Table of Contents
About GreenPan
GreenPan makes award-winning pans using revolutionary Thermolon technology[1]. Made from recycled aluminum with a toxic-free ceramic coating, the brand’s non-stick cookware collection makes for healthier meals and easier cleanup.
Cooking is a wonderful thing. It brings joy to households across the world, draws families together, and, if done right, can keep our brains and bodies healthy.
But despite many efforts to cook healthily, all the steamed greens and pan-fried wild-caught salmon in the world can’t negate the toxic chemicals that leach into food from dangerous cookware.
What is “dangerous” cookware, exactly? Well, there’s a ton of it out there, especially in the world of non-stick pans. Traditional non-stick cookware coated with Teflon, aluminum, and even stainless steel can all harm your health.
GreenPan non-stick cookware allows users to cut back on oil while keeping the ingredients in food free from sneaky chemicals added in the cooking process.
Is this chef-approved and environmentally-friendly brand your solution for cookware that will actually inspire you to get creative in the kitchen? In this GreenPan cookware review, I will help you make that decision.
So, stay tuned as I take a close look at the company, its bestsellers, customer testimonials, FAQs, and more.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our mission is to help you make better, more informed purchase decisions. Our team spends hours researching, consulting with medical experts, gathering insight from expert professionals, reviewing customer feedback, and analyzing products to provide you with the information you need.
Now that you know a little more about the company’s roots, I’ll move this GreenPan cookware review onto some pros and cons.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Variety of sets and types of pans to choose from
- Made from recycled aluminum
- The non-stick coating is toxic-free
- The brand is committed to sustainability, has its own wastewater treatment plant, and its factory runs on 30% renewable energy
- 50 employees dedicated to quality control
- 2-Year Limited Warranty
- 60-Day Returns
Cons
- The non-stick coating is not covered under warranty, it may recede and cannot be replaced
- Pans need more care than others, cannot use certain types of oils or high heat
- Pricier than other options
Features
Here is a quick summary of the features of GreenPan products before I move into a more in-depth look at the materials:
- Thermolon™ ceramic non-stick coating: GreenPan uses a unique ceramic non-stick coating called Thermolon™, which is free from PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium. This coating is designed to be durable, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean.
- Healthy cooking: GreenPan’s non-stick coating is made from natural materials and does not release harmful fumes when heated. This means you can cook healthy meals without worrying about toxins leaching into your food.
- Energy-efficient: GreenPan’s cookware is designed to be energy-efficient, with a base that ensures even heat distribution and retention.
- Oven-safe: GreenPan’s cookware is oven-safe up to 600°F, so you can easily transfer your dishes from the stovetop to the oven.
- Dishwasher-safe: GreenPan’s cookware is dishwasher-safe, making it easy to clean up after cooking.
- Eco-friendly: GreenPan’s products are made from recycled and upcycled materials, and the company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices.
- Stylish design: GreenPan’s cookware comes in a range of stylish designs that will complement any kitchen decor.
Materials
GreenPan non-stick pans use the power of Thermolon to make the cooking process more enjoyable.
Gone are the days of soaking stuck-on food, losing half your dish to the bottom of the pan, or feeling weary of the possibly toxic meal you just cooked up in an unsafe pan.
The brand’s truly non-stick pans are reinforced with diamonds[4], meaning they’re extra sturdy. Use any utensil you please, metal spoons and spatulas are all safe here!
Though coated with Thermolon (a glass-like ceramic), the body of these tough pans is made from anodized aluminum, so you don’t need to worry about chipping or scratches.
Free from toxic chemicals like PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium[5][6], you can feel safe knowing you’re eating from something that won’t harm you in the long run.
In the next section of this GreenPan cookware review, I’ll heat things up with some spicy details about the brand’s collection of cookware.
5 GreenPan Cookware Bestsellers
Any seasoned chef knows the value of having a great set of cookware on hand. Whether you’re preparing a large dish for the entire crew, or want a flawless saucing experience, these pans, woks, sets, and more show their worth as early as the first use.
GreenPan Chatham Ceramic 11” Nonstick Wok Review
You know when you’re cooking and you’ve obviously got too much in your small skillet. The peppers, noodles, and other ingredients fly out of the pan while you tentatively mix in the sauce.
There’s a reason Woks exist. They have a deeper base to keep food in the pan so that you can confidently toss your stir-fry or pasta dish effortlessly.
GreenPan’s Wok is complete with a stainless steel handle, meaning you can finish that steak off in the oven up to 600°F without the handle melting off—don’t worry, we’ve all been there.
As for fried rice, well the Chatham Ceramic 11” Nonstick Wok is truly non-stick, so you can fry your rice hard and never worry about eggs getting stuck to the bottom. Cook up something spectacular with this strong and durable GreenPan Wok for $50.
GreenPan Smartshape Ceramic Nonstick 9.5” Frying Pan Review
GreenPan knows that we use different pans for different reasons. So, they can’t all be built the same. Unlike some cookware brands that use the same handle and features for all of their pots and pans, this one includes some differences that make it perfect for frying.
The Smartshape Ceramic Nonstick 9.5” Frying Pan uses a Magneto™ (think: quick and easy) induction base to evenly heat your pan. Its shape aids in keeping your cupboards neat and tidy, stacking effortlessly and compactly with all other Smartshape pans.
The handle sets this GreenPan cooking pan apart. With a v-shaped flame guard that keeps your hand away from the heat, as well as a stay-cool grip (a material that doesn’t heat as the pan does), you can safely pick your frying pan up and transfer it to the oven up to 320°F.
Change the way you cook with the Smartshape Ceramic Nonstick 9.5” Frying Pan for $65.
GreenPan Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick 11-Piece Cookware Set Review
The average cupboard is a smorgasbord of pots and pans that have been accumulated over a lifetime. Some that, although you keep them for some reason, are notorious for adhering to food. You may also have others that you love, but only have one of.
Cookware sets create cohesion in your kitchen, giving you a collection you know you can count on. The Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick 11-Piece Cookware Set comes with:
- An 8”, 9.5”, and 11” GreenPan large skillet frying pans
- 2-quart and 3-quart saucepans with lids
- 3-quart sauté pan with lid
- 5-quart stockpot with lid
- 3 pan protectors
Promising to never warp, you’ll always have a pan that sits flush on the stovetop, meaning your GreenPan ceramic non-stick pans will be heated evenly.
With tempered glass lids that are safe inside the oven up to 425°F, you’ll be able to peek inside your dish without disturbing the cooking process.
As for the GreenPan cooking pots and pans, they all come outfitted with stainless steel handles so that you can transfer any of them into the oven.
Get the GreenPan Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick 11-Piece Cookware Set for $300.
GreenPan Paris Pro Ceramic Nonstick 11 Piece Cookware Set Review
When you invest in a cookware set, you want to know that you’re going to get some use out of it. The Paris Pro Ceramic Nonstick 11 Piece Cookware Set helps you get the most of your GreenPan ceramic pans in a few ways.
First, they’re scratch-resistant and durable. Second, there are a variety of pieces for different needs. And third, they’re oven safe up to 600°F.
Your GreenPan pans pro set will include:
- 8”, 9.5”, and 11” frying pans
- 1.5-quart and 3-quart saucepans with lids
- 3-quart sauté pan with lid
- 5.5-quart stockpot with lid
The set has a fancier feel to it, with shiny stainless steel lids that nestle into the pot. These pans and pots are safe for all types of stovetops, just not induction ones.
Transform your kitchen with the Paris Pro Ceramic Nonstick 11 Piece Cookware Set for $400.
GreenPan Venice Pro Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set Review
There’s something about stainless steel that just looks professional. Perhaps it’s because that’s what the pros use.
The Venice Pro Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set is flawless-looking, with glass lids that let you see how your dish is cooking without letting heat out.
The GreenPan Venice Pro set includes:
- 8” and 10” GreenPan nonstick skillet
- 2-quart and 3-quart saucepans with lids
- 3-quarts sauté pan with lid
- 5-quart stockpot with lid
The 3-ply stainless steel shells are long-lasting and coated with Evershine™ technology to keep them in tip-top shape for years. The stay-cool handles help you to cut down on kitchen injuries—your knife-wielding skills are up to you.
The pots themselves can withstand up to 600°F, while the lids can take up to 425°F in the oven.
Suitable for all stovetops, you can get the Venice Pro Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set for $400.
Does GreenPan Have Teflon?
When Teflon pans came out, everyone praised them for their superior non-stick abilities.
But soon, we all grew enraged after finding out the PTFE (the synthetic resin that is Teflon) that was helping our eggs slide off our pans was leaching into those very same eggs if too high of heat was applied.
GreenPan the original green pan is completely PTFE-free. Instead, it uses Thermolon, a ceramic with a silicon dioxide non-stick coating. If that compound still sounds scary to you, rest easy knowing it’s of the same makeup that glass is.
Can You Use Olive Oil On GreenPan?
Just because a pan is non-stick, doesn’t mean you can get away without using any oil. But, you’ll only need to use a fraction of what you’re used to with other pans.
The brand encourages customers to add just a splash of oil to their pan before cooking, but be sure to choose a neutral oil like canola or grapeseed.
If you want your GreenPan to live a long life, consider skipping out on olive oil and cooking spray. Those two oils carbonize quickly when heated in the brand’s cookware, sticking to the surface and breaking it down over time.
Is GreenPan Toxic?
Despite the brand’s claim that its cookware is completely non-toxic, it faced a class-action lawsuit that disputed this very thing.
It turns out, that though their pans do not contain PTFE, PFOA, lead, or cadmium, they possibly have a slew of other toxic chemicals that include: aluminum oxide, silane, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate.
Though these chemicals are less talked about in the media, there is a possibility that they come with negative side effects. These claims have not been verified.
GreenPan Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
If you’re wondering how these pans hold up in real-life kitchen situations, then you’re in luck. This is the part of the GreenPan cookware review where I compile the most helpful customer testimonials I could find from sites across the web.
Below, you’ll find customer comments from reviews on the brand’s website, The Spruce Eats, and Amazon, which shed some light on what GreenPan pans really like.
On the company’s website, reviews are quite limited. With only dozens on each product, the scores given may not be a true reflection of its pans. Here’s an overview:
- Venice Pro Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set: an average of 4.1/5 stars from 50 reviews
- Paris Pro Ceramic Nonstick 11 Piece Cookware Set: an average of 4.4/5 stars from 18 reviews
- Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick 11 Piece Cookware Set: an average of 4.5/5 stars from 133 reviews
- Smartshape Ceramic Nonstick 9.5” Frying Pan: an average of 5/5 stars from 14 reviews
- Chatham Ceramic 11” Nonstick Wok: an average of 4.7/5 stars from 18 reviews
I decided to take a closer look at the Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick 11 Piece Cookware Set. Most customers say this set is “well built and easy to clean.” One GreenPan pan reviewer even stated that “you can tell a difference in how the food tastes.”
Many users note that there is definitely a specific way to use med-low heat (never high) and with the right type of oil. But as long as you follow the guidelines, the pans stay looking and cooking perfectly.
A testimonial on The Spruce Eats cooked with the nonstick pans for a month and wrote about the results: “It sears nicely, caramelizes onions well, and cleans up beautifully.”
Eggs that slide off of a pan seem to be the mark of a quality non-stick, and so the review continued, “as for eggs, pan conditions were slippery and a chase ensued…They slid off to the plate without a problem.”
The review does note the proper care needs to be taken to keep these pans in good condition.
The only negative that the GreenPan cookware review on The Spruce Eats found was in regards to the price.
This may be a deal-breaker for certain households, but the price becomes more understandable when it comes to these pan’s quality and longevity.
The Prime Midnight 5 Piece Set is rated 4.6/5 stars by 584 customers on Amazon. In terms of a breakdown, 77% of shoppers gave this set a perfect score, while just 5% rated it 1-star.
Customers write that once you get a grasp of how to use these pans properly, they are enjoyable and easy to use.
One GreenPan pan review mentions its smart features: “One of the best features is that it has the handle at the end. I am an older person so whoever thought to put it there should get a raise. I also like that the handle is flat so it leans up and stays in my cabinet.”
Storage is crucial with pans as we all know that annoying, clanging moment of struggling to access a pan all too well.
Across websites, these pans are rated highly, even though some customers say they’ve encountered problems with staining and sticking. At the end of the day, even though these are quality pans, when you get oil and heat involved those two problems can occur.
Is GreenPan Worth It?
How long your GreenPan lasts and the condition of it all depends on how you care for it. No matter which non-stick brand you choose, you’re going to have to follow the rules to keep it in great condition.
If you’re sitting there rolling your eyes at the upkeep, it’s really not that bad. Simply avoid certain oils, don’t use excessively high heats, and be sure to hand wash.
You most likely came to this GreenPan pan review because you are seeking an alternative to toxic cookware. You came to the right place, but with less risk comes a little higher maintenance—a trade-off that you may thank yourself for in the future.
The brand’s pots and pans come with a steeper price tag than the discount Teflon versions, but I hope that the information in this GreenPan cookware review has explained why they cost what they do.
I believe these pans are worth the buy, less toxic than the average ceramic pan, and much cleaner (and less finicky) than your cast iron. But please, keep in mind that there have been claims as to other toxins emitted by these pans.
Alternatives
There are several alternatives to GreenPan if you’re ready to get cooking but want to explore some more options before committing to a purchase. Take a look at some of these brands:
- Made In: This brand designs some of the best cookware sets, stock pots, knives, cookbooks, and other kitchenware for all levels of chefs. Made from quality stainless steel and carbon steel, the line is engineered for durability and high performance to provide consistency no matter what you’re whipping up.
- Misen: Offering affordable kitchenware for those who love to cook, Misen’s sleek, quality selection is ideal for novices and professional chefs alike.
- Zwilling: An iconic name in cookware, Zwilling has been crafting high-quality kitchen essentials for over 287 years. Bridging traditional German expertise with the needs of modern cooks, the brand offers a spectrum of user-friendly cookware made in Europe.
GreenPan Promotions & Discounts
At the time of this GreenPan cookware review, I was unable to uncover any deals that the brand has made available on its website.
Where to Buy GreenPan
You can, of course, buy the brand’s cookware directly from GreenPan.us. But, the brand also has several authorized retailers they work with, including Bed, Bath & Beyond, Wayfair, Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma, Walmart, and Amazon.
FAQ
Is GreenPan really safe?
According to the brand, GreenPan is really safe. What I’ve found is that its pans are free from PTFE, lead, and cadmium—things you should typically avoid when you buy a cooking pan.
There has been mention that its pans might contain other toxic chemicals (mentioned above in this GreenPan cookware review), but that statement has not been verified.
Is GreenPan ceramic?
GreenPans have a recycled aluminum core that’s been coated in Thermalon, a glass-like ceramic.
How do I restore my GreenPan?
If you find that the outside of your GreenPan is looking a little haphazard, sticky, or discolored, follow these steps to get it back into flawless shape.
- Fill your pan halfway with water
- Boil for two minutes
- Pour out the water
- Place on a wooden cutting board or heat-safe surface
- Use a melamine sponge to scrub away burnt-on oil
For exterior stains, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the stained areas, leave on for several minutes then wipe clean with a dishcloth and rinse with vinegar.
Is GreenPan good quality?
According to many reviews, GreenPan is the highest-quality ceramic cookware on the market.
What is GreenPan’s Shipping Policy?
GreenPan only ships to the 50 states and Puerto Rico. It only offers Standard Shipping, which takes about 2-6 business days, but the rate varies depending on where you live.
- 48 continental states $6 or free for orders over $50
- Hawaii, Alaska & Puerto Rico $30
Once your order ships, you’ll be able to track it using the link sent in your confirmation email from when the email is sent.
What is GreenPan’s Return Policy?
You can return any GreenPan product within 60 days of purchase, as long as it hasn’t been used and still has its original packaging. To start a return, email the brand.
Its team will let you know what to do next, but I have to note in this GreenPan cookware review that return shipping costs are not covered by the brand—you’ll be responsible for those.
How to Contact GreenPan
I hope that you found all of the information you needed in this GreenPan cookware review. If you have any questions, you can get in contact with the brand by:
- Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
- Phone: (877) 926-6526
The company’s customer service hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm EST.
Looking for more tools for your kitchen? Here are a few more brands to choose from:
Article Sources
- Park, C.K. Inorganic thermochromic additive for an inorganic ceramic coating composition Google Patents
- Sajid, M. and Ilyas, M. PTFE-coated non-stick cookware and toxicity concerns: a perspective PubMed Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(30), pp.23436–23440
- Sinclair, E., Kim, S.K., Akinleye, H.B. and Kannan, K. Quantitation of gas-phase perfluoroalkyl surfactants and fluorotelomer alcohols released from nonstick cookware and microwave popcorn bags ACS Publications Environmental Science & Technology, [online] 41(4), pp.1180–1185
- Zhang, L.W., Ji, W.M. and Liew, K.M. Mechanical properties of diamond nanothread reinforced polymer composites ScienceDirect Carbon, [online] 132, pp.232–240
- Stone, J., Sutrave, P., Gascoigne, E., Givens, M.B., Fry, R.C. and Manuck, T.A. Exposure to toxic metals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and the risk of preeclampsia and preterm birth in the United States: a review PubMed American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, 3(3), p.100308
- Jain, R.B. Synergistic impact of co-exposures to toxic metals cadmium, lead, and mercury along with perfluoroalkyl substances on the healthy kidney function PubMed Environmental Research, 169, pp.342–347
I just opened up our new greenpan cooksest. We made scrambled eggs using a wooden fork and there are scratches seen all the way through the pan. I would like to send the set back please. Rhonda Ewell