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 all places 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 can be constructed to final.
A Quick Historical past of GreenPan
GreenPan was launched in 2007 by two college buddies, 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 shoppers 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 substances, which releases dangerous toxins when overheated.
Helskens and De Veirman got down to develop a non poisonous, non-stick different: Thermolon. GreenPan turned the first cookware model to introduce non-toxic, nonstick cookware freed from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS chemical substances are actually synonymous with the notorious ‘perpetually chemical substances’ (extra on that beneath, preserve studying!) which can be polluting the environment and harming people and animals worldwide.
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After 10+ Years of Rigorous Testing, GreenPan Nonetheless Comes Out on Prime
Because the founding father of Natural Authority and a culinary college grad, I used to be one of many first to put in writing 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 accessible 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 every little thing in these pans, together with my morning eggs, oatmeal (watch how one can make the right oatmeal each time), salmon, veg, sauces, pasta, grass-fed meats, soups, stews, pancakes and extra. All that to say — I’d contemplate 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 truth: she refuses to make use of silicone or picket utensils when she cooks, and though I wouldn’t advocate following in her footsteps, these pans have stood up properly to her metallic utensil use.
Why We’re Certified to Evaluation GreenPan
We at Natural Authority wish to assume that identical to GreenPan, we had been on the non-toxic practice earlier than it was cool, too. We’ve spent over 20 years doing deep dives into matters just like the greatest non-toxic cookware, the greatest non-toxic bakeware, and, to cowl all bases, the high 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 may belief us after we say GreenPan is the non-toxic cookware we at all times come again to. Want extra? We even have a information on the risks of PTFE, so yeah, *adjusts glasses,* you possibly can 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 beneath the PFAS umbrella, together with about 15,000 different chemical substances. These PFAS chemical substances are often known as ‘perpetually chemical substances’ as a result of they don’t break down within the setting, and may even gather in human blood and organs.1
As you possibly can think about, there are some critical well being dangers related to these chemical substances. In reality, when heated above 500 levels Fahrenheit, PTFE begins to decompose and emit poisonous particles and gasses that may result in flu-like signs referred to 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 end result 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 truth our expertise 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 fairly deceptive label as a result of it doesn’t embrace the entire different chemical substances which can be inside the PFAS household. PFOAs have really been phased out for years, so a PFOA-free label actually doesn’t imply a lot. GreenPan is totally freed from ALL PFAS chemical substances, which is what we must always actually be on the lookout for.
To offer you a way of how pervasive PFAS chemical substances might be — a examine carried out in 20234 found that almost half of America’s consuming water contained PFAS. The excellent news is that the USA 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 consuming water commonplace to guard its residents.
Right here’s What Makes GreenPan’s Cookware Protected
Typically talking, non-toxic cookware right this moment, or clear cookware, is any cookware that doesn’t comprise the category of PFAS chemical substances 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 produced from the identical minerals which were 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 vitality to supply than the outdated plastic-coated ones, and you employ much less vitality to attain the identical outcomes together with your fried eggs and pancakes at dwelling.
Right here’s What Thermolon is Made Of
As a substitute of plastic, the uncooked supplies of Thermolon are derived from sand. Utilizing a proprietary Sol-Gel technique, this sand by-product is became an answer and sprayed immediately 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 staff spoke to Natural Authority and advised us: “We’ve created seven generations of Thermolon, every a end result 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 truth our expertise makes our pans higher.”
GreenPan’s Thermolon Coating: Modern and Sustainable
At the 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 to this point (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 price noting that the Thermolon Superior coating can also be secure for metallic utensils, however the usual Thermolon coating shouldn’t be.
Poor-quality ceramic nonstick can put on out in as little as three months, and it rapidly leads to the landfill after dropping its nonstick capacity. 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 suggests it may well simply undertake environmentally pleasant processes with out the pink 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 greatest used over medium to medium-low warmth.
Overheating them can rapidly 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 equivalent 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 beneficial that you simply use a bit of little bit of your favourite oil or wholesome fats when cooking with GreenPan cookware. My suggestion for one of the best 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 needs 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 rapidly degrade the floor of pots and pans and shorten their lifespan.
When used and handled correctly, these pans are simple to clean by hand and wipe clear with a bit of cleaning soap and water. Moreover, in case you’re something like me, you’ll recognize having the additional house accessible in your dishwasher for different dishes.
The Sturdiness
In the event you comply with the steerage of cooking over medium to medium low warmth, my recommendation is to avoid metallic utensils. Though a lot of GreenPan’s cookware collections are metallic utensil secure, I like to recommend utilizing silicone or wooden utensils at any time when potential. In the event you comply with that steerage (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 price 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 stainless-steel GP5 pan. In my expertise, of testing a variety 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 number of the lids are solely secure as much as 425 levels Fahrenheit, so you’ll want to verify if that’s necessary to you). Fortunately, even in case you by accident 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 function of the GP5 line is the Stability Professional Base, which affords built-in room for enlargement. What does that imply? It means your oil stays put and received’t spill off to the facet when cooking (so long as your range is flat!). That additionally means you should utilize much less oil. I prepare dinner eggs most mornings for breakfast, and I barely want any oil with these pans. I believe that’s superior.
I additionally love the load of those pans. The GP5 is a bit of heavier than most pans in the marketplace, however not too heavy — they really feel stable 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 are not any sizzling spots. I like the sturdiness from the additional thickness, too — after utilizing the GP5 for a couple of 12 months, we don’t have any scratches they usually’re nonetheless slick. And the opaque stainless-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 when you’ve got an induction cooktop, no want to fret about warping with it’s Magento induction expertise. What’s it? It’s a thick base that forestalls 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.
- Steel utensil secure
- Infinite8 ceramic nonstick coating, GreenPan’s most superior to this point.
- Silhouette rivets make it tougher for meals to get trapped in crevices.
- Stability 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.
Worth: $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 equivalent 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 latest launch within the assortment is the Professional Stainless Metal with the Infinite8 ceramic nonstick floor. This stainless-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 stainless-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 every little thing from my ordinary morning eggs, to sauteed salmon in these pans, they usually’re a pleasure to prepare dinner with.
The Stainless Metal can also be splendid for searing and browning — my homegrown squash browned simply, giving it that further layer of texture and taste that I 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 to this point.
- Mirrored 3-ply stainless-steel for a novel shine and additional sturdiness.
- V-shaped handles to attenuate warmth switch.
- Steel 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 attractive shine on this GreenPan line will add literal sparkle to your kitchen, to not point out some award-winning efficiency chops.
Worth: $499.99 at time of publish
Particular person buy choices:
The Reserve Assortment
The Reserve Assortment is good for many who desire a painter’s palette of colours to select from to suit their kitchen’s design aesthetic. I like The Reserve as a result of it combines efficiency and magnificence. It’s not possible 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 splendid for small areas (or a big house with a prepare dinner that simply doesn’t need 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 worth, 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 worth idiot you, this set performs like a dream, too, and is shockingly sturdy.
Worth: $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 like the stainless-steel model with champagne gold handles. I like to preserve stainless-steel pots and pans available for any cooking that includes high-heat searing.
These pans are additionally completed with the Infinite8 ceramic nonstick, which is just one of the best 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 affords most warmth conduction. The 5-ply stainless-steel is made with two layers of stainless-steel and a three-layer aluminum core. This interprets into even warmth conduction and an unimaginable stovetop expertise with no sizzling spots.
I’ve been utilizing these pots and pans for a couple of 12 months now, they usually actually cross the nonstick, scratch-resistant take a look at.
If the 10-piece set is an excessive amount of of a dedication, it’s also possible to 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.
- Steel utensil secure
- Evershine 5-ply stainless-steel for further sturdiness.
- Infinite8 ceramic nonstick coating, GreenPan’s most superior to this point.
- Silhouette rivets make it tougher 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 stainless-steel assortment comes with both mirror handles, as proven right here, or the champagne handles, which you’ll see above.
Worth: $699.99 at time of publish
Particular person buy choices:
Is GreenPan Price It?
Irrespective 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 have a look at opinions for GreenPan cookware, you’ll at all times 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 reality, 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 advocate that you simply don’t purchase these pans. Nevertheless, in case you can comply with their easy pointers, you’re going to get an extended life out of GreenPan’s cookware.
Relying on how carefully you comply with the rules, it’s positively potential 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 nasty funding! Plus, as soon as your pans attain their finish of life, GreenPan has a recycling program which 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 price noting that the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, which suggests the declare is completely dismissed and can’t be introduced again once more.
Finally, GreenPan is among the few nonstick cookware manufacturers that doesn’t comprise any lead, cadmium, or PFAS perpetually chemical substances which can be poisonous to people and the setting. Not solely that, however there are only a few cookware firms in the marketplace which have gone to the lengths that GreenPan has to create a cleaner and sustainable provide chain with decreased emissions.
The underside line: are they good? No. However what firm is? I’ve been testing these pots and pans for over 10 years and I proceed to be pleasantly shocked by how lengthy their cookware lasts when handled correctly. And with GreenPan’s nonstop tech innovation, it’s onerous to not be a fan.
Delivery, Returns, and Buyer Service
GreenPan affords free delivery on orders over $125 on the time of this replace.
Additionally they supply a 60-day return coverage, which speaks to their confidence of their merchandise — not all cookware producers supply that.
They actually have a customer support quantity you possibly can name, which appears to be uncommon in right this moment’s digital world. Lately, firms appear to favor to not discuss to their prospects. As a substitute, they ship them hyperlinks to what they assume would possibly clear up the issue. Spoiler alert: they not often 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 strategy refreshing and price mentioning.
GreenPan’s Environmental Stewardship
GreenPan is how clear they’re about their practices. After we reached out, GreenPan fortunately supplied a duplicate of third-party lab exams, proving their compliance with California’s Prop 65 requirements.
GreenPan’s manufacturing facility runs on 30 p.c photo voltaic vitality, and the entire 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 be certain that each product lives as much as our requirements. We don’t have to attend for the trade to alter to do one thing about it — we’re the change.”
Along with upholding sustainable requirements now, the corporate is at all times on the lookout for the subsequent step to do higher by its shoppers and the planet. “We’ve received dozens of awards for our dedication to our staff and the setting,” says Oakley, “however we’re at all times working to make wholesome merchandise higher for everybody.”
Natural Authority Authorized 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 Authorized Seal for Clear Cookware. If you wish to know extra about what meaning, try The Natural Authority Authorized Manifesto.
Conclusion
In my expertise, relating to cookware, you get what you pay for. I’ve purchased and examined every little thing from the low-end low cost cookware to the high-end, well-made cookware, and there’s positively a distinction.
The low-end, low cost cookware simply doesn’t final. It burns rapidly, carries sizzling spots that lead to burnt, erratically cooked meals, and it finally leads to the trash or recycling bin inside just a few months. Not a fantastic cooking expertise AND a waste of cash.
My philosophy is: relating to shopper merchandise that you simply’ll use virtually each day, spend money on 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 cut back waste and lower your expenses. Over time, you possibly can slowly however certainly construct out a cookware assortment that fits your cooking type (and most significantly, that you simply actually love!).
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