PTFE nonstick cookware
Quick answer
PTFE nonstick's aluminium body conducts heat at about 237 W/m-K. It works on induction only with a magnetic base and is oven safe to about 400F. It is best for eggs, pancakes, delicate fish, and anything that would weld itself to bare metal.
Conductivity and density are published material properties. Oven ceilings are what manufacturers publish for this class of cookware and vary by brand.
| Material | Conductivity | Induction | Oven ceiling | Reactive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tri-ply stainless clad | 237 W/m-K aluminium core, 16 at the surface | Yes | 600F | No |
| Five-ply stainless clad | 237 W/m-K aluminium layers, 16 at the surface | Yes | 600F | No |
| Disc-base stainless | 237 W/m-K aluminium disc in the base, 16 at the surface | Yes | 500F | No |
| Bare cast iron | 52 W/m-K | Yes | 700F | Yes |
| Carbon steel | 50 W/m-K | Yes | 600F | Yes |
| Enamelled cast iron | 52 W/m-K iron body | Yes | 500F | No |
| PTFE nonstick | 237 W/m-K aluminium body | Depends | 400F | No |
| Ceramic nonstick | 237 W/m-K aluminium body | Depends | 350F | No |
| Bare or anodised aluminium | 237 W/m-K | No | 500F | Yes |
| Plain stainless steel | 16 W/m-K | Depends | 500F | No |
| Lined copper | 401 W/m-K copper body, 16 at the surface | No | 450F | No |
| Stoneware and ceramic bakeware | 1.5 W/m-K | No | 450F | No |
| Tempered glass bakeware | 1 W/m-K | No | 425F | No |
| Wood | not applicable | No | Not oven safe | No |
| Polyethylene and polypropylene | not applicable | No | Not oven safe | No |
What is PTFE nonstick?
A PTFE coating sprayed and cured onto an aluminium or hard-anodised aluminium body.
A nonstick pan is a consumable, not an heirloom. Coatings wear out with normal use, and a worn one should be replaced rather than scrubbed harder.
How it behaves on the heat
Its aluminium body conducts heat at about 237 W/m-K. That figure sits near the top of the range, second only to copper. Heat retention is low, responsiveness is very high, and evenness is good, because aluminium conducts extremely well.
Conductivity and heat capacity are different things and it is worth keeping them apart. Conductivity is how fast heat moves through the material. Heat capacity is how much energy the material holds once hot. Cast iron conducts poorly and holds a great deal, which is exactly why it sears well: the pan barely cools when cold food lands on it.
Induction, oven and care
Induction compatibility depends on the specific pan. It depends entirely on the base. An aluminium body alone will not work; many nonstick pans have a magnetic steel plate bonded to the base specifically so they do. The magnet test is the only reliable answer. The settling test is a fridge magnet on the base: a firm grip means it works.
The oven ceiling is about 400F. Manufacturers commonly publish 400F to 500F for oven use, and many say no broiler at all. PTFE itself begins to break down near 500F, which is why the published figures sit below that. Dishwasher guidance: Often permitted and still a bad idea, since detergent and heat shorten coating life. It is not reactive, so acidic food presents no problem.
What it is genuinely best at
Eggs, pancakes, delicate fish, and anything that would weld itself to bare metal.
On sticking: No, that is the point, until the coating wears out.
PTFE nonstick cookware
- Farberware
Farberware Cookstart DiamondMax Nonstick Frying Pan, 12.25-Inch, Aqua
12.25 inUnder $25 Check priceBudget band; Amazon shows the current price - Tramontina
Tramontina Professional 12-Inch Non Stick Large Frying Pan
12 inUnder $50 Check priceBudget band; Amazon shows the current price - CAROTE
CAROTE 21pcs Pots and Pans Set, Nonstick Cookware Sets, with Egg Pan
21 piecesUnder $250 Check priceBudget band; Amazon shows the current price - T-Fal
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick Pots and Pans Set, 14-Piece, Onyx
14 piecesUnder $250 Check priceBudget band; Amazon shows the current price
Common questions
Does PTFE nonstick work on induction?
Only if the maker bonded a magnetic base to it. It depends entirely on the base. An aluminium body alone will not work; many nonstick pans have a magnetic steel plate bonded to the base specifically so they do. The magnet test is the only reliable answer. The reliable test is a fridge magnet against the base: a firm grip across the whole base means the pan will work, a grip only in the centre means uneven heating, and no grip means it will not work at all.
How hot can PTFE nonstick go in the oven?
About 400F. Manufacturers commonly publish 400F to 500F for oven use, and many say no broiler at all. PTFE itself begins to break down near 500F, which is why the published figures sit below that. Remember that the ceiling for any assembled pan is the lowest of its cooking surface, its handle and, if it goes in covered, its lid, and the handle is very often the lowest of the three.
Is PTFE nonstick dishwasher safe?
Often permitted and still a bad idea, since detergent and heat shorten coating life. Even where a dishwasher is technically permitted, hand washing extends the life of almost every kind of cookware, because detergents are aggressive and the heat cycle is harder on coatings and finishes than anything that happens during cooking.
Can I cook acidic food in PTFE nonstick?
Yes. This material is inert, so tomatoes, wine, vinegar and citrus present no problem however long they cook. That is one of the main practical reasons to own it.
What is PTFE nonstick best at?
Eggs, pancakes, delicate fish, and anything that would weld itself to bare metal. No single cookware material is good at every job, which is why a mixed kitchen outperforms a matched set at every budget. Choose each vessel for what it will actually be used for rather than buying everything in one construction.
