Teflon, or PTFE, is the material best known for coating the non-stick pan. But he is controversial.

A registered trademark of the DuPont company, teflon has nonstick properties that repel water and fat. Therefore, it became popular as a coating for pots and pans.

But when subjected to high temperatures, Teflon releases chemical compounds and toxic gases that can contaminate food and our bodies. Among them is PFOA, a material that is potentially carcinogenic

Today, the best non-stick cookware manufacturers guarantee that their parts are free of PFOA.

Because of this, experts guarantee that, today, eating food prepared in PFOA-free teflon pans is not harmful to health.

Even choosing a PFOA-free nonstick pan, care must be taken to prevent debris from loosening from the teflon coating.

Below we list some recommendations that you should adopt in your daily life when using the teflon pan. Look:

• • Do not  preheat teflon pans;
  • Do not leave the teflon pans over the flame for long after the liquid in the food has evaporated;
  • Pans with damaged or peeling nonstick surfaces should be discarded.

Not every non-stick pan is coated with teflon. Another option you will find is the ceramic pot, which also prevents food from sticking to the bottom.

But, although both have nonstick properties, they have many differences. What stands out the most is the price. The teflon pan is much cheaper than the ceramic pan.

But this is justified by the quality. The ceramic pan does not release any toxic substance and withstands very high temperatures, and can even be taken to the oven.

In addition to being non-stick, the ceramic ensures that the heat spreads quickly and evenly, which helps to keep food hot for longer.

The downside of the ceramic pan is that more care is needed when handling it, as it can break.

Check out the main differences between the two best non-stick cookware on the market:

Purchasing Criteria: How to Compare the Best Non-Stick Pan

After deciding between the teflon or ceramic nonstick pot it is time to compare other aspects, which differentiate one model from another. Check out the main ones below:

• Aluminum or stainless steel
• Cooker type
• Loose or cookware set
• Size, handles and cover

In the next topics you will understand how to evaluate each of these items.

Aluminum or stainless steel

In addition to choosing between teflon and ceramic, which are the internal coatings, it is important to check the material that lines the body of the non-stick pan.

In this case, the pans can be made of aluminum or stainless steel, although there are more expensive options made entirely in ceramic.

Aluminum is the most used material, as it is cheap, light and an excellent heat conductor, which makes food cook faster. However, there is a risk, albeit small, that aluminum is released into food.

If you choose the aluminum non-stick pan, ideally, after cooking, you remove the food from the pan and store it in glass containers, to avoid contamination.

The stainless steel non-stick pan is more resistant and durable. However, this type of material has worse heat conductivity. To minimize this problem, the best manufacturers have invested in the aluminum bottom, which distributes heat better.

In addition, it is necessary to dry the stainless steel pot right after washing to avoid oxidation. To summarize, we have prepared a table with the differences between the aluminum pan and the stainless steel pan. Look:

Cooker type

Before choosing the best non-stick pan, be sure to review your stove.

After all, if you have a cooktop, flat-bottomed pans are ideal. But if your stove is by induction, you need to choose specific pans for this appliance.

Loose or cookware set

When buying the best non-stick pan, place on the scale which is the most advantageous option: Buy the single pan or set of pots.

Sets are more economical, but only if you really need all the pieces. Nowadays, manufacturers now offer complete sets with all non-stick cookware, including the frying pan and pressure cooker.

Now, if you already have several cookware at home, you might want to consider buying just one or the other.

Size, handles and cover

Of course, it is essential that you carefully analyze the size and weight of your non-stick pan.

This analysis is important both to make sure that the piece will fit well on the stove top, and to supply the need to cook for a few or many people.

It is worth taking into account that if you buy a non-stick frying pan separately, the piece will not always come with a lid. Therefore, evaluate the importance of the cap in your day to day.

Another criterion that you should compare when choosing the best non-stick pan is the type and shape of the handles. This point is especially relevant if you plan to take your pan to the oven. To do so, opt for handles coated with anti-thermal material.