New Nonstick Cookware Sheds PTFE Particles Before Visible Wear Appears
We Tested Nonstick Cookware: Coatings Don't Need to Look Worn to Shed Particles
We tested new PTFE-coated skillets and air fryer baskets to see if they release particles into food before showing visible damage. Our results show that even brand-new cookware can shed detectable particles, and mechanical wear significantly increases this shedding. Surprisingly, higher-priced models like the All-Clad D3 released more particles than cheaper alternatives, suggesting price is not a reliable indicator of durability.
The common advice to replace nonstick cookware once it becomes visibly damaged is flawed because particle shedding can occur long before obvious scratches or peeling appear.