About Alva
Alva has been crafting quality cookware since 1949, giving us over 75 years of expertise in the industry. Founded by Albert Vandaele in post-World War II Belgium, Alva began by transforming discarded military materials into premium aluminum cookware. What started as a resourceful solution to wartime scarcity has grown into a legacy of culinary excellence that spans generations.
For over 75 years, Alva and its sister cookware brands have been among the most popular choices across Europe, renowned for their quality and innovation. Today, we bring decades of Belgian engineering expertise to American kitchens, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern materials like stainless steel, ceramic nonstick coatings, carbon steel, and cast iron.
Alva operates a blend of manufacturing centers in Europe and Asia, ensuring that all facilities adhere to strict production standards, regardless of location. Belgium serves as the central hub for Alva's operations and is home to the majority of our employees. It is here that our engineering and design teams conceptualize and develop innovative products.
We maintain ethical manufacturing through:
- Rigorous quality standards at all production facilities
- Sustainable practices including 30% solar-powered facilities and in-house water filtration
- Third-party safety testing that exceeds both US and strict EU standards
- Family ownership ensuring long-term commitment to quality over quick profits
Although Alva does not ship or conduct business outside of the U.S., our sister brand, Beka, offers identical products and operates in the EU. You can visit their website at Beka-cookware.com. This allows us to focus specifically on serving our U.S. customers while maintaining our European heritage and manufacturing expertise.
Product Safety & Materials
Alva Cookware is committed to quality by using premium materials and rigorous testing processes. Our Collections are made with high-grade stainless steel and non-stick coatings that are PFOA-free, ensuring safe and healthy cooking.
We go beyond basic safety requirements:
- Comprehensive third-party testing for heavy metals, PFAS, and other contaminants
- EU compliance standards which are often stricter than US requirements
- Professional chef testing to ensure real-world performance
- Sustainable material sourcing including recycled aluminum cores
Yes, all of our cookware is compatible with all stovetops, including gas, electric, ceramic, and induction. Please check the product details to confirm compatibility for specific items. Our cookware features magnetic bases that ensure efficient and even heating on induction surfaces.
Yes, all Alva products are free of PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium, including ceramic-coated products. These pots and pans are genuinely PFAS-free and haven't been found to contain or to leach any chemicals of concern. The reports show that Alva cookware complies with strict EU food contact standards as well as specific German, Italian, French, and Dutch food safety standards.
From our founder's first recycled aluminum pans to today's eco-friendly manufacturing processes, sustainability has always been integral to our identity—not an afterthought or marketing trend.
Our sustainability efforts include:
- Recycled materials: Aluminum cores made from recycled content
- Solar power: 30% of our factory runs on solar energy
- Water filtration: In-house systems prevent wastewater pollution
- Durability: We design and craft each piece to be passed down through generations, not disposed of after a few years
- Minimal packaging: Smart cardboard designs that eliminate single-use plastics
Care & Maintenance
General Care Guidelines:
Handwashing is recommended for most items, especially those with non-stick coatings. Avoid using abrasive sponges or harsh detergents.
By Collection Type:
Stainless Steel: The Maestro collection is induction-friendly and mostly dishwasher safe (just not the non-stick items). These pieces are durable and can handle normal dishwasher cycles.
Ceramic Nonstick: It's best to hand wash ceramic nonstick pans to extend their lifespan. Dishwashers can cause the coating to wear out faster, though some models are dishwasher-safe. Use warm, soapy water with soft sponges and avoid metal utensils.
Carbon Steel (Forest Collection): The Forest Wok isn't oven-safe and shouldn't be used in the microwave or cleaned in the dishwasher. We take care not to use harsh soaps to clean the carbon steel wok, and the seasoning has lasted for more than a month without need to re-season.
Cast Iron (Nori Collection): Clean immediately after use with warm water and a scrubber while the pan is still warm. Always dry your cast iron completely after washing to prevent rust. Don't put it in the dishwasher: The harsh detergents and water exposure will damage the seasoning and cause rust.
It depends on the Alva cookware. Some products, like the Forest line of products, come pre-seasoned (with a mineral oil), and do not require additional oils or sprays. Other products, like the stainless steel collection, do not come with any seasoning or coating.
- Carbon Steel: Comes pre-seasoned and ready to use
- Ceramic Nonstick: Minimal oil needed for optimal performance
- Stainless Steel: Small amount of oil recommended for best results
- Cast Iron: Requires proper seasoning maintenance
Seasoning is recommended for certain products, like the Alva Nori cast iron collection. Other products, like in the Forest collection, come pre-seasoned (with mineral oil) and are ready to cook with immediately.
- Cast Iron: Requires initial and ongoing seasoning
- Carbon Steel: Comes pre-seasoned but improves with use
- Stainless Steel & Ceramic: No seasoning required
Yes, we stand behind the quality of our products. Most Alva Cookware items come with a limited warranty. Please refer to our Warranty Policy page for details on coverage and how to file a claim.
We offer fast and reliable shipping within the United States. Delivery typically takes 3-6 business days. At this time, we do not ship internationally. Orders over $179 ship free. The most you'll ever pay for shipping is $5.00
Yes, we have a hassle-free return and exchange policy. If you're not satisfied with your purchase, you can return it within 30 days of delivery. Please ensure the product is unused and in its original packaging. The return must be initiated within 30 days from the delivery date and shipped back within 30 days from delivery date.
Return Process:
- Contact us within 30 days via care@alva-cookware.com
- Ship the product back within 30 days
- Receive full refund within 7 days of our inspection