Stainless steel cookware is considered a good choice for the kitchen. It is the most popular cookware in North America. It is strong, durable, corrosion resistant and easy to maintain. However, it does scratch if not used and cared for properly, which leaves us wondering if scratched stainless steel cookware is safe to use.

Stainless steel cookware is made of iron, chrome, and nickel. When abrasive materials are used on stainless steel pots or pans, the pot or pan can be scratched over time. Cooking with a scratched stainless steel pot or pan will release a small amount of iron, chromium, and nickel into the food. Consuming a large amount of iron can cause excessive levels of iron in our blood that can be dangerous and risky. The Dietary Reference Intake lists the tolerable iron intake level for adults as 45 mg per day. The tolerable intake level of iron for children under the age of fourteen is 40 mg per day. The daily intake of chromium in the United States is 35 mg for adult men and 25 mg for adult women. Cooking with nickel-containing stainless steel cookware will not add a significant amount of nickel to everyday food. However, sensitive people may show an allergic reaction to nickel.

Studies have shown that the use of lightly scratched stainless steel cookware does not pose any significant risk for health problems. The amount of iron, chromium and nickel released from cooking with the scratched pot or pan is said to be less than the percentage of total daily intake. However, if the stainless steel pot or pan is severely damaged with deep scratches or shows signs of corrosion, it is recommended that the pot or pan be discarded. Severely damaged pots and pans with deep scratches should not be used, as the amount of iron, chromium and nickel that are released during cooking is not known for certain and can therefore cause significant health problems. It is also recommended that people who have allergic reactions to nickel avoid using stainless steel cookware that contains nickel.

Best of all, it’s a good practice to use only a soft cloth when cleaning to avoid damaging stainless steel cookware. To minimize the cause of damage, it is suggested not to use abrasive cleaners when washing and to avoid using sharp and pointed utensils when cooking. Although stainless steel cookware is strong, without proper care, it can become damaged. When stainless steel cookware gets damaged, it won’t be at its best. For example, a stainless steel pot or pan with a copper clad bottom can lose its good heat conduction when the copper coating is scratched. Consequently, damage also reduces the pot or pan’s lifetime value and appearance.

In short, lightly scratched stainless steel cookware does not present any health risk. Using lightly scratched stainless steel pots or pans is harmless as only a small amount of iron, chromium and nickel are released during cooking. Consuming a small percentage of iron, chromium, and nickel, which is less than the percentage of daily intake, does not significantly increase health problems. However, if the pot or pan is deeply scratched, it is recommended that the pot or pan not be used as the amount of iron, chromium and nickel released during cooking can be poisonous. It is important to properly use and care for stainless steel cookware. To keep stainless steel cookware performing its best, avoid using abrasive materials when cooking or cleaning stainless steel pots and pans. By doing so, you will certainly avoid causing damage to the pot or pan and therefore improve its durability and lifespan.