Tefal Easy Fry FW5018 Air Fryer
Avoid if you're concerned about PFAS exposure from Teflon-type coating.
This model features Teflon-type coating (Teflon) nonstick coating on the aluminum basket, a Teflon-family coating that contains or releases PFAS. Tefal provides no PFAS statement or third-party verification.
The better-graded swap
Big Boss
Big Boss Oil Less Fryer Air Fryer 16 Quart Replacement Clear Glass
75/100 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
Teflon-type coating (Teflon) nonstick coating on aluminum basket/pan
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Tefal Easy Fry FW5018 Air Fryer is made of, ingredients and materials
The Tefal Easy Fry FW5018 uses Teflon-type coating (polytetrafluoroethylene, branded Teflon) as a nonstick coating over an aluminum cooking basket and pan. Teflon-type coating is a synthetic Teflon-family coating containing PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS), a class of chemicals that accumulate in human tissue and environment. When Teflon-type coating-coated cookware is heated above its decomposition threshold (typically above 300-500°C / 570-930°F), it can release toxic fumes including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other volatile compounds. Air fryers operate at 160-200°C (320-390°F) under normal use, which is below typical Teflon-type coating fume-release temperatures, but damage or overheating increases risk.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
PTFE / Teflon confirmed
Uses Teflon-type coating (Teflon), a Teflon-family coating in the PFAS family.
Teflon-type coating (Teflon) fume release
Risk is low under normal air-frying conditions (160-200°C), but rises with overheating, mechanical damage, or preheating. No reported incidents for this specific model, but Teflon-type coating fume toxicity is established in scientific literature.
Coating degradation and migration
Teflon-type coating coatings on cookware and appliances naturally degrade with thermal cycling and mechanical stress. Fragments or microparticles from degraded coating may enter food; long-term health effects of ingestion are not definitively established but are an active area of concern.
PFAS
While Teflon-type coating itself is considered inert, its Teflon-family coating binder and manufacturing residues (including PFOA in older formulations, or replacement PFAS in newer ones) can migrate when coating is heated or damaged. Tefal provides no migration data for this model.
Source, ATSDR ↗Thermal decomposition products from high heat
If appliance malfunction or user error causes sustained overheating beyond design limits, Teflon-type coating may release hydrogen fluoride and other toxic gases. This risk is present in any Teflon-type coating-coated electric cooking appliance.
What’s reassuring
Aluminum leaching from basket/pan
The Teflon-type coating should prevent direct aluminum contact with food. Leaching is unlikely unless coating is severely compromised. No specific testing or reports for this model.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Tefal (a Groupe SEB brand) maintains no public disclosure regarding PFAS content or migration testing for this model. The brand has not published independent safety certifications specific to PFAS limits or non-Teflon-family coating alternatives. No recalls for Teflon-type coating fume-related incidents have been recorded for the FW5018 specifically. Tefal's broader cookware line continues to rely on Teflon-type coating coatings without transitioning to PFOA-free or Teflon-family coating-free alternatives, indicating no stated commitment to phasing out PFAS-based nonstick technology.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream air fryers use Teflon-type coating or ceramic coatings; Teflon-type coating-coated models dominate the market due to durability and non-stick performance. The FW5018 is typical for its price tier and brand positioning. Some competitors (e.g., Philips, Cosori mid-range models) also use Teflon-type coating, while fewer premium alternatives use ceramic or stainless steel baskets without Teflon-family coating coatings. Air fryers generally pose lower Teflon-type coating fume risk than stovetop cookware because temperatures are capped by appliance design, but the risk is not zero.
If you buy it
Never exceed the appliance's maximum temperature setting (typically 200°C) and do not preheat at high heat for extended periods. Inspect the basket and pan coating regularly for scratches, peeling, or discoloration; replace if damage is visible, as this can accelerate migration and fume release. Hand-wash the nonstick surfaces gently; abrasive scouring pads and dishwasher cycles degrade the coating faster. Ensure adequate kitchen ventilation during use, particularly if the appliance shows signs of wear. Replace the entire unit if the nonstick coating deteriorates significantly, as repair of Teflon-type coating surfaces is not reliable.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Tefal has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Tefal Easy Fry FW5018 Air Fryer?
- borosilicate glass, bare uncoated
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Thermal shock and fracture
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- borosilicate glass
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Aluminum leaching from base/housing
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- glass bowl, stainless steel exterior
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Thermal stress and glass breakage
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore air fryers 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.