Nonstick coatings in the US are no longer produced using PFOA or PFOS. Manufacturers phased out both chemicals in the mid 2010s and replaced them with other PFAS, including GenX chemicals and PFBS . In theory, these newer, shorter-chain PFAS compounds are safer than PFOA and PFOS because they break down faster and therefore may not remain in the environment or bloodstream Cookware Sets as long. You may have seen PFOA and PFOS in the news due to the harm they’ve caused as pollutants. Sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals,” they linger in the environment and the body for a long time, and they’ve been linked to a number of health issues , including cancer. Like those of our other picks, the Tramontina Tri-Ply pan’s handle is secured by rivets.
For example, you need good heat retention for high heat searing, but you wouldn’t use a nonstick pan for this, anyway (at least we hope you wouldn’t). We recommend this because nonstick cookware is notoriously short-lived; the average lifespan is 1-5 years. Many people replace their pans every year or every other year; this is just part of the cost of doing business with nonstick cookware.
We haven’t found evidence that nonstick pans themselves are toxic, at least when used over low or medium heat. However, the PFAS compounds used to make PTFE nonstick coatings may pose a health risk as a drinking water pollutant. Note, however, that while nonstick pans are currently considered safe, they should only be used over moderate heat. At high temperatures, PTFE can break down, releasing fumes toxic enough to kill birds. If you’re concerned about the health risks or environmental impact of PFAS, consider using a cast-iron or carbon-steel pan instead.
Though we tested only the skillets, we can say that all the pieces have a good design that makes them easy to use, easy to wash, and look more expensive than they are. As with the original, don’t expect the nonstick coating to last very long, or even cuisinart knife to work all that well when new. This isn’t really a mark against the pan’s durability, as this is the nature of nonstick ceramic coatings. A little bit more aluminum would provide more even heating, but at this price point, we don’t expect that.
Even though we like the All-Clad B1 skillets, and they do work on induction, they perform better on gas and electric stoves. If you want a pan for cooking on an induction cooktop, you’re probably better off with the Tramontina Tri-Ply gotham steel cookware sets Base nonstick pan. It’s not compatible with induction cooktops (though two of our other picks, the Tramontina Tri-Ply and the All-Clad B1 pans, are). Also, the rivets that secure the handle to the pan don’t have a nonstick coating.