Cookware
Pans and pots without non-stick coatings, made from materials that last for decades.
What we look for
We look for
- No PTFE or PFAS coating: bare cast iron, carbon steel, stainless steel or enameled cast iron.
- Plain, named materials: the maker says what the pan is made of (for stainless steel, the grade, such as 18/10), what it is seasoned with, and where it is made.
- Built to last: a pan you can re-season or keep for decades, with a clear warranty.
- Fits how you cook: induction, oven and grill limits written down, and a weight you can lift.
- Enamel you can check: for enameled cast iron, the maker’s California cookware disclosure or a lab report showing no lead or cadmium in the color you buy.
We avoid
- PTFE (“Teflon”) and other fluoropolymer non-stick coatings.
- “Ceramic” non-stick coatings, even with lab results: the coating wears, and major brands warrant it for only one to two years.
- Any coating that is scratched, flaking or peeling.
- “Non-toxic” claims with no composition or test data behind them.
Read the research
Know one that fits? Suggest a product
13 products · best rated first
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All-CladAll-Clad D3 Stainless Fry Pan with Lid, 12 inch
Uncoated tri-ply stainless steel with an aluminum core, made in Pennsylvania with global components, oven safe to 600°F and covered by a limited lifetime warranty. The pages we read do not name the steel grade. -
de Buyerde Buyer Mineral B Pro Carbon Steel Fry Pan, 11 inch
A plain carbon steel pan, 99% iron and 1% carbon, made in France and sold with a lifetime warranty against defects. You season it yourself. The claims are de Buyer’s own; we found no outside test. -
Field CompanyField Company No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet
A lighter, polished cast iron skillet that Field says is made in the USA from recycled iron, pre-seasoned with grapeseed oil. It has a published lifetime warranty. About $165, with no outside test. -
LodgeLodge Classic Cast Iron Skillet, 10.25 inch
Plain seasoned cast iron with no non-stick coating, for about $25 to $30. Lodge says it is made in the USA and without PFAS; we found no outside test, so that is the maker’s word. -
LodgeLodge Seasoned Carbon Steel Skillet, 10 inch
A seasoned carbon steel skillet with no non-stick coating, about $45 for 10 in. Lodge says it is made in the USA, seasoned with vegetable oil and made without PFAS. No outside test; those are the maker’s words. -
Made InMade In Stainless Clad Frying Pan, 10 inch
An uncoated 5-ply stainless steel pan made in Italy, with a lifetime warranty and a published independent lab report showing no PFAS or bisphenols. The report does not cover metals such as nickel or chromium. -
MisenMisen Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Frying Pan with Glass Lid, 10 inch
An uncoated carbon steel pan seasoned with corn oil, with a lid, oven safe to 500°F and covered by a limited lifetime warranty. Made in China. Misen’s pages are the only source; we found no outside test. -
Smithey IronwareSmithey Ironware No. 10 Cast Iron Skillet
A polished, pre-seasoned cast iron skillet that Smithey says is made in the USA, with no PFOA, PFAS or PTFE and a lifetime guarantee. It costs about six times a Lodge skillet, and the guarantee terms are not published. -
Hestan CulinaryHestan NanoBond Titanium Skillet, 11 inch
A premium stainless pan with a “titanium” surface, made in Italy. Hestan’s own pages contradict each other on nickel and the steel grade, and “FDA-authorized” and “100% toxin free” have no source. About $350 for 11 in. -
Le CreusetLe Creuset Signature Round Dutch Oven
French enameled cast iron with a lifetime limited warranty and a published chemical disclosure for each color. The full lists name cadmium pigments for Cerise, Flame, Flamme Dorée, Nectar and Olive, so look up your color first. -
LodgeLodge Essential Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 6 quart
A budget enameled cast iron pot with no non-stick coating. Lodge’s own California disclosure lists no lead and says cadmium compounds are in red and orange items only, so buy another color. Made in China or Vietnam. -
MisenMisen Carbon Nonstick Frying Pan with Glass Lid, 10 inch
An uncoated pan of nitrided carbon steel over an aluminum core, sold as a non-stick alternative. Misen says it has no PTFE or PFAS. The surface treatment is the maker’s claim only, and the pan is made in China. -
TramontinaTramontina Signature Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Fry Pan, 12 inch
An uncoated stainless steel pan with an aluminum core between 18/10 layers, about $55. NSF lists it and names a factory in Guangdong, China; Tramontina’s page gives no origin or warranty terms. NSF/ANSI 2 (Food Equipment) listing