We Tested Nonstick Cookware: Coatings Don't Need to Look Worn to Shed Particles • Hacker News Board

Re: We Tested Nonstick Cookware: Coatings Don't Need to Look Worn to Shed Particles

#101

Post by clickety_clack » Wed, Jul 29, 2026, 2:29 AM UTC

Zigurd wrote: post #99

clickety_clack wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The thing about “ceramic” is that it’s not actually defined or regulated as a term so it could still be some kind of PTFE.

I've definitely seen brands of cookware that obfuscate their use of PTFE nonstick. The brands that use Kyocera ceramic coatings often specify that by name. Even cheap brands like Green Pan play it straight. So you have to do a little bit of due diligence, but it's pretty easy to avoid the hidden PTFE. Some kind of trustworthy certification would be an improvement no doubt.

I’d like to think it was actually some kind of neutral, non-harmful clay, but I guess the problem with clay is it can be made of whatever is in rocks, which is basically anything.

Re: We Tested Nonstick Cookware: Coatings Don't Need to Look Worn to Shed Particles

#102

Post by KetoManx64 » Wed, Jul 29, 2026, 7:04 AM UTC

Freedumbs wrote: post #77

stult wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I stopped cooking with nonstick pans over 15 years ago, and the only thing I've found that can consistently be a bit tricky is eggs, but really only if the pan isn't hot enough yet when you add the butter or oil, you don't use enough butter/oil, you try to scramble the eggs in the pan, or you try to lift the eggs too soon. So arguably it takes a little more attention to detail to cook eggs on stainless steel, but in…

Eggs stick if the pan temperature isn't right or if there's not enough lube. User error or skill issue. Here's how to do it: buy good pans, turn on pan to ~medium, add oil and rub in with cloth, add more oil (or butter, butter is better with eggs), when pan is hot add eggs. This works with good quality (all clad) or heavy (cast iron) pans.

> Add oil and rub in with cloth

Do what now?

Re: We Tested Nonstick Cookware: Coatings Don't Need to Look Worn to Shed Particles

#103

Post by Zigurd » Wed, Jul 29, 2026, 11:10 AM UTC

clickety_clack wrote: post #101

Zigurd wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've definitely seen brands of cookware that obfuscate their use of PTFE nonstick. The brands that use Kyocera ceramic coatings often specify that by name. Even cheap brands like Green Pan play it straight. So you have to do a little bit of due diligence, but it's pretty easy to avoid the hidden PTFE. Some kind of trustworthy certification would be an improvement no doubt.

I’d like to think it was actually some kind of neutral, non-harmful clay, but I guess the problem with clay is it can be made of whatever is in rocks, which is basically anything.

Do you have the same concerns about glass? And one thing you are certain not to find in ceramic non-stick coatings are floridated hydrocarbons.