What do you mean it’s not Teflon??

A Comprehensive Guide To Non-Stick Cookware

T-fal Teflon 12.5 inch Nonstick Fry Pan

Are you wondering about the ‘kind of Teflon’ on your nonstick cookware?

Teflon, a non-stick coating brand owned by the company Chemours (a spinoff from DuPont) has become synonymous with non-stick coatings on cookware. However, not all non-stick coatings are Teflon and if you are wondering or not sure about the coating on your cookware, this guide will help you figure it out.

Non-stick coatings for cookware are typically fluoropolymer plastic (PTFE) based or silicone based. Pots and pans are usually coated with PTFE coatings, while Silicone based coatings are mainly used in kitchen utensils and bakeware.

With the recent publicity about the safety of PTFE based non-stick cookware, there has been a spate of Ceramic based non-stick cookware on the market (also called ‘healthy cookware’ because ceramics are free of PTFE and PFOA).

Firstly, what is Teflon, PTFE and PFOA?

Teflon is the brand name for a plastic product called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).  It’s often used interchangeably with PTFE but now you know the difference. Think Kleenex instead of tissues.  

PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) is was another chemical used in the process of making PTFE. It is NOT the same as PTFE.

PFOA is burned off during the process and no significant amount remains in the final product.

Previously, all nonstick coating manufacturers used PFOA in the manufacture of nonstick. There were concerns though.

PFOA lasts forever (a forever chemical) and was found to have an adverse effect on human health and the environment.  Meaning it’s both a pollutant and a toxin. 

So the EPA decided to step in.   In 2006, they launched the PFOA Stewardship Program.  The mandate was to eliminate the use of PFOA by 2015. 8 global companies agreed to this mandate. Some of them transitioned to alternative chemicals (known as GenX chemicals…doesn’t really solve the problem, does it?), others exited the industry altogether.  This means that as of 2015, most of the reputable non-stick coating manufacturers are producing coatings made without PFOA. This includes Chemours, makers of Teflon.

So when you see a cookware advertising ‘PFOA’ free, it simply means the PTFE was made without the use of the chemical PFOA in the manufacturing process. In light of the EPA stewardship, it’s little more than a marketing ploy. [Tweet This!]

Why is PTFE non-stick?

PTFE is a waxy solid that is the most slippery substance yet discovered. By some accounts, it is even more slippery than wet ice! 

The nonstick nature comes down to the chemical structure of PTFE.  

Without going into organic chemistry, here’s a simplified explanation. There is no adhesive force between the PTFE molecules and anything that comes into contact with them. Chemically speaking, PTFE is an ‘introvert’.  So nothing sticks and this is what gives traditional non-stick cookware its ability to release food. 

How is PTFE applied to a metallic pan?

Non-stick coatings can’t be applied directly to a metal pan because, as we’ve learned, they won’t stick. So the pan has to initially be treated to roughen its surface.

Then the PTFE is mixed with a binder that helps it stick to the pans surface.

The nonstick coating is applied to the pan with the help of a ‘carrier’ (formerly PFOA) that helps create an even coating.  The coating is then ‘cured’ at high heat. Think of this like baking on the coating. This carrier evaporates once the coating is cured. 

There are 3 techniques for applying non-stick coatings to pans.  

  1. Sprayed
  2. Curtain Coating
  3. Roller Coating

Sprayed coatings have the smoothest finish and are more likely to be used by the higher quality cookware.

One, two or three Layers?

Non-stick coatings can be applied in 1, 2 or 3 layers. It stands to reason that the more coatings, the more costly to produce and therefore the more expensive the pan.

It also stands to reason that the more layers, the better the quality (yes, more is better!).

3 layer coatings are the highest quality and logically, provide a much higher level of performance than 2 layers. You can expect any high end cookware to have a 3 layer non-stick coating. The 3 layers consist of a primer which helps stick to the metal, a midcoat that provides durability and the final topcoat that provides the easy food release.

2 layer coatings provide better quality than 1 layer coatings. The first layer is the primer that sticks to the metal. The top layer provides the food release. You can expect a mid-level cookware to have 2 layers of non-stick.

For cheap, low quality non-stick pans, you can expect they are using just one layer of non-stick. These are usually light weight pans that wear out rather quickly.

The quality (i.e. how long will the nonstick last) of a nonstick pan depends not just on how many layers of nonstick but on the reinforcements.

What do you mean reinforcements?

You’ve heard about them…cookware that is infused with titanium or granite or stone or even diamonds.

Are they for real?  

Surprisingly, yes!

Tiny particles of a hard substance are added to the middle layers of a multi-layer nonstick coating.  Never on the outermost layer for obvious reasons. This makes the nonstick coating more resistant to wear, without compromising the smooth outer layer needed for non-stick release.

Generally, a pan has to have at least 3 layers of non-stick coating for it to be reinforced.

Aluminum or Stainless Steel?

As a matter of interest, it is mostly aluminum cookware that has a non-stick coating applied. Stainless steel is harder to coat because the surface needs a lot more extensive preparation. Plus people generally buy stainless steel for its shiny surface.  

Having said that, I’m all for consumer choice and there’s nothing wrong with having options to choose from. Here are my top 2 recommendations for nonstick pans in each category:

  1. Hard anodized aluminum non-stick: Rachael Ray PlatinumShield(tm) Technology enhanced nonstick
  2. Stainless steel non-stick: Made in Cookware nonstick collection

What to look for when buying a PTFE non-stick pan?

You want a pan that will last, though be warned, the average life of a non-stick pan, depending on its quality, is 1-3 years. There are 3 things you want to look out for:

  1. The pan material: Circuloncanada.ca did an abrasion test and found that the same coating applied to a hard anodized aluminum pan lasted 3 times longer than on a plain aluminum pan.  Look for hard anodized if you are opting for an aluminum pan.
  2. The pan thickness. A heavier pan will have even heat distribution with no hot spots.  This protects the non-stick surface.
  3. The number of layers of non-stick. Most brands don’t advertise that but look for a reputable brand name that has good reviews.

Is PTFE/Teflon safe?

Ordinarily, Teflon is an inert substance and even if a piece of nonstick flakes off and ends up inside you, it will simply pass through your system. You might be interested to know that because of its non reactive nature, Teflon is even used in joint replacements!

Only when it is heated to a high temperature like 500 degree F does Teflon start to deteriorate and release fumes which have been found harmful for birds and cause flu like symptoms in humans.

In ordinary use, pans should not by heated to such a high temperature. Most cooking requires medium heat, not just to protect the cookware but also to preserve the nutrition in the food.

So in a nutshell, yes, Teflon or PTFE is safe as long as you are diligent about not heating an empty pan or cooking on too high a temperature.

How hard is it to hit those super high temperatures?

You’d be surprised!  The Good Housekeeping Institute did a test to see how long it would take for a non-stick pan to overheat.   An empty pan took less than 2 minutes to heat up to over 500°F.  A pan with oil?  A whopping 2.5 minutes to hit 514°F.

The objective here is not to take a stance for or against PTFE or Teflon. It is to provide information so you know what you are getting and can see through the marketing clutter of different manufacturers

In Summary

  1. Unless it specifies ceramic or silicon based non-stick, non-stick cookware contains some form of PTFE or related plastic compound.
  2. When they say ‘it’s not Teflon’, they are right. Teflon is a brand name. But in most cases it will contain some form of PTFE. Yes, even Swiss Diamond.
  3. And when they say PFOA free, it means that particular chemical wasn’t used in the manufacture of PTFE. But it’s still PTFE.

If PTFE is a concern for you, there are several ceramic options available (see below). Keep in mind that ceramic based non-stick coatings have been found to be much less durable than plastic based coatings.

For our complete review of the safety and durability of Ceramic Coated Cookware, read our article Ceramic Coated Cookware Safety Secrets No one Will Tell You.

So if it looks like Teflon, cooks like Teflon, acts like Teflon… it’s not necessarily Teflon?

Yep, you got it!

It could be Teflon, it could be a Teflon-type PTFE based coating, or it could even be a ceramic based non-stick coating.  

Teflon® is just ONE brand name, and PTFE goes by many, many, many other brand names. Like Radiance®, Eclipse®, Excaliber®, Quantanium®, Halo®, Granitium®, Duramax®, Alphamax®, Everslate®” to name JUST a few.

So it might not be Teflon® on your pan but one of its many cousins, all of whom have a different name and slightly different composition. But the base of all of them is the plastic compound, PTFE.

How do you tell if a pan is PTFE or Ceramic based?

  1. The easiest is the description of the cookware when you buy it.
    • PTFE based nonstick generally goes by a simple descriptor of ‘nonstick‘. Often a brand will claim ‘PFOA’ free. That’s almost a given that its PTFE based. (See my earlier explanation for marketing gimmicks.)
    • Ceramic based will specify ‘ceramic‘ in the description.
  2. In case of a pan you already own and have no idea what the original descriptor says, not to worry. Look at the appearance:
    • PTFE coatings are generally black or grey. The reason for this is that they cannot maintain colors at high temperatures.
    • Ceramic coating, on the other hand, have no issue maintaining color at high temperatures. So you’ll see them in a variety of colors, like white, green, blue and even red.
  3. There’s another clue in the appearance:
    • PTFE coatings have a duller, matte finish.
    • Ceramic coatings have a shiny gloss due to the sol-gel process used for applying ceramic coatings to metallic pans.

Here’s a list of popular PTFE and Ceramic cookware brands to help you figure out the kind of ‘Teflon’ on your pan. The list is by no means exhaustive, that would be impossible. But hopefully it helps!

PTFE Based:

Nonstick Coating BrandManufacturerPopular Brands That Use ItHow Many LayersAbout The Coating
Teflon ClassicChemours
T-Fal, Jamie Oliver by T-fal2 layer coatingFor occasional cooks who need convenience
Tramontina
IKEA KAVALKAD series, GRILLA grill pan, SKANKA series, BESINNING series
Teflon XtraChemours
3 layer coatingFor convenience in regular use
Teflon SelectChemours
IKEA HEMLAGAD series3 layer coatingFor busy cooks who need everyday durable performance
Teflon PlatinumChemours
3 layer coatingFor quality oriented avid cooks who use and abuse their cookware a lot.

Metal utensil safe
Teflon Platinum PlusChemours
IKEA 365+3 layer coatingFor avid cooks who want the ultimate in non-stick durability, scratch resistance and performance.

50% more scratch resistant than Teflon Platinum.

Metal utensil safe
Teflon ProfileChemours
3 layer coatingTop of the line. Similar to Platinum Plus but with a revolutionary textured technology to help cookware look good and perform longer.
Other special Teflon® coatings:
Teflon® with Radiance TechnologyChemours
Teflon® with Infinity TechnologyChemours
Anolon Advanced4 layer coating
Sapphire-reinforced, metal-utensil-safe. Expected to last 16X longer than traditional nonstick.
Teflon® ScratchGuard UltraChemours
Teflon® Professional with MetalGuardChemours
Teflon® ProfessionalChemours
IKEA HEMKOMSTMost durable nonstick coating, designed for professionals with high standards
Autograph 2Chemours
Circulon3 layer coatingDesigned for ultra durable performance and non-stick release
EternaPPG (formerly Whitford)Cuisinart AnodizedAvailable as a 2 or 3 layer coatingThe company's longest-lasting nonstick coating
EclipsePPG (formerly Whitford)Rachael Ray Hard Anodized, Tramontina Pro3 layer coatingHigh abrasion resistance
Eclipse HBPPG (formerly Whitford)3 layer coatingThicker than Eclipse for improved durability
Excalibur®PPG (formerly Whitford)Joyce Chen Pans, Helen Chen Pans3 layer coatingReinforced with stainless steel particles for scratch resistance
QuanTanium®PPG (formerly Whitford)Cuisinart Chef's Classic Hard Anodized3 layer coatingOffers improved performance compared to Xylan at a mid-range price point. Reinforced with titanium.
XYLAN® PlusPPG (formerly Whitford)Joyce Chen woks, Helen Chen woks2 layer coatingFor budget cookware
SKANDIA® XtremePPG (formerly Whitford)5 layer coatingFor added durability in budget applications
Halo®PPG (formerly Whitford)3 layer coatingMarketed as a competitive alternative to copper. Usually in a signature reddish color to simulate the look of copper.

Ceramic Based:

Nonstick Coating BrandManufacturerPopular Brands That Use ItAbout The Coating
Greblon® Q-LineWEILBURGER Coatings GermanyOzeri pansNote: Greblon comes both in PTFE format as well as Ceramic format
Thermolon™The Cookware CompanyGreenpan,ZWILLING SpiritLaunched in 2007, they were the first to market with ceramic nonstick cookware
EcoLon®Wellman EngineeringNeoflam Eela cookwareA ceramic-glass reinforced Nylon coating
ProperietaryCaraway HomeCaraway Ceramic nonstick CookwareA high performance ceramic based non-stick coating
Thermakind®Our PlaceAlways Pan 2.0
(Read review here)
An advanced ceramic nonstick coating designed to be be 50% longer lasting than before.

Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.