Circulon · Cookware
Circulon Radiance 12-Inch Nonstick Deep Frying Pan
Nonstick type unknown; Circulon does not disclose coating chemistry.
Circulon Radiance uses a proprietary nonstick coating but does not publicly specify whether it contains Teflon-type coating or other Teflon-family coating. No PFAS disclosure or third-party verification available.
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Material
Nonstick coating (type unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Marketed non-stick without stating the coating chemistry.
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This pan uses an unspecified nonstick coating applied over aluminum. Circulon does not publicly disclose whether the coating is Teflon-type coating-based (traditional Teflon-type) or a fluorine-free alternative. The aluminum substrate is standard for cookware and poses minimal leaching risk under normal use. The coating's chemical composition and durability over time cannot be assessed without manufacturer transparency.
The brand's record and disclosure
Circulon (owned by Groupe SEB) has not made public commitments to phase out PFOA or disclose nonstick coating chemistry. The brand offers no third-party certifications (e.g., Greenguard, NSF) or independent testing data on their nonstick formulations. No major recalls or established safety controversies are on record for this specific model. The lack of disclosure is the primary concern; it prevents informed comparison with competitors who do specify coating type.
How it compares in its category
Circulon Radiance sits in the mid-range nonstick cookware market. Competitors like T-fal and Calphalon similarly do not always disclose coating type, but brands like GreenPan and Our Place explicitly market PFOA/Teflon-type coating-free alternatives. If this pan uses traditional Teflon-type coating, heating above 500F poses theoretical fume risk. Many mainstream nonstick brands now offer fluorine-free options, making Circulon's silence a competitive disadvantage in transparency.
If you buy it
Never heat the empty pan or exceed medium-high heat; nonstick coatings degrade fastest at sustained high temperatures. Hand wash only (dishwasher can accelerate coating wear). Avoid metal utensils and abrasive sponges. Replace the pan if the coating visibly flakes, peels, or develops a rough texture. Use proper ventilation when cooking; if you smell fumes during normal cooking, stop and contact the manufacturer.
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.”
Teflon-type coating fume risk (if coating is traditional Teflon-type)
Circulon does not specify coating type. Traditional Teflon-type coating releases toxic fumes (Teflon-type coating-related polymer fume fever) above 500F. Risk is low with normal stovetop use (below 500F) but present if pan is overheated or left empty on high heat. No specific incidents reported for this model.
Nonstick coating degradation and microflaking
All nonstick coatings degrade over time, especially with dishwasher use and metal utensils. Flaked coating ingestion is generally considered non-toxic in small amounts (passes through GI tract), but degradation indicates the product is failing. Manufacturer does not publish expected lifespan or replacement intervals.
Aluminum leaching
The aluminum substrate itself does not present a leaching hazard under normal use; the nonstick coating isolates the aluminum from food. Risk only exists if the coating is severely damaged, which is user-visible. No established health risk from intact aluminum cookware in normal cooking.
Coating adhesion and bonding integrity
Circulon does not disclose coating adhesion testing standards or durability benchmarks. Without transparency on manufacturing or material specs, the long-term integrity of the coating-to-aluminum bond cannot be independently verified. Budget nonstick cookware sometimes shows premature peeling.
Lead or cadmium in coating or glaze
No known reports of heavy metal contamination in Circulon nonstick cookware. Modern nonstick coatings do not use lead or cadmium, and US cookware manufacturing is regulated under FDA guidelines. This is a low concern for established brands, though lack of disclosure limits verification.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Cookware
Tramontina
Professional 12-Inch Ceramic Fry Pan
Ceramic nonstick coating
Ceramic cookware carries lower PFAS risk than Teflon-type coating, but verify coating origin.
⚠Risky category by default
More cookware 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.