Vollrath 5220NS 1/4 Size Wear-Ever 16 Gauge Non-Stick Sheet Pan
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 safe swap
Le Creuset
Le Creuset Rectangular Oven Tray
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 sheet pan with non-stick coating (type unspecified)
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 (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 ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
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.
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 we don’t know
- 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.
Safer alternatives in Bakeware
Caraway
Ceramic Baking Sheet
Coating degradation and metal substrate exposure
Limited concern
Aluminum substrate leaching (if aluminum core)
Limited concern
Thermal shock and coating fracturing
Limited concern
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
GreenPan
GreenLife Ceramic Nonstick Bakeware
Ceramic nonstick coating
Coating degradation and aluminum leaching
Limited concern
Microcracking and ceramic particle shedding
Limited concern
Lower risk, ceramic nonstick avoids Teflon-type coating and PFOA.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Staub
4-Piece Baking Dish Set
enameled cast iron
Enamel degradation and iron leaching
Limited concern
Thermal stress fracture of enamel
Moderate concern
Lower PFAS concern, enameled cast iron baking dishes without nonstick coating.
⚠Risky category by default
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.