According to the WHO, every year, 600 million people develop an illness after eating contaminated food. And toxic chemical inhalation and heavy metal consumption are some causes of the illnesses.
That means the cookware sitting in your kitchen plays an important role in preserving (or harming) your health and that of your family. And this is where a non-stick pan without Teflon comes to play.
Teflon is a carcinogenic chemical present in some nonstick pans and pots, and you wouldn’t want to buy cookware that can potentially harm you, would you?
So in this article, we’ll look at the best non-stick pan without Teflon (and a couple more). Plus the factors to consider when buying one. But first, what’s Teflon, PTFE-free, and the other jargon?
What is Teflon, PFOA, PTFE, and other Non-toxic Cookware Jargon?
PFAS
PFAS is a chemical used in producing cookware (and other materials) with nonstick coating. They include Gen X, PFOA, and PFOS. However, PFOA is no longer used in making non-stick coating.
PFOA
PFOA is a chemical (polyfluoroalkyl) that was formerly used in making PTFE-based nonstick coats for cookware. It was also used in making products (such as fabrics and carpets) that are resistant to water, heat, and stains including grease and oil.
But companies such as Dupont and 3M discontinued using it in their products due to public health concerns of being carcinogenic.
PTFE (Teflon)
PTFE, commonly known by the Dupont brand name Teflon, is a coating used in making nonstick cooking pans and pots. It’s generally regarded as safe, but when you overheat a PTFE-coated cooking pan, it releases dangerous fumes that are harsh enough to kill a bird and hospitalize a human.
That said, cookware with PTFE coating is safe to use. But it’s best you steer clear of this nonstick cookware.
Now, there’s no difference between PTFE and Teflon. PTFE is a man-made polymer that stands for polytetrafluoroethylene. While Teflon is just a brand name.
Gen X
Gen X is another carcinogenic chemical that’s used as a replacement for PFOA. The toxic chemical is used in making PTFE which has adverse effects on the health of the kidney, immune system, liver, blood, and a developing fetus.
Is There A Nonstick Pan without Teflon?
Yes, there are nonstick pans that are Teflon-free, and the coatings include;
Ceramic coating
When you use ceramic pans, you can rest assured your cookware won’t leach any chemical (even when exposed to excessive heating) as they’re made of clay.
The clay is hardened and constructed as layers over anodized aluminum. This way, the material is non-stick, free of toxins, and durable.
However, they’re not the most durable materials since clay can crack, break, or lose its nonstick feature (when continually scrubbed very hard).
Cast-iron coating
Enameled cast iron is used in making very durable pans and pots.
Cast-iron cookware have inner coats that are nonstick, have excellent even heat distribution, and don’t leach any chemical toxin.
They’re easy to clean and a very good hygienic choice for cooking your delicious, crispy food.
The only downside a cast-iron pan has is its weight: it’s usually heavy. Otherwise, a cast-iron pan is one of the best Teflon alternatives.
Silicone coating
Silicone is another safe coating for cooking. With skillets having this coat, you’ve got no fear of releasing any toxic chemical or fume into your food or the atmosphere.
However, they have low thermal stability and will hardly survive heat over 572 degrees Fahrenheit. The good thing is, ovens don’t usually heat food up to this temperature.
This makes silicone-coated pans one of the safest and best non-stick pans in the market.
The 7 Best Non-stick Pans without Teflon 2021 Reviews
1. Ozeri Stone Earth 10-inch Non-stick Fry Pans (Best non-stick pan without Teflon)
The Ozeri Stone Earth is our number pick for the best non-stick pan without Teflon, and the following reasons explain why.
First, the nonstick coating is free of PFOA, PTFE, PFOS, PFOA, NMP, NEP, and GenX chemicals. Instead, the coat is made of stone: so, you can be sure you won’t be consuming any harmful chemicals along with your delicious food.
Although the coating is not dishwasher-safe, it’s durable enough to resist scratches. However, cleaning is with warm soapy water. Easy Peasy!
The heavy-gauge aluminum pan supports even and quick heat distribution. And the riveted handle has a silicone coating which keeps it from ever becoming hot and helps you have a firm grip. The pans can cook your food on all cooktops including induction cooktops.
And if you need a dash of color, the pans come in several colors.
On the flip side, the 8-inch pan isn’t big enough to cook for a family. However, you can get the 10 or 12-inch pan if you’ll be mostly cooking for more people other than yourself.
And the steep sides of the pans make it a bit difficult to flip fried eggs.
Pros
- The nonstick stone coating without Teflon is PFOA-free and doesn’t release harmful chemicals.
- Can be used on all cooktops including induction and halogen cooktops.
- The pan has an excellent heat distribution while the handle has a silicone coat to prevent it from getting hot.
- The cookware is eco-friendly and comes in 6 colors so it can be a good-looking feature in your kitchen.
Cons
- The pans are not dishwasher-safe.
- The steep sides make it quite difficult to flip an omelet when frying.
The Ozeri Stone Earth is one of the most innovative frying pans that has got features that make it the best non-stick pan without Teflon in 2021.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
2. GreenPan Lima 12-inches Ceramic Non-stick Frying pan
GreenPan is one of the most popular cookware brands making quality non-stick pans that deliver the best cooking results.
First, as its name implies, the brand adheres to eco-friendly practices in its manufacturing process. They use upcycled stainless steel and aluminum and cut CO2 production by at least 60 percent in its curing phase of their Teflon-free non-stick coat.
Second, the GreenPan has got a large cooking surface for preparing healthy food for your family and guests. Third, the ceramic non-stick frying pan contains and releases no chemical toxin (like PFOS, PTFE, cadmium, and lead, etc.) when cooking at high temperatures.
The frying pan is also durable and the Thermolon ceramic non-stick coating won’t flake, blister, or chip anytime soon. So you can rest assured nonstick pans from GreenPan are safe for your health.
The surface has also got excellent even heat distribution and retention for cooking your food very fast. However, compared to some of the other best non-stick pans without Teflon coating, this pan doesn’t heat up fast enough.
And the stainless steel handle doesn’t get hot when cooking and its ergonomic design gives you a firm grip.
Lastly, this nonstick cookware has a glass lid: an accessory lacking in many Teflon-free frying pans.
Pros
- One of the best Teflon-free non-stick pans exempt from dangerous chemicals.
- The budget-friendly frying pan delivers crispy and fast cooking results.
- The eco-friendly pans can withstand temperatures of 450 degrees.
- The double-riveted handles are made of stainless steel.
- The glass lid elevates the appeal of the pan as it sits in your kitchen.
Cons
- The pans aren’t dishwasher-safe.
- Doesn’t cook food as fast as other nonstick cooking pans and pots.
- The coating may wear off after some months.
The GreenPan Lima 12-inch Teflon-free non-stick pan is indeed a great choice for anyone conscious of their health and those of their family.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
3. Tramontina 10-inch Professional Aluminum Nonstick Frying Pan
If you’re looking for a frying pan that’s affordable but also worthy to be called the best non-stick pan without Teflon, then check out the Tramontina 10-inch aluminum pan.
The satin aluminum-cast exterior ensures better heat distribution, control, and retention on the cooking surface. The ceramic coating also makes it more durable.
The design of the Whitford Eclipse non-stick coating is such that it is super smooth for you to easily flip your fried food like eggs while keeping the yolks intact. But even though it’s a durable Teflon-free nonstick pan, it’s advisable you don’t use metal utensils on this cookware.
So you’re spoilt for choice, Tramontina provides four sizes of this Teflon-free, nonstick pan ranging from 8 to 14 inches. The frying pans will surely meet your cooking needs.
And if you’re in the market for a bit of color, you’ll love the long riveted, heat-resistant, red silicone handle jacket that slides out of the handles.
Another thing we love about the Tramontina pans is that they come with a limited lifetime warranty that covers some defects but not wear and tear.
While the pans are free of lead, cadmium, and PFOS, the coat is made of plastic. However, it’s safe for your health at temperatures no more than 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Another deal-breaker is that the pans don’t work on induction cooktops as aluminum is non-magnetic. However, you can use them on ceramic, electric, and gas cooktops.
Pros
- The durable ceramic Tramontina pans have a limited lifetime warranty.
- They’re oven-safe and don’t release any chemical that’ll be harmful to your health when used at temperatures not more than 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The pans feature a range of sizes to fit your cooking needs.
- The aluminum-cast non stick pan without Teflon aids the even distribution, retention, and control of heat.
- The pans are dishwasher-safe and the removable red silicone handle jacket makes the skillet comfy in your hand. Plus they’ll add a colorful touch to your kitchen.
Cons
- The handle can be quite heavy.
- The pans don’t work on induction cooktops.
The Tramontina 10-inch Professional Aluminum nonstick cookware may just be the best non-stick pan without Teflon when you consider its value.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
4. ScanPan CTX 8-inch Frying Pan
The ScanPan CTX is the appropriate cookware for health-conscious people who are looking to fry food with little or no oil or butter. It's also PFOA-free and doesn’t produce any harmful chemical toxins.
The satin stainless steel finish make the pans durable. Impressively, the unit comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
The multi-layered durable aluminum CTX 8-inch nonstick pan evenly distributes and retains heat to cook food faster. The pans (along with ScanPan pots) are easy to clean since they’re dishwasher-safe. Plus you can use metal utensils on them.
And unlike the Tramontina that doesn’t work on induction cooktops, the ScanPan CTX nonstick pan model works on all cookers.
Pros
- The 5-layered durable pans don’t release or leach dangerous chemicals.
- Fast distribution of heat for faster cooking. And they work on all cooktops.
- The pans are dishwasher-safe and scratch-resistant.
- Whether you use little or no oil, it’ll fry your food yielding crispy results.
Cons
- The ScanPan CTX nonstick cookware is pricey.
- Its 8-inch surface means it can’t fit larger items.
If you’re looking for pans that are safe and good for your health, look no further than the ScanPan CTX 8-inch pans with nonstick coating.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
5. Ozeri Green Earth Frying Pan 3-piece Set
This is the second product from the Ozeri brand on this list. And this signifies how reliable the brand is making nonstick cookware.
The Green Earth frying pan from Ozeri is arguably the best non-stick pan without Teflon coat to grace your kitchen. Instead of PTFE, the Green Earth is made with a black finish Greblon ceramic non-stick coating.
This pan's coat is free of chemicals such as PFOS, GenX APEO, NMP, and NEP, etc. So, you and your family can rest assured you’re safe from any harmful chemical toxins.
Other cool features of the Ozeri Green Earth are that the cookware comes in a set of three pans – 8, 10, and 12 inches in diameter. And they’re also healthy for cooking as you can use them with less oil, butter, or fat. The double-layered ceramic makes it easy to clean them.
Although they’re abrasion- and scratch-resistant, you’ll extend their lifespan if you use silicone or wooden spatulas when cooking with them. The silicone-coated handles give you a comfortable and cool grip even when the skillet is very hot.
Furthermore, the textured and honeycomb-patterned nonstick surface aids even heat distribution. And its magnetized base makes it versatile to be used on an induction cooktop as well as on a gas cooker.
And finally, the bright green aluminum body of the pan is free of trace metals such as lead or cadmium.
On the flip side, the nonstick pans are not so durable. Some customers complained they flaked off after a few months. And your food may stick to the grooves of the pans.
Pros
- The Ozeri Green Earth is a three-piece cookware with a good-looking honeycomb design.
- Can be used on all kinds of cooktops.
- Arguably the best non-stick pan without Teflon, PFOA, APEO, and NMP.
- Safe, healthy to use, and scratch-resistant.
- The frying pans distribute heat quickly and evenly.
Cons
- The warranty lasts for 90 days and this non-stick pan without Teflon might flake off after a few months.
- Your food particles may stick to the cooking pan.
- Some customer reviews say it’s not so easy to clean.
- Although it’s dishwasher-safe, it may get damaged in your dishwasher. And it can’t survive in an oven at temperatures over 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Ozeri Green Earth non-stick pans without Teflon are safe and healthy to cook your food. And their bright green hue will also enhance the interior decoration of your kitchen.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
6. T-Fal E93805 Nonstick Professional Fry Pan
T-Fal is one of the most reputable cookware brands making the best non-toxic pans without Teflon.
The first thing we love about this frying pan is that it’s made from stainless steel. This means it’s good for your health and it doesn’t contain or release any chemical (if you're skeptical that pans with coating contain chemicals).
Due to the nonstick stainless steel interior surface, the frying pan is durable and scratch-resistant, too.
However, its interior surface isn’t the only striking feature of this T-Fal product. The bottom of the pan is made of carbon steel which is also very durable.
The T-Fal E93805 nonstick pan without Teflon is an impressive product for cooking as it has excellent even heat distribution and retention. This way, your food will get hot real quick. And there’s a thermo-spot heat indicator feature to signify the preheated pan is ready for cooking.
The frying pan (along with other T-Fal nonstick pots without Teflon) works well on all cooktops, and is easy to clean since food doesn’t stick to its surface. It’s also dishwasher safe, so no need to wrap your head around how you’ll clean up the pan.
But don’t attempt cleaning this non-stick pan with detergent.
Finally, the handle of this best non-stick pan without Teflon doesn’t get hot. And it’s safe to use in an oven at temperatures not more than 400 degrees Fahrenheit. FYI, we have also published an article on the best convection ovens available in market, in case you were interested in getting an oven.
This cookware that can possibly be named the best non-stick pan without Teflon in 2021 will indeed be a great addition to your kitchen cabinet.
Pros
- The non-stick pan without Teflon is made of stainless steel finish and carbon steel bottom.
- Free from harmful chemicals like PFOA, PTFE, etc.
- Innovative thermos spot heat indicator.
- It’s scratch-resistant, oven- and dishwasher-safe.
- It works well on all cooktops. And the handle always stays cool regardless of the stove’s temperature.
Cons
- It isn’t the best non-stick pan without Teflon when it comes to very high temperatures.
- It may not be as durable as you expect.
You can’t go wrong by featuring this awesome cookware on your kitchen counter. It doesn’t pose any threat to your health and those (including pets) you love.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
7. Blue Diamond Ceramic Non stick Pan without Teflon
The first cool feature that makes the Blue Diamond feature in the list of the best non-stick pan without Teflon is its exterior blue shade finish. This is an aesthetic and functional way of adding a shade of color to your kitchen.
The next best feature of these pans is their ability to survive temperatures as high as 850 degrees Fahrenheit. So it’s safe to use in your oven without the fear of leaching or releasing harmful chemicals like PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium, etc. Although, there are health concerns as Teflon coat may be present.
And the brand doesn’t bear the name Diamond for no reason: the pans are constructed with diamond-infused ceramic to make them ultra-hard and durable (lasting up to 10 times longer than conventional nonstick pans).
The non-stick pans are also dishwasher-safe. But you’ll have to use wooden or silicone utensils on them rather than metallic ones.
The pans come in two sizes – 10- and 12-inches. So whatever your culinary needs are, there’s a skillet for you. The pans with ceramic coats also have excellent heat distribution.
However, this nonstick frying pan has got some drawbacks.
Its handle is notorious for getting hot during frying. But if it’ll make you feel better, the handle has a polished silver color which looks very attractive.
Some customers complained the skillet’s cooking surface scratched after a few uses.
Pros
- The blue ceramic nonstick pans will look great in any kitchen.
- It remarkably distributes evenly and doesn’t produce harmful chemicals.
- It's very durable as it's coated with diamond.
- The pans are dishwasher-safe and withstand oven temperatures of up to 850 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Suitable for cooking healthy and crispy food with little oil, fat, or butter.
Cons
- The quality of the nonstick coat is inconsistent and may contain the dangerous chemical, PTFE.
- The handle gets very hot.
If most of your cooking is done in an oven, the Green Blue Diamond toxin-free ceramic PFOA-free nonstick pan frying pans are exceptional for this.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Buying Guide: Factors to Consider when Choosing The Best Nonstick Frying Pans without Teflon
Non-stick Material
The very first consideration is the material that the non-toxic pan is made of.
As noted earlier, pans made of stainless steel are healthy for cooking. Also, aluminum pans don’t release dangerous fumes and don’t contain PFOA, PTFE, NEP, and NMP, etc. Their coating is mostly made of ceramic, and they’re lightweight, too.
Another good option or alternative to a nonstick pan without Teflon is the cast-iron pan. The major drawback with a cast-iron pan is that it’s heavy compared to the other non-stick pans.
These kinds of pans are durable and generally safe for your health.
Oven- and dishwasher-safety
If you cook at very high temperatures with your oven, you’ll want to pay attention to the degree of hotness your pot can withstand.
A lot of non-stick pans without Teflon are oven-safe at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Although, you’ll be better off with pans that can survive higher levels of heat.
Secondly, many non-toxic pans aren’t dishwasher-safe. This isn’t a problem, though, as you can easily clean them with warm soapy water. But if you plan on saving time and conveniently cleaning your cookware with a dishwasher, your choice should be anodized metal pans.
Handle
Another important factor to look out for is if the handle gets hot when the PTFE-free pan heats up.
As a rule of thumb, handles with silicone coats or a jacket are usually very comfortable to use regardless of how hot the cooking surface is.
You should also consider if the ergonomic design of the handle gives you a firm grip. Speaking of firm grip, we also publish an article on best Damascus kitchen knives having strong grip and beautiful sharp blades.
Size
If you’re cooking for just yourself, you can make do with an 8-inch sized pan. However, when you’re feeding a family, you should consider fry pans of 10, 12, or 14 inches.
Appearance
Pots and other cookware can elevate the appearance of your kitchen. So a colored pan or one with a glass lid or colorful handle can make your kitchen look more beautiful.
And if you prefer neutral tones, non-toxic stainless steel pans might just be your best bet.
Final note,
There are many non-stick PTFE-free pans today; however, the Ozeri Stone Earth 10-inch Non-stick Fry Pans clearly stand out as the best non-stick pan without Teflon in 2021.
Other noteworthy models include;
Cuisinart 625-30D 12-inch hard-anodized skillet (which has PFOA-free QuanTanium coating, a beautiful glass lid, and can withstand temperatures of not more than 500°F).
Anolon Advanced 10-inch French Skillet (an anodized aluminum pan with one of the best browning capabilities).
All-Clad E785S264 HA1 Nonstick Skillet (2-piece dishwasher-safe hard-anodized pans that browns meat evenly, and can withstand temperature not more than 500°F).
