My GreenPan evaluation has been a very long time within the making — over a decade, to be extra particular. Again earlier than non-toxic and eco-conscious cookware buzzwords had been in every single place from Williams Sonoma to Goal, GreenPan was already on the entrance traces of inexperienced kitchenware innovation. GreenPan’s non-toxic ceramic cookware has made the corporate a real trade chief in sustainable merchandise which are constructed to final.
A Brief Historical past of GreenPan
GreenPan was launched in 2007 by two faculty associates, Jan Helskens and Wim De Veirman. On the time, the main nonstick cookware model was Teflon, made with a PTFE plastic coating, created by Dupont in 1946. What most customers don’t know is that Teflon (and almost all conventional nonstick cookware, for that matter) is made with a plastic coating containing poisonous PFAS chemical compounds, which releases dangerous toxins when overheated.
Helskens and De Veirman got down to develop a non poisonous, non-stick various: Thermolon. GreenPan grew to become the first cookware model to introduce non-toxic, nonstick cookware freed from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS chemical compounds at the moment are synonymous with the notorious ‘without end chemical compounds’ (extra on that beneath, preserve studying!) which are polluting our surroundings and harming people and animals worldwide.
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After 10+ Years of Rigorous Testing, GreenPan Nonetheless Comes Out on High
Because the founding father of Natural Authority and a culinary faculty grad, I used to be one of many first to write down about non-toxic, nonstick cookware years in the past. Since then, I’ve examined an intensive record of GreenPan’s cookware units (a few of which they don’t even promote anymore!). Of their present obtainable cookware units, I’ve examined the Venice Professional Noir, Valencia Professional (together with the brand new Stainless Metal Professional version), GP5, GP5 Stainless Metal, and The Reserve assortment.
I’ve cooked all the things in these pans, together with my morning eggs, oatmeal (watch the best way to make the right oatmeal each time), salmon, veg, sauces, pasta, grass-fed meats, soups, stews, pancakes and extra. All that to say — I’d think about myself fairly well-qualified to share my GreenPan cookware evaluation.
My mom, who lives with me, has additionally been utilizing these pans for years. Enjoyable reality: she refuses to make use of silicone or wood utensils when she cooks, and though I wouldn’t suggest following in her footsteps, these pans have stood up nicely to her metallic utensil use.
Why We’re Certified to Evaluate GreenPan
We at Natural Authority wish to suppose that similar to GreenPan, we had been on the non-toxic prepare earlier than it was cool, too. We’ve spent over 20 years doing deep dives into subjects just like the finest non-toxic cookware, the finest non-toxic bakeware, and, to cowl all bases, the prime ceramic cookware units.
By deep dives, we imply researching, reviewing, testing merchandise, and often revisiting our articles to make sure you have essentially the most correct and up-to-date info. You possibly can belief us after we say GreenPan is the non-toxic cookware we all the time come again to. Want extra? We even have a information on the risks of PTFE, so yeah, *adjusts glasses,* you might say we all know what we’re speaking about.
PFAS Chemical substances Outlined
Ever heard of PTFE, PFOAs, GENX or PFOS? They technically all fall below the PFAS umbrella, together with about 15,000 different chemical compounds. These PFAS chemical compounds are often known as ‘without end chemical compounds’ as a result of they don’t break down within the setting, and might even accumulate in human blood and organs.1
As you possibly can think about, there are some severe well being dangers related to these chemical compounds. In truth, when heated above 500 levels Fahrenheit, PTFE begins to decompose and emit poisonous particles and gasses that may result in flu-like signs known as polymer fume fever.2 These fumes are potent sufficient to hospitalize people and kill pet birds3.
“We’ve created seven generations of Thermolon, every a fruits of years of examine and expertise. We maintain over 150 patents for technological developments designed to make cooking simpler and higher for everybody. We even have a devoted in-house testing lab, along with our third-party testing lab, that compares our improvements with different merchandise in the marketplace — so we all know for a reality our know-how makes our pans higher.”
Madison Oakley from the GreenPan Staff
Why the PFOA-Free Label Is Deceptive
Many shopper manufacturers declare they’re PFOA-free, however that’s a reasonably deceptive label as a result of it doesn’t embody all the different chemical compounds which are inside the PFAS household. PFOAs have truly been phased out for years, so a PFOA-free label actually doesn’t imply a lot. GreenPan is totally freed from ALL PFAS chemical compounds, which is what we must always actually be searching for.
To offer you a way of how pervasive PFAS chemical compounds may be — a examine carried out in 20234 found that just about half of America’s ingesting water contained PFAS. The excellent news is that the US Authorities is lastly taking steps to fight PFAS air pollution. In April of 2024, the Biden Administration issued the primary of its variety: a nationwide, enforceable ingesting water normal to guard its residents.
Right here’s What Makes GreenPan’s Cookware Protected
Typically talking, non-toxic cookware in the present day, or clear cookware, is any cookware that doesn’t comprise the category of PFAS chemical compounds present in these conventional PTFE plastic coatings.
The good information is that GreenPan’s cookware is totally PFAS-free and doesn’t comprise any lead or cadmium. Their Thermolon coating is created from the identical minerals which have been used to make glass and pottery for hundreds of years, AND it doesn’t produce poisonous fumes at over 500 levels Fahrenheit.
Bonus: these pans take much less power to supply than the previous plastic-coated ones, and you utilize much less power to realize the identical outcomes together with your fried eggs and pancakes at residence.
Right here’s What Thermolon is Made Of
As an alternative of plastic, the uncooked supplies of Thermolon are derived from sand. Utilizing a proprietary Sol-Gel technique, this sand spinoff is was an answer and sprayed instantly onto the pan. This coating then undergoes a sustainable curing course of that requires 60 p.c fewer CO2 emissions than conventional nonstick strategies.
Madison Oakley from the GreenPan workforce spoke to Natural Authority and advised us: “We’ve created seven generations of Thermolon, every a fruits of years of examine and expertise. We maintain over 150 patents for technological developments designed to make cooking simpler and higher for everybody. We even have a devoted in-house testing lab, along with our third-party testing lab, that compares our improvements with different merchandise in the marketplace — so we all know for a reality our know-how makes our pans higher.”
GreenPan’s Thermolon Coating: Revolutionary and Sustainable
Right this moment, GreenPan produces three several types of their proprietary Thermolon coating: The Infinite8 Ceramic Nonstick, Thermolon Superior, and Thermolon.
The Infinite8 Ceramic Nonstick discovered on the GP5 assortment is their most superior coating up to now (and my private favourite together with the Valencia Professional). It’s the most sturdy, and it will get the tick of approval from my mother for being metallic utensil secure. It’s value noting that the Thermolon Superior coating can also be secure for metallic utensils, however the usual Thermolon coating is just not.
Poor-quality ceramic nonstick can put on out in as little as three months, and it shortly results in the landfill after shedding its nonstick capability. To disrupt this wasteful cycle, GreenPan has invested closely in analysis and design to craft a non-toxic ceramic product that’s much more sturdy than the remaining.
What’s extra, GreenPan owns each step of its manufacturing course of, which implies it may possibly simply undertake environmentally pleasant processes with out the purple tape of a fragmented provide chain.
The Finest Cooking Method for Ceramic Coated Cookware
As a result of ceramic coated cookware tends to be nice at conducting warmth, these pans are finest used over medium to medium-low warmth.
Overheating them can shortly degrade the coating and render it nonstick, shortening the lifespan of the cookware.
“GreenPan makes cookware with strict quality-assurance procedures to make sure the absence of heavy metals akin to lead and cadmium and endocrine-disrupting fluorinated compounds from its ceramic nonstick coating.”
Good Housekeeping Judges
Will You Want Oil or Fats to Prepare dinner?
Sure, it’s really useful that you simply use a little bit little bit of your favourite oil or wholesome fats when cooking with GreenPan cookware. My suggestion for the most effective nonstick outcomes is to warmth the pan first, then add your oil and let it warmth up earlier than including your meals.
The Cleanup
In the event you’re an individual who desires minimal cleanup within the kitchen (don’t all of us?), these pans will match proper into your workflow.
Are They Dishwasher Protected?
A lot of the collections are, however I like to recommend hand-washing to get the longest life out of your cookware. Excessive warmth temperatures of the dishwasher can shortly degrade the floor of pots and pans and shorten their lifespan.
When used and handled correctly, these pans are simple to scrub by hand and wipe clear with a little bit cleaning soap and water. In addition to, in case you’re something like me, you’ll recognize having the additional area obtainable in your dishwasher for different dishes.
The Sturdiness
In the event you comply with the steering of cooking over medium to medium low warmth, my recommendation is to keep away from metallic utensils. Though lots of GreenPan’s cookware collections are metallic utensil secure, I like to recommend utilizing silicone or wooden utensils each time attainable. In the event you comply with that steering (together with my cleanup suggestions!), these pans will final — I’ve had a few of my units for 3-5 years with no points.
It’s additionally value noting that, like most cookware, over time, relying on the colour, cookware line and the way you prepare dinner, the underside of your pots and pans could expertise some discoloration over time. Above is a picture of the underside of my chrome steel GP5 pan. In my expertise, of testing quite a lot of cookware traces, that is regular put on and tear.
Is GreenPan Cookware Oven Protected?
Relying on which assortment you purchase, many if not most, are oven secure as much as 600 levels Fahrenheit (notice that a few of the lids are solely secure as much as 425 levels Fahrenheit, so remember to test if that’s necessary to you). Fortunately, even in case you by chance overheat these pans, there’s no want to fret about them emitting poisonous fumes.
My Favourite GreenPan Units Reviewed
The GP5 Assortment
GreenPan’s latest line, GP5, integrates 15 years of cook-centric improvements to create Infinite8 ceramic, essentially the most superior ceramic nonstick assortment they’ve ever designed. It’s my favourite assortment. Why? The GP5 showcases GreenPan’s nonstick innovation at its best.
One slick characteristic of the GP5 line is the Steadiness Professional Base, which presents built-in room for enlargement. What does that imply? It means your oil stays put and gained’t spill off to the facet when cooking (so long as your range is flat!). That additionally means you should use much less oil. I prepare dinner eggs most mornings for breakfast, and I barely want any oil with these pans. I feel that’s superior.
I additionally love the load of those pans. The GP5 is a little bit heavier than most pans in the marketplace, however not too heavy — they really feel strong however nonetheless simple to maneuver across the kitchen. My mom is older and doesn’t like heavy pans, however even she loves the load (and my husband agrees, too).
They’re additionally about twice as thick as most pans, which helps with even warmth distribution to make sure there aren’t any sizzling spots. I really like the sturdiness from the additional thickness, too — after utilizing the GP5 for a few 12 months, we don’t have any scratches they usually’re nonetheless slick. And the opaque chrome steel lids include steam vents which is nice for stopping boiled over messes like oatmeal.
What’s additionally thrilling is that the GP5 now is available in 5 colours to suit your kitchen design aesthetic. And if in case you have an induction cooktop, no want to fret about warping with it’s Magento induction know-how. What’s it? It’s a thick base that stops warping with copper-reinforced ferromagnetic particles on the underside of the pan.
Options:
- Stovetop compatibility: Protected for all stovetops together with induction.
- Oven secure as much as 600F.
- Metallic utensil secure
- Infinite8 ceramic nonstick coating, GreenPan’s most superior up to now.
- Silhouette rivets make it more durable for meals to get trapped in crevices.
- Steadiness Professional Base helps preserve the pan flat whereas cooking so your oil stays put.
- Dishwasher secure
- Armored physique with 5mm thickness for enhanced efficiency and scratch resistance.
What’s included in a GP5 Infinite8 11-piece set:
- 9.5″ frypan
- 11″ frypan
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart sauté pan with lid
- 5-quart stockpot with lid
- Plus! 3 silicone utensils + 3 pan protectors
GreenPan has colour choices galore plus they arrive out with new colours and restricted editions on a regular basis. The GP5 line has a colour for each aesthetic.
Value: $515.99 at time of publish
Particular person buy choices:
The Valencia Professional Stainless Metal Assortment
Not solely is the Valencia Professional assortment GreenPan’s bestseller, it’s additionally award-winning. It caught the eye and admiration of Good Housekeeping, incomes their 2023 Sustainable Improvements Award. After rigorous testing, the judges raved,
“GreenPan makes cookware with strict quality-assurance procedures to make sure the absence of heavy metals akin to lead and cadmium and endocrine-disrupting fluorinated compounds from its ceramic nonstick coating.”
I’ve examined the unique assortment for years and I agree, it’s a workhorse that deserves the popularity.
The most recent launch within the assortment is the Professional Stainless Metal with the Infinite8 ceramic nonstick floor. This chrome steel is mirror-polished, and it’s fairly gorgeous in particular person (extra so than the pictures present). They’ve leveled up the sturdiness of those pots and pans with their 3-ply chrome steel our bodies and tempered glass lids.
One in every of my favourite options of the Valencia Professional is the curved deal with. It rests comfortably within the palm of the hand and makes it simple to maneuver these pans across the range and kitchen. I’ve examined all the things from my common morning eggs, to sauteed salmon in these pans, they usually’re a pleasure to prepare dinner with.
The Stainless Metal can also be best for searing and browning — my homegrown squash browned simply, giving it that further layer of texture and taste that I really like. My final take a look at for nonstick cookware is an omelet, and with the Valencia Professional the eggs rolled effortlessly out of the pan.
Options:
- Stovetop compatibility: Protected for all stovetops together with induction.
- Oven secure as much as 600F (lids as much as 425F).
- Infinite8 ceramic nonstick coating, GreenPan’s most superior up to now.
- Mirrored 3-ply chrome steel for a novel shine and further sturdiness.
- V-shaped handles to attenuate warmth switch.
- Metallic utensil secure
- Dishwasher secure
What’s included in a Valencia Professional Stainless Metal 10-piece set:
- 8″ frypan
- 10″ frypan
- 1.5-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart sauté pan with lid
- 5-quart stockpot with lid
The beautiful shine on this GreenPan line will add literal sparkle to your kitchen, to not point out some award-winning efficiency chops.
Value: $499.99 at time of publish
Particular person buy choices:
The Reserve Assortment
The Reserve Assortment is good for individuals who desire a painter’s palette of colours to select from to suit their kitchen’s design aesthetic. I really like The Reserve as a result of it combines efficiency and elegance. It’s unattainable to not discover its minimalist aesthetic and gold-tone handles. However regardless of its stylish look, it’s made with a tough anodized physique that makes it sturdy and scratch-resistant (even from metallic utensils!).
The pots and pans even have a smaller profile, which make them best for small areas (or a big area with a prepare dinner that simply doesn’t wish to take care of massive pots or pans — we get it). In the event you love cooking with glass lids, this set could possibly be for you.
Options:
- Stovetop compatibility: Protected for all stovetops, besides induction
- Oven secure as much as 600F (lids as much as 425F)
- Duoforged armored our bodies make these sturdy and scratch-resistant
- Gold-tone handles with a corrosion-resistant PVD end
- Dishwasher secure
- Diamond-infused ceramic nonstick coating
What’s included in a Reserve 10-piece set:
- 8″ frypan
- 11″ frypan
- 2-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart sauté pan with lid
- 5-quart stockpot with lid
- 3 pan protectors
Are you able to image this beautiful non-toxic cookware set in your kitchen? At this value, you possibly can go from dream to actuality within the blink of an eye fixed (or click on of a button). However don’t let the value idiot you, this set performs like a dream, too, and is shockingly sturdy.
Value: $399.99 at time of publish
Different buy choices:
The GP5 Stainless Metal Assortment
You already know that the GP5 is a favourite of mine, so it’s no shock that I really like the chrome steel model with champagne gold handles. I like to preserve chrome steel pots and pans readily available for any cooking that entails high-heat searing.
These pans are additionally completed with the Infinite8 ceramic nonstick, which is just the most effective nonstick coating I’ve tried from GreenPan. Not solely is it metallic utensil secure and oven secure as much as 600 levels Fahrenheit (an enormous deal for nonstick), however its spectacular development additionally presents most warmth conduction. The 5-ply chrome steel is made with two layers of chrome steel and a three-layer aluminum core. This interprets into even warmth conduction and an unbelievable stovetop expertise with no sizzling spots.
I’ve been utilizing these pots and pans for a few 12 months now, they usually actually go the nonstick, scratch-resistant take a look at.
If the 10-piece set is an excessive amount of of a dedication, you can even get the 8″, 10″ and 12″ frypan set, or simply the ten″, 12″ and singles. Your choices are countless!
Options:
- Stovetop compatibility: Protected for all stovetops together with induction.
- Oven secure as much as 600F.
- Metallic utensil secure
- Evershine 5-ply chrome steel for further sturdiness.
- Infinite8 ceramic nonstick coating, GreenPan’s most superior up to now.
- Silhouette rivets make it more durable for meals to get trapped in crevices.
- Dishwasher secure
What’s included in a GP5 Stainless Metal 10-piece set:
- 8″ frypan
- 10″ frypan
- 2-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart sauté pan with lid
- 5-quart stockpot with lid
- 3 pan protectors
GP5 chrome steel assortment comes with both mirror handles, as proven right here, or the champagne handles, which you’ll see above.
Value: $699.99 at time of publish
Particular person buy choices:
Is GreenPan Value It?
Regardless of your finances, GreenPan has choices, choices, and extra choices. I like to recommend sticking with the higher-end collections — in my expertise, they final the longest.
In the event you take a look at opinions for GreenPan cookware, you’ll all the time discover the complainers who say the pans don’t work, the nonstick coating wore out, they chipped, and so forth. What these naysayers don’t let you know is how they cooked with these merchandise.
In the event that they cooked with their pots and pans over excessive warmth, banged them up with heavy metallic utensils, and always put them in a scalding sizzling dishwasher once more, then all of their complaints could be true. These are the very issues that shorten the lifetime of ceramic-coated nonstick cookware. In truth, they’re the precise issues GreenPan tells you to not do on their packaging materials.
In the event you prepare dinner this fashion, then I wholeheartedly suggest that you simply don’t purchase these pans. Nonetheless, in case you can comply with their easy pointers, you’re going to get a protracted life out of GreenPan’s cookware.
Relying on how intently you comply with the rules, it’s undoubtedly attainable to get three to 5 years out of your GreenPan merchandise. I’ve gotten 5 years out of mine and I’m nonetheless utilizing them. Not a foul funding! Plus, as soon as your pans attain their finish of life, GreenPan has a recycling program you could put to make use of.
Laura’s Cheat Sheet for Cooking with Non-Poisonous Nonstick Cookware
As you proceed to cruise by means of GreenPan opinions, you would possibly run right into a point out of a category motion lawsuit filed towards The Cookware Firm in 2019. It’s value noting that the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, which implies the declare is completely dismissed and can’t be introduced again once more.
In the end, GreenPan is without doubt one of the few nonstick cookware manufacturers that doesn’t comprise any lead, cadmium, or PFAS without end chemical compounds which are poisonous to people and the setting. Not solely that, however there are only a few cookware corporations in the marketplace which have gone to the lengths that GreenPan has to create a cleaner and sustainable provide chain with diminished emissions.
The underside line: are they excellent? No. However what firm is? I’ve been testing these pots and pans for over 10 years and I proceed to be pleasantly stunned by how lengthy their cookware lasts when handled correctly. And with GreenPan’s nonstop tech innovation, it’s arduous to not be a fan.
Delivery, Returns, and Buyer Service
GreenPan presents free transport on orders over $125 on the time of this replace.
Additionally they provide a 60-day return coverage, which speaks to their confidence of their merchandise — not all cookware producers provide that.
They actually have a customer support quantity you possibly can name, which appears to be uncommon in in the present day’s digital world. Lately, corporations appear to choose to not speak to their prospects. As an alternative, they ship them hyperlinks to what they suppose would possibly resolve the issue. Spoiler alert: they hardly ever do, and this creates a irritating expertise that’s wealthy with friction. In a world of low buyer satisfaction and loyalty, I discover GreenPan’s method refreshing and value mentioning.
GreenPan’s Environmental Stewardship
GreenPan is how clear they’re about their practices. After we reached out, GreenPan fortunately supplied a replica of third-party lab checks, proving their compliance with California’s Prop 65 requirements.
GreenPan’s manufacturing facility runs on 30 p.c photo voltaic power, and all the firm’s merchandise are made with recycled aluminum. The firm even has its personal wastewater remedy plant to make sure they’re being accountable with their water utilization.
“We personal our factories. We all know the DNA of our merchandise,” says Oakley. “We make our coating, we make our pans, and we make sure that each product lives as much as our requirements. We don’t have to attend for the trade to vary to do one thing about it — we’re the change.”
Along with upholding sustainable requirements now, the corporate is all the time searching for the subsequent step to do higher by its customers and the planet. “We’ve gained dozens of awards for our dedication to our employees and the setting,” says Oakley, “however we’re all the time working to make wholesome merchandise higher for everybody.”
Natural Authority Accepted Clear Cookware
Due to GreenPan’s environmental stewardship and their year-over-year enhancements of their non-toxic, nonstick cookware, we’re proud to say the model has earned Natural Authority’s Accepted Seal for Clear Cookware. If you wish to know extra about what which means, take a look at The Natural Authority Accepted Manifesto.
Conclusion
In my expertise, in terms of cookware, you get what you pay for. I’ve purchased and examined all the things from the low-end low-cost cookware to the high-end, well-made cookware, and there’s undoubtedly a distinction.
The low-end, low-cost cookware simply doesn’t final. It burns shortly, carries sizzling spots that lead to burnt, erratically cooked meals, and it in the end results in the trash or recycling bin inside just a few months. Not an amazing cooking expertise AND a waste of cash.
My philosophy is: in terms of shopper merchandise that you simply’ll use nearly day by day, put money into high-quality gadgets. Spending a bit extra on cookware upfront often means you’ll purchase much less of it — and in the long term, fewer replacements imply you’ll scale back waste and lower your expenses. Over time, you possibly can slowly however certainly construct out a cookware assortment that fits your cooking model (and most significantly, that you simply actually love!).
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