Eater x Heritage Steel 3 Piece Fry Pan Set
Uncoated stainless steel, with a brand PFAS statement we have not verified.
Heritage Steel says its cookware is made without PFAS of any kind and uses no chemical coatings. We record that as an unverified brand claim. The pan is recorded as uncoated clad stainless steel.
Brand says: “Heritage Steel says its cookware is made without PFAS of any kind and uses no chemical coatings.”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Clad stainless steel, no coating
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Aluminum leaching from clad core
The aluminum core is sealed by stainless steel cladding when intact, but if the bond degrades or pans are dented severely, direct contact between aluminum and food can occur. Risk increases with acidic foods and prolonged contact. Inspect bonding integrity regularly.
Stainless steel leaching (nickel, chromium)
Stainless steel cookware can release small amounts of nickel and chromium into food, especially at high temperatures or with acidic foods. The amounts are typically well below regulatory thresholds for cookware but may be a concern for individuals with nickel sensitivity or certain dietary restrictions.
Thermal shock damage to cladding
Rapid temperature changes (hot pan to cold water) can stress the bond between layers and potentially cause delamination over time. This is a durability rather than acute hazard, but it exposes the aluminum core if it occurs.
What’s reassuring
Bare uncoated material
Recorded as a bare, uncoated material with no surface coating or treatment.
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states this product is PFAS-free. We have not verified the claim.
Lead
This product is uncoated stainless steel with no glaze, enamel, or applied ceramic finish, so lead and cadmium contamination from coatings is not applicable.
Source, ATSDR ↗Teflon-type coating fume release
No non-stick coating is present on this cookware, eliminating Teflon-type coating and the risk of fume release at high temperatures.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This set uses clad stainless steel, a sandwich of stainless steel layers bonded to an aluminum or copper core for heat distribution. Because there is no applied non-stick coating, ceramic glaze, or enamel, you avoid the chemical leaching risks that come with coated cookware. The exposed stainless steel surface is chemically stable across normal cooking temperatures and resistant to corrosion, making it a lower concern bare cookware base.
The brand's record and disclosure
Heritage Steel is a US-based cookware manufacturer that has stated a commitment to PFAS-free production and transparency about materials. The brand explicitly states its cookware is manufactured without PFAS compounds. While independent lab verification of this claim is not in the public record, the company's openness about material sourcing and lack of reported safety violations or recalls specific to this product line support confidence in the claim.
How it compares in its category
Uncoated clad stainless cookware sits at the lower-risk end of the cookware spectrum. Non-stick cookware (Teflon-type coating, ceramic, or ceramic-hybrid) carries fume and coating-degradation risks; enameled cast iron risks chipping and lead exposure. Bare stainless is maintenance-friendly, durable over decades, and avoids the chemical hazards of coatings. It does require slightly higher heat and oil for non-stick performance, but that is a use preference, not a safety trade-off.
If you buy it
Hand-wash or use low dishwasher heat to preserve bonding between layers and avoid thermal shock. Stainless steel can react with acidic foods (tomatoes, vinegar) if left sitting for hours, so cook and serve promptly. Inspect the base and sides annually for separating layers; if the cladding delaminates, replace that piece. Use appropriate heat levels; the aluminum core heats rapidly, so medium heat is often sufficient.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Heritage Steel has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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.