I've had this George Foreman contact grill since like 2008 and it still works fine, but I'm wondering if the non-stick coating is wearing off in spots. Should I be worried about using it, or is it still totally safe? The heating elements seem to work normally.
Scrape the worn spots with a plastic spatula or your fingernail when it's cool - if flakes come off easily, that's your answer to toss it. I had one start peeling around the edges a few years back and at first ignored it, but once I realized how much was actually coming loose every time I cooked, it wasn't worth the risk.
A grill that old working fine doesn't necessarily mean it's totally safe to keep using. If the non-stick coating is visibly worn or peeling, you're likely ingesting small flakes of it when you cook, and while the coating itself isn't considered toxic at low levels, nobody really wants to eat their cookware. The heating elements working normally is good, but that's separate from the coating issue. If the wear is just minor discoloration or light scratching, you're probably fine, but if there are actual bare spots or flaking, it might be worth replacing it or at least cooking with parchment paper on top to minimize contact with the damaged surface.
Does the coating actually flake off when you touch or scrape it, or just look worn? If it's genuinely peeling and coming away in pieces, then yeah, you're probably ingesting bits of it and should retire the grill - that's not ideal. But if it's just visibly thin or discolored in spots while still adhering firmly to the surface, you're mostly fine; a smooth worn coating isn't the same as one that's actively deteriorating. The heating elements working normally is good, but that's separate from the coating issue, so focus on whether it's structurally intact rather than just aesthetically faded.
The key thing is actually testing it - run your finger over the plates when it's cool and see if the coating flakes off easily or if it's just discolored. If it's genuinely peeling and coming away in bits, definitely retire it, but worn-looking coating that's still bonded down is usually fine. One thing folks miss though: even if the non-stick seems okay, those old heating elements can develop uneven hot spots or fail suddenly, so keep an eye out for any changes in how it heats up. If it's been working normally for years and the coating isn't actively flaking when you touch it, you're probably alright to keep using it - just maybe don't use metal utensils on it if you haven't already been careful about that.
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