Green Pans: Safe Or Not?

GreenPan is a cookware brand that claims to be eco-friendly and non-toxic. The original GreenPan cookware uses a patented Thermolon™ ceramic non-stick coating that the company has advertised as completely toxin-free, healthy, and free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium. However, the company has faced scrutiny and lawsuits for these claims, with accusations of misrepresentation and greenwashing.

While GreenPan products are free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and do not use polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the specific composition of their Thermolon™ coating has been called into question. There are concerns about potential toxins and heavy metals in the coating, which GreenPan has not fully disclosed.

As such, while GreenPan cookware may be a safer alternative to traditional non-stick pans with PTFE coatings, there are still questions about its toxicity and the accuracy of the company's marketing claims.

GreenPan's coating is made by a Sol-Gel process

The GreenPan coating is made by a Sol-Gel process, which is a highly industrial process. This process involves the transformation of monomers into a colloidal solution (the Sol) that acts as the forerunner for an integrated network (the Gel) of either discrete particles or network polymers. The Sol undergoes a hydrolysis and condensation polymerization in the activation phase to form the gel. The gel is then applied as a coating to the substrate and is dried to create a hard, glossy film.

Sol-gel coatings are a mix of organic and inorganic chemistry types. Although they carry many of the same characteristics as ceramics, they do so to a lesser degree. Importantly, sol-gel nonstick coatings are free of fluoropolymers. The release or nonstick properties are an inherent characteristic of this type of coating.

The Thermolon coating used by GreenPan is made by a Sol-Gel process that results in a coating layer on the surface of the pan. This layer mainly comprises Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass or sand. There are some additional materials, such as pigments that give the colour. All the materials in Thermolon are claimed to be 100% safe for use in food contact coatings.

However, it is worth noting that GreenPan has been the target of a class-action lawsuit for false advertising. The lawsuit contends that the Thermolon coating is not 100% toxin-free and includes dangerous substances such as silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate.

GreenPan's Thermolon coating is not PTFE

The Thermolon coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, and has been certified by third-party testing labs as conforming to international regular food contact standards set by the US FDA and EU regulators. It can also withstand temperatures up to 850°F/450°C without releasing toxic fumes, making it safer than conventional non-stick coatings.

While GreenPan's Thermolon coating is not PTFE, there have been concerns and lawsuits regarding the presence of other potentially toxic substances in the coating, such as silane, aluminum oxide, and potassium titanate. However, GreenPan has maintained that their coating is safe for use and that their products are free of toxins.

GreenPan's coating is made from Silicon Dioxide

The GreenPan coating, Thermolon, is made from Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass or sand. The Thermolon coating is made by a Sol-Gel process that results in forming a coating layer on the surface of the pan. This layer mainly consists of Silicon Dioxide, but there are some additional materials such as pigments that give the pan its colour.

The Thermolon coating is made by transforming raw materials derived from Silicon Dioxide into a sprayable solution. The liquid part of the solution is mainly water. After spraying onto the pans, the coating is then cured in an oven at a relatively low temperature. The curing process requires 60% less heating energy versus conventional non-stick pans, which means 60% fewer CO2 emissions.

The Thermolon coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. It has been tested in third-party labs and meets international food safety standards. The coating is safe to use in contact with all foods and conforms to regular food contact standards set by the USA Food & Drug Administration and the German LFGB. It also meets safety standards set by the Swiss government and KTR.

The Thermolon coating is tough enough for metal utensils, but nylon, bamboo, silicone, and wood utensils will preserve the pan's coating and keep it like new for longer.

GreenPan's coating is not safe

GreenPan's coating is ceramic-based and is marketed as a safe, non-toxic, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional non-stick pans. However, there are concerns and conflicting reports about the safety of its coating, especially regarding the presence of toxins and the company's transparency. Here are some paragraphs discussing why GreenPan's coating may not be safe:

GreenPan's coating, Thermolon, has been the subject of scrutiny and controversy. While the company claims that Thermolon is "completely toxin-free," this assertion has been disputed. A class-action lawsuit filed against GreenPan in 2019 alleged the presence of several known toxins in the Thermolon coating, including silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate. These substances are associated with various health risks, such as skin and respiratory irritation, lung damage, and potential carcinogenic effects. The lawsuit was dismissed, but it raised doubts about GreenPan's marketing claims.

The composition of GreenPan's Thermolon coating is not fully disclosed, and this lack of transparency is concerning. While the company states that the coating is made primarily of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), they also mention the presence of "additional materials" and pigments. The manufacturing process, described as a "Sol-Gel process," involves the use of metal and solvents, which raises questions about the potential presence of heavy metals or toxic residues that could leach into food if the coating is scratched or chipped.

Independent testing of GreenPan products has yielded conflicting results. Some tests have shown the presence of toxins, while others have not detected any harmful substances. The absence of consistent third-party testing and the company's reluctance to release test reports after 2020 add to the uncertainty surrounding the safety of GreenPan's coating.

GreenPan's marketing and advertising practices have also come under fire. The company has been accused of greenwashing and making misleading claims about the environmental benefits of their products. For example, their statement about reduced CO2 emissions during the curing process lacks specific details and comparisons with other brands. Additionally, their assertion that their products are "good for the environment" due to production practices has not been adequately substantiated.

While GreenPan cookware may offer some advantages in terms of non-stick performance and durability, the concerns about the safety of their coating cannot be overlooked. The presence of toxins, the lack of transparency, and the questionable marketing practices all contribute to the perception that GreenPan's coating may not be as safe as they claim. Until more comprehensive and independent testing is conducted, and the company provides greater clarity and evidence to support their claims, consumers may opt for alternative cookware options that offer more certainty regarding safety and transparency.

GreenPan's coating is safe

GreenPan is a cookware brand that uses a patented Thermolon™ ceramic non-stick coating. The coating is made by a Sol-Gel process that results in forming a coating layer on the surface of the pan. This layer comprises mainly Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass (or sand from which glass is made). There are some additional materials such as pigments that give the colour.

The Thermolon coating is made by a Sol-Gel process and mainly consists of silica (aka sand) but not only. It may have additional materials, such as pigments, and after thermal treatment, it acquires a durable inorganic polymer coating, whose composition is unknown. The Thermolon cooking surface can be further provided with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating.

GreenPan claims that its products are coated with Thermolon™, which was the first and best ceramic non-stick coating to be launched on the market in 2007. Since then, the company has created eight generations of Thermolon™. Each is manufactured without forever chemicals known as PFAS and without any Lead or Cadmium. The raw materials, or precursors, are derived from Silicon Dioxide (not to be confused with silicone, which is a type of semi-conductor), which of course originates from sand. The precursor materials join up to form a sprayable solution. The liquid part is mainly water. After spraying onto the pans, the coating is then cured in an oven at a relatively low temperature. As a result, the curing process requires 60% less heating energy versus conventional non-stick pans, which means 60% fewer CO2 emissions.

The absence of forever chemicals in GreenPan's pans means they won’t release toxic fumes, even if you accidentally overheat your pan. Thermolon™ can withstand temperatures up to 850°F/450°C, something that would not be safe to do with a conventional non-stick frypan. Thermolon™ has been certified by third-party testing labs as conforming to international regular food contact standards set by the US FDA (USA Food & Drug Administration) and by EU regulators.

GreenPan's coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, so you can breathe easy. The curing process for the coating also creates 60% fewer CO2 emissions in comparison with the curing of conventional non-stick coatings. GreenPan's factory generates 30% of its power from the solar panels on the roof and it also has its own wastewater treatment plant to keep its water clean and reuse water wastewater in many other processes in the factory.

GreenPan uses a wide range of materials, including hard anodized aluminum and 3-ply stainless steel. Each of their product pages will detail the pan’s construction. All GreenPan products are manufactured in their own factories in Italy and in China. Unlike most cookware companies, GreenPan owns its factory, and it carefully controls the process. GreenPan has won numerous awards for its environmental safety, worker satisfaction, and overall standards. Its factory has its own wastewater treatment plant and 30% of its factory’s energy comes from solar panels on the roof. GreenPan also has its own in-house research and development team working towards the next advancements in healthier and better cooking.

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