Question from Denise
is it ok to cook on anodized aluminum. i have a whole set a calphalon, but i am concerned about using them with my chemically sensitive daughter. thanks
Debra’s Answer
Most aluminum cookware manufactured today is anodized. When a cookware label says it is made from anodized aluminum, it means that the aluminum was dipped into a hot acid bath that seals the aluminum by changing it’s molecular structure. Once anodized, the aluminum will not leach into food, and so would not contribute to aluminum exposure. Anodized cookware is safe.
There are several posts with more discussion about anaodized aluminum. Click on the large purple “Search” button near the top of the right hand column of any page of my website and enter “anodized” for links to the other posts.
Hi Debra,
How about this one? Calphalon non-stick 12 inch jumbo fryer and cover. Comfortable, silicone-grip handles stay cool on the stove top. Nonstick, interior for easy release and clean-up. Hard-anodozied aluminum provides even heating.
Debra, in the above description where it says nonstick, does that mean that there is an additional non stick coating? Or, is this one safe?
The description on amazon.com says, “The interior surface is double-coated with Calphalon’s sturdy, reliable nonstick coating.” So I would say there is an additional nonstick coating made from unknown materials.
Hi Debra,
Thank you for letting me know. Is anodized cookware the same as hard anodized aluminum? If not, which is better and can you recommend a name brand? Thank you
According to Google, “Anodizing is an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish. Aluminum is ideally suited to anodizing, although other nonferrous metals, such as magnesium and titanium, also can be anodized…Hard-anodized aluminum cookware is stick-resistant. When raw aluminum is hard-anodized, it turns from silver to “Calphalon” grey and also seals the surface of the metal to make it virtually nonporous. This nonporous surface is smooth, but still allows food to temporarily adhere while cooking.”
And…
Hard anodized cookware is manufactured using an electrochemical process creating a durable surface that is scratch-resistant, nonporous, nonreactive and two times harder than stainless steel.” It doesn’t specific what the metal is.
It’s my understanding that anodized aluminum does not leach into food in the same way that regular aluminum cookware leaches. I can’t verify it’s zero, but it’s clearly less.
But just because it’s called “anodizzed” does not mean that the anodized metal comes in contact with the food. Most brands then apply a standard nonstick finish to the cookware.
When I first started writing about this, Calphalon sold cookware with anodized aluminum interiors, which they introduced in 1976. But they added nonstick finishes in 1992. There may be no cookware sold today that has an anodized interior. If anyone knows of one, please post it here.
Hi Debra,
We saw in Walmart a Calphalon Kitchenessentials Multi-layer nonstick Hard-anadized aluminum. It is pot or pan. We were concerned about the Multi-layer nonstick even though it says Hard-anadized aluminum. What is the multi-layer nonstick and is it safe to cook food in? Thank you
I looked this up and see no reason to believe that the nonstick is other than ordinary. I wouldn’t recommend this cookware.
Hi Debra,
Thank you for letting me know. Which name brand hard anadized aluminum pot would you recommend?
Any that don’t have nonstick finish.
I don’t have a list of brands at the moment. But look for “hard anodized” cookware. This cookware is nonstick without a nonstick finish. So looking at descriptions online may be wrong or misleading. Make sure it doesn’t have an additional nonstick finish. I need to go shopping to answer this one.
Hi Debra,
Thank you. I know Rachel Ray uses hard anadized aluminum. I will have to look at her cookware it little more closely next time. Although it might be a bit expensive.