Pros and Cons of non-stick pans

Advice on Non-Stick pans and their alternatives

This is our attempt to share our understanding of the pros and cons. Conventional Non-Stick Pans are made with PFAS which are part of large group of man-made forever chemicals used in many consumer products because of their ability to repel water, grease and heat. There are seven million known such chemicals. Common uses are non-stick cookware, water resistant clothing – nylon, carpets, cosmetics – makeup, shampoo, dental floss, food packaging and many more everyday items. So are they dangerous and should we use products containing them? As a cookshop we will stick with advice on pans.

They are much safer than ever before.

PTFE whose common brand name is TEFLON used to be made with the CHEMICAL PFOA which was banned in the UK in 2005. Another chemical in the family PFOS hasn’t been used in cookware since 2013. Many view that PTFE is now harmless to ingest and does not chemically react with food, water or cleaning products, so it is much safer and better made than ever before. So, if you are happy with conventional non-stick pans use them.  The Editor of Which?™ who this month argued for a sensible measured approach and said they were careful not to suggest you should cut plastics at all costs and overhaul your kitchen overnight, said “Personally I am still using non-stick pans and am wearing polyester for exercise but I no longer microwave plastic containers or use plastic water bottles.”

Use and care tips - Avoid going straight to high on induction.

All of our non-stick pans are PFOA free. All the pans we stock are Hard Anodised* and multi layered, designed to last and nearly all are with life time guarantee. In terms of non-stick pans properly maintained non-stick cookware causes no harm or exposure – chipped, cracked or scratched cookware could release these chemicals – hence our view is that if you buy and use non-stick pick a good quality super tough version and treat it well. Avoid going straight to high on induction – metal expands, ideally use silicone or wooden tools though a number are now suitable for use with metals tools,  and avoid plunging into water when hot. Let the pan cool and then use hot soapy water to wash, this releases the oils from the surface.

There are alternatives.

We stock Prestige Earth Friendly eco and ceramic coated non-stick pans.  Stainless steel or uncoated pans are increasingly popular and we have a number from brands like Stellar, Scanpan and Le Creuset. Obviously, food can stick more easily. But this problem is reduced if you could on a medium heat and let the pan do the work. There Are also as are naturally nonstock pre seasoned pans from manufacturers like UK company Netherton Foundry and of course, traditional cast iron and Le Creuset’s iconic enamelled cast iron pans too.

As ever it is what you prefer and how much you wish to pay, all are staff can help and give advice too.

* hard anodized pans have gone through an electrochemical process to form a hard, non-reactive surface that is durable and offers superior heat distribution.