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Teflon pans are in disrepute because of the “forever” chemicals PFAS. “Kassenrutschen” tests the alternative: ceramic pans.
Tefal, Kuhn Rikon, WMF, Migros – all the major brands now have non-stick pans in their range that do not contain PTFE, i.e. without the non-stick coating known under the brand name Teflon. When producing PTFE-coated pans, problematic substances from the PFAS group are often used, which accumulate in the environment and also in people.
“Kassenrutsch” and K-Tipp have specialized nine PFAS-free models Laboratory VPA in Remscheid, Germany cleverly, together with a good Teflon pan as a comparison: The “À Table Superior Inox” model from Coop was the test winner in 2023 “K-Tipp” frying pan test.
These frying pans have been tested
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In the laboratory, test manager Sabine Amme tested the heat distribution of the pans and the robustness of the coatings against abrasion and scratches. Particularly important: Do the ceramic coatings still work if the pan is already a little worn? The tester checks this with the omelette test: Does an omelet still come out of the pan without any problems after it has been used for a year?
Legend: Using standardized dough and strict temperature control, test manager Sabine Amme fries omelettes in the ceramic pans. SRF
Kuhn Rikon and Silit top – on a par with Teflon pans
Even after a year of simulated use, the omelette is easy to make with the Easy Ceramic models from Kuhn Rikon and Talis from Silit. These are also characterized by good heat distribution. At 5.3, the Silit pan achieved the same grade as the comparison pan with Teflon, and the ceramic pan from Kuhn Rikon scored even slightly better at 5.4.
This is how it was tested
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Quality of coating (50%): Omelettes were fried in the pans according to a strictly standardized procedure with specifications for dough, pan temperature, time and handling. One omelet was fried in the new pan (25% of the partial score), one omelet in an already worn pan. She was pretreated for 15 minutes, see below (75% of the partial grade). Before the tests, the pans were each pretreated with a tablespoon of canola oil and excess oil was wiped away with a paper towel.
Robustness of the coating (30% of the overall grade): The pan bottoms were masked in quarters and subjected to steel balls and abrasive for 15, 30 and 45 minutes – this corresponds to one, two and three years of simulated use (robustness against abrasion, 50% of the partial rating). To determine the scratch resistance, the pan bottoms were scratched in a controlled manner and the force at which the first fine scratches were visible was recorded (50% of the partial grade).
Heat distribution (20%): The bottom of the pan was covered with a thin layer of powdered sugar. The time from the first melting to the complete melting of the powdered sugar was measured and the uniformity of the heat distribution was assessed using a thermal imaging camera.
Greenpan, Tefal and Eva Solo fail – not very robust non-stick coating
With four pans, the omelettes stick to the pan after a year of simulated use: The Torino (grade 2.9) and Copenhagen (3.4) models from Greenpan as well as Ceramic Control from Tefal (3.5) are also inadequate when it comes to heat distribution. The most expensive pan in the test, Steel Line from Eva Solo, comes with an insufficient coating but good heat distribution with an overall rating of 3.9.
This is how you recognize pans without Teflon/PTFE
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- “PTFE-free” or “PFAS-free” are used by manufacturers to draw attention to Teflon-free pans.
- Danger! The instructions “without PFOA” or “without PFOS” can often also be found on Teflon pans. They only indicate that individual substances from the PFAS group are not included.
- Danger! Some Teflon coatings are advertised as “ceramic-reinforced”. Where it says “ceramic” on it, it doesn’t just have to be ceramic; it’s worth taking a second look.
At the request of “Kassenrutsch”, the manufacturers write that Teflon coatings are the market standard and that it is not mandatory to declare PTFE on the packaging.
Greenpan writes “Kassenrutsch” that other independent comparison tests have shown better results in terms of scratch resistance, heat distribution and non-stick coating. Tefal says that “Ceramic Control” is an older model that has been on the market for 10 years. Eva Solo did not provide “Kassenrutsch” with a statement.
Tips for using ceramic pans
A ceramic pan is suitable for the same dishes as a classic Teflon pan, says Tobias Gerfin, head of the Swiss pan manufacturer Kuhn Rikon: “Ideal for chicken, vegetables or fish, for example. However, I wouldn’t fry a steak in a ceramic pan – the very high heat significantly shortens its lifespan.”
Are Teflon pans poisonous?
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PTFE-coated pans are considered safe for the health of users as long as they are not allowed to overheat when empty, writes Das German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. If heated above 360 degrees, toxic fumes can form. If tiny particles were swallowed by a scratched Teflon coating, this would not pose a health risk. PTFE is extremely resistant and is excreted from the body undigested.
The problem lies in the production of the pans and the raw materials for them. Highly problematic substances from the group of PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals”, are sometimes used there. These are often toxic, are hardly broken down and can accumulate in people and the environment.
He also recommends always adding a little oil to the pan when frying and washing it by hand, not in the dishwasher. This means that ceramic pans can be enjoyed in the kitchen for a long time.