6 PFOA & PTFE Free Cookware Brands You Can Trust (2024)

While nonstick pans and pots are ideal for frying, risking your health by inhaling toxic fumes from your cookware – may not be worth it.

So, how can you protect yourself and your family from cookware toxins?

It’s important to make sure you are using PFOA and PTFE-free cookware – to avoid breathing in tiny toxic chemicals when you cook your favorite dishes – for you and your family.

To save you time (and possibly a headache), we researched and found the top 5 eco-friendly, non-toxic, PFOA & PTFE free cookware brands in 2024 and their best-selling set.

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Health Hazards of PFOA & PTFE

While PTFE is stable and nontoxic at lower temperatures, it begins to deteriorate after the cookware temperature reaches about 260 °C (500 °F) and decomposes above 350 °C (662 °F).

Increased exposure to PFOA and PTFE has been proven to potentially cause flu-like symptoms, kidney damage, liver damage, increased blood pressure, thyroid damage, coronary artery disease, and more (see studies at the end of the post).

The safest and healthiest way to cook would be using cookware that is PFOA & PTFE free, though we should note that While PFOA was used in the past in the US in making Teflon, it is not present (or is present in tiny amounts) in Teflon-coated products (made in the USA).

According to Dr. Eric Berg, bile transformation is the body’s way of breaking down these toxins through the liver.

Eating cruciferous vegetables like kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, arugula, and radishes can help with detoxifying the body from these chemicals.

Can Swallowing Teflon Hurt You?

No, eating Teflon does not hurt you. Ingesting small flakes of nonstick coating is not dangerous.

The material will most likely just pass through the body.

However, it produces toxic fumes when strongly heated, and inhaling those fumes can be harmful.

The 6 Best PFOA & PTFE Free Cookware Brands

Cooking healthy food? why not start cooking it with healthy cookware?

Here are 5 toxin-free cookware brands you can trust – reviewed:

1. GreenPan Cookware Best Coating

GreenPan is a Belgian company that excels at making top-quality, non-toxic cookware.

Their products, such as frying pans, are coated with Thermolon – a non-stick layer usually made from sand.

Thermolon doesn’t give off toxic or smelly gases.

It is safe at extremely high temperatures, and the pots or pans coated with it can be used in an oven as well.

GreenPan produces PFOA & PTFE and cadmium-free cookware, including frying pans, grilling pans, woks, saucepans, sauté pans, and casseroles.

All of these can resist heat temperatures as high as 450 degrees C.

Best Set – Greenpan Valencia Pro 

The Greenpan Valencia Pro Ceramic non-stick (hard-anodized) cookware set contains 11 pieces, including  8”, 9. 5”, 11” frying pans, 2QT & 3QT saucepans with lids,  3QT skillet with a lid, and 5QT casserole with lid.

All pieces are PFOA & PTFE free,  and cadmium & lead-free.

They are all oven and broiler-safe.

They can withstand temperatures as high as 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and the high-end glass lids can withstand up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Valencia Pro pots and pans are made with the unique Magneto Induction Base which is proven to have great searing and browning results when placed on all stovetops, including induction.

The cookware comes with ergonomic, polished handles, and is scratch-resistant, warp-proof, and dishwasher-safe.

✅Available at GreenPan ($319 with free shipping) and on Amazon ($301)

It was chosen as the best ceramic frying pad out of 5 competitors by America’s Test Kitchen!

👉 GreenPan is also featured in our list of the best Teflon-Free Waffle Makers in 2024.

2. Caraway Cookware – Best Nonstick

Caraway cookware is free of PFOA and PTFE and uses a ceramic coating made from natural, inorganic sand.

This ceramic coating is also non-stick, easy to clean, oven-safe, and compatible with all stovetops. The food comes right off with just a bit of warm water, soap, and a gentle scrub.

We love the gorgeous and irresistible design of all Caraway pans. But the fact that they are free of harmful chemicals is what justifies the hype around them (no PFAS, cadmium, lead, and other toxic metals that you’ll find in non-stick cookware).

Caraway is transparent and offers to send anyone chemical testing reports upon request!

Best Set – Caraway Cookware Set

The Caraway cookware set adds style to any kitchen with 8 pop-up colors to choose from and is free of all PFAS, heavy metals, and even hard anodization (which is not eco-friendly).

The pots and pans are oven-safe up to 550°F and are relatively lightweight. All you need is a dash of oil or butter to help food glide easily, and just a bit of soap, warm water, and a gentle scrub to clean them.

However, the coating is gentle, and if not used properly may chip or scratch. Only use wooden or silicone cooking utensils.

Also, they require hand washing and can not be used over high heat that may damage them.

✅ Available at Caraway ($355) with 1-year warranty

3. MadeIn Cookware Best Full-Clad Steel

MadeIn was founded in 2016 in the US when the founders decided to partner with some of the best raw material suppliers in the US, France, and Italy, and produce top-quality cookware – made without PFOA.

MadeIn consistently invests its earnings back into the R&D department to look for new, innovative ways to help improve its customers’ experience.

Their products include stainless-steel pans and pots, grillers and carbon steel paella pans, a variety of chef knives, saucepans, sauté pans, and sheet pans.

All of these are made from stainless steel and carbon steel that are 100% safe and do not blow off toxic fumes of any kind.

And the best news?

All MadeIn cookware comes with a lifetime warranty!

Best Set – MadeIn Starter Set

MadeIn’s top seller is The Starter Kit, which was announced as the best stainless steel set by consumer reports in 2019.

It is a 6-piece set of pots and pans made of 5-ply stainless clad, stay-cool handles, and their very own blue carbon steel.

RELATED: Carbon Steel vs. Cast Iron Pans

Stainless steel is non-toxic and doesn’t react with the food cooked inside it, and blue carbon steel is a new material introduced by the company; it is non-stick and toxin-free as well.

The kit includes 2 Frying Pans (10-inch), a Saucepan (2 QT), and a Stock Pot with old (8 QT).

✅ Available at MadeIn ($529 with free shipping and returns)

4. Cuisinart Cookware Popular on Amazon

Another top brand focusing on ceramic cookware is Cuisinart, founded by the late Carl Sontheimer, who introduced the food processor to America in 1973.

Cuisinart is not just about food processors anymore and is a full-service culinary resource with a wide array of products, including kitchen appliances, bakeware, flatware, outdoor grills, tools, and gadgets.

The new GreenGourmet Line by Cuisinart (a universally recognized name) uses the exclusive Cuisinart Ceramica nonstick technology that is PTFE and PFOA-free for coating, while the hard-anodized construction allows for high heat conductivity.

All cookware comes with stainless steel stay-cool (70% recycled) handles, and everything is designed in a way that saves energy and is toxin-free at the same time.

Best Set – GreenGourmet 12-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set

The GreenGourment Line 12-Piece Set stands out from the rest.

All the pots and pans are ceramic coated and the base is hard-anodized aluminum.

The set includes a skillet, a lidded deep fryer, 2 lidded saucepans, a 3-quart lidded everyday pan, a 6-quart lidded Dutch Oven, and a steamer insert. These can withstand high temperatures of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, if needed, there’s a lifetime warranty you can claim at any time.

✅ Available on Amazon ($249)

5. Xtrema Cookware Best 100% Ceramic 

Xtrema is a US-based company founded by three kitchen-passionate friends.

They focus mainly on manufacturing products entirely made from ceramic, which helps distribute heat optimally in all pots and pans.

Ceramic cookware does not produce harmful gases of PFOA and PTFE. It can be heated at higher temperatures without worrying about health hazards, and the surface can not be scratched.

Their eco-friendly cookware includes different types of ceramic skillets, saucepans, stockpots, teapots, bowls, bakeware, and much more.

Best Skillet – The Signature Skillet

One of the brand’s best-sellers is the Signature Skillet. It is a revolutionary, textured frying pan made of 100% ceramic.

The skillet evenly distributes heat and is great for frying, searing, and browning your food – without burning off harmful chemicals in the process.

It can also be used on the grill or in the microwave as well, and it is scratch-proof.

✅ Available at Xtrema ($82-$162)

6. Ozeri Cookware Best Budget

The Ozeri brand manufactures a wide range of lifestyle products for the modern home,  in 2 categories – “housewares for modernity”, and “healthy living”.

Ozeri “Healthy Living” products range from eco-friendly cookware  (entirely free of APEO, GenX, PFBS, PFOS, PFOA, and lesser-known chemicals such as NMP and NEP) to 100% plant-made biodegradable dishware that doesn’t contribute to landfill waste.

Ozeri cookware comes in 4 lines:  Ceramic Earth, Stone Earth, Stainless Steel, and Professional. All of these include pans, pots, and other basic items that are free from toxic materials.

Best Set – Ozeri Green Earth 3-Piece Frying Pan Set

One of the best and most affordable cookware sets in 2024 is the brand’s Green Earth frying pan Set – which includes 8″, 10″, and 12″ frying and with textured ceramic nonstick coating from Germany (100% PTFE, PFOA, and APEO Free).

The honeycomb textured frying surface allows for even heat distribution to avoid bottom food burning. It is scratchproof, abrasion-resistant, and withstands wear and tears pretty well.

The ergonomic handles are made from silicone, are easy to clean, and are safe for induction.

And the price? lower than all the brands on this list.

✅ Available on Amazon ($55)

What’s the Difference Between PTFE and PFOA?

PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) is a synthetic chemical compound used along with PTFE to manufacture certain fluoropolymer and telomer-based products, including nonstick pan coatings like Teflon.

According to cancer.org, PFOA has the potential to be a health concern because it can stay in the environment and in the human body for long periods.

Studies have found that it is present worldwide at very low levels in just about everyone’s blood.

PTFE is another man-made chemical, most commonly known as Teflon, and has been in commercial use since the 1940s.

It is used in nonstick coatings since it’s very stable and can provide an almost frictionless surface.

What Is the Best Alternative to Teflon?

100% Ceramic cookware and stainless steel sets are probably the best alternatives to Teflon.

However, some brands are not completely open about the exact materials inside their ceramic coating, which is suspicious.

We recommend avoiding ceramic cookware brands that are not transparent about their ceramic nonstick coating.

Cast iron pans and pots are also good options.

You can also find non-Teflon air fryers, usually made without Teflon inside.

The KM Team

Studies

Andrea Winquist and Kyle Steenland, 2014, Modeled PFOA Exposure and Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension, and High Cholesterol in Community and Worker Cohorts, Environmental Health Perspectives 122:12

Vaughn Barry, Andrea Winquist, and Kyle Steenland, 2013, Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Exposures and Incident Cancers among Adults Living Near a Chemical Plant, Environmental Health Perspectives 121:11-12

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/teflon-and-perfluorooctanoic-acid-pfoa.html