HexClad Hybrid Pots & Pans Set, 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
Lab data
No public lab test
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Is HexClad Hybrid Pots & Pans Set non-toxic? What it is made of
HexClad hybrid cookware uses 18/10 stainless steel bodies with a proprietary ceramic non-stick coating called TerraBond applied over a hexagonal pattern base. Stainless steel does not leach appreciable amounts of nickel or chromium under normal cooking conditions. The ceramic coating is the functional safety concern, its composition, bonding durability, and resistance to chipping or flaking over time determine whether metal or coating particles enter food.
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 and flaking
TerraBond is a proprietary ceramic formulation without published independent wear or adhesion testing. Ceramic coatings can flake with thermal cycling, impact, or incorrect care, potentially introducing inorganic particles into food. No recalls or complaints specific to HexClad coating failure are on record, but long-term durability relative to established brands remains undemonstrated.
Coating adhesion under manufacturing conditions
The bonding process between the stainless steel substrate and TerraBond ceramic is not disclosed publicly. Poor adhesion could allow coating particles to enter food or the coating to separate during use. No manufacturing defects have been recalled, but real-world user reports of early flaking or durability issues are anecdotal and not independently tracked.
What’s reassuring
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states this product is PFAS-free. We have not verified the claim.
Metal leaching from stainless steel substrate
The 18/10 stainless steel base does not leach nickel, chromium, or iron at levels of concern under normal cooking conditions, even in acidic foods. HexClad cookware carries no known advisories for metal contamination.
Teflon-type coating or ceramic fume emissions at high heat
HexClad's ceramic coating has not been reported to off-gas formaldehyde, HCl, or other volatile compounds at normal cooking temperatures. However, ceramics are not inherently inert; prolonged heating above 400F or deliberate overheating should be avoided pending independent testing of TerraBond fume safety.
Lead
No lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in HexClad cookware glazes have been reported or recalled. Ceramic cookware sold in the US is subject to FDA lead leaching limits, but HexClad does not publish independent test reports confirming compliance.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
HexClad has made public statements claiming their TerraBond coating is PFAS-free, aligning with industry shift away from Teflon-type coating. However, these claims have not been independently verified by third-party certification (e.g., NSF, GreenGuard) on the record. The brand provides limited transparency on the full chemical composition of TerraBond or long-term coating stability data, which is standard for ceramic non-stick cookware manufacturers generally.
How it compares in its category
HexClad positions itself as a middle ground between traditional Teflon-type coating (Teflon) cookware and uncoated stainless steel. Compared to established ceramic brands (Caraway, GreenPan), HexClad's TerraBond coating is newer and has less real-world durability history in published independent testing. Uncoated stainless steel avoids coating degradation risk entirely but requires more oil and skill; Teflon-type coating cookware carries PFOA/Teflon-type coating fume risk that ceramic claims to eliminate.
If you buy it
Keep heat below medium-high to reduce coating stress and fume risk, even though ceramic is theoretically more heat-stable than Teflon-type coating. Hand wash only; dishwashers degrade ceramic coatings faster. Inspect the cooking surface monthly for chips, cracks, or flaking; discontinue use if the coating is visibly compromised. Do not use metal utensils; silicone, wood, or plastic utensils extend coating life and reduce the risk of metal exposure.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% 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 Pots & Pans Set?
- 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.