Calphalon Select Nonstick 12-Inch Round Grill Pan, Is It Non-Toxic?
Avoid unless Calphalon discloses the nonstick chemistry.
Calphalon doesn't specify whether this pan uses Teflon-type coating, PFOA, or alternative nonstick coatings. The brand makes no PFAS-related disclosures, leaving consumers unable to assess PFAS risk.
The better-graded swap
GreenPan
GreenPan Chatham Ceramic Nonstick Grill Pan
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Good.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nonstick coating (unspecified type)
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Is Calphalon Select Nonstick Round Grill Pan non-toxic? What it is made of
Calphalon Select uses a proprietary nonstick coating whose chemical composition is not publicly specified on product packaging or the company website. This matters because nonstick cookware traditionally relies on Teflon-type coating (polytetrafluoroethylene, trademarked Teflon), which releases toxic fumes above 500°F. Without transparency, you cannot confirm whether this pan uses Teflon-type coating, a PFAS-free alternative like ceramic or silicone, or another polymer. The pan body is typically hard-anodized aluminum, which is stable under normal cooking but can leach if coating fails.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Marketed as non-stick without stating the coating chemistry.
Teflon-type coating fume risk (thermal decomposition)
Calphalon Select does not disclose whether the nonstick coating contains Teflon-type coating. If it does, temperatures above 500°F trigger release of hydrogen fluoride and other volatile compounds. Grill pans are often used at higher heat than skillets, increasing this risk if the coating is Teflon-type coating-based.
Coating degradation and aluminum leaching
Once the nonstick coating chips, peels, or wears through (common after 2-3 years of use), the underlying hard-anodized aluminum is exposed. Acidic foods (tomato, vinegar, citrus) can leach aluminum in small amounts, though health significance at typical exposure levels remains debated.
Microplastics
As the nonstick polymer ages, microscopic particles may shed into food, especially if the pan is scratched, overheated, or used in a dishwasher. The extent and health impact are not quantified for this specific product, but represent a known failure mode of all polymer nonstick coatings.
Source, EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Manufacturing off-gassing (first use)
No specific recalls or widespread complaints on record for Calphalon Select off-gassing on first heating. However, new nonstick cookware often releases minor volatile odors; ventilate the kitchen when seasoning a new pan as a precaution.
Handle and hardware integrity
No reported issues with loose rivets, cracking handles, or heat-conductive hardware on this model. Standard practice, inspect the handle-to-pan joint before purchase and periodically during use.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Calphalon (owned by Groupe SEB) has not issued a public commitment to phase out Teflon-type coating or disclose nonstick chemistry on consumer-facing materials. The company does not promote lines with lower PFAS concern or ceramic alternatives as the default standard. When contacted by consumer advocacy groups, Calphalon has remained silent on PFAS content rather than confirming or denying Teflon-type coating use. This lack of transparency is a red flag compared to competitors like GreenPan and Our Place, which explicitly advertise Teflon-type coating-free formulations.
How it compares in its category
The Calphalon Select sits in the mainstream budget-to-mid-range segment. Ceramic nonstick alternatives (GreenPan, Caraway) cost 20-40% more but disclose Teflon-type coating-free chemistry upfront. Traditional Teflon-type coating-coated brands (T-fal, Farberware) cost less and perform similarly but carry the same transparency gap. Stainless steel grill pans (All-Clad, Le Creuset) avoid nonstick chemistry entirely but require oil and skill. For a grill pan specifically, the nonstick trade-off is less critical since you're not searing delicate proteins constantly, making transparency even more important here.
If you buy it
Never exceed medium heat (no high-heat searing or broiler use); heat above 500°F risks Teflon-type coating fume release if present. Hand-wash only; dishwashers accelerate coating degradation. Inspect the cooking surface before each use for peeling, pitting, or discoloration, which signals coating failure and means replacement is overdue. Store without stacking to avoid scratching. If you notice any off-gassing smell (particularly on first use or at high heat), immediately move to ventilation and do not use until Calphalon confirms the nonstick type.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Calphalon has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Calphalon Select Nonstick 12-Inch Round Grill Pan?
- stainless steel, non-nonstick
- Stainless steel nickel or chromium leaching under acidic conditions
- Ceramic nonstick coating (Teflon-type coating-free proprietary formulation)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Aluminum leaching
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Ceramic nonstick coating (proprietary, Teflon-type coating-free)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Ceramic coating degradation and flaking
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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.