The Ultimate Wok vs Fry Pan 8.5": which is safer?
Heritage Steel Fry Pan 8.5" is the clear pick. AROMA The Ultimate Wok carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Aroma
The Ultimate Wok
PFAS grade
Bad 15/100
Overall grade
Bad 0/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 4
Material
nonstick coating, type unspecified
Confidence
35%
PossibleTeflon-type coating fume risk (thermal decomposition)
ReportedCoating degradation and flaking
PossibleAluminum substrate leaching
Our pick
Heritage Steel
Fry Pan 8.5"
PFAS grade
Excellent 100/100
Overall grade
Excellent 96/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 1
Material
Clad stainless steel, no coating
Confidence
35%
PossibleMetal ion release (nickel, chromium) from stainless steel
Where these two actually differ
- We flag PTFE fume risk (thermal decomposition), Coating degradation and flaking, Aluminum substrate leaching and Lack of published safety testing or certification on the Aroma and not on the Heritage Steel.
- We flag Metal ion release (nickel, chromium) from stainless steel on the Heritage Steel and not on the Aroma.
- The Aroma is nonstick coating, type unspecified where the Heritage Steel is Clad stainless steel, no coating, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- The gap is 85 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Heritage Steel is the one to buy.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More cookware: see the full ranking