Ceramic Coating (Sol-Gel)

Ceramic non-stick coating (also called sol-gel) is a silica-based coating applied to a metal substrate via a wet chemical process. It creates a smooth, non-porous cooking surface that resists sticking. Unlike PTFE, ceramic coating contains no fluoropolymers — it is genuinely PFAS-free. Major brands using sol-gel ceramic include GreenPan, Caraway, Our Place, and Scanpan Classic.

Sol-gel ceramic coatings are considered food-safe by regulatory bodies. They are free from PTFE, PFOA, and PFAS. The main limitation is durability: ceramic coatings degrade faster than PTFE under high heat, metal utensils, or abrasive cleaning. When worn, performance drops significantly, but there is no known toxicity from degraded ceramic coating particles.

Extend life of ceramic coating: use silicone or wood utensils; hand-wash with mild soap; avoid thermal shock (don't plunge hot pan in cold water); cook on medium heat to preserve the coating surface.