Is it safe to use aluminum cookware?

Update:09 Dec

Aluminum is the most common metal found in cookware. But many people wonder if it's a good choice, and more importantly if it's safe to cook with aluminum cookware. Cookware contains aluminum for two reasons. The first is that it has excellent thermal conductivity, which means it heats up quickly and evenly. The second is that it's abundant, it's the most common metal found on Earth, and it's cheap to use. Compared to aluminum, only copper conducts heat better, and copper heats up about twice as fast as aluminum. But copper is rarer and more expensive, so it's usually only found in high-end, expensive cookware.

There are several types of aluminum cookware: uncoated aluminum cookware, anodized aluminum cookware, coated aluminum cookware (plain and anodized), aluminum core composite cookware, and disposable aluminum cookware. Aluminum cookware primarily applies to bare and anodized aluminum with nonstick cooking surfaces; since the aluminum in clad stainless steel cookware is not exposed, its use and care instructions apply to stainless steel (not aluminum).

Aluminum cookware says Durability will vary depending on the type of aluminum cookware you're talking about. Nonstick-coated aluminum pans are the least durable of all cookware, as the nonstick coating is easily damaged by high heat, dishwashers, metal utensils, and abrasive scouring pads. In fact, any cookware with a nonstick coating is the shortest-lived cookware in the kitchen.

Both anodized aluminum and enameled cookware with a non-stick coating are included: while the bottom of the pan will last for decades, the non-stick coating means it will only last a few years. (Once the non-stick coating has been sprayed, it is not safe to continue using, especially PTFE).

Anodized aluminum with a stainless steel cooking surface is extremely durable and will last for decades. If you can find 100% anodized aluminum with no non-stick coating, that will be very durable too. But any anodized aluminum with a non-stick cooking surface should be considered not very durable.

All in all, composite cookware with an aluminum interior is the most durable form of aluminum cookware: With no exposed aluminum, these pans have the durability of stainless steel or, less commonly, anodized aluminum.