HexClad Hybrid Pan, Is It Non-Toxic?
Named ceramic non-stick coating, with a brand PFAS statement we have not verified.
HexClad says its cookware uses its TerraBond ceramic non-stick coating, which it describes as Teflon-type coating-free and PFAS-free. We record that as an unverified brand claim.
Brand says: “HexClad says its cookware uses its TerraBond ceramic non-stick coating, which it describes as PTFE-free and PFAS-free.”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Stainless steel and HexClad TerraBond ceramic non-stick coating
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
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Is HexClad Hybrid Pan non-toxic? What it is made of
HexClad hybrid pans combine a stainless steel body with a proprietary TerraBond ceramic non-stick coating applied to the cooking surface. Ceramic coatings are inorganic and do not contain Teflon-type coating (Teflon), which eliminates the risk of Teflon-type coating polymer fume release at high temperatures. The stainless steel substrate is chemically stable and does not leach metals into food under normal cooking conditions.
What’s concerning
Disclosed non-fluorinated coating
Coating is named and the brand states it is made without PFAS.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Ceramic coating degradation over time
Ceramic coatings are more scratch-resistant than pure ceramic but can gradually thin, flake, or lose non-stick properties with use and washing. No specific degradation timeline or data for HexClad TerraBond coatings is on public record; wear depends on use pattern and care.
Coating adhesion and food contact if coating fails
If the ceramic coating delaminates or chips significantly, the underlying stainless steel would contact food. Stainless steel itself is stable, but continued use of a visibly damaged non-stick pan is not recommended. No field data on failure rates for HexClad TerraBond coating is publicly available.
What’s reassuring
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states this product is PFAS-free. We have not verified the claim.
Aluminum leaching (if aluminum layer present)
HexClad hybrid pans are described as stainless steel construction. No credible evidence of aluminum core or aluminum exposure in this product line is on record. Stainless steel is not a known source of leaching hazards under normal cooking use.
Lead
Ceramic cookware can theoretically contain lead or cadmium if glazes are contaminated, but HexClad has not faced recalls or documented testing failures for heavy metals in its coating. No public test data or complaints specific to this hazard exist for this brand.
Source, ATSDR ↗Teflon-type coating fume release
HexClad uses a ceramic (non-Teflon-type coating) coating, which does not emit Teflon-type coating polymer fumes at cooking temperatures. This hazard is not applicable to this specific product design.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
HexClad publicly claims its TerraBond coating is PFAS-free, though this specific claim has not been independently verified by third-party testing data in the public domain. The brand has not faced widely documented recalls or safety complaints related to cookware leaching or coating degradation. HexClad provides care instructions emphasizing hand washing and avoiding metal utensils, suggesting awareness of coating durability as a customer concern.
How it compares in its category
Ceramic non-stick cookware is generally considered lower concern than Teflon-type coating-based pans because it does not degrade into fumes at normal cooking temperatures. Compared to traditional uncoated stainless steel, HexClad offers easier food release and cleaning without the historical Teflon-type coating concerns. The hybrid design (dimpled steel surface plus ceramic) is marketed as more durable than fully ceramic cookware, though long-term coating wear remains a category-wide consideration.
If you buy it
Use wooden, silicone, or plastic utensils to avoid scratching the ceramic surface; metal utensils will accelerate coating degradation. Hand wash rather than use a dishwasher to extend coating life. Avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures above the manufacturer's stated limit (typically around 500°F); thermal cycling and extreme heat can compromise any non-stick coating. Plan for eventual coating wear and replacement as the pan ages, consistent with all non-stick cookware.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 100% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- HexClad has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to HexClad Hybrid Pan?
- Stainless steel clad construction, no nonstick coating
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Clad separation or delamination over time
- stainless steel clad construction, no nonstick coating
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Nickel leaching from stainless steel
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Clad stainless steel, no coating
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Metal ion release during cooking (iron, nickel, chromium)
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.