Many pans and air fryer baskets have a non-stick coating – often with PFAS. If you want to avoid these eternal chemicals, you will find alternatives.
Frying pans or air fryer baskets with scratches in the non-stick coating belong in the residual waste – or even better, in the hazardous waste.
Janna Kuhlmann, chemical expert at the German Association for Environmental and Nature Conservation (BUND), advises that you should stop using them to prevent harmful substances from entering the environment.
The reason: Many of these non-stick coatings contain PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances), so-called forever chemicals.
Effects of PFAS on health
Some PFAS have been linked to health effects. Specifically with the weakening of the immune system, the influence of the hormonal system, liver damage and cancer, says Janna Kuhlmann.
In principle, according to the expert, coatings are not directly harmful to health. But things can become critical if they have scratches or are exposed to excessive heat. Harmful substances can then dissolve and enter our bodies and the environment through food and air.
What consumers can pay attention to
If you want to avoid PFAS coatings completely, you should pay attention to labels when purchasing. Important: According to BUND, the statement “PFOA-free” is not very meaningful. Especially since this is just a single PFAS compound that is already banned. Instead, the goods should be explicitly labeled with the statement: “PFAS-free” or “PFC-free”.
If there is nothing on the product, you can search for information on the manufacturer’s website or call customer service directly. You can also find out about pollutants using the BUND app Toxfox. Simply scan the barcode and send the poison request, says Kuhlmann.
PFAS alternatives for air fryers and pans
There are commercially available alternatives to the PFAS coating for pans, pots, air fryer containers or waffle irons. The Hamburg consumer advice center, for example, mentions stainless steel or cast iron for pans and quartz or ceramic seals and enamel for pots.
According to Janna Kuhlmann, cast iron pans are durable but also comparatively heavy; the non-stick effect is created by a patina of burnt-in oil. Pans with a ceramic coating are usually lighter. This material is also sometimes used in air fryer baskets, and there are now glass baskets for hot air fryers.
** marked with ** or orange underlined Links to sources of supply are partly partner links: If you buy here, you are actively supporting Techzle\.com, because we then receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More info.