Chicago Metallic Cookie Sheet
PFAS confirmed or highly likely, we recommend avoiding it. This is a model-based estimate from materials and available data, not a lab test.
The better-graded swap
Caraway
Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Large Baking Sheet
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.
Is Chicago Metallic Cookie Sheet non-toxic? What it is made of
Chicago Metallic cookie sheets are typically made from aluminized steel (steel core with thin aluminum coating) or stainless steel, depending on the specific line. The aluminum coating provides even heat distribution and prevents rust. This construction is industry standard for commercial-grade bakeware and poses minimal leaching risk under normal baking temperatures (up to 500-550°F), as the steel base prevents direct aluminum contact with food and the coating remains stable when intact.
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.
Aluminum leaching
Aluminum coating provides barrier to direct contact, but minor leaching is theoretically possible if coating degrades or with prolonged exposure to acidic foods. Risk is low under normal use and stays well below dietary guidelines even in worst-case scenarios.
Coating degradation and corrosion
Over years of use, the aluminum coating can wear or the steel base can develop rust spots if exposed to moisture. This is cosmetic and functional rather than acutely hazardous, but compromised coating should trigger replacement.
Thermal stability under high heat
Aluminized steel is stable to 550°F; exceeding this significantly risks coating breakdown. Standard home oven use (350-450°F) poses no concern, but commercial convection ovens or broiler use at sustained high temperatures requires caution.
What’s reassuring
Lead
No documented history of lead or cadmium contamination in Chicago Metallic bakeware. Modern commercial steel/aluminized steel production is not associated with heavy metal coating additives in this product class.
Source, ATSDR ↗Teflon-type coating (non-stick) fume risk
Chicago Metallic standard cookie sheets are uncoated steel or aluminized steel without Teflon-family coating non-stick surfaces, so this hazard does not apply to the base product line.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Chicago Metallic is a long-established commercial bakeware manufacturer (founded 1901) with a straightforward product line and no major safety recalls related to material composition on record. The brand does not prominently disclose PFAS content or non-PFAS certifications; material specifications are typically functional rather than transparency-focused. No formal certifications (NSF, FDA Beyond Compliance) are standard for this product category, which is typical for commercial-grade bakeware.
How it compares in its category
Chicago Metallic represents the mid-to-premium tier of commercial cookie sheets. It sits between disposable aluminum pans and specialty non-stick alternatives, offering durability and even baking without relying on Teflon-family coating coatings. Most competitors in this category (commercial steel/aluminized steel sheets) share the same hazard profile; non-stick alternatives carry additional PFAS and polymer-related concerns.
If you buy it
Hand-wash to avoid dishwasher damage to the coating; do not exceed 550°F or subject to thermal shock. Inspect the surface annually for chips, corrosion, or coating degradation; replace if the steel base becomes exposed or rust appears. Avoid prolonged contact with acidic foods (tomato, citrus) if the coating is worn, as this may increase aluminum migration slightly. Store in a dry environment to prevent rust initiation.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 40% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Chicago Metallic has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Bakeware
Caraway
Nonstick Ceramic Medium Baking Sheet
- ceramic nonstick coating
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Ceramic coating degradation over time
Caraway
Ceramic Nonstick Baking Sheet Duo
- ceramic nonstick coating
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Coating degradation and durability
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Caraway
Nonstick Ceramic Large Baking Sheet
- ceramic nonstick coating
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Ceramic coating degradation and particle shedding
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
More bakeware 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.