What replaced Teflon?

Author: Margie Watsica  |  Last update: Friday, October 3, 2025

GenX and PFBS are being used as replacement chemicals for PFOA and PFOS, the original Teflon chemicals that were forced off the market due to their decades-long persistence in the environment and their link to serious health harms in exposed people and wildlife.

What took the place of Teflon?

As a result of the lawsuits concerning the PFOA class-action lawsuit, DuPont began to use GenX, a similarly fluorinated compound, as a replacement for perfluorooctanoic acid in the manufacture of fluoropolymers, such as Teflon-brand PTFE.

What is replacing Teflon?

Enamel cast-iron pans

As such, it works the same as a Teflon non-stick coating, but without the toxins. Cleaning the pan is easy and the fresh colours of the enamel look amazing. The amazing pans produced by brand such as Le Creuset, Staub, and Combekk will last for generations.

What is the safest cookware for your health?

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!

Is ceramic coating safer than Teflon?

Choosing between ceramic and nonstick cookware can be hard. One key fact is that ceramic pans don't have PTFE, making them a safer choice health-wise.

What Replaced Teflon? - Chemistry For Everyone

What is the safest coating for cookware?

Ceramic cookware, whether that's fully ceramic options like the Xtrema Versa Skillet, or ceramic-coated cookware like cookware from Caraway and Our Place, has become one of the most popular nontoxic alternatives to nonstick cookware, thanks to the extra-slick surfaces that generally don't require oil when cooking.

Is HexClad 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.

What cookware is 100% non-toxic?

What Does Non-Toxic Cookware Mean? Non-toxic cookware is any cookware made without the use of nonstick coatings, like PFAS. This means any cookware that is made of stainless steel, cast iron, or carbon steel—essentially any cookware that doesn't have a coating—is the least toxic product available on the market.

Is it better to cook with stainless steel or ceramic?

Some cooks rely on ceramic cookware because of its non-stick properties, but for the seasoned home cook, ceramic lacks the durability and versatility of stainless steel cookware.

Why do we no longer recommend GreenPan?

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.

Is calphalon Teflon?

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.

What is the new name for Teflon?

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) appears to be the most common fluorinated compound in cosmetics. It is used most widely in anti-aging products and cosmetics, likely because it provides a smooth, sleek finish. PTFE is trademarked as Teflon®, for use in non-stick cookware.

What can I get instead of Teflon?

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.

Do air fryers have Teflon?

Most air fryer baskets are coated with Teflon or a similar nonstick coating. The majority of air fryers in the market today have Teflon or nonstick-coated cooking baskets. They function similarly to nonstick cookware in that they release food easily and can be cleaned often with just soapy, hot water.

When was Teflon banned in USA?

All that was enough for most manufacturers to halt the production of nonstick coatings using PFOA around 2002. Teflon using PFOA wasn't officially banned in the United States until 2014. Europe banned it in 2008. That means if you own Teflon nonstick cookware from 2013 or earlier, there's a chance it contains PFOA.

What is a substitute for PTFE?

In many applications surface additives based on poly methyl urea can be an interesting alternative to expensive products containing PTFE. Due to its high hardness and comparatively low COF, PMU can completely or partially replace PTFE based additives.

What is the healthiest type of cookware to use?

When choosing healthy cookware, it is crucial to consider the materials used in its construction. Materials like stainless steel, cast iron, and ceramic are excellent choices because they do not leach harmful chemicals into your food.

Why do chefs always use stainless steel pans?

Stainless steel pans have some major advantages over their nonstick and cast iron counterparts: they're perfect for searing proteins (and getting that elusive crispy skin); you can prepare acidic foods in them (a no-no for cast iron); and you can use metal utensils without worrying about scratching the surface.

Is HexClad worth it?

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.

What pans to stay away from?

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.

Is calphalon non-toxic?

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.

What is the safest bakeware to use?

Our top picks for safest bakeware materials are:
  • Glass: Non toxic, non reactive and clear for easy viewing when baking.
  • Ceramic: Available in beautiful colors and shapes and completely nontoxic.
  • Cast Iron: Packs a boost of iron into your food and seasons to kick up your flavor profile.

What is the HexClad controversy?

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.

Does Gordon Ramsay really use HexClad?

“HexClad's intriguing look, design, and hybrid technology caught my eye about a year ago,” says Gordon Ramsay. “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.

Why is food sticking to my HexClad pan?

That's because HexClad's hybrid design distributes heat faster and more evenly. High heat might cause food to stick, disturbing the seasoning.

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