PFAS, PTFE and PFOA Explained (In Plain English)
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By The Thyra Kitchen Team · August 30, 2026 · 6 min read
You have probably seen PFAS, PTFE and PFOA on cookware labels and in the news, often called forever chemicals. The names are confusing, so here is a plain-English explainer of what they are, why they come up with cookware, and how to sidestep them.
The quick answer: PFAS is a large family of long-lasting synthetic chemicals. PTFE is the non-stick coating on many traditional pans and is a type of PFAS. PFOA was a chemical once used to make PTFE. To avoid them entirely, choose coating-free cookware such as pure titanium, stainless steel or cast iron.
What is PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a large group of synthetic chemicals used since the mid twentieth century for their water, grease and heat resistance. They are nicknamed forever chemicals because they break down very slowly and can linger in the environment. That persistence is the main reason many people now try to reduce their exposure where they easily can, and the kitchen is one obvious place.
What is PTFE?
PTFE, polytetrafluoroethylene, is the slippery material used as the non-stick coating on many conventional pans. It is a member of the PFAS family. In normal use PTFE is stable, but the concern is what happens over time as coatings scratch, flake and break down, especially at high heat, and the fact that it is a coating sitting between you and your food.
What is PFOA?
PFOA, perfluorooctanoic acid, was historically used as a processing aid to manufacture PTFE. It drew significant health and environmental scrutiny and has been phased out of cookware production. You will often see pans labelled PFOA free, though that does not necessarily mean PTFE free, which is an important distinction.
💡 Thyra tip: PFOA free is not the same as PFAS free. A pan can be PFOA free and still have a PTFE coating. If you want to avoid the whole family, look for coating-free cookware.
How to avoid them in your kitchen
The simplest route is to choose cookware with no chemical coating at all. Good options include pure titanium, stainless steel and cast iron. Each cooks a little differently, but none rely on a PFAS-based non-stick layer. Pure titanium is a favourite for people who still want easy release, because it builds a natural non-stick patina rather than using a sprayed-on coating. Thyra titanium is third-party tested and confirmed free from PFAS, PTFE and PFOA.
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The bottom line
The jargon is confusing, but the takeaway is simple. PFAS is the big family, PTFE is the non-stick coating within it, and PFOA is an older processing chemical now phased out. If you want to avoid the whole group, coating-free cookware like pure titanium gives you easy cooking without a chemical layer between you and your food.
Frequently asked questions
Are PFAS and PTFE the same thing?
Not exactly. PFAS is a large family of chemicals, and PTFE, the classic non-stick coating, is one member of that family.
Is PFOA-free cookware safe?
PFOA-free is a good step, but it does not mean PTFE-free. To avoid PFAS entirely, choose coating-free cookware.
What cookware has no PFAS?
Coating-free options such as pure titanium, stainless steel and cast iron. Pure titanium keeps easy release through a natural patina rather than a coating.
Related reading
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Cooking without the chemistry
See how a coating-free titanium pan gives you easy release with no PFAS, PTFE or PFOA.
Learn more about the Pure Titanium Pro Hammered Pan →Written by the Thyra Kitchen editorial team. Have a question about titanium cookware? Reach out, we are happy to help.