Caraway · Muffin Tins
Caraway Marigold Ceramic Non-Stick 6-Cup Muffin Pan
Lower-concern choice, ceramic non-stick avoids known PFAS coatings, though coating composition details remain proprietary.
Caraway's Marigold muffin pan uses a ceramic-based non-stick coating and carries a MADE SAFE certification, signaling avoidance of Teflon-type coating/PFOA. The brand explicitly claims PFAS-free formulation.
Brand says: “Caraway's ceramic non-stick coating is PTFE and PFOA-free; the brand explicitly markets this as a safer alternative.”
Material
Ceramic non-stick coating (Teflon-type coating-free)
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Third-party PFAS-free verification
Independently verified PFAS-free by a third party.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Caraway's ceramic non-stick coating is a proprietary ceramic-type or silica-based system applied over steel or aluminum substrate, designed to replace Teflon-type coating (Teflon) entirely. This chemistry eliminates the perfluorinated compounds that off-gas at high heat and persist in the body. The ceramic layer is baked on during manufacturing, making it mechanically durable but prone to chipping if the pan is dropped or scraped with metal tools. Color and glaze durability depend on the specific binder resins used, which Caraway has not fully disclosed publicly.
The brand's record and disclosure
Caraway explicitly markets itself as PFAS-free and has published ingredient commitments on its website. The company does not appear in major product recalls databases for cookware safety violations. However, like most cookware brands, Caraway has not released independent third-party testing reports on ceramic coating composition or leaching under real-world cooking conditions. The brand's transparency is above-average for the category but stops short of full material specification sheets.
How it compares in its category
Ceramic non-stick muffin pans occupy a middle ground between Teflon-type coating-coated steel (cheaper, PFAS risk) and cast iron or uncoated stainless (no coating hazards but requires seasoning). Caraway's version is pricier than conventional non-stick but avoids legacy Teflon-family coating concerns. Comparable ceramic non-stick brands (Our Place, GreenPan, Caraway itself) use similar proprietary coatings with equivalent undisclosed formulations, so category-level transparency is uniformly limited.
If you buy it
Hand-wash only; avoid the dishwasher, which accelerates ceramic coating degradation. Do not use metal utensils or abrasive scrubbers; stick to silicone, wood, or plastic tools. Keep oven temperature at or below the stated maximum (typically 350-400F for ceramic non-stick pans) to prevent coating breakdown and potential fume emission from binder resins. Replace the pan if the coating chips, flakes, or visibly degrades, as exposure to underlying metal or substrate adhesives is possible.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Ceramic coating degradation and substrate exposure
Ceramic non-stick coatings are more brittle than Teflon-type coating and can chip from impact or aggressive cleaning. If the coating flakes into food or degrades, underlying aluminum or steel substrate, as well as adhesive resins binding the ceramic layer, may leach into food.
Aluminum leaching
If the underlying substrate is aluminum and the ceramic coating is breached, acidic foods (tomato-based batters, citrus) can mobilize aluminum at elevated temperatures. Intact coating prevents this; damaged coating increases risk.
Coating binder resin off-gassing
Ceramic coatings require organic binder resins to adhere to metal. If overheated or degraded, these resins may release volatile compounds. Caraway has not disclosed binder chemistry, so specific thermal decomposition products cannot be assessed.
Lead or cadmium in ceramic glaze
No recalls or public warnings exist for Caraway cookware on heavy metal contamination. Modern ceramic cookware manufacturers typically use lead-free and cadmium-free formulations, but independent testing data is not publicly available for this specific product line.
Microplastic or particulate shedding
Ceramic coatings can shed microscopic particles into food, especially after repeated thermal cycling or minor surface damage. This is distinct from coating flaking; the risk level is not quantified in published safety literature for ceramic cookware.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 87% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More muffin tins grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.