12 qt. Stainless Steel and Black Air Fryer Oven
Lower PFAS concern with stainless steel and no apparent nonstick coating.
This air fryer uses stainless steel construction without marketed nonstick coating, which typically eliminates Teflon-type coating and Teflon-family coating surfaces. Farberware makes no PFAS claims, but stainless steel carries lower inherent PFAS risk than coated alternatives.
The safe swap
LIL' ORBITS
Lil Orbits Universal Fryer FS16L - Donut Equipment
75/100 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
Stainless steel exterior, likely stainless steel interior cooking surfaces
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Stain-resistant finish
Stain resistance treatments commonly use PFAS chemicals.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Metal leaching (nickel, chromium) from stainless steel
Stainless steel can leach trace amounts of nickel and chromium if scratched or if acidic foods contact bare metal repeatedly; risk is low at normal air-frying temperatures but increases with damage to the surface.
Coating degradation over time
If interior surfaces include any protective oxide layer (natural to stainless steel), extended high-heat use may cause minor surface oxidation discoloration, though food safety impact is minimal.
Plastic handle or trim materials
Exterior knobs, handles, and trim may include plastic or silicone polymers; typically these do not contact food directly, but off-gassing or degradation is possible near the heating area if design includes low-melting-point materials.
What’s reassuring
Teflon-type coating/nonstick fume inhalation
Stainless steel construction eliminates Teflon-type coating or Teflon-family coating coatings, so overheating cannot release toxic fumes associated with nonstick degradation.
Electrical heating element safety
No reported manufacturing defects or electrical hazards specific to this Farberware model; standard electric coil elements are well-established technology. Verify cord and plug integrity before use.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This Farberware air fryer uses stainless steel for both exterior and interior cooking surfaces, which is a safer choice than nonstick-coated alternatives. Stainless steel does not release harmful fumes when heated to typical air-frying temperatures (typically under 400°F for most models). The heating element is electric coil-based, not involving chemical coatings that degrade over time. This material class has no established leaching hazards at normal cooking temperatures.
The brand's record and disclosure
Farberware, owned by Groupe SEB, has not issued public PFAS-free certifications or made notable transparency disclosures specific to air fryer construction. No major recalls tied to chemical leaching or coating failure have been documented for this product line in public databases. The brand sells across mass-market retailers and maintains standard compliance with FDA food-contact material rules, but does not appear to have published detailed material sourcing or third-party testing results for this model.
How it compares in its category
Most air fryers use either stainless steel (like this model) or ceramic/nonstick polymer coatings marketed as Teflon-type coating-free alternatives. Stainless steel avoids the Teflon-type coating fume and coating degradation concerns that affect many budget nonstick models. However, stainless steel can require more frequent cleaning and does not have the non-stick convenience; overall, this positions the Farberware favorably within the safety spectrum of the category.
If you buy it
Hand-wash the stainless steel basket and trays rather than dishwashering to extend surface life and avoid detergent residues. Do not exceed manufacturer temperature recommendations (typically 400°F maximum). Inspect the heating element and internal surfaces annually for discoloration or buildup; replace if coating-like degradation appears. Clean promptly after use to prevent stuck-on food and corrosion; stainless steel can spot if acidic residues are left.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Farberware has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Air Fryers
Ninja
Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System
Glass cooking vessel with stainless steel and plastic components
Thermal fracture or stress in glass cooking vessel
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Electrical hazard or heating element degradation
Limited concern
Glass cooking surface avoids nonstick coatings entirely.
⚠Risky category by default
Ninja
Crispi Pro 6-in-1 Glass Air Fryer
Glass cooking vessel with stainless steel components
Thermal shock / glass breakage risk
Limited concern
Glass construction means lower PFAS concern than typical nonstick air fryers.
⚠Risky category by default
Cosori
Smart Toaster Oven
stainless steel exterior, glass and metal interior
Thermal degradation of gaskets or seals
Limited concern
Grease accumulation and combustion byproducts
Limited concern
Glass door thermal stress and breakage
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern, toaster ovens rarely use nonstick coatings, though brand makes no transparency statement.
⚠Risky category by default
More air fryers 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.