PFAS sounds like a term from a scientific report, but the stuff is just sitting in your kitchen cupboard. And in your wardrobe. The same group of chemicals that makes your old frying pan slick also keeps your raincoat dry. Coincidence? No. It is a family of thousands of compounds once embraced as a wonder material and now being shown the door with growing urgency. Time to understand what is going on, and what you can do about it without emptying your entire house.
PFAS, briefly explained without a chemistry lesson
PFAS stands for poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances. A mouthful, but it boils down to this: they are molecules in which carbon atoms are very strongly bonded to fluorine atoms. That bond is so stable that it barely breaks down in nature. Hence their nickname: forever chemicals. They stay, and stay, and stay. In water, in soil, in animals and eventually in you.
There are now thousands of different PFAS compounds. A few familiar names: PFOA, PFOS and GenX. Some are already banned, others are still widely used. And it is precisely that variety that makes it so tricky: as soon as one is restricted, a cousin pops up with the same properties.
Why the chemistry world fell in love
PFAS have three properties that industry fell head over heels for: they repel water, they repel grease and they shrug off heat. A golden combination if you want products that do not stick, do not stain and do not burn. No wonder the substances have been used in countless applications since the 1950s. From pizza boxes to plasters, from make-up to furniture.
The problem is that the same properties that make them handy in products also make them awkward in your body and in the environment. What does not stick to your pan, sticks very nicely to your blood serum.
The pan and the raincoat: the same sneaky family
A traditional non-stick pan often contains a coating from the PTFE family, better known as teflon. That is a PFAS compound. A waterproof raincoat contains an impregnating layer that beads off water, also often based on PFAS. Same story for your outdoor trousers, your tent, your ski suit and your sofa cover with stain-resistant treatment.
Different products, different forms, the same chemical bag of tricks. That is what they have in common. And that is why it is no accident you are seeing them in the news together more and more often.
So how does it end up in your body?
PFAS spread in several ways. With pan coatings, some can be released through wear, scratches or overheating. But the biggest route runs outside your kitchen: PFAS leak from factories and products into the environment, end up in groundwater and surface water, and then return to your plate via drinking water, fish, meat, vegetables and eggs.
Research shows that virtually every European already has more PFAS in their blood than is healthy. Not because of one pan or one jacket, but because of years of exposure from many corners at once. Good news: you decide which new sources you still let in.
What does science say about the risks?
The European Food Safety Authority has lowered the health limit for PFAS sharply in recent years. There is growing evidence that long-term exposure is linked to a weakened immune system, higher cholesterol levels, thyroid problems, liver issues and an increased risk of certain cancers. In children it can reduce the effect of vaccinations.
No reason for instant panic, but a very good reason to close the tap where you can. Especially in places where exposure is high and easy to avoid. Like in your kitchen.
Four signs your pan has an old PFAS coating
- The pan is more than five years old and you do not know exactly what the coating is made of.
- The base shows scratches, small pits or worn patches.
- You see edges of the coating starting to peel or bubble up here and there.
- Food starts sticking in places where it used to slide off cheerfully.
Recognise two or more of these points? Then it is time to say goodbye. A ceramic coating is a safe and modern successor, and you will find the whole range in our frying pans without teflon.
Why ceramic is a logical successor
A ceramic non-stick coating is made from a mineral-based material instead of a synthetic fluoropolymer. No PFAS, no PFOA, no PFOS, no GenX. But the same smooth cooking experience you are used to, provided you treat the pan well. It handles medium heat just fine, holds its non-stick performance for years and works on every heat source, induction included.
Want to know how a ceramic pan compares with a teflon pan? Then also read why you will want to cook only in PFAS-free pans in 2026.
Not just the frying pan: other pans count too
While you are at it, this is the moment to give your whole set a once-over. PFAS coatings were and still are not only in frying pans. Saute pans, woks, saucepans and casserole pans were often given the same layer. The right solution is the same: consciously pick a version without PFAS.
- For risotto, oven dishes and one-pan meals you choose a saute pan without PFAS.
- For high-heat stir-frying you grab a wok pan without PFAS.
- For sauces, soups and smaller portions a saucepan without PFAS is the right call.
- For stews and longer cooks you take a casserole pan without PFAS.
How to avoid PFAS in your raincoat and other textiles
Pans are a kitchen topic, but the PFAS story does not stop at the hob. When buying a new raincoat, outdoor jacket or ski gear, glance at the label from now on. More and more brands explicitly state that the garment is PFAS-free, often using terms like "PFC-free" or "free of fluorocarbons". That is a label you can do something with.
Some brands now choose wax, silicones or special microfibre fabrics that repel water without fluorochemistry. Waterproofing is organised differently, but for daily use it works just fine. Same rule here: the less PFAS you bring in new, the lower your total exposure.
Five simple steps to a PFAS-lighter household
- Replace old non-stick pans with ceramic versions without PFAS.
- When buying new rainwear, always check that "PFAS-free" or "PFC-free" is explicitly stated.
- Stop using stain-resistant sprays on furniture, clothing or shoes.
- Drink filtered water if you live in an area with known PFAS contamination in the tap water.
- Avoid microwave popcorn and pizza boxes with grease-resistant coatings, choose fresh alternatives.
No radical refit of your life. Just a few small choices that, added up, make a big difference for your long-term exposure.
The role of Cook & Pan in this story
At Cook & Pan we chose coatings without PFAS, PFOA or PFOS from the very start. Our ceramic non-stick layers are designed to last for years without the chemical baggage of old teflon pans. Plus: we offer a 7-year warranty on manufacturing and material defects, and even 25 years on our cast iron models. Cast iron does not need a synthetic coating at all, because the material is naturally non-stick after a proper seasoning routine.
That means you do not have to puzzle over what is inside. No small print, no surprise chemistry. Want to see the whole range at a glance? Take a look at all pans.
What do you do with your old PFAS pans?
Do not put them in the paper bin or in the regular rubbish. PFAS coatings belong in metal recycling, because with the right processing the fluoropolymers can be removed before the metal is reused. Hand in your old pans at the recycling centre under the metal category, or ask at the hardware store if there is a collection point.
Want to switch your whole set to PFAS-free in one go? Then read our blog on five sustainable and safe pans you want now.
Frequently asked questions about PFAS in pans
Does PFAS leach out of an undamaged teflon pan into my food?
With a brand-new, undamaged teflon pan release stays limited as long as you do not overheat it. But as soon as the coating scratches, wears or rises above 260 degrees, fluorine compounds can definitely be released. At higher temperatures even harmful fumes. Wear simply happens, so prevention is smarter than testing again later.
Is ceramic really 100% PFAS-free?
A ceramic non-stick coating is built from a mineral sol-gel system without fluoropolymers. With a reputable brand that communicates this properly, you get no PFAS in any form. At Cook & Pan it is stated in black and white on every product page.
How long does a ceramic pan last?
With proper care a ceramic pan will last many years. Concretely: skip the eco mode of your dishwasher, use wooden or silicone utensils, do not preheat dry on high heat, and let the pan cool down calmly before water touches it. More care tips in our blog on why a PFAS-free pan is also a great gift to yourself.
Why is PFAS in the news so often lately?
Because the European Union is working on a broad ban on nearly all PFAS, and because more and more water companies, hospitals and scientific institutes are sounding the alarm about the public-health consequences. It is a topic in motion, and for good reason.
Small nudge, big effect
You do not need to empty your kitchen and your wardrobe tomorrow. But one PFAS-free pan replacing your old teflon pan is a difference that adds up daily. Cooking three times a day, year in, year out. Do the maths. That is a lot of meals without unnecessary chemistry. And that is exactly what Cook & Pan stands for: cooking without worry, with materials you can grow old with calmly.
💡 Please note: we love cooking with boldness, but safety always comes first. Read more on our disclaimer page.
