Chemicals in non-stick coatings
PFAS are found in many consumer products, including packaging, clothing, and cookware. Unfortunately, PFAS is known to accumulate in the environment and has been linked to human health impacts such as abnormal thyroid and hormone function, reduced immune system response, and cancer.
Professional chefs typically do not use nonstick cookware because it is not as durable as other types of cookware and can scratch or chip easily. Additionally, nonstick coatings can deteriorate over time, which can affect the taste and safety of the food being cooked.
Nonstick pans don't necessarily have the same flexibility with temperature as stainless steel. They're not designed for high heat, and they're often not meant to go into the oven (Swiss Diamond is rated to go into the oven up to 500°F).
“If you are able to use or purchase glass or Pyrex, stainless steel pots and pans, they are healthier choices for long-term/lifetime use,” Jim Perko, Executive Chef in the Center for Integrative & Lifestyle Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, told Health. This comes down to how cookware is coated.
Based on this list, it is best to avoid Teflon and other nonstick pans, especially those made with either PTFE or PFOA, as well as aluminum pots and pans.
But stainless steel cookware is the most prized and frequently sought-after by professional chefs and serious home cooks alike. Known for its durability and high heat retention, it can achieve an excellent sear or perfect sauté. And it can last a lifetime.
We advise replacing your nonstick pans whenever the coating starts to degrade or is scratched—or about every three to five years.
“I use the pans at home, and the combination of stainless steel and non-stick functionality is amazing. It's highly versatile and cooks exceptionally well. I'm excited to partner with the HexClad team as we expand the line of beautiful, high-quality products”.
Nonstick pans that aren't labeled PTFE- and PFOA-free: If a nonstick pan is made with the newer PTFE- and PFOA-free green materials, those are potentially better. A pan that just says “nonstick” and doesn't give any kind of description? That's likely one you don't want.
Discover six toxin-free alternatives to non-stick pans: cast iron, stainless steel, ceramic-coated, carbon steel, enameled cast iron, and glass cookware. Each option offers unique benefits for safe cooking. Tips include using enough oil, practicing seasoning, and utilizing lower heat for best results.
Are nonstick pans safe to use? Nonstick cookware is likely safe to use if people follow precautions. A 2024 study tested six types of aluminum-based cookware coated in Teflon or granite, commonly known as ceramic-coated.
Trusted for Generations. Calphalon is a brand our customers rely on. Our products are safe, and compliant with with all applicable federal and state safety regulations.
That's why the best nontoxic nonstick cookware is not necessarily a piece of PFOA- or PFAS-free gear—in fact, we'd argue the best nontoxic “nonstick” pans money can buy are made of stainless steel, cast iron, or carbon steel.
This staple material is certainly beginner-friendly, but that doesn't mean it isn't just as useful in professional kitchens, too. In fact, non stick cookware is utilized in some of the world's best restaurants, day in and day out.
Stainless steel, a kitchen staple
Stainless steel is highly durable, resistant to rust and corrosion, and often considered one of the safest materials for cookware.
Coarse scrubbers and harsh cleaning solutions like bleach or household cleaners can scratch your stainless steel and damage its finish. And although baking soda and more abrasive scrubbers (like fine steel wool) can be useful in cleaning a burnished pan, beware that using these products might void your warranty.
If you wanted to fry an egg or sear a delicate fish, you'd use a nonstick pan. If you want to saute vegetables or whip up a quick stir-fry, you'd use stainless. Why? Because nonstick pans are all about preventing any sort of stick at all.
Try HexClad and see why Gordan Ramsay loves it — and you'll love it too. If you're a home cook worth your salt, you deserve the latest innovation in cookware. Try our revolutionary cookware for your next big meal, or start with a few of your favorite cookware items to stock your cabinets slowly.
From his restaurants to his Emmys, Bobby Flay has an illustrious cooking career. While he's released pots and pans in the past, over the last few years, Flay has given his seal of approval to cookware from one of our favorite brands, GreenPan.