We advise replacing your nonstick pans whenever the coating starts to degrade or is scratched—or about every three to five years.
For pans with non-stick coating, throw them out when the coating begins to flake off. For plain metal pans, scratches don't matter and you can keep using them as long as you want.
It is generally not safe to use a non-stick pan that is peeling. The peeling coating can mix with your food and potentially pose health risks (1). Here are some reasons why it is best to replace the pan: Health risks: When the non-stick coating starts to peel, it can mix with your food and be ingested.
When your pans are scratched, some of the nonstick coating can flake into your food (the pan also becomes stickier). This can release toxic compounds... With moderate use, nonstick pans last only about five years. If your pan is damaged, throw it out to be on the safe side.
No. While they don't necessarily present a safety concern, you still shouldn't hold onto your scratched nonstick pans. If the scratches are fresh, you may end up with flakes of the coating in your food—which we can all agree is not delicious. It can also impact how effective your pan's nonstick abilities are.
Sites like Craigslist and Freecycle are good options for finding your cookware a new home, as are secondhand stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army. A few scratches or dings may matter to you, but that doesn't make your pots and pans unusable.
A 2022 study found that scratched pans coated with these chemicals release thousands to millions of microplastics and nanoplastics. You should avoid using any scratched or dented nonstick pan to avoid exposure to potentially toxic chemicals.
If you haven't been properly maintaining your stainless-steel pan, or if you've been unlucky, it may be time to throw it out. “If you see scratches, warping, separated layers, loose handles, or rust, it's time to say goodbye to your stainless-steel pan,” Johnson says.
While there is no exact timeframe of when you should replace your cookware, most nonstick cookware items will remain good for about five years. This being so, you can do things to ensure that your pots and pans remain in good shape for as long as possible.
If the pan has light surface scratches — deep or numerous scratches that expose the underlying metal signal the pan has reached the end of its lifespan — you'll need a non-stick dry film lubricant spray or cookware spray. You can also use a home remedy of baking soda paste or vegetable oil.
Peeling, Flaking, and Chipping
A non stick coating that's peeling, chipped, flaking, or otherwise damaged is a sure sign that your pan should be replaced.
The symptoms of Teflon flu include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and dry cough. Stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron cookware are great alternatives.
When to Replace Your Non Stick Pans. Throwing away and replacing a pan is never the easiest decision to make. A good rule of thumb to follow is that a warped, chipped, deeply scratched, or pan with flaky coating should be replaced.
Discard aluminum cookware if it shows signs of pitting or damage, as this could increase aluminum leaching. Always follow manufacturer guidelines and use utensils that won't scratch the surface to prevent increased leaching of aluminum into your food.
If you're planning to throw away your pan just because of a little rust, well, don't. Unless your pan has completely rusted through (which is extremely unlikely) or somehow cracked in half, there's no reason to discard it. Rust development happens to everyone's cast-iron pan from time to time, even to us.
We advise replacing your nonstick pans whenever the coating starts to degrade or is scratched—or about every three to five years.
While scratches on stainless steel can be unsightly, they are not permanent. With the right methods and a little patience, you can effectively remove scratches and restore the elegance of your stainless steel surfaces.
Signs That Reveal It's Time to Get Rid of Old Cookware
Here are some important old cookware details to look for: Nonstick cookware is scratched or pitted. Pan bottom is warped and doesn't sit flush on the cooktop. This will cause uneven cooking.
Patches and scratches are perfectly okay on your iron pans
They are designed to be lifelong workhorses, after all.
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.
No. While they don't necessarily present a safety concern, you still shouldn't hold onto your scratched nonstick pans. If the scratches are fresh, you may end up with flakes of the coating in your food, which we can all agree is not delicious. It can also impact how effective your pan's nonstick abilities are.
If your pot is rusting or if there are signs that the core is wearing through, it is time to replace the pot because it's probably leaching those metals into your food.