Calphalon Select Nonstick 12-Inch Round Grill Pan
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 safe swap
GreenPan
GreenPan Chatham Ceramic Nonstick Grill Pan
90/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nonstick coating (unspecified type)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Advertised as non-stick but coating type is not explained.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
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.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
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.
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 PFAS-free or ceramic lines 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 we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Calphalon has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Grill Pans
GreenPan
Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick 11" Round Grill Pan
Ceramic nonstick coating (Teflon-type coating-free proprietary formulation)
Aluminum leaching from base material
Limited concern
Ceramic coating degradation and mechanical wear
High concern
Lower-concern choice; ceramic nonstick with credible PFAS-free positioning and third-party certification.
⚠Risky category by default
GreenPan
Chatham Ceramic Nonstick Grill Pan
Ceramic nonstick coating (proprietary, Teflon-type coating-free)
Ceramic coating degradation and aluminum exposure
High concern
Thermal decomposition of ceramic nonstick (off-gassing)
Limited concern
Aluminum core leaching
Limited concern
Microplastic or coating particle shedding into food
Limited concern
Lower-concern option; ceramic nonstick avoids traditional Teflon-type coating, though third-party testing would help.
⚠Risky category by default
GreenPan
Bobby Flay 11" Cast Iron Square Grill Pan
Cast iron with thermolon coating
Coating degradation and leaching
Limited concern
Thermal fume risk from coating
Limited concern
Ceramic coating chipping hazard
Moderate concern
Lower-concern cast iron option, but thermolon coating remains unverified by independent testing.
⚠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.