The dangers of stainless steel pans: Do they contain toxic substances? The truth about your health

Stainless steel is often presented as the healthiest material for cooking .
But faced with growing distrust of non-stick pans and their controversial substances, many are asking:
👉 Are stainless steel pans really safe?

The answer is yes , provided you choose a quality stainless steel, certified for food use.
Here's everything you need to know about the real risks (or rather, the lack of risks) of stainless steel pans — with supporting evidence.

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1. Stainless steel, a safe and inert material

Stainless steel is an alloy composed mainly of iron (Fe) , chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) .
These three elements are linked in an extremely stable structure, which gives stainless steel its unique properties:

• Corrosion resistance,

• No oxidation,

• Zero chemical coating.

Unlike non-stick pans, stainless steel does not need Teflon, PTFE or PFAS to be effective.
It is therefore completely free of volatile chemicals that could migrate into food at high temperatures.

👉 In short: no risk to your health , even when cooking at 250°C or more.

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2. What do stainless steel pans actually contain?

Not all stainless steel pans are created equal. At SAINE , we have chosen 18/10 (304) food-grade stainless steel, the most commonly used in professional kitchens and hospitals.

Nickel is often singled out, particularly for its allergenic potential.
But scientific data shows that its release from a stainless steel pan is almost zero .

👉 To learn more, see our dedicated article:
Can a stainless steel pan be used if someone is allergic to stainless steel?

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3. Scientific tests prove the safety of stainless steel pans

Our pans have been tested by the independent laboratory Shenzhen ZTS Testing Service Co., Ltd. , according to LFGB standards (the German reference legislation for food safety).
The report ZTS22092113TRS , concerned a 22 cm stainless steel pan from the SAINE range.

✅ Sensory test results:

✅ Heavy metal migration test results:

👉 ND (Not detected) means that no measurable traces were found, even after prolonged exposure to heat and food-simulating liquids.

These results confirm that our pans do not release any heavy metals or harmful substances , guaranteeing 100% safe cooking.

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4. Why stainless steel is healthier than non-stick pans

Traditional non-stick pans (Teflon, PTFE, PFAS, low-end ceramic) present several risks:

• Release of toxic substances above 260°C,

• Rapid wear of the coating , creating invisible microparticles,

• Indoor air pollution during overheating.

Conversely, stainless steel is inert :

• It emits nothing , even at high temperatures.

• It doesn't scratch easily.

• And it does not release any chemical particles .

👉 So you cook without plastic, without PTFE, and without toxins.

To learn more:
Why choose Teflon-free and PFAS-free pans for healthy cooking

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5. Choosing the right stainless steel pan

To fully benefit from the advantages of stainless steel, opt for:

• 18/10 (304) food-grade stainless steel , LFGB certified,

• A multi-layer base (stainless steel + aluminum) for even heat distribution,

• Transparent and guaranteed manufacturing .

Our SAINE stoves meet all these criteria:
✅ LFGB certified 304 stainless steel
✅ 3-layer base (steel + aluminum + stainless steel)
✅ Lifetime Warranty
✅ Zero PFAS, zero coating

👉 Discover our complete collection of stainless steel pans

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6. Some tips for cooking perfectly with stainless steel

Even though stainless steel is safe, it requires a few simple precautions:

1. Preheat the pan over medium heat before adding your food.

2. Add a little oil and let it heat up for a few seconds.

3. Let the food detach naturally : a beautiful crust will form, and the cooking will be successful.

👉 For perfect cooking, also discover:
The secrets to perfect cooking with a stainless steel pan

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7. In summary: stainless steel pans are 100% healthy

The tests prove it:

• No nickel migration detected

• Zero heavy metals

• No odor, no metallic taste

• No chemical coating

SAINE pans, made of certified 18/10 stainless steel , offer healthy, durable and ecological cooking , without compromising on performance.

💡 Stainless steel is not just a culinary choice: it's a choice for your health and for the planet .