For years, non-stick pans have been a staple in our kitchens. Convenient and easy to clean, they allow us to cook without worrying about food sticking. But did you know that traditional non-stick coatings contain PFAS, harmful perfluorinated chemicals for both health and the environment?

Indispensable Non-Stick Properties

Today, no one would buy a pan that sticks while cooking. Since the arrival of Teflon™ in the 1950s, home cooks have considered this feature a given. However, Teflon™ is indeed one of the oldest and most well-known PFAS; it belongs to a subcategory called polytetrafluoroethylenes or PTFE. PTFE alone accounts for half of the volumes of PFAS sold on the market each year across all possible applications: electrical/electronic, construction, architectural, automotive, etc.

But let’s get back to our pans. Let’s realize: every year, more than 200 millions of non-stick pans are sold worldwide, 49% of which are PTFE-coated (2023 numbers)! Fortunately, alternatives exist. New non-stick pans without PFAS are now available on the market.

How are PFAS-free Non-Stick Pans Made?

Several technologies allow for the creation of non-stick coatings without PFAS. Among the most common are:

    • Ceramic Coating: This coating is composed of natural materials such as silica and titanium. It is highly scratch-resistant and offers excellent non-stick performance.
    • Stone Coating: Derived from natural minerals like granite, this coating is durable, scratch-resistant, and provides good non-stick performance.
    • Oil-Based Coating: Made from natural vegetable oils, this coating is environmentally friendly and offers decent non-stick performance.

How Does It Work?

Non-stick pans without PFAS use innovative technologies to create a smooth, non-porous surface on which food doesn’t stick.

    • Micro-Textures: The surface of the coating is equipped with micro-textures that create air pockets between the food and the pan. This allows hot air to circulate and evenly cook the food while preventing it from sticking.
    • Hydrophobic Agents: Hydrophobic agents are added to the coating to make it waterproof and prevent food from clinging to it. This is where you need to get vigilant, as in some cases, the hydrophobic agents used belong to the PFAS family. 

 
Non stick pans may contain PFAS

Choosing Your Pan

When choosing a non-stick pan without PFAS, it’s important to consider:

  • Coating Type: Different types of coatings have different properties and non-stick performances.
  • Durability: Choose a pan with a coating resistant to scratches and wear.
  • Ease of Cleaning: Opt for a pan with a coating that’s easy to clean.

Our Recommendations

To save you some time, we’ve screened the net for PFAS-free pans. And surprisingly, we’ve found quite a few brands that promote PFAS-free pans. To make it short and sweet though, we’ll focus here on brands that match those criteria:

  • They offer lots that include all the necessary pan sizes for your kitchen.
  • Their pans are compatible with induction cooking, which remains the primary technology in our kitchens.
  • The technology they use do not contain ANY PFAS, PTFE, or similar chemicals.
  • Their pans have hundreds of reviews on e-commerce sites.

 

The list will be very short. Buckle up.

 
Brand GREEN LIFE SLOTTET DELARLO GREENPAN LAMFO
Model Soft Grip Tri-Ply Tri-Ply Lima –
Pan sizes
in the lot		 8″
10″
12″		 8″
10″
12″		 8″
10″
12″		 8″
10″
12″		 8″
10″
12″
Technology Ceramic Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Ceramic Steel
Goes into the
dishwasher		 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Goes into
the oven		 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Non-stick
performance		 ++ + + ++ ++
Lifespan ++ +++ +++ ++ +++
Price 59,99$ 89,99$ 99,99$ 89,99$ 175,99$
Where to Buy? Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon

 

There you have it. Let’s be clear, these new PFAS-free pans aren’t the most economical, as they unfortunately still remain an exception rather than the norm. But your health is priceless, and if you haven’t made the switch yet, we strongly encourage you to do so.

Want to know more about how to reduce your exposure to PFAS? continue the visit of our blog:

Remove PFAS from your water

All our solutions to avoid PFAS

Sources:

 

*Image from FreePik