Caraway · Grill Pans
Crate & Barrel Caraway Cream Ceramic Non-Stick Square Grill Pan
Lower-concern ceramic non-stick option, but unverified PFAS-free claim and no third-party testing reduce confidence.
Caraway's ceramic non-stick pan avoids traditional Teflon-type coating coatings and claims to be PFAS-free. However, the claim lacks third-party verification or lab confirmation, and ceramic coatings can sometimes contain PFAS in manufacturing additives. No government recalls on record.
Brand says: “Caraway markets its cookware line as PFAS-free and uses ceramic non-stick coating, emphasizing no PTFE or fluoropolymers”
Shop Caraway on Amazon →Material
ceramic non-stick coating
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.
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states the product is PFAS-free (self-declared).
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
This pan uses a ceramic non-stick coating applied over a ceramic or stoneware base, marketed as PFAS-free. Ceramic coatings are inherently more chemically inert than traditional Teflon-type coating (Teflon) but are typically softer and more prone to chipping or peeling with use. The glaze composition and any glazing or enameling processes used are not publicly detailed by Caraway, making independent verification of coating integrity and leachable content difficult. No public testing data confirms the absence of heavy metals like lead or cadmium in the glaze.
The brand's record and disclosure
Caraway explicitly markets cookware as PFAS-free and positions itself as a safer cookware alternative, but has not published independent third-party testing results or detailed material safety data sheets (SDS) for its ceramic coatings. The brand does not appear in major product safety databases with established safety certifications (e.g., California Prop 65 warnings or FDA guidance compliance statements). This lack of transparency around coating formulation and heavy metal testing is a notable gap for a brand making health-centered claims.
How it compares in its category
Ceramic non-stick cookware occupies a middle ground: it avoids Teflon-type coating fume risk and long-chain PFAS exposure, but typically performs worse than Teflon-type coating in non-stick durability and heat tolerance, and coating degradation over time is a known issue in the category. Cast iron or stainless steel alternatives have no coating degradation risk but require more maintenance. Most ceramic non-stick brands (GreenPan, Our Place, Caraway) make similar PFAS-free claims without formal third-party verification, making this product representative of the category's transparency gaps rather than an outlier.
If you buy it
Use only wooden, silicone, or plastic utensils to avoid scratching the ceramic coating; metal utensils accelerate chipping and potential leaching. Do not use at temperatures above 500°F (check manufacturer guidelines for exact limits), as overheating can compromise the coating. Inspect the surface regularly for cracks, peeling, or discoloration; discard or cease use if coating shows significant wear. Hand wash when possible rather than dishwasher to extend coating life, and avoid sudden temperature changes (thermal shock).
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 potential leaching
Ceramic non-stick coatings are softer than Teflon-type coating and degrade faster with normal use (scratching, peeling). Once compromised, the underlying base material and any leachable components in the glaze become exposed. No public testing by Caraway documents leaching rates or residual heavy metals in the coating.
Lead or cadmium in ceramic glaze
Caraway has not published any test results showing the absence of lead or cadmium in the ceramic glaze or underlying stoneware base. Most ceramic cookware sold in the US is below limits set by FDA and California Prop 65, but unverified products carry unquantified risk.
Thermal stability and fume risk from ceramic coating
While ceramic coatings are marketed as safer than Teflon-type coating, the chemical stability of Caraway's proprietary ceramic non-stick formula above recommended heat limits is not publicly documented. Degradation or off-gassing at high temperatures cannot be ruled out without independent testing.
Microplastics or polymer particle shedding from degraded coating
As the ceramic coating wears, microscopic particles may shed into food, especially with abrasive use or scratching. The long-term health implications remain understudied, but the risk increases as the coating deteriorates.
Unverified PFAS-free claim
Caraway claims the product is PFAS-free but provides no third-party certification, such as from NSF or a recognized testing laboratory. This claim cannot be independently verified, and some 'PFAS-free' ceramic coatings have been found to contain replacement PFAS or other fluorinated compounds in academic studies.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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.
Safer alternatives in Grill Pans
GreenPan
Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick 11" Round Grill Pan
Ceramic nonstick coating (Teflon-type coating-free proprietary formulation)
Lower-concern choice: ceramic nonstick with credible PFAS-free positioning and third-party certification.
⚠Risky category by default
More grill 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.