Our 5-ply stainless steel is durable and free of toxic materials like PFOA, PTFE, lead, and cadmium. We also use a biodegradable citric wash method, making our pans more durable without any toxins.
One of our favorite materials for this is ceramic. Ceramic provides a slick surface for your cookware and comes with so many benefits. At Caraway, our cookware is free of PFOA and PTFE, but it's also free of PFAS, cadmium, lead, and other toxic metals that would otherwise be found in non-stick cookware.
At Caraway, we are committed to creating safe kitchenware free from harmful chemicals. Our ceramic-coated products feature a non-toxic coating that won't release harmful chemicals.
Caraway's ceramic-coating is 100% non-toxic, free of PTFE (such as Teflon®), PFOA, PFAs, lead, cadmium, nickel and other toxic metals. Non-toxic coating means you are at zero risk of ingesting harsh chemicals of any kind, meaning safer cookware for you, your family, and our planet.
Here's why we favor Caraway over GreenPan for toxic-free, sustainable pots, and pans, but why Greenspan may be more durable long term. Caraway Home and GreenPan both make non-stick cookware without the standard Teflon (PFAS) coating. Both brands are billed as safer, more sustainable options for the home cook.
We've cut out the toxins—PFAS, PFOA, Lead, and Cadmium—so you can cook without worry. IS YOUR COATING PTFE? No, PTFE is a PFAS, and we do not use any PFAS including PTFE or PFOA in our coatings.
Our founder designed Caraway in New York and vetted vendors worldwide when deciding where to produce. As a result, our products are all made in world-class factories based in China, all of which adhere to our strict ethical manufacturing practices and maintain the required standards for BSCI or SMETA.
When teflon starts to wear away on those, that top layer material (PFAS) gets into the food and is not good for you. There is none of that used in caraway, it is just ceramic. So while it has its downsides like being delicate and having a shorter lifespan, its not toxic like teflon.
Is HexClad cookware safe? HexClad describes its nonstick coating as a "Japanese coating infused with diamond dust." The company states that its pans are PFOA-free, though they do contain PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), commonly known by the brand name Teflon.
Pan construction
Hexclad cookware comprises an aluminum core sandwiched between layers of stainless steel with a ceramic non-stick coating and stainless steel lattice over top. This type of construction makes the Hexclad pans heftier and arguably more robust than Caraway Home cookware.
“The most nontoxic cookware that you can buy is stainless steel, cast iron or carbon steel; things that don't have a coating on them,” says Alexis Pisciotta, culinary purchasing and events manager and cookware consultant for Food Network.
I use the large baking sheet and loaf pan most often, and both are still in great condition. Although my loaf pan did get one bad knife scratch; you want to be really careful with the knives and utensils you use on nonstick coating. From prepping egg sandwiches to muffins and more, these pans are worth the hype!
Our ceramic non-stick is made from inorganic natural ingredients which are all 100% safe to use in contact with all foods (and FDA approved).
Essentially, the only difference lies in the name. PTFE is the shortened name of the chemical polytetrafluoroethylene, and Teflon is the trade name of the same polymer. If you are looking for a highly flexible, non-stick material that is chemical, electrical and thermal resistant, look no further than PTFE.
Calphalon cookware contains just one PFAS chemical, PTFE, used to prevent food from sticking to cookware surfaces.
The short answer is yes: there is no Teflon used in its production. Ceramic provides a natural non-stick surface without the use of toxic chemicals in its production. In fact, we take pride in our 100% non-toxic cookware. All of our products are free of PTFE, PFAS, and PFOA , as well as lead, cadmium, and toxic metals.
At normal cooking temperatures, PTFE-coated cookware releases various gases and chemicals that present mild to severe toxicity.
Le Creuset Stainless Steel Cookware Set
As we mentioned, stainless steel is naturally non-toxic, in addition to being the material many professional chefs prefer.
HexClad Cookware advertises its nonstick pans as free from harmful chemicals. But, according to recent reports, HexClad may be using a chemical compound called PTFE as a non-stick coating on its pans. PTFE is a type of PFA, or “forever” chemical, that can build up in the human body and does not break down over time.
Sticking Problems
If eggs are sticking, it's typically due to insufficient preheating or not enough fat. Ensure your pan is evenly heated to the right temperature before adding a generous amount of oil or butter.
Finally, Caraway Home's big claim: the cookware coating does not include PFOA, PTFE, other PFAS, lead, cadmium, or toxic metals. This is a far clearer and stronger statement than that it won't leach these chemicals into your food.
ceramic is among the safest material for pans
From dishes, to glasses, bakeware and cookware, ceramic bakeware is our pick for the best cookware material for health thanks to its non-reactive nature and resistance to high temperatures and acidic foods. Plus it's so pretty!
Known for its rich flavor and health benefits , extra virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point that can quickly degrade under high heat, potentially harming the non-stick coating of ceramic pans. Save this flavorful oil for dressings or low-heat cooking.
The second con of the Caraway cookware line is that, like all non-stick, they won't last forever. Depending on how well you take care of them they will last anywhere from 1-3 years.