PTFE is a more stable, but still toxic,
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.
Not exactly, but it's definitely under the microscope. While Teflon itself isn't banned, the chemicals used in its production, like PFOA, have faced restrictions due to health concerns. The EU is working on broader regulations to limit PFAS, which includes Teflon's main component, PTFE.
Polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, better known by it's DuPont tradename of Teflon, has a number of properties that make it an excellent choice for a food grade gasket. At the atomic level it consists of a long chain of carbon atoms, each one of which links to two fluorine atoms.
In general, you want to replace nonstick pans after five years.
Teflon® PTFE also has a low coefficient of friction so is ideal for many low torque applications. This material is non-contaminating and accepted by the FDA for use in food services.
Today, most non-stick cookware is made without PFOA. While both synthetic chemicals are classified as PFAS and share a number of properties, PTFE is broadly considered safe to use. PFOA, on the other hand, has been declared carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organisation.
Note: As of January 2024, substances containing PFAS are no longer being sold into the U.S. market for food contact use as grease-proofers and their associated authorizations have been revoked by the FDA due to abandonment.
There is little doubt that PTFE coatings that are made using PFAS substances will eventually be eliminated, but it is imperative that the industry continues to educate and advocate for a cautious, gradual approach.
HexClad's patented design brings together the best of premium cookware, so you can cook without limits. Protected between the steel hexagon peaks are nonstick valleys containing our high-grade proprietary ceramic nonstick called TerraBond™ which is PTFE-free and free from forever chemicals.
Then, we removed GreenPan entirely from our list of non-toxic cookware. There were two primary reasons: Competing brands began providing independent laboratory testing to prove their products are non-toxic. We became aware of lawsuits against GreenPan that cast doubt on the company's marketing claims.
Non-Stick Coatings in Air Fryers
When overheated (above 260°C), PTFE can break down and release fumes that are potentially harmful to humans and pets. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), previously used in some non-stick coatings, has been largely phased out due to similar health concerns.
Under normal use, PTFE's aren't thought to cause a health risk, but when heated to above 500 degrees F there are increased emissions and the resulting polymer fume fever. Polymer fume fever causes a range of reported symptoms including fever, chills, muscle tension and headache.
And when PTFE coatings overheat, they can produce fumes that are deadly to small birds and may be harmful to humans as well. You could describe this occurrence as “the canary in the kitchen,” Peaslee says. In addition, PFAS in pots and pans pose risks even if the chemicals don't migrate directly into our bodies.
PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene (promise you don't need to remember that), belongs to a subgroup of PFAS called fluorinated polymers, and PTFE is by far the most popular one in the group; it makes up approximately half the market. One of the most familiar uses is in Teflon, but that's just one of its applications.
SEATTLE, WA—Yesterday, leading outdoor retailer REI announced it will ban PFAS “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in all textile products and cookware from its suppliers, in a major update to its “Product Impact Standards” for its 1,000+ brand partners.
For decades, DuPont used perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, or C8) during production of PTFE, later discontinuing its use due to legal actions over ecotoxicological and health effects of exposure to PFOA.
That's right, Teflon is PTFE but by another name. Teflon is the trademarked brand name for PTFE owned by Chemours, and just as we call our vacuums Hoovers and sticky tape Sellotape, so we've come to know PTFE by the name it was given.
Fritaire: A Safer, Non-Toxic Air Fryer Alternative
If you're looking for a safer option, Fritaire's air fryers offer a non-toxic solution that is free from Teflon, PFOA, and PTFE.
If you've decided to swear off PTFE-coated nonstick cookware, there are some good alternatives, including a number of ceramic, cast-iron, carbon steel, and stainless steel pans that perform well in our tests. Below are some of the top performers from all these categories.
Broken or scratched Teflon coating could lead to the release of thousands to millions of plastic particles, a study suggests. The coating may shed microplastics and PFAS, also known as forever chemicals. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to health risks including liver disease and kidney cancer.
Teflon is not a product on its own, but a brand name of a product. It refers to a chemical coating known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It's a type of plastic sprayed on various items and then baked to create a nonstick, waterproof, noncorrosive, and nonreactive surface.
You can choose two types of medical grade fluoropolymer coating chemistries for medical devices; an aqueous-based PTFE coating and a solvent-based coating. All PTFE is made by undergoing a free radical polymerization process combining carbon and fluorine atoms.