The 5 Best Non-Stick Pans Without Teflon (Comparison Chart)

Are you looking for quality Teflon-free non-stick pans?

Although Teflon is no longer made using PFOA, a chemical linked to illnesses, it can still off-gas at extremely high temperatures.

So, if you’re trying to avoid this substance, you’ve come to the right place.

In this guide, I reveal the best non-stick pans without Teflon. You’ll learn why these pans are the best and how they compare to pans made with Teflon.

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Use the links below to navigate the guide:

• Best Teflon-Free Non-Stick Pans: Key Takeaways
• What Is Teflon and Is It Unsafe?
• Comparison Chart
• Caraway
• GreenPan
• GreenLife
• Made In Carbon Steel
• Lodge Cast Iron
• Bottom Line: Which Teflon-Free Non-Stick Pan Is the Best?

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What Is Teflon and Is It Unsafe?

Teflon is the branded name for the substance Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It’s the material that coats the interior of non-stick cookware to make it slippery and prevent food from sticking.

Although Teflon, owned by Chemours, is the most well-known brand of PTFE, other companies, such as GMM Non-Stick Coatings and Orion Industries, also make it.

Many years ago, PTFE (including Teflon) was made with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

According to authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency, PFOA persists in your body and the environment, and exposure is believed to be a factor in several severe illnesses.

Fortunately, when studies began uncovering the risks of PFOA, manufacturers, including Teflon, stopped using it to make non-stick coatings. All non-stick cookware made since 2013 is PFOA-free.

In other words, today’s Teflon non-stick pans are safe. In fact, researchers from the American Cancer Society have reported no long-term scientifically-proven risks when cooking with PFOA-free non-stick pans.

Here’s a direct quote from the American Cancer Society website:

Non-stick cookware: Other than the possible risk of flu-like symptoms from breathing in fumes from heated cookware with non-stick coatings, there are no proven risks to humans from using these products. While PFAS can be used in making some of these coatings, it is not present (or is present in extremely small amounts) in the final products.

That said, there are still reasons to avoid Teflon.

When a Teflon-coated non-stick pan is heated over 500°F for long periods, it releases harmful fumes that can cause respiratory distress. That’s why most non-stick pans have a maximum oven-safe temperature of 450°F to 500°F and come with a warning to cook on medium to low.

Additionally, Teflon scratches and wears down over time. Most non-stick pans made with Teflon need to be replaced within five years.

Best Teflon-Free Non-Stick Pans: Comparison Chart

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the best non-stick pans without Teflon.

Swipe to view the entire chart on mobile.

	Caraway	GreenPan	GreenLife	Made In Carbon Steel	Lodge Cast Iron
Cooking Surface	Ceramic non-stick	Diamond-infused ceramic non-stick	Diamond-infused ceramic non-stick	Seasoning (carbonized oil)	Seasoning (carbonized oil)
Base Material	Aluminum	Hard-Anodized Aluminum, Forged Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel	Aluminum	Carbon Steel	Cast Iron
Oven-Safe Temperature	550°F	600°F	350°F to 600°F	1200°F	500°F
Induction Compatible?	Yes	Depends on collection	Only one collection	Yes	Yes
Broiler Safe?	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Design	Vibrant colors with rounded steel handles	Thick walls, colored exteriors, and steel handles	Bright colors, soft-grip handles	Steep walls and flat handles	Black, thick walls, and short handle
Where It’s Made	China and India	China	China	France	USA
Year Founded	2018	2007	2007	2017	1896
Price	$$$ (Caraway, Amazon)	$$$ (GreenPan, Amazon)	$ (GreenLife, Amazon)	$$ (MadeIn), Amazon)	$ (Amazon)
Top Reasons to Buy	Food doesn’t stick, modern design	Diamond-reinforced non-stick coating lasts longer	Lightweight construction, low cost	High heat tolerance, natural non-stick surface	Superior heat retention, low cost
Top Reasons to NOT Buy	Prone to chipping	Expensive, only lasts a few years	Lacks durability, poor heat retention	Requires seasoning, food sticks more than ceramic non-stick	Requires seasoning, heavy, slow to heat

Caraway

Caraway is a New York-based cookware startup that makes visually stunning Teflon-free non-stick cookware.

Caraway pots and pans are available in multiple colors, such as cream, sage, marigold, and black. They have a glossy finish and polished stainless steel or gold-tone handles.

The body of the cookware is aluminum, and instead of Teflon, the non-stick coating is made of a smooth mineral-based non-stick material derived from sand.

Caraway falls into the category of ceramic non-stick cookware, along with brands like GreenPan, GreenLife, and Gotham Steel.

Caraway is one of the best non-stick pans without Teflon because:

• Its ceramic non-stick coating closely mimics the performance of Teflon.
• It has an oven-safe temperature of 550°F, while Teflon maxes out at 500°F.
• It won’t release harmful fumes if overheated.
• It’s induction-compatible, while many Teflon non-stick pans are not.
• Based on my testing, he heats up faster than several brands that make Teflon non-stick pans, including T-fal, Anolon, and Calphalon.

However, there are downsides to consider:

• While ceramic non-stick releases food better than stainless steel, it’s not as slippery as Teflon.
• It also wears down and loses its slickness much faster than Teflon.
• Caraway claims it’s better for the environment because it releases up to 60% less carbon dioxide during production. However, ceramic non-stick pans don’t last as long as Teflon pans, so the actual environmental impact is up for debate.
• It’s expensive, especially for cookware that only lasts 1-3 years.
• While the exterior colors are eye-catching, the paint chips easily, and the pans won’t look new for long.

Learn more about Caraway in my in-depth review (and video review), or check the current prices on CarawayHome.com and Amazon.

GreenPan

GreenPan, owned by The Cookware Company, is the pioneer brand of ceramic non-stick cookware.

They introduced the Teflon alternative, Thermolon, in 2007 and have continually refined and expanded its formula. GreenPan holds over 150 patents for its cookware and boasts an in-house testing lab.

Thermolon is a Teflon-free ceramic non-stick material infused with diamonds for added durability. It’s used on all GreenPan cookware and has different formulations, such as Infinite8 and Diamond Advanced.

GreenPan has nearly a dozen cookware collections, each with unique base materials and designs. The base of the pans is made of the following materials:

Base Material	Collections
Hard-Anodized Aluminum	Paris Pro, Valencia Pro
Forged Aluminum	Swift, Hudson, Rio
Fully-Clad Stainless Steel	Venice Pro Noir, Chatham
Carbon Steel	Merten & Storck Carbon Steel
Steel Core Enameled	Merten & Storck Steel Core

GreenPan handles are made of various materials, including stainless steel, gold-tone, soft-grip Bakelite, and silicone-wrapped steel. There are also multiple color choices for the exterior.

GreenPan makes some of the best non-stick pans without Teflon because:

• Thermolon is a diamond-reinforced non-stick coating that lasts longer than most ceramic coatings.
• It prevents sticking like Teflon but won’t release harmful fumes if overheated.
• Some collections are safe in the oven up to 600°F.
• According to my tests, it conducts and retains heat similar to much more expensive brands like HexClad and All-Clad.
• There are several collections to choose from and a variety of constructions.

However, there are several drawbacks to consider:

• GreenPan is one of the most expensive ceramic cookware brands, while Teflon non-stick pans are available at all price points.
• Although it lasts longer than lower-cost ceramic cookware brands, it will eventually need to be replaced.
• Over time, the ceramic coating loses its food-release qualities.
• GreenPan collections made of aluminum are not compatible with induction.

Read my in-depth GreenPan review to learn more, or check the current prices on GreenPan.us or Amazon.

GreenLife

GreenLife is also owned by The Cookware Company. It’s the sister brand of GreenPan, designed for more budget-conscious cooks.

The base of GreenLife pans is either recycled aluminum, hard-anodized aluminum, or stainless steel. They use the same Thermolon diamond-infused Teflon-free coating as GreenPan on each pot and pan.

Most GreenLife pans feature soft-grip Bakelite handles, but there are also collections with stainless steel handles.

If you like color, you have multiple options, including red, turquoise, pink, yellow, black, lavender, and more.

GreenLife is excellent Teflon-free non-stick cookware because:

• It’s less expensive than most ceramic non-stick options.
• The recycled aluminum pots and pans are lightweight and easy to maneuver. The 12-inch Soft Grip fry pan weighs only 2.3 pounds.
• If you need to get a meal cooked fast, the thin walls of the recycled aluminum pots and pans allow for quick heating.

But before you buy Greenlife, consider these downsides:

• While it’s attractive, the aluminum cookware is not as durable, and the thin walls make it prone to warping.
• It can’t match the durability and longevity of quality Teflon-coated cookware.
• The collections with Bakelite handles are only oven-safe up to 350°F.
• According to my tests, GreenLife pans don’t retain heat well.

If you’re on a budget and looking for non-stick pans without Teflon/PTFE, GreenLife cookware is a good choice. However, it lacks heft and durability, and due to its poor heat retention, it isn’t the type of pan you’d want to use to cook a steak.

Read my in-depth GreenLife review to learn more, or check it out on Greenlife-Cookware.com or Amazon.

Made In Carbon Steel

Made In landed on the cookware scene in 2017 as a startup launched by childhood friends Jake Kalick and Chip Malt. It’s sold exclusively online on MadeInCookware.com and Amazon.

Although their non-stick pots and pans are coated with Teflon, the carbon steel pans are Teflon-free and stick-resistant.

These pans are made by pressing a heat-treated flat circle of carbon steel into shape. The handles are stainless steel and attached with rivets.

Made In’s carbon steel cookware is an ideal swap for Teflon because:

• It can withstand higher temperatures than Teflon-coated cookware. While you can’t heat Teflon beyond 500°F, Made In carbon steel pans max out at 1200°F.
• It won’t release toxic fumes if overheated like Teflon.
• Because of its high heat tolerance, you have more flexibility with heat sources. It can handle ovens, broilers, grills, and campfires.
• The cookware will outlast any Teflon option. It can last a lifetime with proper care.
• The more you use and season it (here’s how), the more non-stick it becomes.

But before you replace your Teflon non-stick pans with Made In carbon steel, there are some downsides to consider:

• Carbon steel is not a true non-stick material. Although it can produce a non-stick surface over time when properly seasoned, it doesn’t have the instant food release Teflon offers.
• Teflon is easier to clean and maintain. Carbon steel requires extra care. For example, you’ll need to season it periodically, wash it by hand without soap and dry it immediately.
• Cooking acidic foods will strip away the seasoning, making the pan more prone to sticking. You don’t have this problem with Teflon-coated cookware.
• Carbon steel is more expensive than most aluminum non-stick cookware.

If you’re looking for cookware that can last a lifetime and don’t mind the upkeep of seasoning, Made In Carbon Steel is one of the best Teflon-free non-stick pans.

Learn more in my in-depth review or check the current prices on MadeInCookware.com and Amazon.

Lodge Cast Iron

Lodge is an American brand with over 125 years of experience producing ultra-durable cast iron cookware. Based in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, the company founded by Joseph Lodge makes pots and pans of all shapes and sizes, from skillets to Dutch ovens.

Lodge makes its cast iron from a proprietary mix of pig iron, steel, and other ingredients. The molten mixture is poured into sand molds to give the cookware its shape.

Cast iron is not a non-stick material, but like carbon steel, it transforms into stick-resistant cookware when properly seasoned.

If you’re looking for a non-stick pan without Teflon, consider Lodge cast iron for the following reasons:

• It can handle much higher heat than Teflon, and you can use it under a broil and outdoors over an open flame.
• No matter how much you heat it, cast iron will not release toxic fumes like Teflon.
• It’s one of the most affordable brands, cheaper than most Teflon-coated cookware.
• The more you use it, the more it mimics the food release of Teflon.
• It’s pre-seasoned, so it is ready to use when you buy it.
• Since the walls are thick, it retains heat better than aluminum Teflon-coated non-stick cookware.
• It is naturally induction-compatible.
• It’s one of the best-selling products across all categories on Amazon.

However, there are some downsides to consider:

• Lodge pans are heavy. This is not the best option if you want to flip and swirl food around while you cook.
• It has thick walls that take longer to heat than most Teflon-coated pots and pans.
• You need to season it periodically to produce a cooking surface similar to Teflon.
• You must carefully wash it by hand to avoid removing the seasoning. And sometimes, stuck-on food is a challenge to remove, requiring tools like a chainmail scrubber.
• Lodge cast iron has a rough bottom. It’s not ideal for glass stove tops because it can scratch or crack the surface if handled roughly.

Although Lodge cast iron is not technically non-stick, a well-seasoned pan can mimic the performance of Teflon without the chemicals.

Learn more by reading my Lodge skillet review or check it out on Amazon.

Bottom Line: Which Teflon-Free Non-Stick Pan Is the Best?

The convenience of Teflon-coated non-stick cookware is undisputed. It’s easy to use, clean, and maintain.

However, it can release fumes when overheated and doesn’t last as long as materials like carbon steel and cast iron.

The best non-stick pans without Teflon are ceramic non-stick (Caraway, GreenPan, and GreenLife), carbon steel (Made In), and cast iron (Lodge).

Go with Caraway, GreenPan, or GreenLife if you want the closest thing to Teflon without the chemicals. Made In carbon steel or Lodge cast iron will last forever, but you need to season them occasionally, and the surfaces never get as slick as traditional non-stick pans.

Bottom line — Teflon and other PTFE non-stick pans aren’t dangerous when used correctly. But if you’re worried about overheating or want a more durable pan, several alternatives offer similar performance and superior longevity.

Learn more about each option at the links below:

• Caraway: CarawayHome.com, Amazon
• GreenPan: GreenPan.us, Amazon
• GreenLife: Greenlife-Cookware.com, Amazon
• Made In Carbon Steel: MadeInCookware.com, Amazon
• Lodge Cast Iron: Amazon