While most non stick pans will develop light discoloration over time—especially if the surface of your pan is a light color—deep, dark discoloration is a sure sign that your pan's coating is wearing out.
The black residue on your non-stick frying pan could be due to the pan being made before 2013 and being manufactured with PFOA which has cancer-causing chemicals. It could also be due to cooking at high temperatures, using metal cooking tools, or not using cooking sprays.
Brown or black spots are normally a layer of carbonization which causes food to stick to the pan during cooking.
However, some have been concerned about whether chemicals used in their nonstick coatings could pose health risks. The good news is that the Modern nonstick cookware is generally considered safe and scientific agencies have assessed the safety of these pans and found little cause for worry in everyday use.
Simply letting the pan soak in hot water can help solve this issue. Once the pan has soaked and the burnt spot has been rehydrated, dump the water and add dish soap to both your dish sponge and the pan. The dish soap will help break down oil, grease, and pieces of burnt food.
While most non stick pans will develop light discoloration over time—especially if the surface of your pan is a light color—deep, dark discoloration is a sure sign that your pan's coating is wearing out.
A Teflon-coated pan can become sticky, dark brown, or black due to several reasons, primarily related to misuse or wear over time. Overheating: Teflon pans are designed to be used at moderate temperatures.
Damaged Non-stick Pans Should Not Be Used
Using a pan with damaged coating can cause your food to be contaminated by PFAS, micro- and nanoplastics.
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.
Black Residue
There can be residue from the seasoning that may come off your seasoned cookware. The residue is not harmful in any way and will decrease as the cookware is used over time.
While most non-stick pans can last up to three years (read the manufacturer's instructions) if used and taken care of properly, poor-quality non-stick pans can start feeling sticky in under 6 months.
Don't Use on Non-Stick Pots and Pans
Dry erasers will remove the non-stick coating and leave you with a mess when you cook, and some of the coating can get into your food.
They are most likely carbon deposits. This happens due to overheating of fats and oils. Using an oil with a low smoke point will carbonize at high temperatures and cause residue from the pores of your pan to rub off onto your food. While unappealing, they won't hurt you in such a small amount.
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.
White vinegar is an excellent solution for salvaging burnt non-stick pans. Once the pan has cooled, pour in a generous glug of white vinegar, along with enough warm water to cover the burnt areas. Stir in two tablespoons of baking soda, heat the mixture up, and bring it to a boil for a couple of minutes.
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.
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.
All pans will start to develop some light discoloration over time, which is an indication that it's well-used and is—generally—nothing to worry about. However, serious discoloration could indicate that the non stick coating has begun to degrade, and your pan won't be able to do its job properly.
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.
Luckily, all you have to do to greatly improve this problem is to thoroughly clean and re-season any stained and scratched areas. To do so, simply mix 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons baking soda, and ½ cup white vinegar in the pot or pan that's lost its stick, set on the stove, and heat until boiling for 10 minutes.
During the manufacturing process of Teflon-coated cookware and the like, PTFE is reinforced. During this process, it's not uncommon for the material to turn black, hence giving that characteristic color.
Dark baking sheets are usually made out of the same material as light baking sheets — typically a type of steel or aluminum. However, the difference is they have a dark non-stick coating. This means, much like dark clothing, dark baking sheets absorb heat in the oven.
Published Dec. 8, 2024. Recently, a study in the journal Chemosphere caused a stir with its findings, which indicate that kitchen tools made from black plastic could be leaching harmful chemicals into your food.