Oster Clairborne Aluminum Frying Pan in Charcoal Grey
Non-stick coating PFAS content is completely unknown here.
Oster won't disclose the non-stick coating used on this charcoal frying pan. Charcoal-colored non-stick surfaces often hint at Teflon-family coating use, with no test data available.
The safe swap
Pyrex
Pyrex Ceramic Fry Pan 10-in
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.
Material
Aluminum with unspecified non-stick coating (charcoal grey)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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 fume risk (thermal decomposition)
Coating type unspecified; if Teflon-type coating-based, heating above 500°F can release polymer fumes. Oster does not confirm whether this pan uses Teflon-type coating or alternative non-stick chemistry.
Aluminum leaching
Aluminum pans release aluminum into food, especially acidic or salty foods and at higher temperatures. Leaching is dose-dependent and most relevant for frequent daily use or prolonged storage of food in the pan.
Coating degradation over time
Non-stick coatings on budget aluminum pans typically degrade within 1-3 years of regular use. Once the surface peels or flakes, ingestion of coating fragments becomes possible and the pan should be discarded.
Off-gassing or odor from new coating
New non-stick cookware sometimes releases odors when first heated. This is typically temporary and diminishes after washing and repeated heating, but indicates the presence of volatile compounds in the coating formulation.
What’s reassuring
Lead
No recalls or testing records indicate lead or cadmium in Oster cookware coatings. Modern US cookware manufacturing is subject to FDA limits, but no certifications are published for this specific product.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This pan is aluminum with an applied non-stick coating in charcoal grey. Aluminum itself is reactive with acidic foods and can leach into cooking at higher temperatures or with scratched surfaces. The non-stick coating chemistry is not specified by Oster, meaning you cannot verify whether it contains Teflon-type coating (Teflon) or alternative chemistries like ceramic or silicone blends. Unspecified coatings are a common gap in consumer disclosure.
The brand's record and disclosure
Oster does not publicly disclose coating materials, PFAS-free certifications, or manufacturing standards for this cookware line. The brand has not published statements about PFOA phaseout or non-stick chemistry transparency. No recalls specific to this product model are on record, but absence of disclosure does not indicate absence of risk. This lack of transparency is typical of budget cookware brands.
How it compares in its category
Budget aluminum non-stick pans like this occupy the lower end of disclosure standards compared to premium brands (Le Creuset, All-Clad) that publish coating certifications or ceramic alternatives. Oster's charcoal grey finish is visually similar to Teflon-type coating-based non-sticks but without confirmed chemistry. Ceramic-coated or cast-iron alternatives offer more transparent material profiles at similar price points.
If you buy it
Keep temperatures below 500°F to minimize coating degradation and fume risk; never heat empty. Inspect the surface regularly for scratches, discoloration, or peeling. Hand wash only; dishwashers accelerate coating wear. Replace immediately if the non-stick surface flakes, peels, or shows grey base metal underneath. Acidic foods (tomato, vinegar, citrus) should not be stored in the pan after cooking.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Oster has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Cookware
GreenPan
Ceramic Non-stick
Coating degradation and integrity loss
Limited concern
Aluminum leaching
Limited concern
Microparticle shedding from coating
Limited concern
Low risk, safe to use.
⚠Risky category by default
Scanpan
Ceramic Titanium
Ceramic coating degradation and aluminum leaching
Limited concern
Microplastic or particulate shedding from coating
Limited concern
Low risk, safe to use.
⚠Risky category by default
GreenPan
Chatham Ceramic Nonstick Frypan Set
Ceramic coating degradation over time
Limited concern
Thermal shock and handle integrity
Limited concern
Low risk, safe to use.
⚠Risky category by default
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.