Vollrath 5220NS 1/4 Size Wear-Ever 16 Gauge Non-Stick Sheet Pan, Is It Non-Toxic?
Don't buy until Vollrath discloses the coating type.
Vollrath won't say what nonstick coating sits on this aluminum pan, and commercial cookware nonstick coatings have historically relied on Teflon-type coating or similar Teflon-family coating. You need them to confirm the coating chemistry.
The better-graded swap
Caraway
Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Medium Baking Sheet
100/100 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 sheet pan with non-stick coating (type unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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Is Vollrath 5220NS 1/4 Size Sheet Pan non-toxic? What it is made of
This is a 16-gauge aluminum sheet pan with an applied non-stick coating of unspecified chemistry. Aluminum itself is food-safe at typical baking temperatures, but the coating type matters enormously, if it uses legacy Teflon-type coating (Teflon) or Teflon-type coating-free alternatives, degradation and leaching risks differ sharply. Vollrath does not publicly disclose whether this pan uses Teflon-type coating, ceramic, silicone, or other chemistry, which is the core safety issue.
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.
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Marketed as non-stick without stating the coating chemistry.
Teflon-type coating fume risk (coating type unknown)
Unspecified non-stick coating raises concern; if Teflon-type coating-based and overheated above 500°F, polymer fume fever is possible. Vollrath silence on coating chemistry prevents clear risk assessment.
Coating degradation and flaking
Heat stability of unspecified coating
Without disclosure of coating type (Teflon-type coating, ceramic, silicone, etc.), safe temperature ceiling is unclear. Generic assumption is 400-500°F, but Teflon-type coating-free alternatives may vary.
What’s reassuring
Aluminum leaching
Aluminum exposure from cookware is generally not flagged by FDA or toxicology literature at normal baking temperatures, especially with intact coating. Risk is negligible unless coating degrades.
Lead
Vollrath manufactures in the US and does not appear in FDA enforcement records for heavy metal contamination in cookware. Aluminum substrate itself does not contain lead or cadmium.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Vollrath is an established US commercial foodservice manufacturer with no major recalls or safety controversies on record for this product line. However, the company does not publish material safety data sheets or PFAS statements for consumer cookware, leaving coating chemistry opaque. This silence on non-stick specifics is not unusual for mid-tier brands but deviates from best-practice transparency.
How it compares in its category
Commercial-grade aluminum sheet pans like this are durable workhorses and outperform thin consumer versions in heat distribution and longevity. Non-stick coating quality varies widely, premium brands (All-Clad, GreenPan) disclose Teflon-type coating-free or ceramic technology; budget alternatives often use unspecified coatings. Vollrath sits in the middle, offering reliability for institutional use but less transparency than premium consumer brands.
If you buy it
Never exceed 400-500°F; most non-stick coatings degrade above this range, potentially releasing fumes or particles. Hand-wash gently to preserve coating; avoid metal utensils and abrasive scrubbing. If the coating shows chipping, peeling, or discoloration, discontinue use. Store dry to prevent coating moisture absorption. Verify the non-stick type (Teflon-type coating vs. Teflon-type coating-free) with Vollrath customer service before purchase if PFAS concern is a priority.
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
- Vollrath has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Vollrath 5220NS 1/4 Size Wear-Ever 16 Gauge Non-Stick Sheet Pan?
- ceramic nonstick coating
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Ceramic coating degradation over time
- ceramic nonstick coating
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Coating degradation and durability
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- ceramic nonstick coating
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Ceramic coating degradation and particle shedding
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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.