Ceramic Pro · Muffin Tins
Caraway 6 Cup Muffin Pan
Lower-concern option; ceramic nonstick avoids confirmed PFAS coatings, but unverified claim.
Caraway's ceramic coating is not Teflon-type coating or Teflon-family coating-based, reducing PFAS exposure versus traditional nonstick. The brand claims PFAS-free formulation, but no third-party lab testing or certification is publicly available to confirm. Ceramic nonstick carries lower inherent PFAS risk than Teflon-style coatings.
Brand says: “Caraway cookware is made without PFOA, PTFE, or other 'forever chemicals'”
Shop Ceramic Pro on Amazon →Material
ceramic coating on steel
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
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).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Caraway muffin pan uses a ceramic nonstick coating applied over steel. Ceramic coatings are mineral-based alternatives to Teflon-type coating (Teflon) and do not contain PFOA, PFOS, or other legacy PFAS compounds. The steel substrate provides structural integrity and heat distribution. Ceramic's main advantage is that it sidesteps the chemical fluorination process entirely, eliminating the fume-release hazard associated with Teflon-type coating overheating.
The brand's record and disclosure
Caraway, owned by Ceramic Pro, markets itself as PFAS-free and has made this claim publicly across product marketing. The claim itself is not independently certified by third parties like NSF or Underwriters Laboratories, making it an unverified assertion based on material sourcing rather than finished-product testing. No formal recalls or safety controversies involving Caraway muffin pans have been documented. The brand's transparency on non-stick chemistry is better than many cookware makers, though independent lab verification would strengthen confidence.
How it compares in its category
Traditional nonstick muffin pans typically use Teflon-type coating or newer Teflon-family coating, which carry potential fume risks if overheated above 500°F and manufacturing PFAS exposure history. Cast iron and uncoated steel require seasoning or oiling and are heavier. Ceramic-coated options like Caraway occupy the middle ground: safer chemical profile than Teflon-type coating, easier cleanup than cast iron, but with lower durability and heat resistance than traditional nonstick. Ceramic coatings can wear or chip after repeated use, whereas Teflon-type coating-based coatings, while chemically riskier, last longer.
If you buy it
Hand wash rather than dishwasher to extend coating life; ceramic coatings degrade faster in high-heat cycles. Avoid metal utensils that will scratch the surface, speeding degradation and exposure to underlying steel or interior material. Do not exceed 400°F; ceramic coatings lose nonstick properties and may off-gas at very high temperatures. Inspect regularly for chips or flaking; if the coating is visibly compromised, retire the pan to avoid ingestion of coating particles and steel contact with acidic batters.
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 nonstick coatings are more prone to scratching and peeling than Teflon-type coating over the pan's lifetime. Once compromised, loose ceramic particles may enter food, and bare steel can rust or leach trace iron into acidic batter.
Lead or cadmium in ceramic glaze
No recalls or published test results for lead or cadmium contamination in Caraway ceramic cookware have been reported. Ceramic dinnerware historically carried this risk; food-contact ceramic cookware is now generally safer, but independent verification for this specific product is unavailable.
Steel substrate corrosion
If the ceramic coating chips or wears away, the underlying steel may rust, particularly if exposed to acidic foods like citrus or vinegar in batter. Rust itself is not acutely toxic but degrades the pan and may discolor baked goods.
Thermal stability of ceramic coating at high bake temperatures
Caraway specifies a maximum temperature of 400°F. No documented off-gassing or fume events above this threshold have been reported, but long-term thermal durability of proprietary ceramic formulations is not independently tested in public sources.
Aluminum leaching
This product is steel-based, not aluminum, so aluminum leaching is not a concern. The ceramic coating fully isolates the steel from food contact when intact.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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 Muffin Tins
Caraway
Nonstick Ceramic Muffin Pan
ceramic nonstick coating
Lower concern, ceramic coating and MADE SAFE certification support PFAS-free claim, though no independent lab testing published.
⚠Risky category by default
Caraway
West Elm Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic Muffin Tin
Ceramic non-stick coating
Lower concern; ceramic non-stick with credible PFAS-free claim and MADE SAFE cert.
⚠Risky category by default
Caraway
Perracotta Ceramic Non-Stick 6-Cup Muffin Pan
Ceramic (terracotta/clay base)
Lower concern; ceramic base with third-party MADE SAFE certification supports claim, but verify retailer specs.
⚠Risky category by default
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.