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.
You have three basic choices: cast iron, enameled cast iron, or carbon steel. The cast iron and carbon steel need to be seasoned (basically heating oil in them until it forms a chemical bond), and once that's done enough they become effectively non-stick (although they need to be hot and will need a little fat/oil).
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.
If the coating starts to deteriorate or chip it's no longer safe. In my experience though, non stick often loses its non stick-ness long before the coating starts to chip. I replace them when their non stick-ness has noticeably declined.
“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.
“Glass, like Pyrex cookware, is a safe option,” Perko said. “Cast iron is a safe option if NOT frying or using high-temperature cooking. If you have or can use or purchase stainless steel pots and pans, they are healthier choices for long-term/lifetime use.”
Our products are safe, and compliant with with all applicable federal and state safety regulations. We are proud to be able to offer our customers a variety of cookware materials to choose from, including stainless steel and nonstick ceramic.
We advise replacing your nonstick pans whenever the coating starts to degrade or is scratched—or about every three to five years.
Teflon® is a registered trademark of DuPont and a brand name for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) a nonstick finish. While Calphalon cookware features polytetrafluoroethylene-based nonstick finishes, we are not associated with, nor do we use, Teflon® branded products.
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.
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.
You can find nonstick cookware at much lower prices than HexClad. If you have the budget, however, HexClad is the better option. It's nonstick, it's more durable, and it provides a superior cooking experience.
If possible, use stainless steel or cast-iron pans. These materials are safer alternatives to PFAS coatings and can be non-stick when used correctly. There are many coatings and materials marketed as healthy alternatives to non-stick, but cast-iron and stainless steel are time-tested and proven to be safe.
There are a number of ways you can damage a nonstick pan, from spritzing it with cooking spray to scraping it with metal utensils to putting it in the dishwasher.
PERRYSBURG, Ohio — Calphalon, a company that produces cookware and appliances, confirmed Wednesday it will close its Perrysburg production facility at the end of 2023, a move that will cost 130 people their jobs.
A good rule of thumb is to replace them approximately every five years. Look at your pans frequently. When they start to appear warped, discolored or scratched, be sure to stop using them.
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.
One can expect five to seven years from a pan with a quality coating, according to Fran Groesbeck, managing director of the Cookware and Bakeware Alliance. But, and it's a big but: How you treat your nonstick pan will ultimately determine how long it lasts.
A: Calphalon stopped manufacturing our nonstick using PFOA back in the third quarter of 2012. We have then since moved to a formula that is completely FDA approved.
If the non-stick (PTFE-coated) cookware is worn out, it should be disposed of in the trash. Non-stick cookware is not recyclable due to the PTFE coating and are not accepted in curbside recycling carts or at the Drop-Off Station or Recovery Yard.
Calphalon's alternatives and competitors. See how Calphalon compares to similar products. Calphalon's top competitors include Made In, Rational, and All-Clad Metalcrafters. Made In specializes in kitchenware and cookware, catering to home cooks and culinary professionals.
Restrictions on Teflon Starting 2023
The FDA has stated that cooking and eating food on Teflon products is perfectly safe. But effective 2023, 12 U.S. states implemented laws restricting or banning all PFAS products. Maine was the first state to ban the manufacture and sale of PFAS products completely.
Calphalon's website states that both the EPA and FDA has stated that this is a safe compound, explaining: PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is a resin used in a large number of consumer applications, including nonstick coating for cookware.