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We read the filings so you don't have to.

Guides built from maker documents, safety filings and regulators. Every pick names its drawback.

Four kinds of aluminum cookware on a home stove: bare aluminum stockpot, stainless clad saucepan, hard-anodized nonstick pan and granite-coated skillet NewExplainer Cookware · Oct 7, 2026 Is Aluminum Cookware Safe? Bare, Hard-Anodized, Clad and Nonstick ComparedBare, hard-anodized, clad or nonstick: what touches your food, what acidic sauces do to bare aluminum, the FDA lead warning on imported pots, and the pans we would buy.17 min read

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Which pans should I buy first?Three pieces: a 10–12 inch frying pan, a 2–3 quart saucepan and a 6–8 quart stockpot.Read the guide Which plastic numbers are safe for food?#2, #4 and #5 are the better choices for storage. Be more careful with #3, #6 and #7, especially with heat.Read the guide Can porcelain go in the microwave?Plain glazed porcelain is microwave safe. Gold trim is not.Read the guide Is there lead in my slow cooker?Safe if the maker will state a lead result, the glaze is uncracked and no plastic sits in the hot zone.Read the guide Is HexClad non-toxic?What the PTFE class action covered, what the new coating is, and a 30-second check before you buy.Read the guide Dryer sheets or wool dryer balls?Sheets coat your laundry on purpose. "Toxic" is not proven; here is what the studies show.Read the guide

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How we research

Sources first. Opinions second.

We sell nothing and we don't run a testing lab. Ads and affiliate links pay for the site; neither changes a verdict.

How we work
  1. We go to the source: manufacturer documents, safety disclosures and regulatory filings.
  2. We quote and link what they say, so you can check it yourself.
  3. Every pick names its drawback. When nobody knows, we say so.

Know when a safety page changes

A cookware recall, a brand quietly rewriting its safety page, a filing that contradicts the label. We email only when there's something worth your attention.

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