T-Fal Simply Cook Nonstick Square Grill Pan, Is It Non-Toxic?
Teflon-type coating non-stick coating, disclosed by the brand.
T-fal lists this range among its products containing intentionally added PFAS and says its nonstick contains Teflon-type coating, a Teflon-family coating in the PFAS family.
The better-graded swap
GreenPan
GreenPan Bobby Flay 11" Cast Iron Square Grill Pan
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Good.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Teflon-type coating non-stick coating, as disclosed by T-fal for this range
Lab data
No public lab test
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Is T-Fal Simply Cook Square Grill Pan non-toxic? What it is made of
This pan uses Teflon-type coating (polytetrafluoroethylene), the synthetic non-stick polymer commonly known as Teflon. T-fal explicitly discloses Teflon-type coating as the non-stick coating in this product line. The base is typically aluminum or steel with Teflon-type coating applied as a surface layer. Teflon-type coating itself is chemically stable at normal cooking temperatures but degrades and releases fumes when heated above approximately 500°F, a threshold well below some high-heat cooking methods.
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No PFAS-free statement from the brand for this product.
PTFE / Teflon confirmed
The brand discloses a Teflon-type coating.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Teflon-type coating thermal decomposition (fume inhalation risk)
Teflon-type coating coatings release potentially toxic fumes (including perfluorinated compounds) when heated above 500°F. Risk is present during normal stovetop use if temperature is not monitored, particularly in homes with poor ventilation or in the presence of birds (who are more sensitive to Teflon-type coating fumes).
Coating degradation and peeling over time
User reviews and durability complaints document that T-fal Teflon-type coating coatings wear, discolor, and peel after months of use, especially if washed in dishwasher or scrubbed aggressively. Peeling coating increases both fume release and potential ingestion of coating particles.
Aluminum leaching (from base material)
If the Teflon-type coating develops scratches or gaps, exposure of the underlying aluminum substrate may occur. Acidic foods or prolonged contact could theoretically increase aluminum migration, though this is typically a concern with bare aluminum cookware rather than coated pans.
What’s reassuring
Lead
No recalls or test reports specific to this model document lead or cadmium in the pan structure or handle coatings. T-fal cookware sold in North America is subject to FDA regulations, but no public third-party testing is available for this specific SKU.
Source, ATSDR ↗Handle material safety (if plastic or silicone)
Handles on this model typically use stainless steel or bakelite; no reports of BPA, phthalates, or other plastic contaminants are on record. Product documentation does not indicate silicone or soft plastic handles.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
T-fal (a Groupe SEB brand) has not published a formal PFAS reduction commitment or timeline in publicly available statements. The company does disclose use of Teflon-type coating in product descriptions and care guides, meeting basic transparency expectations. No major safety recalls specific to Teflon-type coating degradation or fume release have been recorded for this model, though complaints about coating wear and discoloration are common in user reviews over time.
How it compares in its category
Teflon-type coating non-stick grill pans are standard in the mid-market category; T-fal's offering is not distinctive in material choice. Ceramic-coated alternatives (Teflon-type coating-free) exist but often have lower non-stick durability and higher cost. Cast iron and stainless steel grill pans avoid non-stick coatings entirely but require seasoning or oil and produce more sticking. T-fal's Teflon-type coating choice reflects industry convention rather than a safety outlier, but the hazard is inherent to the material class.
If you buy it
Keep stovetop temperature below 500°F during use; many home cooks stay well within this limit for normal grilling and searing. Ensure adequate kitchen ventilation, especially if cooking at higher temperatures or if the pan is left unattended on heat. Hand-wash only; dishwasher use accelerates coating wear and can cause premature degradation. Replace the pan if the Teflon-type coating visibly peels, flakes, or chips, as a compromised surface increases fume release risk and defeats the non-stick function.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- T-fal 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 T-Fal Simply Cook Nonstick Square Grill Pan?
- stainless steel, non-nonstick
- Stainless steel nickel or chromium leaching under acidic conditions
- Ceramic nonstick coating (Teflon-type coating-free proprietary formulation)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Aluminum leaching
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Ceramic nonstick coating (proprietary, Teflon-type coating-free)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Ceramic coating degradation and flaking
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More grill 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.