceramic-coated cookware is generally considered non-toxic. It is typically made from a base material (like aluminum or stainless steel) that is coated with a layer of ceramic.
It's made from cast iron coated in glass enamel. That means there are no synthetics — and no PFAS chemicals like PTFE, PFOA, Gen X, or similar chemicals associated with traditional nonstick pans.
A: Our Staub products are free of lead, cadmium, and other harmful materials and are Prop 65 compliant.
Staub Dutch ovens (or cocottes, as the brand prefers to call them) are slightly heavier than Le Creusets—the 5.5-quart Staub had about a pound on the Le Creuset—but are still lighter than most other similarly sized Dutch ovens. Staub helper handles are slightly smaller.
The "least toxic" Dutch ovens are made from raw cast iron or enameled cast iron. These materials are naturally free of PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium, ensuring no harmful chemicals leach into your food.
Whether Staub is "better" than Lodge depends on whether you are comparing their enameled or bare cast iron. Staub is a premium, French-made brand, while Lodge is an American heritage brand famous for accessible, utilitarian cast iron.
Enameled cast iron is an excellent, naturally non-toxic choice for cooking. It relies on a baked-on glass (enamel) barrier instead of synthetic non-stick coatings, making it entirely free of PFAS, PTFE, PFOA, lead, and cadmium when purchased from high-quality, trusted brands.
Meet Staub. This enameled cast iron cookware is the #1 choice of some of the world's best chefs and home cooks too! When you come to a cooking class, there's a high chance you'll be using at least one piece of Staub cookware. This high quality, durable brand is oven safe, broiler safe and dishwasher safe.
To protect your health, avoid cookware that leaches heavy metals, contains toxic coatings, or breaks down under heat. Prioritize safer everyday alternatives like cast iron, carbon steel, and glass.
In contrast to PTFE-coated cookware, ceramic-coated cookware is touted as being nontoxic because it does not contain PTFE or PFOA. However, there are other materials sometimes used in the production of ceramic-coated cookware that may make these pans less safe than they are advertised.
In family kitchens, non-stick pans are the first choice for many housewives and cooking enthusiasts because of their easy cleaning and anti-stick properties. However, professional chefs rarely use non-stick pans in kitchens, preferring stainless steel, cast iron or carbon steel pans.
Founded in 1974, Staub's first product was its enameled cast iron Dutch oven, or cocotte (which translates to casserole). Often recognized for its sleek, timeless styling, the Alsatian cookware is also known for its durability, quality, and lifespan.
High-quality enameled cast iron does not leach harmful chemicals into food. Because the coating is baked-on glass, it is naturally free of concerning synthetics like PFOA and PTFE. However, safety depends directly on the quality of the cookware, how you use it, and its condition.
At STAUB, we use a state-of-the-art matte black enamel that is particularly scratch resistant and was originally designed for heavy use in restaurants. Even though it is remarkably resistant, you should still follow the instructions for proper use.
Neither brand is objectively "better" overall; they simply excel at different things. Choosing between them comes down to your cooking style.
Enameled cast iron is a healthy and safe choice for cooking. The enamel coating creates a barrier between your food and the raw cast iron, so you don't have to worry about excess iron leaching into acidic or wet dishes.
The healthiest cookware is completely free of toxic, engineered chemical coatings like PTFE and PFOA. Top choices prioritize materials like stainless steel, cast iron, and ceramic. These options prevent harmful forever chemicals (PFAS) from leaching into your food while heating.
Staub runs hotter and is heavier overall, so it retains heat more aggressively. While some pros might include better caramelization and deeper browning, cons might include it being a little harder to get your dishes “just right,” especially if you're new to cast iron and temperature control.
Sure it would be nice to see a big heavy well-seasoned black skillet up in there. But did anyone expect that? So Yes, Le Creuset is beautiful but it is not merely performative cookware." According to The New York Times, Meghan is frustrated by accusations that she is unrelatable and out of touch.
The healthiest Dutch ovens are crafted from inert, chemical-free materials that don't leach heavy metals or release toxic fumes when heated. Top recommendations include enameled cast iron (like Le Creuset), pure unseasoned cast iron (like Lodge or Finex), or mineral-based ceramic (like Caraway).
A "poor man's Dutch oven" is a budget-friendly DIY hack that emulates a traditional cast-iron Dutch oven. For baking bread, it involves taking two identical metal bread pans, placing one on top of the other (inverted) to trap steam, and securing the edges with Heavy Duty Metal Binder Clips.
Yes, Staub Dutch ovens are naturally non-toxic. Made of cast iron coated with high-quality, durable glass enamel, they contain no PTFE, PFOA, lead, or cadmium, and strictly comply with EU and US regulations (including California Prop 65).
“HexClad stands up to my demands at home and in the studio. Not only are they beautiful pans, but their hybrid technology cooks to absolute, utter perfection.”