Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel Pans

For some people, getting stainless steel cookware is the moment they finally feel like adults. It’s natural to want to “ooh” and “aah” over the stuff – after all, it looks fancy! – but are steel and stainless steel all they’re cracked up to be? Are aluminum pots and pans just as good? The answer may be in the eye of the beholder, but we’ll give our best shot at an objective take to help you decide which type of cookware is right for you. Let’s dive into the debate between aluminum vs stainless steel pans!

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Overview of Aluminum and Stainless Steel as Cookware Materials

Bare aluminum cookware is easy to identify when you’ve just picked up a piece of stainless steel cookware—it’s about a third as heavy. In addition to being lightweight, aluminum is malleable. Thus, aluminum comes in handy if you need a metal that bends quite easily. 

When it comes to aluminum cookware, though, many products cannot be considered bare aluminum. The aluminum might be coated with a material that makes the product non-reactive with citrus foods and liquids. The coatings can also make the cookware more durable.

Stainless steel cookware consists of iron, chromium, and sometimes other materials. The chromium content, which must be 10.5 percent or higher for a product to be considered stainless steel, reacts with air during the production process to form chromium oxide. That, along with nickel, is what gives stainless steel its shiny appearance. 

Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel Pans

Although almost any piece of cookware you’ll find in most commercial and home kitchens can be made of aluminum or stainless steel, quite a few differences exist between the two materials. 

One potentially huge difference is reactivity with acidic or alkaline foods. If you’ve ever sipped orange juice from an aluminum cup, you’ll know what we’re talking about—that metallic taste is hard to miss. 

It doesn’t always stop at reactivity, though. In some cases, aluminum cookware can lead to aluminum leaching into foods, which may cause kidney and nervous system problems. 

These health issues are usually a concern only for older and damaged aluminum cookware and aluminum foil, but those with certain health conditions might need to exercise extra caution. The potential for leaching exists with stainless steel, but it’s even less so—especially when cooking food with acidic or alkaline properties.

Durability

When it comes to durability, stainless steel is the clear winner. 

Aluminum is, on average, much thinner. That makes aluminum relatively lightweight, but that comes at the cost of dings and scratches, which can compromise the product’s integrity and even increase the chances of contracting food-borne disease. 

Proper maintenance on stainless steel cookware is about as easy as it is for aluminum cookware, and the latter won’t last nearly as long.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

The good news about aluminum and stainless steel products is that both are relatively eco-friendly. They are both natural resources that can be recycled. It’s a little bit easier to recycle aluminum at the moment, but innovations are making stainless steel increasingly recyclable. 

Cost Comparison

Looking for the cheapest option? Aluminum beats stainless steel in this contest every time. 

Stainless steel usually requires a greater amount of raw materials, and making it often requires more energy than aluminum production. The tradeoff here is that stainless steel products can last a lot longer. So, in the long run, they may run about even.

Stainless Steel Pans or Aluminum Pans? Which is Healthier?

As we ponder the pros and cons of stainless steel cookware, we conclude that these products are ultimately healthier than aluminum pots and pans. Being healthy doesn’t always translate to being environmentally friendly, however, so you should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Fortunately, both aluminum and stainless steel cookware are pretty kind to the environment.

Stainless steel cookware is heavier than aluminum cookware, but that also means they’re more durable. If you properly maintain your stainless steel cookware, you’ll likely save money in the long run. Although ingesting a dangerous amount of aluminum from cookware is highly unlikely, using older aluminum cookware with a lot of dents and pitting might open the door for leaching—especially if you are cooking with acidic or alkaline foods.

Our Picks

We’ve searched the internet high and low for two cookware sets—one stainless steel and one aluminum—that we feel hit the mark on every meaningful metric. 

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author and DGHQ editors. However, Do Good HQ may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

1. Valencia Pro 10-Piece Cookware Set (GreenPan)

GreenPan was the first company to make cookware free of PFAs, which are synthetic substances known as “forever chemicals.” The coating, which is more eco-friendly than most non-stick coatings, works amazingly well.

Highlights

The stainless steel cookware included in this set holds up well when exposed to the highest temperatures your stove or oven can offer. Every piece is safe for the dishwasher. If you purchase it at its current price point, GreenPan will throw in a free turquoise roasting pan. 

Things to Consider

Using silicone utensils will prolong the life of this set. Silicone products are less eco-friendly than metal ones.

2. Bloomhouse 12-Piece Heavy Gauge Aluminum Cookware Set

You’ll be surprised at how durable this aluminum cookware set is. The set also comes with some ceramic steamer inserts, which can separate food from direct heat for more evenly cooked dishes.

Highlights

One impressive feature is the evenness with which each piece heats up, which can sometimes be an issue for aluminum cookware.

Things to Consider

We’re fans of Bloomhouse’s partnership with One Tree Planted, which puts one tree in the ground with each purchase. 

Final Thoughts

We understand that cookware can run quite expensive, and living sustainably means taking reasonable steps to make a difference. If you’re in the market for some new pots and pans, though, consider making a healthy and eco-conscious investment that will pay off in the years to come!

Featured image via Canva