What's In Your Non-Stick Cookware?

If you own a non-stick pan, you might be wondering what makes it "not stick" to your food. Here is a complete guide to the technology, quality and care of non-stick cookware.

Firstly, what is non-stick? 
Most non-stick is simply an exceptionally slippery plastic compound applied to the surface of metallic cookware. Lots of people describe their non-stick pans as "Teflon". However, not all non-stick coatings are Teflon.

What is Teflon?

Teflon is simply a brand name for a plastic known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and is owned by DuPont.

What is PTFE and why doesn't it stick to food?

PTFE or polytetrafluoroethylene is a fluoropolymer plastic. Fluoropolymers are compounds that contain fluorine. Chemically speaking, a molecule of PTFE has two carbon atoms and four fluorine atoms which are then repeated throughout the structure.

It is the fluorine atoms that shield the carbon atoms from reacting, thus preventing food from sticking to the pan.

Are there any non-stick coatings other than PTFE based? 

Other than PTFE, non-stick for cookware is either silicone based or ceramic/enamel based. Silicone, a synthetic rubber that contains bonded silicon and oxygen, is used mainly in bake ware and kitchen utensils. 

Ceramic or enamel coated cookware has gained popularity in recent years as "green" or "healthy cookware" because it is free of the chemicals PTFE and PFOA. 

What is PFOA? 

PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) is another chemical that is used in the process of making PTFE. It is NOT the same as PTFE. 

According to T-Fal, PFOA is burned off during the process and only and insignificant amount remains in the finished product. Previously, all non-stick coating manufacturers used PFOA in the manufacture of non-stick. However, PFOA is considered a pollutant and a toxic substance and now, under the stewardship of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), most of the reputable non-stick coating manufacturers are producing coatings made without PFOA. The goal is to completely eliminate it by 2015. 

So when you see "PFOA free" in the marketing message of a piece of cookware, it simply means that the chemical PFOA was not used in the manufacturing process of the non-stick coating, which is usually PTFE or a related plastic compound. 

Is PTFE/Teflon safe? 

There has been a lot of debate about this recently so this warrants some attention. 

Under normal circumstances, PTFE is an inert substance and even if you ingest a piece that flaked off from your pan, it will simply pass through your body. As a point of interest, because of its non-reactive nature, PTFE even finds use as a medical material in arterial grafts, catheters, sutures, joint replacements and reconstructive and cosmetic facial surgery! 

However, when it is heated to a high temperature like 500°F, PTFE starts deteriorating and releasing fumes which have been found harmful for birds and cause flu like symptoms in humans. 

In ordinary use, pans are not usually heated to such a high temperature. So in a nutshell, yes, PTFE or Teflon is safe as long as you are diligent about not heating an empty pan or cooking on too high a temperature. 

What determines the quality of a non-stick coating?

The quality of a non-stick coating is defined by 3 things: the quality of the coating itself (the formula), the number of layers and the thickness of the layers. 3 layers is the minimum for a good quality pan with one cookware brand even offering 7 layers.

As an example, the Rachael Ray non-stick cookware uses Eclipse, a top-of-the-line, reinforced non-stick coating that is sprayed on in 3 layers. The non-stick release is provided by the top layer which is... you guessed it... PTFE!

Another example, T-Fal Professional Total Non-stick has 5 layers of non-stick coating on it.

Sprayed or Rolled? 

Non-stick finishes can be sprayed or rolled on to the metal pan. The best non-stick coatings are sprayed on and are absolutely smooth to the touch. 

What determines the durability of non-stick coating? 

The durability of a non-stick depends on 3 factors:

1. The material of the pan to which the non-stick coating is applied. Generally, a coating on a hard anodized aluminum pan will last longer than on a plain aluminum pan. And a plain aluminum pan will last longer than an enamel-on-steel pan with the same coating.
2. The thickness of the pan. The thicker the pan, the better the heat distribution and protection of the non-stick surface.
3. The application method. As mentioned earlier, sprayed coatings are better than rolled on. Look for a brand name that is recognized for quality non-stick products.

How do I take care of my non-stick cookware?

Non-stick cookware should be treated with care to preserve its non-stick coating. Here are some general instructions to prolong the life of your non-stick cookware:

1. Always use plastic, wooden or rubber utensils during cooking to maximize the life of any non-stick cookware.
2. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft sponge or wash cloth. No abrasive metal cleaners.
3. Cook on low to medium heat. High heat can cause foods to stick as well as breakdown the non-stick coating.
4. Don't use cooking spray as it burns at lower temperatures and can burn into the non-stick coating causing buildup of the spray. This will cause sticking and damage to the non-stick coating and sometimes give the cookware a "rusty" appearance.
5. Pans should be washed after every use so food residue is not allowed to build up, which will, after time, cause sticking and damage the non-stick coating.
6. Even if a non-stick pan says dishwasher safe, it is always recommended to wash it by hand.
7. Cool your pans after cooking before placing in water.
8. Don't store food in non-stick pans.
9. And lastly, replace your pan if the coating is visibly deteriorating