Green Pans: Teflon-Free?

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 GreenPan products are widely available and sold both online and at brick-and-mortar retailers. They are budget-friendly and affordable at only about $20-30 per unit on average. The packaging of GreenPan products advertises its patented non-stick coating to be completely toxin-free. However, there is a lack of transparency regarding the Thermolon coating composition, and some consumers have discovered dangerous substances present in the coating, including silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate. These substances can cause serious eye, skin, and respiratory irritation and may be harmful if inhaled or swallowed. GreenPan was also the target of a class-action lawsuit for false advertising, which was eventually dismissed.

GreenPan's coating is made from a process called Sol-Gel

The Thermolon coating used in GreenPan products is made using a process called Sol-Gel. 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. In other words, the Sol is a colloidal suspension of monomers (tiny particles that can be linked with identical molecules to create a network or polymer) on a liquid medium (usually water or alcohol). The Gel is a semi-solid colloidal suspension of a solid, evenly mixed in a liquid which exhibits no flow when in the steady state.

The Sol-Gel process is used to produce ceramic nanoparticles. It is a highly industrial process that involves several steps, including hydrolysis and polycondensation, gelation, aging, drying, densification, and crystallization. The chemistry of the Sol-Gel process is based on hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions. Metal alcoxides are versatile molecules used to obtain oxides, thanks to their ability to form homogeneous solutions in a large variety of solvents and in the presence of other alcoxides or metallic derivatives.

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 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 said to be 100% safe for use in food contact coatings. However, it is unclear what other materials are used in the Sol-Gel process to create the Thermolon coating.

The Sol-Gel process is used to produce some of the world's toughest ceramics. It is a versatile process with applications including the creation of thin films or coatings. The coatings can be protective or decorative and can be applied to a wide range of materials, including glass and metal.

GreenPan's coating is made from Silicon Dioxide

The GreenPan coating is made from Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass or sand. Silicon Dioxide is a natural chemical mix of silicon and oxygen. It is a compound that occurs widely in nature and is found in everything from water and plants to animals. It is also found in the human body, though its exact role is unclear.

Silicon Dioxide is generally safe as a food additive, and many studies suggest that there is no cause for concern when consumed in normal doses. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States regulates how companies use silica in food. The FDA allows manufacturers to include silicon dioxide as a food additive if they only use the smallest amount needed, and the amount does not exceed 2% of the weight of the food.

The GreenPan coating is made by a Sol-Gel process that results in the formation of a coating layer on the surface of the pan. This layer mainly comprises Silicon Dioxide, with some additional materials such as pigments that give it colour. All the materials in the coating are safe for use in food contact coatings.

The Thermolon coating is manufactured without PFAS, or PFOA, and does not contain any lead or cadmium. It has been tested in third-party labs and meets international food safety standards. The coating is also free of PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), a PFAS commonly known as Teflon.

The curing process for the GreenPan coating creates 60% fewer CO2 emissions in comparison with the curing of conventional non-stick coatings. The factory that manufactures the coating generates 30% of its power from solar panels on the roof and has its own wastewater treatment plant.

While Silicon Dioxide is generally safe, there are some potential risks associated with inhaling fine particles of silica dust over long periods. This is most common in people who work in quarries or factories that process silica and can lead to lung diseases such as silicosis and COPD, as well as an increased risk of tuberculosis and autoimmune diseases. However, these risks are not associated with oral consumption of Silicon Dioxide.

GreenPan's coating is safe for pets

GreenPan's ceramic non-stick coating is safe for pets. The coating is free of PTFE and other PFAS, as well as Cadmium and Lead. However, it is recommended to keep pets and birds away from the kitchen when cooking as food and cooking oils, when overheated, can be a source of fumes that are toxic for pets.

GreenPan's coating is free of PTFE

Thermolon, the coating used by GreenPan, is safe to use in contact with all foods. It conforms to the 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. Thermolon can withstand temperatures up to 850°F/450°C and is oven safe.

GreenPan's coating is made through a Sol-Gel process, which involves several steps: hydrolysis and polycondensation, gelation, aging, drying, densification, and crystallization. The process starts with sand-derived raw materials, which are turned into a solution and sprayed onto the pan. The liquid part of the solution is mainly water. The coating is then cured in an oven at a relatively low temperature, requiring 60% less heating energy than conventional non-stick pans.

GreenPan's coating is oven-safe

GreenPan coating is oven-safe. The coating is called Thermolon and is made from raw materials derived from silicon dioxide (SiO2), which originates from sand. It is transformed into a sprayable solution and then cured in an oven at a relatively low temperature.

Thermolon is safe to use in contact with all foods. It 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.

Thermolon can withstand temperatures up to 850°F/450°C and is oven-safe. It won't emit toxic fumes when overheated, unlike products made with forever chemicals, including PTFE.

GreenPan products are manufactured in their own factories in Italy and China. The curing process for their coating creates 60% fewer CO2 emissions compared to conventional non-stick coatings.

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