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Why I’ll Never Cook on Teflon Again (And What I Use Instead)

There was a time when I didn’t think twice about the frying pan I used every morning. If it was non-stick and made my eggs slide off like magic, that was enough. As a busy mum, convenience mattered more than the material it was made from.

But as I began learning about the toxins around us – from food to skincare to cookware – I stumbled across something that truly shocked me:

Teflon, the stuff used in most non-stick pans, was originally developed to coat tanks during World War II.

And once I started digging into the science behind it, I threw every Teflon pan in my house straight into the bin.

Mixed vegetables sizzling in a scratched Teflon frying pan — showing the risks of worn non-stick coatings.

The Hidden Dangers of Teflon

Most non-stick cookware is coated with a chemical called PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) — marketed under the name Teflon. It was first created in the 1930s and became a star during WWII when it was used to coat tanks and heavy machinery because of its chemical resistance and heat tolerance.

Eventually, it made its way into home kitchens as the miracle no-scrub, easy-clean surface we all grew up with.

But there’s a dark side to that slick surface.

To manufacture Teflon, companies used a chemical called PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) – part of a group known as PFAS, or “forever chemicals.” Why forever? Because they don’t break down in the environment or your body. Ever.


Health concerns linked to PFOA & PFAS:

  • Hormone disruption

  • Reduced fertility

  • Low birth weight and developmental delays

  • Liver damage

  • Immune system suppression

  • Thyroid disease

  • Increased risk of cancers (kidney, testicular)



But Didn’t They Ban PFOA?

Yes… kind of. In the US and EU, PFOA was phased out around 2013–2015. Most big brands now advertise their non-stick pans as "PFOA-free" — and that sounds reassuring, right?

But here’s the sneaky part...

They’ve just replaced it with other PFAS chemicals (like GenX), which are newer but still from the same toxic family. Early studies suggest these substitutes can cause the same health issues, and long-term research is still ongoing.

So when a label says:

"PFOA-free non-stick coating" ….. it doesn’t mean the pan is toxin-free. It just means it doesn’t use that specific chemical anymore.

Also, many cheap imported pans (especially bought online or from discount stores) may still contain PFOA — especially if they’re made in countries with looser safety regulations.


When Are Teflon Pans Dangerous?

Even if your pan is newer, it becomes especially risky when:

  • Scratched or chipped (which happens easily with metal utensils)

  • Overheated (above 260°C/500°F – which happens quickly on a hob!)

  • Used for years (wear and tear = degraded coating)

At that point, the chemicals can start leaching directly into your food – and into the air you breathe while cooking.


What Happens When Teflon Heats Up?

When overheated (above 260°C / 500°F), Teflon starts breaking down and releasing toxic gases. These fumes have been known to cause something called “polymer fume fever” — flu-like symptoms in humans. And it’s so toxic that it’s even killed pet birds in nearby kitchens.

And here’s the thing — you might not even realise your pan is overheating. Preheating an empty non-stick pan for just a couple of minutes can be enough.


So What Do I Use Instead?

When I threw out my last Teflon pan, I wanted replacements that were:

  • Safe

  • Long-lasting

  • Not ridiculously expensive


1. Cast Iron – The Forever Pan


2. Stainless Steel – The Everyday Workhorse

  • Completely inert – no leaching, no coatings

  • Great for boiling, sautéing, sauces, soups

  • Bit of a learning curve, but lasts forever


3. Ceramic-Coated Pans – Non-Toxic Non-Stick


Most of us don’t just have a Teflon pan — we have an entire set of non-stick pots and pans, usually coated in the same mystery layer. And while frying pans tend to get the spotlight, those soup pots and saucepans matter just as much.

If you’re still using non-stick coated pots, it’s worth swapping them too — especially since they’re often used for hot liquids, acidic sauces, and long simmer times, which can increase chemical leaching.

A great alternatives?


Browse the safe, low-tox cookware I actually use — all organised in one place in my Amazon Storefront.


Homemade ratatouille cooked in a cast iron pan — a safe, low-tox alternative to non-stick cookware.

What About Granite Cookware?

Granite pans sound healthier, right? The name makes you think “natural stone” — but it’s mostly marketing. Most granite pans are actually aluminium or steel coated with synthetic material that’s just speckled to look like stone.

In many cases:

  • The coating still contains PTFE (aka Teflon)

  • “PFOA-free” doesn’t mean toxin-free — it just means they’ve replaced one chemical with another version

  • Some use sol-gel ceramic or nanoparticle coatings, which can break down over time

Unless the pan specifically says PTFE-free and PFAS-free, it’s likely just a prettier version of non-stick.

So for me? Granite pans are a no. Too many hidden risks, and not enough transparency.


You Don’t Have to Replace Everything Overnight

When you’re on a budget (and most of us are), go one step at a time.

I started by replacing just one small non-stick pan, the one I used for eggs and pancakes. Then gradually added a few stainless steel pots. My cast iron came later (as a birthday gift!). It’s a journey, not a sprint.

And remember — real health doesn’t come from buying everything new, it comes from knowing better and doing what you can.


Swapping out Teflon was one of the first real changes I made in my kitchen. It’s easy to overlook what we cook with, when we’re so focused on what we cook.

But now? I cook with peace of mind. And that, to me, is worth everything.


Please note that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through those links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting me.

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