PFAS in your milk frother: what should you look out for?
You’ve read something about PFAS. Now you want to know: is it in my milk frother too? In this article, I explain what it is, how to recognize it, and what alternatives there are.
- Most milk frothers have a non-stick coating that contains PFAS
- "PFOA-free" is not the same as "PFAS-free" (there are more than 10,000 PFAS substances)
- Heat and wear cause coating particles to end up in your milk
- Safe alternatives: glass jug or uncoated stainless steel
- Check your own milk frother with the 5-point checklist below
Your concerns are valid
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already seen something about PFAS. Maybe in the news. Maybe a video on Instagram. Maybe a friend who suddenly threw out all her pans.
And now you’re wondering: does that apply to my milk frother too?
The short answer: probably yes. Most milk frothers, including those from well-known brands, including those costing €80 or more, have a non-stick coating on the inside. And in most cases, that layer contains PFAS.
With pans, most people now know there’s a coating on them. But with a milk frother, you don’t think about that as quickly. While it’s exactly the same issue: hot liquid in direct contact with a coating. Only with a milk frother, you also drink the result right away—every morning again.
This isn’t fearmongering. It’s simply information that helps you make an informed choice. Below I explain step by step what PFAS exactly is, how to recognize it, and what alternatives there are.
PFOA-free, PTFE-free, PFAS-free: what’s the difference?
This is where it gets confusing for many people. Brands put "PFOA-free" on the packaging as if that means their product is safe. But that’s not quite true.
Let’s line up the terms:
The three terms you need to know
PFOA is a specific PFAS substance that has been banned in the EU since 2020. It’s the best-known one, but far from the only one.
PTFE is the coating itself. Better known as Teflon. This is the material the non-stick layer is made of. PTFE contains PFAS substances.
PFAS is the umbrella group of more than 10,000 chemical substances. PFOA is one of them. But there are thousands of other variants that are still legally used.
| Claim on the packaging | What it means | Safe? |
|---|---|---|
| "PFOA-free" | Contains no PFOA, but can still contain PTFE and other PFAS substances. The coating is still there. | No |
| “PTFE-free” | Contains no Teflon coating. But it may contain another coating, such as ceramic with PFAS additives. | Partly |
| “PFAS-free” | Contains no substances from the PFAS group at all. No coating, or a coating that is demonstrably free of all PFAS substances. | Yes |
| “No coating” | No non-stick layer present. Material is pure glass, stainless steel, or a combination of the two. | Yes |
“PFOA-free” is the most common claim in the kitchen industry. It sounds safe, but it only says that one banned substance isn’t in it. The coating itself—and the thousands of other PFAS substances—are still there. Compare it to a cigarette advertised as “lead-free”. Technically true, but you’re still smoking.
Why this matters for milk frothers
With a milk frother, the exposure is very direct. The hot milk spins at high speed against the coating. The coating wears. What wears off ends up in your milk. And you drink that milk.
That’s why “PFOA-free” isn’t enough. You want to know: is there any coating in it at all? And if so, what’s in that coating?
The 5-point checklist: assess your own milk frother
With these five questions, you can estimate for yourself whether your milk frother poses a risk.
- Look at the inside of the jug Is it a smooth, dark layer (black, grey, dark grey)? Then it’s almost certainly a coating. Is it transparent (glass) or silver-colored (steel)? Then there’s no coating.
- Check for wear Do you see scratches, light spots, or areas where the layer seems thinner? That means the coating has already shed particles. Into your milk.
- Read the product specifications Look for terms like “non-stick layer”, “non-stick coating”, or “PTFE”. If any of these terms appear, your milk frother contains a coating.
- Check the claim: PFOA-free or PFAS-free? “PFOA-free” isn’t enough (see the framework above). Only “PFAS-free” or “no coating” gives you certainty.
- How old is your milk frother? The longer you use it, the more the coating has worn down. After 1 to 2 years of daily use, wear is already visible on most models.
Does your milk frother score 2 or more of these points? Then there’s a good chance you’re taking in coating particles every day through your coffee. No need to panic, but it is a reason to look at your options.
Left: a coated interior with visible wear. Right: a glass interior, no coating, no wear.
Which materials are safe?
If you want to switch to a milk frother without PFAS, there are two materials that are proven to be safe:
1. Glass jug
- Glass is completely inert; it doesn’t react with hot liquids
- Nothing can "flake off" because there simply isn’t a coating on it
- You can see exactly what’s happening inside the jug (transparent)
- Easy to clean without damaging a coating
- Lasts longer because there’s no layer that can wear down
2. Uncoated stainless steel (304/316)
- Food-grade steel with no coating on top
- Has been used in professional kitchens for decades
- No PFAS, no PTFE, no non-stick coating
- Note: some stainless-steel jugs still have a coating—always check that it’s uncoated
Look for: "glass jug," "borosilicate glass," "uncoated stainless steel," or "no non-stick coating." Avoid: "non-stick," "nonstick," "PFOA-free" (without adding PFAS-free), and any milk frother with a dark, smooth interior.
What about ceramic coatings?
Ceramic coatings are often presented as "the safe alternative." And in many cases they’re better than PTFE. But not always PFAS-free.
Some ceramic coatings use PFAS as a processing aid during manufacturing. The end product may still contain traces. Always ask for a test report if a brand claims their ceramic coating is PFAS-free.
For milk frothers, the safest choice is simply: no coating. Glass or uncoated steel. That way you don’t have to worry about which substances may or may not be in a coating.
What can you do now?
You now have the information. You know what PFAS is, how to spot it, and which materials are safe. The next step is up to you.
Option 1: Check your current milk frother
Go through the 5-point checklist above. Look at the inside. Read the specs. In many cases, you can tell within 2 minutes whether your model has a coating.
Option 2: Compare alternatives
There are now several milk frothers on the market with a glass jug or uncoated steel. Prices range from 60 to 120 euros, similar to coated models.
I made an overview comparing the most popular milk frothers by material, coating, and PFAS status. No sales pitch—just the facts side by side. View the comparison here
Option 3: Share this with someone
Most people don’t know this. Not because they don’t want to, but because nobody tells them. Do you know someone who uses a milk frother every day? Forward this article. It takes them 8 minutes and it could change their choice.
"I wish I’d known this two years earlier. Not to panic, but simply to make a better choice."
Diana