Green Pan Safety: Scratches A Concern?

According to the GreenPan website, scratches, dents, or pits in the coating won't affect the safety or performance of your pan. However, there are some concerns about the safety of GreenPan's Thermolon coating, which is made using a Sol-Gel process and mainly consists of silica (aka sand). The coating may also have additional materials, such as pigments, and after thermal treatment, it acquires a durable inorganic polymer coating, whose composition is undisclosed. Further, the cooking surface can be covered with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating.

While PTFE can be made from potentially harmful substances, GreenPan claims that their products are free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. They also state that their Thermolon coating can withstand temperatures up to 850°F/450°C without releasing toxic fumes.

Despite these assurances, there have been lawsuits and negative press regarding GreenPan's marketing claims and the safety of their cookware. A class-action lawsuit filed in 2019 alleged that GreenPan's Thermolon coating contained several toxins, including methyltrimethoxysilane and potassium titanate. The lawsuit was dismissed, but it raised concerns about the accuracy of GreenPan's advertising and the potential presence of toxins in their products.

In conclusion, while GreenPan asserts that scratches on their pans do not affect safety or performance, there are lingering questions about the safety of their Thermolon coating due to a lack of transparency regarding its composition.

GreenPan coating is made by a Sol-Gel process and mainly consists of silica (aka sand)

The Thermolon coating used in GreenPan products is made using a Sol-Gel process. This process involves transforming 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 then undergoes a hydrolysis and condensation polymerisation to form the Gel, which is then applied as a coating to the substrate and dried to create a hard, glossy film.

The Thermolon coating layer mainly consists of silica (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass or sand. However, it is not the only material in the coating. There are some additional materials, such as pigments that give the colour. The Thermolon coating may also be covered with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating.

The Sol-Gel process is versatile and can be used to create thin films or coatings with a wide range of colours, including blue, red, green, and white. The coatings can be applied to a variety of materials, including glass and metal.

GreenPan coating may also have additional materials, such as pigments

The GreenPan coating may also have additional materials, such as pigments, which give the colour. All the materials in Thermolon are 100% safe for use in food contact coatings.

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 comprises mainly Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass (or sand).

The Thermolon coating is made by a Sol-Gel process, which involves the following steps:

• The sol-gel coating composition includes a colloidal suspension of hydrolyzed metal alkoxide particles in an organic solvent.
• The sol-gel coating is then thermally cured at a temperature below about 500 °C.
• The sol-gel coating can also be made from a series of new non-stick ceramic coating materials prepared from organic-inorganic hybrid materials, including silica sol, MTMS, FAS, and PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane).

GreenPan coating acquires a durable inorganic polymer coating, whose composition is undisclosed

The Sol-Gel process is a highly industrial process that involves the use of metal and solvents. The Thermolon coating may have heavy metals or toxic residues present that could potentially get into the food if the coating is scratched or chipped. GreenPan has been the target of a class-action lawsuit for false advertising, with accusations that its Thermolon coating contains several toxins, including silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate.

While GreenPan claims that its products are eco-friendly and toxin-free, there is a lack of transparency and independent third-party testing to support these claims. The company has stopped releasing test reports, making it difficult to determine the safety and composition of their non-stick coatings.

GreenPan coating can be covered with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating

The GreenPan coating can be covered with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating. PTFE is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, commonly known by the brand name Teflon. PTFE is chemically inert, hydrophobic, and has one of the lowest coefficients of friction of any solid. It is used as a non-stick coating for pans and other cookware, as it is non-reactive.

PTFE is produced by free-radical polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene. The net equation is:

> n F2C=CF2 → −(F2C−CF2)n−

PTFE is a thermoplastic polymer, which is a white solid at room temperature, with a density of about 2200 kg/m3 and a melting point of 600 K (327 °C; 620 °F). It maintains high strength, toughness and self-lubrication at low temperatures down to 5 K (−268.15 °C; −450.67 °F), and good flexibility at temperatures above 194 K (−79 °C; −110 °F).

PTFE is used in a wide range of applications, including wire insulation, electronics, industrial applications, and chemical processing. It is also used in the production of carbon fibre composites, as well as fiberglass composites.

PTFE is considered safe for use in contact with all foods and meets international food safety standards. However, PTFE can be harmful if inhaled, and there have been concerns about the use of PTFE in cookware due to the potential release of toxic fumes. PTFE cookware should not be overheated, as this can cause the release of toxic fumes.

GreenPan coating is safe to use even when scratched

GreenPan is a brand of non-stick cookware that uses a patented Thermolon™ ceramic non-stick coating. The coating is made in South Korea, while the cookware is assembled in China in a factory owned by GreenPan. The brand is widely available and sold both online and at brick-and-mortar retailers.

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 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. All the materials in Thermolon are 100% safe for use in food contact coatings.

According to GreenPan, scratches, dents, or pits in the coating won't affect the safety or performance of the pan. The absence of forever chemicals in their 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.

GreenPan has been awarded for its environmental safety, worker satisfaction, and overall standards. Their factory has its own wastewater treatment plant and 30% of the factory's energy comes from solar panels on the roof.

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