Top 5 Non Toxic Woks of 2023 - Safety First

Updated on March 2023

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Summary:

The best non toxic wok with healthy constructions according to facts and research is the 14 inch Mammafong Carbon Steel Wok. It is completely manufactured through the process of hand-hammering and the body is made from a single carbon steel sheet without any impurities.

The top 5 non toxic healthy woks we have listed here are all part of the PFOA, PTFE & PFAS free squad. But usability & durability are also in our priority list along with safety.

It's dangerous to avoid researching on the safety of your wok's material before buying. Wok cooking is a high heat process and we use acidic sauces for stir fry. So, the chance of food toxicity cannot be ruled out entirely.

The best non toxic wok with healthy constructions according to facts and research is the 14 inch Mammafong Carbon Steel Wok. It is completely manufactured through the process of hand-hammering and the body is made from a single carbon steel sheet without any impurities.

Editor's Pick

Mammafong best hand hammered carbon steel wok round bottom

Mammafong 14 inch Premium & safe carbon steel, Naturally non-stick with pre-seasoning, chemical free, made with natural hand hammering process

Overall Safety Rating: 4.8/5

📌Material Safety: 5/5

📌Pure Construction: 4/5

📌Safe Coating: 5/5

2nd Best

Cooks Standard wok, food-grade stainless steel, PFOA, PTFE, PFAs free, No chemical coating, very reliable brand, best for green kitchen, highly durable

Overall Safety Rating: 3.5/5

📌Material Safety: 3.5/5

📌Pure Construction: 3/5

📌Safe Coating: 4/5

3rd Best

Rachael Ray hard anodized wok, naturally nonstick, PFOA free non-toxic nonstick surface, dishwasher-safe, oven-safe

Overall Safety Rating: 3.5/5

📌Material Safety: 3/5

📌Pure Construction: 3.5/5

📌Safe Coating: 4/5

Content List

  • Mammafong Flat Carbon Steel Wok 14"
  • Cooks Standard Stainless Steel Wok 13"
  • Rachael Ray Hard Anodized aluminum Wok 11"
  • Ozeri Green Ceramic Wok 12"
  • Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick Wok 10"
  • All about non-toxic wok
  • FAQ
  • 1. Best Non-Toxic Mammafong Flat Bottom Carbon Steel Wok

    The Mammafong flat bottom14 inch wok is the best non-toxic carbon steel wok, built with safe and premium carbon steel sheets through hand-hammering technique which is a traditional and secure process of manufacturing woks. The wok has no unsafe coating. It is a pure carbon steel cooking tool that will become a great cooking wok once you season it.

    Mammafong best hand hammered carbon steel wok round bottom

    ✔️Overall Safety Rating: 4.8/5

    📌Material Safety: 5/5

    📌Pure Construction: 4/5

    📌Safe Coating: 5/5

    Pros
    • Safe construction of carbon steel
    • hand hammered
    • Naturally non-stick with seasoning
    • Requires less oil after proper seasoning
    • Lightweight
    • Non-toxic uncoated surface 
    Con
    • not dishwasher safe
    • pre-seasoned coating is hard to remove
    • edges are uneven because of hand crafting

    The hand-hammered pow wok has an ideal design to cook Asian dishes. Not only the wok material is safe but the craftsmanship this wok comes in is great for expert chefs, commercial kitchens, and beginners to take their wok cooking to the next level.

    The uncoated surface is non-toxic and absolutely safe to make healthy and fat-free meals for your children.  These woks will become naturally nonstick after several usages and give you the authentic wok-hei flavor in your food as the thin walls will help in even stir-frying.

    The wok features a sturdy, double-riveted wooden handle and an additional helper handle that makes it suitable for stir-frying as well as simmering soups and stews, deep-fry, saute, steam and braise. The wok arrives with foundational seasoning and has no synthetic coatings or chemicals. 

    2. The Healthiest Stainless Steel Wok - Cooks Standard 13 inch

    This is hands down the best non toxic wok with lid in the market offered by a very responsible brand "Cooks Standard" with great customer service. The reason is its affordability while offering so many features.

    ✔️Overall Safety Rating: 3.5/5

    📌Material Safety: 3.5/5

    📌Pure Construction: 3/5

    📌Safe Coating: 4/5

    Pros
    • Stainless Steel with Aluminium core 
    • Limited Lifetime Warranty 
    • Stainless Steel Dome Lid
    • Airflow Technology-enabled long handle
    • Dishwasher safe
    • Oven safe up to 500 degrees F 
    Con
    • A bit heavy
    • Not a traditional Wok design
    • Not for outdoor cooking
    • Avoid blistering heat wok burners
    • Only suitable for indoor daily stir fry
    • Expensive than carbon steel wok

    The wok features a brushed stainless steel exterior that is scratch-resistant and retains the outward appeal of the cookware. It is built with an inner and exterior layer of stainless steel (18-10 premium-grade) and an aluminum core that is best for fast heating as well as consistent and even heat distribution.  

    Pure stainless steel-made woks are not great at conducting and evenly distributing heat, that's why this model has a 3-ply design. An aluminum core is sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel which offers super-fast and even heating, along with a wide and deep nonstick cooking surface.

    The stainless steel is food-safe while the aluminum core is scratch-resistant. Hence it is the best stainless steel wok with safe material built. As there is no chemical coating, it offers an extra layer of safety.

    The long stainless steel handle remains cool even after prolonged cooking over the stove. Both the 13-inch and 12-inch stir fry wok come with a tightly fitted dome lid made of stainless steel that is suitable for delicious cooking. The only downside is the lid is not see-through, hence you will not be able to watch the progress of your cooking.

    It is suitable for all kinds of stovetops and can withstand the heat of up to 500 degrees F. It comes with a limited warranty and is dishwasher safe.  

    3. Rachael Ray Safe Nonstick Stir Fry Wok - 11 inch

    The one of the best non-toxic 11 inch woks available on the market is from Rachael Ray. Cucina Non-stick wok has a premium hard anodized aluminum build that ensures even and superior heating and heat distribution.

    It has a stick-proof PFOA free non-toxic coating making it safe and healthy cookware to cook a variety of recipes that need stir-frying. The non-stick layer is safe for cooking meals for your children and offers easy food release and cleanup.

    ✔️Overall Safety Rating: 3.5/5

    📌Material Safety: 3/5

    📌Pure Construction: 3.5/5

    📌Safe Coating: 4/5

    Pros
    • Safe die-cast aluminum 
    • 100% PTFE and PFOA free non-toxic nonstick surface 
    • scratch-resistant nonstick surface 
    • Bakelight heat resistant handle
    Con
    • does not have a lid
    • doesn't have the traditional design of a wok
    • construction is medium

    The hard anodized surface is highly durable to withstand the use of utensils like metal spatulas, spoons, whisks, and more. The wok comes with a dual-riveted, silicone-over-stainless-steel handle and a shatter-resistant glass lid that has a wide stainless steel rim.  

    4. Ozeri Green Earth Safe 12 inch Wok Pan

    Ozeri incorporates award-winning designs, durable build, and healthy material in their products. As they are a big supporter of healthy living, it is most-suited to add the Ozeri Green Earth 12 inch ceramic nonstick wok at the top of this list.

    ✔️Overall Safety Rating: 3.5/5

    📌Material Safety: 3/5

    📌Pure Construction: 4.5/5

    📌Coating Safety: 3.5/5

    Pros
    • Looks aesthetic 
    • PFOA free non-toxic nonstick surface 
    • oven safe to 400°F. 
    • Easy food release surface
    • Easy to clean 
    • Dishwasher safe 
    • Comfortable to grip silicone handles that stay cool while cooking 
    Con
    • not suitable for induction
    • size is smaller
    • a bit heavy
    • not the best construction

    When I asked them, why their woks are the safest options available? They revealed unlike other similar brands Ozeri Green Earth Wok has an ultra-safe ceramic coating that is 100% PTFE and PFOA free.

    The scratch-resistant nonstick surface is non toxic and healthy as it does not release any fume at high temperatures. You can cook your delicious meal every day and it will have no risk of leaching harmful chemicals. The best part is this wok has the perfect size and depth to cook food for at least 3-4 people at once.

    The induction-safe, beautiful modern design and the flat bottom aids in using it on any cooktop and also showcase it in your kitchen.

    The die-cast aluminum body is durable and at the same time lightweight for beginners. The easy-to-grip heat resistant bakelite handle is very comfortable to hold during the cooking process. Overall, this is the best affordable, safest, and healthiest wok to have.

    5. Calphalon Contemporary Best Nonstick Non-toxic Wok

    Calphalon manufactures the safest wok with non-toxic material build and secure non-stick coating. The flat bottom wok is not only healthy to use daily but also represents great craftsmanship when it comes to cooking delicious stir fry. The flat bottom wok features a stylish and modern appearance, coming with hard anodized exteriors and a three-layer non-stick interior.

    Safest Wok Healthy and Non toxic Wok with hard anodized body

    ✔️Overall Safety Rating: 3.5/5

    📌Material Safety: 3.5/5

    📌Pure Construction: 3.5/5

    📌Safe Coating: 3.5/5

    Pros
    • multi-layer premium and durable non stick cooking surface
    • Easy clean up
    • Suitable for various style of cooking
    • non toxic 
    • dishwasher-safe
    Con
    • slightly high priced
    • the wok has no lid
    • easy to get a dent
    • non stick coating may come up with rough use

    Hard anodized aluminum cookware is very popular nowadays because it offers a series of benefits. It is durable, lightweight, and affordable than many enameled cookware. Aluminum is soft and reactive to acidic food, which means using aluminum to build cookware is not safe.

    So manufacturers at Calphalon anodized the aluminum to make the layer of aluminum oxide thicker and sturdier. The thick layer acts as a nonstick surface.

    Also, hard anodized aluminum is non-reactive to food hence safe to cook on high heat, which is why I have picked this flat bottom wok from Calphalon as the safest and healthiest wok. This electro-chemical process of anodizing makes the aluminum 30% harder than stainless steel. It means hard anodized wok is a better investment than stainless steel woks in terms of durability.

    Because of the hard anodized aluminum interior and exterior, this wok is rust-proof, stick, and scratch-safe. You can easily use a metal cooking tool on this wok without getting it any patches.

    The non-stick coating is of a premium build quality and has three layers- the two layers provide enhanced durability and the third one offers the easy release performance. This makes the coating highly functional and durable at the same time, making sure that you can cook even on high heat without any chances of the coating coming out. 

    The hard anodized aluminum construction on the exterior makes for the perfect heat conduction and even distribution. The wok is inspired by the traditional wok construction featuring a versatile flared design.  

    Because of the brushed stainless steel handle and the additional helper handle, the wok is suitable for a variety of cooking techniques including stir-frying, making tempura, and simmering stews and soups.  

    Given the material safety and premium quality of this product, the wok is totally worth its price and is the best non toxic wok on the market.

    All about Non-Toxic, Healthy Wok

    Top reasons for having the best non toxic wok-

    1. High heat causes food to react with the pan hence a toxic wok can make your food contaminated
    2. Stir fry is mainly acidic so wok pans with reactive metal like aluminum are bound to mix with your food
    3. Nontoxic wok is safe for your family's overall health

    Popular Wok Materials and Their Safety

    • Carbon steel wok
    • Stainless steel wok
    • Cast iron wok
    • Hard anodized aluminum wok

    As wok cooking is a high heat affair, the safety of the material should be our highest priority when choosing this stir fry pan. I had bought a wok pan from a very popular brand, it cost me around $78 and after cooking in it for 17 days, the metal started to give away a very foul smell.

    I didn't realize what was the problem sooner. Later after 7 more days, I figured it was the wok that is of poor material built. My daughter was 8 years old then and I was feeding her wok cooked meal.

    From that day, I promised myself if I am going to buy cookware then it will only be based on material quality and build, not on brand value or price. For that, if I need to contact the manufacturers, I will.

    Below is a list of popular materials for wok pan and my well-researched take on their nontoxic nature.

    Is Carbon Steel Wok Non-toxic?

    Carbon steel wok is a very popular choice among stir fry lovers mainly because it is lightweight, easily heats up, and maintenance is easy, unlike cast iron.

    But how safe carbon steel wok is on high heat? Carbon steel as a material is reactive to acidic food. So it is better to avoid carbon steel for a longer period of cooking where sauces are involved.

    As stir fry happens very fast, it is safe to cook in a carbon steel wok. Remember to remove the food from the hot pan instantly once the cooking is done. It will serve two crucial purposes. One, it will stop overcooking your stir fry, and second, your food will be safe from contamination.

    Premium Carbon Steel Woks and Their Safety:

    Manufacturers often list woks as made of premium carbon steel hence claiming they are safe. But the truth is, premium carbon steel has a high content of carbon (0.61-1.50%) which increases the strength and hardness of the wok pan making it more durable and a good investment.

    Carbon steel no matter how high or low its carbon content is, still reactive to acidic food hence not safe for cooking acidic food for a long period. When it comes to stir fry, you can use a carbon steel wok safely, as the cooking process is fast.

    Is Stainless Steel Wok Non-toxic?

    Stainless steel releases lower levels of nickel and chromium while coming in contact with acidic food. These low levels are generally not a concern but if you have heavy metal sensitivity then stainless steel wok is obviously not a good purchase for you.

    However, stir fry is a fast cooking process and if you are using a 304 surgical grade stainless steel wok then the risk of releasing nickel and chromium becomes minuscule. So to have the best and safest stainless steel wok pan always go for the 18/8, 18/10, or 304 grade high-quality stainless steel.

    Is Cast iron wok non-toxic?

    Cast iron woks are reactive to acidic food like carbon steel and stainless steel if cooked for a long period. But another problem with cast iron is that you often run the risk of releasing too much iron into your food. Yes, supplementing iron daily is a good thing but excessive iron is linked to several diseases. To name a few, Alzheimer's disease, heart problems, and cancer.

    Loading too much iron can be good for anemic people, vegans, and menstruating women but people who eat red meat very often should avoid cast iron wok.

    In case of safety and nontoxicity of a cast iron wok, my take would be occasional stir-frying can be done in a cast iron pan but regular cooking sessions should strongly be avoided.

    Is hard-anodized aluminum wok nontoxic?

    Aluminum is highly reactive to acidic food even on low heat. To make aluminum safe, it is anodized. Anodizing is an electrochemical process to seal the metal underneath and make the surface safe, corrosion-resistant, and durable. The aluminum wok is better at heat distribution hence a great tool for stir-frying. But to make it a safer choice, manufacturers are offering healthy hard-anodized aluminum wok which is non-toxic, safe, durable, naturally nonstick, and rust-proof.

    Are Non-toxic Woks durable?

    When we are talking about non-toxic material, we are mostly dealing with non-alloy metals.

    As alloy has all the mixtures of impurities, it has more chances of toxicity than pure metals. So, having a lesser amount of non-alloy in your wok is preferable and safe.

    Evidently, alloy metals have greater strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion. If the non-toxic wok has non-alloy metal or maybe the greater constituent part is non-alloy there is a concern about durability.

    Is nontoxic wok cost-effective?

    Let's understand this topic from a slightly different perspective. If you invest in cookware solely depending on their durability then there are many such brands who offer durable cooking tools at cheaper price rates just because they are an amalgamation of different quality materials and they save a lot of money manufacturing them.

    My years of experience as a chef and also as a home cook for my family taught me the golden rule of distributing your decision of purchasing cookware based on this formula-

    75% safety, 15% brand value, 5% on looks, and 5% on the price.

    You might be thinking where does durability stand in this? Well, brand value always comes with a warranty. A good warranty makes the purchase safe. But even if your cookware is coming with a shorter period of warranty, say 6months and you determine the cookware as safe, I will recommend you to go for it.

    As safety tops all. Your health, and your family's health are much more crucial.

    The Best Non Toxic Wok Recommended By Wokware

    Mammafong best hand hammered carbon steel wok round bottom

    The Mammafong flat bottom14 inch wok is the best non-toxic carbon steel wok, built with safe and premium carbon steel sheets through hand-hammering technique which is a traditional and secure process of manufacturing woks. The wok has no unsafe coating. It is a pure carbon steel cooking tool that will become a great cooking wok once you season it.

    Best Carbon Steel Wok Recommended by Wokware

    Mammafong 14 inch Traditional Hand Hammered Round Bottom Carbon Steel Pow Wok Set

    Faq.

    What is the healthiest wok material?

    The healthiest wok material is food grade stainless and premium carbon steel which do not release chemical when comes in contact with food. You also get minimized chances of nickel toxicity. Cast iron is not healthy for daily usage. Nonstick coated woks which are PFOA, PTFE, PFAs can also be considered as a healthy cooking tool.

    Are woks non toxic?

    Woks are non-toxic if they are made with food-grade material with no PFOA, PTFE, and PFAs inclusion. One such wok is from the Cooks Standard which is made of food-safe stainless steel with zero additive chemicals. This kind of woks are best for healthy living.

    What is the healthiest stir fry pan?

    The healthiest stir fry pan is the Mammafong Carbon Steel Wok. It is safe and non toxic because of its food grade carbon steel surface. It has no harsh chemicals or toxic coating. Entire construction is premium and the brand is very reliable for producing green cookware.

    Is carbon steel toxic free?

    Carbon steel is toxin free because of its natural composition of two basic chemicals that is carbon and iron, both of which can be found in our body. But regular release of high level of carbon & iron can have adverse effect in our body so if you are using a carbon steel pan, using it in moderation is the key.

    Are non-toxic woks good?

    Non-toxic woks are definitely the best. They are safe to use and have the proper balance of durability and qualification to cook you delicious stir fry meals. But they are not cheap like the non-food grade woks. 

    Are non-stick woks safe?

    Usually non-stick woks with PFOA, PTFE, and PFA free coatings are safe to use daily but moderation in using nonstick woks on high heat is the key to have healthy meal daily. We certainly don't want our coating to chip and mix with our food and using a non-stick wok daily might hurt the coating.

    What is the best nonstick non toxic wok?

    Calphalon manufactures the best nonstick nontoxic wok. The 10.5" inch Calphalon contemporary wok has a non-toxic material build and secure non-stick coating. The flat bottom wok is both healthy to use daily and represents great craftsmanship when it comes to cooking delicious stir fry.

    Author: Preeunka

    Editor at Wokware

    She is an expert in the niche of kitchenware for 10 years now. She has given readers fact based, well researched, to the point answers of their valuable questions. Her goal is to simplify kitchen products and their utilities.