Depending on the age of your Teflon pots and pans, they may contain harmful PFOAs. This helpful guide to nonstick cookware has all the answers you need.
Nonstick cookware is affordable to buy, convenient to use and a cinch to clean, but many still wonder if Teflon and other nonstick cooking materials are safe to use. The answer is yes. Well, mostly. Teflon is one cookware material with a good deal of drama surrounding it. Certain types of nonstick cookware were once found to be toxic and if the pots and pans you use are more than 10 years old, they may still be and youre long overdue to chuck them and start over. But worry not, nonstick cookware is budget-friendly (more on that in a bit) and easy to care for.
Nonstick or Teflon is a popular choice for home cooks. The big draw is that food wont stick to pots and pans coated with Teflon the way it does to other metal materials, so its easy to flip a pancake or remove a cooked egg. Nonstick is also very easy to clean, generally taking no more than a few seconds to wash by hand.
But when it comes to whether or not nonstick cookware is safe or not, theres some key information and weve got it all here. Heres what you should know about nonstick, Teflon cookware and how to tell if your nonstick pots and pans are safe for use.
What are the negative effects of PFOA?
In some studies, PFOA has been linked to cancer, immune deficiency and a host of other medical problems. It has also been shown to affect growth and development and injure the liver in laboratory animals.
As recently as 2017, chemical giant Dupont settled a lawsuit for more than $670 million for its role in contaminating drinking water with PFOA (also referred to as C-8) in the mid-Ohio Valley. A previous class-action suit from 2004 in the same area led to a study that found PFOA was linked to cancer and compromised immune function, even in small doses.
Look for PFOA-free cookware
Because of the ban, all nonstick cookware made in the US should be PFOA-free, but youd be wise to make sure. Be extra cautious about buying cheap or off-brand cookware, especially if its not produced in a country with an active PFOA ban. PFOA is still produced elsewhere, largely in China, and used to make consumer products.
The good news is PFOA-free nonstick cookware is cheap, so theres no reason to risk it with anything that might contain the chemical. You can nab a 10-inch skillet from a trusted cookware brand like Misen for $33 or Tramontina for around $25. Luxury cookware brand All-Clad makes a two-piece nonstick cookware set for $50.
The Truth About Nonstick Cookware: Teflon
FAQ
Is Starflon the same as Teflon?
Is Starflon Max coating safe?
What is Starflon?
Is Teflon a brand?
Today, most people refer to their nonstick pans and pots as “Teflon”; however, using the term to describe all non-stick-coated cookware is erroneous. Teflon is a brand name; not all fluoropolymers or PTFE used to produce nonstick utensils are sold under the Teflon brand. When it comes to cookware, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Is thermolon PTFE-free?
Thermolon is only ceramic nonstick, so PTFE-free. Titanium: Can refer to a brand name (“Zwilling Titanium”), to titanium added to a nonstick coating (either PTFE or ceramic), a color, or to the actual material in the cookware (i.e., titanium rather than aluminum or stainless). Says nothing about the nonstick coating, and further research is needed.
Is Teflon PFOA-free?
The nonstick coating is made from a chemical called PTFE, also known as Teflon, which makes cooking and washing up fast and easy. Health agencies have raised concerns about the compound PFOA, which was previously used to make Teflon. However, Teflon has been PFOA-free since 2013.
What is PTFE (Teflon)?
Part of a PTFE (Teflon) molecule. PTFE, an acronym for polytetrafluoroethylene, is an organic molecule derived from hydrocarbons: that is, it’s a type of plastic. It was discovered accidentally in the 1930s by Dupont scientist Roy Plunkett. Dupont named it Teflon®, and it dominated the nonstick cookware market for decades.