Aluminum is among the most popular materials for cookware thanks to its affordability and superb heat distribution. However, many people steer clear of aluminum cookware due to concerns about the health risks it may pose.
This post outlines research-based information about these health concerns. It also discusses how to care for your aluminum cookware to minimize metal leaching, and suggests the best alternatives available should you decide to avoid aluminum cookware altogether.
Is Aluminum Cookware Safe?
The use of modern, well-crafted aluminum cookware is “not considered to be harmful” by CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
Although there have been numerous studies done of the effects of aluminum on human health, many of those studies focus on occupational hazards of aluminum manufacturing, and not as much on cookware. Even some studies done on hazards of aluminum cookware focus on cookware made in developing nations, where aluminum may be gathered from contaminated sources to create pots and pans.
However, studies done on subjects using everyday aluminum cookware do suggest that cooking acidic foods in these products raises blood aluminum levels and oxidative stress markers. But long-term effects of aluminum on our bodies are still controversial, and more studies are needed.
What is Aluminum and How Are We Exposed to It?
Aluminum is one of the most abundant elements in the earth’s crust. It’s a lightweight, silvery-colored metal that’s easy to work with and inexpensive to source. Because it’s such a common element, humans everywhere are exposed to aluminum in the air we breathe, food we eat, and products we use.
The CDC’s fact sheet on aluminum indicates that most people ingest more aluminum from food-and-drug sources (like antacids, baking mixes, herbs, tea) than from using aluminum cookware. The maximum recommended weekly aluminum intake for adults is 1 mg/kg of total body weight. The CDC also states that only 0.01–5% of ingested aluminum is absorbed by the body.
Potential Health Risks of Aluminum Cookware
So aluminum is everywhere, but is it harmful? Excessive aluminum exposure can impact the following:
- Inflammation and Oxidative Stress. A 2012 Study by Celik, Celik, Kocyigit, and Dikilatas indicated that ingested aluminum interfered with antioxidant function and raised levels of free radicals in the body.
- Bone Health. Excessive aluminum intake may interfere with calcium absorption and mineralization of bones. Prolonged exposure to high levels of aluminum has been associated with weakened bones and conditions like osteoporosis.
- Kidney Health. Since it’s the kidneys’ job to filter out metals like aluminum, high aluminum exposure may increase risk of kidney problems. On the flip side, those with kidney failure may be less able to effectively filter aluminum from the bloodstream.
- Neurological Conditions. The most widely-known health risk associated with aluminum is the concern that it is correlated with Alzheimer’s disease. However, this is a hotly debated and highly controversial topic, and studies seem to produce conflicting results.
Lead Contamination of Aluminum
Lead contamination of aluminum is another recently-raised cause for concern.
This 2022 study discovered that many aluminum crock pots contain lead in excess of 100 parts per million, and leached much higher levels of lead than stainless steel pots.
Related: Aluminum Vs. Stainless Steel Cookware- What’s The Difference?
While much of the problematic cookware was made in developing nations through artisan methods that may have used contaminated salvaged aluminum, some of the crock pots and pressure cookers studied were commercially available in the US. There have also been recent concerns about lead contamination in aluminum attachments for KitchenAid stand mixers.
Aluminum and Alzheimer’s Disease
Does cooking with aluminum really increase your risk for Alzheimer’s? Unfortunately, the jury is still out on this question. Many researchers believe that, since 95-99.9% of ingested aluminum is eliminated, the amount of aluminum found in the brain of some Alzheimer’s patients simply can’t come through dietary intake alone. However, other research indicates that even a tiny amount of aluminum passing through brain barriers increases one’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
So, although researchers have not reached a consensus regarding the role of aluminum in Alzheimer’s, most agree that you should minimize your exposure as much as possible.
Is Using Aluminum Cookware Worth It?
As you weigh the pros and cons of aluminum cookware, you should think through the following questions.
- What is the purity and quality of the aluminum used in the cookware? Is there any chance it could be contaminated with lead or other metals?
- Is the aluminum natural or hard anodized? Hard anodized aluminum has a layer of oxidation between the aluminum and your food. (Tip: hard anodized aluminum almost always has a nonstick or ceramic coating as well.)
- Is the aluminum coated or uncoated? How much direct contact does the aluminum have with your food?
- Can the coating scratch, exposing bare aluminum?
- Do I cook a lot of acidic foods? Acidic foods like vinegar and tomatoes react with aluminum and cause greater metal leaching than non-acidic foods.
- If aluminum is ingested, how much of it is absorbed by the body?
- If aluminum is absorbed by the body, is it harmful? In which ways is it harmful, and in what amounts?
- What is my personal risk of health problems that may be linked to aluminum? What are my aluminum exposures from other sources?
- Finally, is the risk of harm from aluminum cookware less or greater than the risk of using other metals or polymer-coated cookware?
When it’s broken down like that, you can see there are a lot of factors that affect the impact of aluminum cookware on your health. The decision whether to use or avoid aluminum cookware is a very individual choice that you will need to make for yourself or your family.
How to Minimize Your Exposure when Using Aluminum Cookware
If you don’t want to throw out your aluminum pans, you can take measures to minimize your aluminum exposure from cookware. Here are the main tips to follow:
- Don’t use cookware made of uncoated aluminum. Anodized aluminum is much more tolerant to high heat and acidic foods than “natural” aluminum. You can also use ceramic or nonstick-coated cookware. (Although these coatings may carry their own health risks.)
- Avoid cooking acidic foods in aluminum pans. If you have uncoated aluminum cookware, you can save them for baking projects, which are much less likely to be acidic than sauces and stir-fries. Avoid using tomato paste, salt, vinegar, or alcohol directly in uncoated aluminum pans.
- Cook foods at lower temperatures. High temperatures can break down aluminum more quickly.
- Reduce cooking times. The longer your cookware is exposed to heat, the more aluminum it will transfer to your food.
- Use high-quality cookware. Getting your cookware from a reputable brand reduces the chances of leaking heavy metals into your food. Choose manufacturers that comply with safety regulations and testing, and source their material from pure, first-use aluminum. Avoid low-quality camping dishes; they are lightweight, but known to leach way more aluminum than the recommended daily intake threshold.
- Get rid of scratched cookware. Although aluminum products are durable, they’re not totally scratch-resistant. Scratches that make it through anodization or coating can increase your exposure to aluminum. Avoid cooking in these pots and pans and dispose of them.
- Consider seasoning your aluminum pans. Cast aluminum can be seasoned, like cast iron or stainless steel. This adds an extra layer of protection between your food and bare aluminum.
Some Types of Aluminum Cookware Leach More than Others
The most straightforward way to use aluminum in cookware is as an uncoated metal. “Natural” aluminum products are lightweight, inexpensive, and great at distributing heat. However, since aluminum is a soft material, these products aren’t durable and require special maintenance.
Anodized Aluminum
To make aluminum cookware stronger, manufacturers use a process called anodization.
Anodized aluminum cookware has a layer of aluminum oxide on the surface of the metal. This layer makes the cookware highly durable, mainly because it’s from the metal itself rather than an added layer of another material.
Anodized aluminum cookware won’t chip, peel, or flake easily and becomes rust-resistant as the coating layer is fully integrated into the substrate. Plus, it doesn’t react with acidic foods, meaning it doesn’t leach aluminum into foods and is safer than uncoated aluminum.
Manufacturers used to sell anodized aluminum pans without extra coatings. These days, however, most hard anodized aluminum cookware also has a ceramic or nonstick coating.
Coated Aluminum
Nonstick aluminum refers to pans with an aluminum core coated with a PTFE layer to make the cookware nonstick and create a barrier between the bare metal and your food. Of course, many people have concerns about nonstick cookware, given the health issues associated with Teflon, the trade name for PTFE.
However, this coating makes aluminum cookware more appealing and functional than if it was just bare metal. You can find aluminum cookware coated with PTFE infused with other materials, such as titanium or granite. Most manufacturers don’t like to advertise that they use polymers in their nonstick coatings, but unless they’re using a ceramic nonstick, almost all of them do it.
Ceramic-Coated Aluminum
Aluminum pans that have a sol-gel coating are known as “ceramic” nonstick pans. They don’t contain teflon, but function similarly to regular nonstick.
Cast Aluminum
Cast aluminum cookware is thicker and stronger than most bare aluminum pans. With cast pans, melted aluminum is poured into molds to create durable and uniform cookware.
Cast aluminum pans are much lighter to handle than cast iron, but they can be seasoned in the same way.
How to Maintain and Use Aluminum Cookware
Apart from safety concerns, you want to make the most out of your aluminum cookware by taking proper care and prolonging its lifespan. Here’s what you can do:
Avoid High Temperatures
As mentioned, high temperatures can increase metal leaching. They can also damage your cookware because they increase the chances of warping.
Since aluminum has high heat conductivity, you don’t need to use extremely high temperatures. Cook your food at medium heat and avoid drastic and sudden temperature changes.
Prevent Scratching
To prevent scratching and increase the longevity of your pan, replace any metal utensils with wooden or silicone ones.
You can also use gentle washing methods and materials. For example, never use abrasive steel wool and harsh dishwashing soap. If food is stuck on the cookware, soak it in warm water and scrub with a gentle brush.
Aluminum cookware is generally not dishwasher-safe, as the high temperatures will cause oxidation. Avoid washing with extremely hot water to prevent discoloring and damage.
The video below explains how to clean an aluminum pan.
Store Properly
Aluminum is generally rust-free because it’s not a ferrous metal. However, aluminum cookware may contain alloys, such as magnesium and copper, that are prone to tarnish or corrosion. Water left on cookware can also leave residue that causes staining. So remember to dry your aluminum cookware thoroughly after washing it.
And since aluminum is very soft, you also need to store aluminum cookware properly. If you need to stack your cookware, line the pieces with a kitchen towel or paper towel to reduce friction.
Consider Size
Using the right pan and pot size is essential in prolonging your cookware’s lifespan. Avoid placing your cookware on burners that are much larger than the pot. This not only reduces efficiency but also leads to discoloration.
Also, choose the right pots and pans for your dishes. For example, if you want to fry something in your pan, ensure the pan isn’t too large. This way, you can avoid burning unused surfaces.
Season Cast Aluminum
Cast aluminum has a porous surface. Seasoning fills these pores and makes the aluminum pan more non-stick.
Seasoning cast aluminum involves heating the pan to a high temperature, adding vegetable oil, and waiting until it smokes. Then, remove it from the heat and rub the oil using a paper towel.
Check out this video to see how it’s done:
Disadvantages of Natural Aluminum Cookware
While aluminum is affordable and can perform well, the health concerns associated with it aren’t its only disadvantages. Other reasons to avoid aluminum pans include:
- Uncoated aluminum isn’t very pretty.
- Aluminum is recyclable, but not always environmentally-friendly.
- It dents and warps easily.
- Although it heats up quickly, it doesn’t retain heat well, so won’t work for searing.
Finally, leached aluminum may add a subtle metallic taste to your food. However, in a test done by the guys in America’s Test Kitchen, cast iron pans left a much more noticeable taste in tomato sauce than aluminum cookware did.
What Are the Alternatives to Aluminum Cookware?
More effective and potentially healthier alternatives to aluminum cookware include:
- Stainless steel. Stainless steel is among the best cookware materials thanks to excellent heat retention, high durability, and versatility. Stainless steel can also be very affordable, thanks to the wide selection in the market.
- Cast iron. This is the best material for high-heat cooking. Cast iron is non-stick, generally safe, and highly durable, and lasts for generations. It’s also affordable and doesn’t require much maintenance except for seasoning and careful cleaning.
- Ceramic. Ceramic-coated cookware is growing in popularity thanks to its excellent non-stick qualities without the potentially harmful chemicals of Teflon. However, it can lose its non-stick qualities with prolonged use and be more expensive than stainless steel or cast iron in the long run.
- Copper. The most expensive cookware is made of copper, due to the metal’s rarity and complicated manufacturing processes. However, copper cookware has long been treasured by French chefs for its longevity, high heat conductivity and wonderfully even performance.
If you’re budget-conscious, a quick price comparison may lead you to purchase aluminum. However, a more expensive, high-quality product is more of a long-term investment since you don’t need to replace it as often.
Why Choose Aluminum Cookware Over Other Metals?
Aluminum is one of the most popular materials for making cookware. These are the main features that make aluminum preferable over other materials:
- Lightweight. Weight is important in cookware, especially for large pots and searing pans. Aluminum is lightweight, easy to carry and handle, and perfect for everyday use.
- Cheap. The high availability of aluminum in nature and the uncomplicated manufacturing processes make it an affordable choice.
- Great heat distribution. Aluminum has a much higher thermal conductivity than cast iron or steel. So, it offers excellent heat distribution for cookware. That’s why manufacturers use it as a conductive core in clad stainless steel products. (That’s right, even most of your stainless steel pans have aluminum cores!)
What Is the Best Aluminum Cookware to Buy?
Caraway
This is one of my favorite aluminum sets. This 12-piece set is one of the most iconic Caraway products with a sleek and beautiful design. The aluminum body is coated with a high-quality ceramic layer that’s durable and made without PFOAs. It’s also compatible with all cooktops, so you can use it on your induction range.
Green Pan
With a hard anodized aluminum core, the Green Pan line is advertised as one of the healthiest ceramic nonstick pans. It’s lightweight, easy to handle, and really eye-catching.
Nordic Ware
Nordic Ware is an industry leader in aluminum bakeware. Aluminum performs excellently for cakes and other baking projects, since it conducts heat so evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it unhealthy to cook in aluminum pans?
The CDC considers the type of aluminum used in cookware to be safe. However, cooking in natural aluminum pans does increase serum aluminum levels, according to a 2012 study. You can reduce your exposure by avoiding bare aluminum and using careful cooking methods.
What are the disadvantages of aluminum cookware?
The biggest downside of aluminum cookware is that it reacts with acidic foods. However, you can overcome this limitation by choosing coated or hard anodized products. In addition, aluminum is less durable than cast iron and stainless steel as it’s softer and prone to warping.
What are the healthiest pans to cook with?
There are pros and cons to each, but the healthiest cookware materials are generally cast iron, stainless steel, some ceramic, and carbon steel.
Final Thoughts
The health concerns regarding aluminum may be a dealbreaker for many people when choosing safe cookware. While research has shown that the majority of most people’s exposure to aluminum comes from sources other than cookware, it never hurts to be careful.
You can reduce your exposure to aluminum by choosing anodized, high-quality cookware. Avoid temperatures and cooking acidic foods in aluminum pans. Use alternative materials, such as cast iron and stainless steel, for these purposes.
Does this make you feel better or worse about using aluminum cookware? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
