Uncoated carbon steel, cast iron or stainless. Carbon steel is the best all-rounder: sears at high heat, little oil once seasoned, no PTFE or PFAS.

The safest cookware is uncoated: carbon steel, cast iron, stainless and glass. None sheds PTFE or PFAS. Here is where each sits and what to avoid.

Not when you buy it. Carbon steel becomes non-stick through seasoning. Here is how good it actually gets and how long it takes.

Uncoated carbon steel has no PFAS, PTFE or PFOA and transfers small amounts of dietary iron. One exception: the 2024 Matfer Bourgeat recall in France.

French regulators recalled specific lots of Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel skillets after arsenic and chromium leached above EU limits. No US recall. Affected lot numbers and what to do if you own one.