I quit using aluminum cookware years ago because of the link to Alzheimers and have stainless steel cookware which I love. If anything sticks I just take a scrubbie to it and it comes right off. Copper cleaner takes care of the bottoms to keep them shiny. I also use a cast iron on my smooth top stove and never have had a problem. I can see the logic with not using aluminum cookware because of the heat issue but sure don't know why you couldn't use cast iron.