What Happens If Non-stick Coated Cookware is Overheated?
At high temperatures, the quality of the coating may begin to deteriorate – it may dis-color or lose its non-stick quality. This can begin to occur at temperatures above 500 F. If heated to an extremely high temperature, the coating may begin to decompose and give off fumes. Fats, butter, or cooking oil will begin to scorch and smoke at about 400 F (204 C). DuPont non-stick coatings will not begin to significantly decompose until temperatures exceed about 600 F (316 C) more than 200 F above the smoke point for cooking oil, fats or butter. It is therefore unlikely that decomposition temperatures for non-stick cookware would be reached while cooking without burning food to an inedible state.
