Nordic Ware Original Bundt Pan
Low-Medium risk. Lower-concern bakeware, but coating type unclear. Contact Nordic Ware for specifics.
Nordic Ware's original Bundt pans are cast aluminum with an unspecified nonstick coating. The aluminum itself poses minimal PFAS risk; coating chemistry is unclear.
The safe swap
Le Creuset
Le Creuset Fluted Cake Pan
90/100 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
cast aluminum with non-stick coating (type unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Non-stick coating degradation and particle release
If the non-stick layer chips or flakes (from aggressive washing or use above rated temperature), aluminum substrate or coating fragments may enter food. No recalls reported for this product, but risk rises with age and improper care.
Aluminum leaching at high pH or acidic foods
Bare cast aluminum can leach aluminum ions when exposed to acidic batters (citrus, buttermilk) or prolonged contact. The non-stick coating provides a barrier, but scratches or wear expose underlying aluminum. Risk is mitigated if the coating remains intact but increases with product age.
Fume risk from unclear non-stick chemistry
Nordic Ware does not disclose whether the coating is Teflon-type coating-based; if it is, overheating beyond manufacturer specs could produce volatile organic compounds. This is a low-probability hazard under normal use but cannot be ruled out without ingredient transparency.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Thermal stability of non-stick coating
No public reports of off-gassing or degradation at standard baking temperatures. Cast aluminum conducts heat evenly and is unlikely to create localized hot spots that trigger coating breakdown, though exact temperature limits depend on the specific non-stick formulation.
Heavy metals
Cast aluminum cookware produced by established US manufacturers is not documented to contain lead or cadmium. Nordic Ware's long production history without recalls suggests material sourcing meets food-contact safety standards, but independent third-party testing has not been published.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Nordic Ware's Original Bundt is cast aluminum with a proprietary non-stick coating of unspecified chemistry. Cast aluminum itself is food-safe and chemically stable at baking temperatures, but the non-stick layer's composition matters for PFAS and fume risk. Nordic Ware has not publicly disclosed whether this coating is Teflon-type coating-based (Teflon-class), ceramic, silicone, or another formulation, creating ambiguity about whether heating to high oven temperatures poses off-gassing or leaching risks.
The brand's record and disclosure
Nordic Ware is a long-established US cookware manufacturer (founded 1946) with no major safety recalls or formal safety certifications on record for this product line. The company does not publish PFAS statements or ingredient transparency reports, which limits independent verification of coating safety claims. Absence of documented problems suggests adequate past performance, but the silent stance on non-stick chemistry is a transparency gap that prevents full risk assessment.
How it compares in its category
Cast aluminum Bundts are mid-range in safety relative to alternatives. Ceramic-coated or uncoated steel pans eliminate non-stick coating risk entirely but may stick more and require seasoning. Non-stick aluminum Bundts (including this one) are more convenient but depend on coating durability and chemistry. Nordic Ware's long market presence and lack of recalls suggest this product's formulation has been stable, though better-disclosed alternatives exist (e.g., ceramic or silicone baking molds).
If you buy it
Hand wash only; avoid high-heat scouring pads that degrade the non-stick layer, which could release coating particles and expose aluminum. Use within normal baking temperatures (up to 500F is typical for cakes and breads); do not exceed 500F without verifying your specific pan's tolerance in the manual. Inspect the coating annually for scratches, peeling, or discoloration; replace the pan if the non-stick surface visibly deteriorates. Store dry and consider contacting Nordic Ware directly to confirm whether the coating contains Teflon-type coating or PFAS alternatives if this is a health priority.
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 none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Bundt Pans
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⚠Risky category by default
Le Creuset
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⚠Risky category by default
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⚠Risky category by default
More bundt pans 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.