Nordic Ware Brilliant Bakeware Nonstick Aluminum Quarter Sheet Pan
PFAS confirmed or highly likely, we recommend avoiding it. This is a model-based estimate from materials and available data, not a lab test.
The safe swap
Le Creuset
Le Creuset Rectangular Oven Tray
80/100 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.
What’s concerning
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Advertised as non-stick but coating type is not explained.
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.
Teflon-type coating or proprietary Teflon-family coating degradation
Nonstick coatings can flake, chip, or degrade over repeated use, especially if scratched or overheated. Nordic Ware does not publicly specify the exact coating type or its thermal stability threshold, making independent risk assessment difficult.
Thermal fume release from nonstick coating
If the coating contains Teflon-type coating or similar Teflon-family coating, heating above recommended temperatures (typically 500F+) can release fumes. The exact composition of Brilliant nonstick is undisclosed, so upper safe temperature limits are unclear.
Aluminum leaching
Bare aluminum exposed after coating degradation can leach into acidic foods (tomatoes, citrus) or foods in prolonged contact. This is a secondary hazard only if the nonstick surface fails; normal use poses minimal risk.
Coating-to-food particle transfer
Microscopic flaking of nonstick coatings can occur during normal wear and potentially be ingested. Long-term health effects of ingested nonstick particles are not well characterized in literature.
Lack of ingredient transparency
Nordic Ware does not disclose the chemical composition or PFAS status of the Brilliant coating on product labels or safety documents, preventing informed comparison with alternatives.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Nordic Ware Brilliant Bakeware is aluminum sheet pan with a proprietary nonstick coating. The specific Teflon-family coating or resin composition is not publicly disclosed by the brand. Aluminum itself is stable under normal baking conditions, but the nonstick surface is the primary safety variable; degradation or flaking exposes underlying metal and allows direct contact with food at high temperatures.
The brand's record and disclosure
Nordic Ware does not publicly disclose PFAS content, coating chemistry, or third-party testing results for this product line. The brand has not faced major safety recalls related to nonstick cookware or bakeware, and markets the Brilliant line as a mainstream consumer product. No independent certifications (GOTS, Oeko-Tex equivalent for cookware) are advertised for this specific pan.
How it compares in its category
Aluminum nonstick quarter sheet pans are standard in home and professional baking. This product sits in the mid-market tier; alternatives include ceramic-coated aluminum (lower PFAS risk but less durability), stainless steel (no coating risk but slower heat), and cast iron (coating-free but heavier). The Brilliant coating formula is not publicly differentiated from typical Teflon-type coating-based or proprietary Teflon-family coating systems used across the category.
If you buy it
Avoid heating above 400-500F; most nonstick coatings degrade or emit fumes at higher temperatures. Hand wash; abrasive scrubbers and metal utensils accelerate coating wear. Inspect regularly for flaking, discoloration, or peeling; discard the pan if coating is visibly compromised. Store in a dry place to prevent corrosion between use.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Nordic Ware has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Bakeware
Caraway
Ceramic Baking Sheet
Coating degradation and metal substrate exposure
Limited concern
Aluminum substrate leaching (if aluminum core)
Limited concern
Thermal shock and coating fracturing
Limited concern
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
GreenPan
GreenLife Ceramic Nonstick Bakeware
Ceramic nonstick coating
Coating degradation and aluminum leaching
Limited concern
Microcracking and ceramic particle shedding
Limited concern
Lower risk, ceramic nonstick avoids Teflon-type coating and PFOA.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Staub
4-Piece Baking Dish Set
enameled cast iron
Enamel degradation and iron leaching
Limited concern
Thermal stress fracture of enamel
Moderate concern
Lower PFAS concern, enameled cast iron baking dishes without nonstick coating.
⚠Risky category by default
More bakeware 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.