Brass Cookware - Is It Safe?

Choosing cookware is an important decision. As a general rule, you should be familiar with the utensils you use in your kitchen. However, it is not enough to know how to use them.

You should also know its characteristics and how they can affect your cooking process.

So is it safe to cook with brass utensils? No, it is not safe to cook with brass utensils. This is due to reactions that occur when brass is subjected to high levels of heat, including excessive leaching of zinc into your food, the release of zinc oxide fumes, and the development of a corrosive patina (tarnish).

In this guide we will delve into this matter by examining why brass cookware is simply unsafe to cook with. We will also give you some advice on the aspects that you should take into account when buying a cookware.

Brass - Overview

Brass is the generic term used for a wide range of copper and zinc alloys. Brass is primarily known for its numerous advantageous properties that make it the preferred metal for all kinds of jobs.

Listed below are some of the characteristics that distinguish brass from other metal alloys:

• resistance and hardness
• machinability
• wear resistance
• Ductility
• electrical and thermal conductivity

Brass is often used to make

• Tools
• Instruments
• Accessories
• closures and connectors
• home appliance components
• ammunition parts

Not surprisingly, it is also one of the most widely used metals today.

Why can’t you cook with brass?

Now, since brass is a commonly used metal in a wide range of industries, it would only make sense for it to be used in cookware.

After all, this alloy is also able to successfully transfer heat without too much trouble, as it is highly conductive. At least on paper, it seems like a good option.

However, once we dig deeper, it will become clear why you should avoid brass cookware at all costs.

Here are the reasons why you shouldn’t use brass cookware:

• Overexposure to zinc - One of the main components of brass is zinc. If heated to the high temperatures needed to cook food, this metal leach into the food and water it comes in contact with. While trace levels of zinc are harmless, even healthy, it’s a different story at higher levels. By cooking with brass, you are exposing yourself and anyone else who eats your food to zinc for a long time. Over time, the accumulation of this metal in a person’s body will prove dangerous and detrimental to their health, by negatively affecting the body’s ability to absorb iron and copper.
• Zinc Oxide Exposure - In addition to this, zinc oxide fumes are another problem to deal with when cooking with brass. This is due to the dezincification process. When your brass cookware is exposed to high levels of heat, it subtly gives off fumes and releases zinc into the air. The zinc then has a chemical reaction with oxygen to form zinc oxide, another dangerous compound that is toxic and can cause metal fume fever, which has flu-like symptoms.
• Brass develops patina - One of the hallmarks of brass is that it tarnishes like silver and copper over time. You’ve seen it before; it’s the sickly green coating found on aged metals. It is due to the reaction of copper with oxygen and water. In most cases, this patina is corrosive and dangerous when ingested.

We have found that brass is a versatile material that has a wide range of uses.

However, the same cannot be said of its use to make kitchen utensils. It is simply inadvisable and could be dangerous.

Aspects to consider when buying kitchen utensils

Now that we’ve established that brass is not safe for cooking, it’s time for us to explore the different options available.

Before we do that though, we need to look at the different things you need to consider when looking at different cookware options.

This way, you won’t choose a pan because it looks fancy. Instead, this guide is intended to help you make an informed decision.

With that being said, here are things to keep in mind before buying cookware:

• Reactivity - As mentioned above, metals can have possibly negative chemical reactions. with certain foods. For example, aluminum tends to react with acidic ingredients. It is worth investigating how your cookware may react with the type of food you are cooking.
• Conductivity : You will need to look at the ability of your cookware to conduct heat, as it affects the speed and evenness of cooking. After all, not everything is created equal and some cookware is made from materials with better thermal conductivity. For example, copper cookware is praised in this regard, as it is capable of quickly transferring heat to food.
• Maintenance - This is another thing that you have to take into account. If you’re like us, you’ll probably want to look for cookware that doesn’t require constant maintenance to do its job well. In this regard, copper and cast iron pots lose a few points, as they require a lot of work to maintain their pristine condition.
• Durability - Durability, or the strength of the material, is another important factor to consider when looking at different cookware options. After all, you want them to last as long as possible. It is worth mentioning that stainless steel is one of the most durable materials out there.

Now that we’re familiar with the criteria that separate good cookware from mediocre ones, let’s talk about some of the best options.

Alternative metal cookware

Although brass is no longer an option, using metal cookware is still a popular choice.

Although ceramic is also a popular option, here we will talk about metal alternatives.

Here are some of the best materials you can choose from:

• Stainless Steel Cookware - Durable and long lasting, uncoated stainless steel is a classic. It will always be a good choice for your kitchen. If you are looking for something versatile that can handle a wide range of tasks in the kitchen, then stainless steel cookware will be the perfect choice for you.
• Enameled Cast Iron Cookware - Enameled Cast Iron Cookware embodies the combination of classic design and innovation. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, these pots and pans will have no problem getting the job done. Incredibly resistant, they can be used both in the kitchen and in the oven.
• Uncoated Cast Iron - Cast iron is one of the oldest types of cookware in existence. Its durability and versatility have helped it stand the test of time. If you’re looking for a safe alternative to non-stick pans, look no further.
• Copper cookware - Copper cookware is known for its characteristic shine and great heat distribution. This type of cookware offers optimal control during cooking. It also helps to get the job done as quickly as possible.
• Aluminum cookware - Cooking with aluminum is very simple. In addition, it is light and at the same time durable and strong.

Keep in mind that metal should never be used in the microwave, even though these materials are safer than brass for other cooking methods. Instead, you should use a ceramic plate or dish.

Below we present a table with the different options of metal kitchen utensils that you have at your disposal.

We’ve rounded up the things that make each of them great and their respective drawbacks. We have also taken into account its distinctive features. In this way, you can choose the most suitable cookware for you.

Pros and cons of cookware

Choosing your cookware is vital to your overall cooking experience. That being said, stay away from brass as it’s not ideal for cooking at all. Instead, try our suggested alternatives.