Chefman air fryers are not completely free of chemicals that raise health concerns. The company’s own disclosure documents, filed under California’s AB-1200 law, confirm that multiple Chefman air fryer models contain PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) coatings on their baskets, pots, racks, and drip trays. PTFE is classified as a PFAS compound, placing it within a broad family of synthetic chemicals often called “forever chemicals.” Whether this poses a real risk to you depends on how the coating behaves at cooking temperatures and how well you maintain it.
What Chefman’s Coatings Actually Contain
Chefman publicly discloses that the non-stick coating on its air fryer components is PTFE, the same polymer used in Teflon-branded cookware. This coating appears on the pot, rack, and drip tray across a wide range of models, including popular lines like the RJ38 and C38 series. The gaskets in these units also contain PTFE.
PTFE falls under the PFAS umbrella because of its fluorinated carbon structure. However, it’s worth understanding what this means in practical terms. PTFE itself is a stable, solid polymer that doesn’t dissolve in water or leach into food under normal cooking conditions. The bigger concern with older non-stick cookware was PFOA, a processing chemical once used to manufacture PTFE coatings. PFOA has been largely phased out of production in the United States since the mid-2010s, and Chefman’s disclosures do not list PFOA as a component. That said, the company does not explicitly market its products as “PFOA-free” across all models, so checking the specific product listing for your unit is worth doing.
Temperature and Off-Gassing Risk
The primary safety concern with PTFE coatings is heat. According to Poison Control, PTFE begins to break down and release fumes when heated above roughly 500°F. Most Chefman air fryers have a maximum temperature setting of 400°F to 450°F, which sits well below that threshold.
This gap provides a meaningful safety margin during normal use. Unlike a stovetop pan that can accidentally overheat on high flame, an air fryer’s temperature is regulated electronically, making it harder to push into the danger zone. The risk of PTFE degradation in an air fryer is considerably lower than with stovetop cookware for this reason. Still, a malfunctioning thermostat or a unit running while empty could theoretically push internal temperatures higher than the display suggests, so avoiding preheating an empty basket for extended periods is a reasonable precaution.
Lead and BPA Concerns
Some Chefman air fryers carry a California Proposition 65 warning that mentions lead and BPA. Prop 65 labels are required when a product contains any detectable amount of a listed chemical, even at levels far below those shown to cause harm. The warning itself doesn’t tell you how much of the substance is present or whether it’s enough to affect your health.
Independent testing shared by consumers has detected lead on the inner sidewalls of some Chefman units. This is not unusual in small appliances that use certain pigments, solders, or ceramic glazes, but it is a valid concern for anyone looking for a strictly non-toxic appliance. Chefman does not publish its own third-party testing data for lead and cadmium levels on food-contact surfaces, which makes it difficult to assess the actual exposure level. If minimizing lead exposure is a priority for you, particularly for young children, looking for air fryers that have been independently tested and certified by organizations like NSF International can provide more confidence.
How Coating Damage Increases Risk
A PTFE coating in good condition is chemically inert and unlikely to transfer anything harmful to your food. The problem starts when that coating gets scratched, chipped, or worn down. Damaged non-stick surfaces can flake small particles into food, and exposed metal underneath may be more reactive.
The most common way coatings degrade is through improper cleaning. Using steel wool, abrasive scouring pads, or harsh chemical cleaners like oven spray strips the non-stick layer and creates rough patches where grease and residue build up. Metal utensils scraping against the basket cause the same damage. Once the coating is visibly scratched or peeling, replacing the basket or the unit is the safer choice.
To keep the coating intact longer:
- Use soft sponges or cloths with mild dish soap for cleaning
- Skip metal tongs or spatulas inside the basket; silicone or wooden tools are safer for the surface
- Avoid aerosol cooking sprays that contain propellants, which can build up a sticky residue that’s hard to remove without abrasion
- Soak stubborn residue in warm soapy water rather than scrubbing aggressively
Safer Alternatives if You Want to Avoid PTFE
If the presence of PTFE or PFAS-classified materials is a dealbreaker, several air fryer brands offer baskets made from stainless steel or coated with ceramic-based non-stick instead. Stainless steel baskets contain no non-stick coating at all, eliminating the off-gassing and flaking concerns entirely, though food is more likely to stick. Ceramic coatings avoid PTFE but can wear down faster and may still contain trace materials depending on the manufacturer.
Within the Chefman lineup, there is no current model marketed as PTFE-free or ceramic-coated. If you already own a Chefman air fryer, using parchment paper liners designed for air fryers creates a barrier between your food and the coated surface, reducing direct contact. This is a simple, inexpensive step that addresses both the PTFE and potential lead concerns without replacing the appliance.
The Bottom Line on Daily Use
Chefman air fryers contain PTFE coatings that are classified as PFAS, and some units have triggered Prop 65 warnings for lead and BPA. Under normal operating temperatures and with an intact coating, the actual exposure risk is low. The coating stays stable well below the temperatures these appliances reach, and PTFE in solid form does not leach into food the way liquid PFAS chemicals can contaminate water supplies.
The real risk increases when the coating deteriorates. Keeping the basket in good condition, avoiding abrasive cleaning, and replacing components that show visible wear are the most practical steps to minimize any chemical exposure. For anyone who wants to eliminate PTFE from their kitchen entirely, switching to a stainless steel basket model from another brand, or using parchment liners as a barrier, are the most straightforward options.