Caraway · Griddle Pans
Caraway Sage Ceramic Non-Stick Square Griddle Pan
Lower-concern option; ceramic coating and third-party certifications support the PFAS-free claim, though independent lab testing of this specific product line i
Caraway's ceramic non-stick griddle is marketed as PFOA/Teflon-type coating-free and carries MADE SAFE and GREENGUARD Gold certifications, which validate avoidance of legacy PFAS. The brand explicitly commits to PFAS-free materials. No public lab detection reports exist, and no recalls are on record.
Brand says: “Caraway cookware is made with a non-toxic ceramic non-stick coating that is free of PFOA, PTFE, and other harmful chemicals.”
Material
Ceramic non-stick coating (proprietary, PFOA/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 griddle uses a proprietary ceramic non-stick coating applied over what is typically a hard-anodized aluminum or stainless steel base. The ceramic coating is formulated without Teflon-type coating (Teflon) or PFOA, relying instead on mineral-based silicates and organic polymers. This approach eliminates the fume-release risk associated with traditional Teflon-family coating coatings when the pan is overheated, though ceramic coatings are generally more brittle and prone to chipping with mechanical stress.
The brand's record and disclosure
Caraway markets itself explicitly as a PFOA and Teflon-type coating-free brand and has obtained third-party certifications (notably Cradle to Cradle and other transparency programs) supporting non-toxic cookware positioning. The company publishes material sourcing information and has not faced major recalls or public health complaints related to cookware safety. Their disclosure on non-stick coating chemistry is more transparent than most mainstream brands, though proprietary formulations limit full independent verification.
How it compares in its category
Ceramic non-stick cookware sits in the premium segment relative to traditional Teflon-type coating pans and cast iron. Caraway is positioned above budget ceramics (which often have thinner, less durable coatings) and on par with other brands like GreenPan that use similar ceramic-mineral approaches. Unlike Teflon-type coating pans, ceramic non-stick avoids fume toxicity risk at high heat, but typically wears faster and performs less reliably over multi-year use.
If you buy it
Hand-wash only; avoid abrasive scrubbers and metal utensils that accelerate coating wear. Keep heat below medium-high (roughly 400-450°F) to prevent coating degradation and maintain non-stick performance. Expect gradual loss of non-stick properties after 2-3 years of regular use, at which point replacement is typical for ceramic pans. Store with cloth separators between pans to prevent scratching.
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 chipping
Ceramic non-stick coatings are inherently more brittle than Teflon-type coating and can chip or flake with impact or aggressive cleaning. While Caraway's formulation is established as durable, microscopic chipping and gradual loss of coating integrity is a normal wear pattern; ingestion of small ceramic particles is unlikely to cause harm but is not ideal.
Aluminum leaching (base material)
If the base is hard-anodized aluminum, the anodized layer prevents direct aluminum contact with food. No specific leaching concerns have been reported for Caraway cookware. Normal cooking at moderate heat does not mobilize aluminum through intact ceramic coatings.
Teflon-type coating fume risk (thermal decomposition)
By design, Caraway's ceramic coating eliminates Teflon-type coating entirely, so the classic 'overheated Teflon pan' hazard (Teflon-type coating fumes at 500+°F) does not apply. Ceramic coatings do not release fluorine-based gases even at high temperatures.
Lead or cadmium in glaze or coating
Caraway's third-party certifications and published standards compliance indicate testing for heavy metal leaching. No documented recalls or safety alerts exist for lead or cadmium in this product line.
VOC or off-gassing from coating application
New ceramic cookware may have minor off-gassing of residual solvents or volatile organics used in coating application. Airing the pan or brief heating before first use can reduce this; no specific emissions data for Caraway's process is publicly available, but the risk is low and typical of all new non-stick cookware.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 82% 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 griddle pans 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.