Baking With Green Pans: Safe Or Not?

GreenPan is a cookware brand that uses a patented Thermolon™ ceramic non-stick coating, which is marketed as a healthy alternative to traditional non-stick pans. The company claims that GreenPan products are free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium, and that they do not release toxic fumes, even when overheated. However, there have been concerns and lawsuits regarding the safety of GreenPan products, with accusations of misrepresentation and greenwashing.

While GreenPan asserts that its Thermolon coating is made from silicon dioxide (sand), there is limited transparency about the full list of ingredients. Some tests have shown that the coating may contain heavy metals and other potentially harmful substances. Additionally, users have reported issues with the non-stick coating wearing off over time, which raises questions about the long-term safety and durability of the product.

Overall, while GreenPan may offer an alternative to traditional non-stick pans, there are ongoing debates and uncertainties about the safety and eco-friendliness of their products. It is essential to consider the available information, reviews, and independent tests when making a purchase decision.

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

The Thermolon coating on GreenPan products is made by a Sol-Gel process, which involves forming a coating layer on the surface of the pan. This layer is primarily made of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass or sand. The coating is applied to the pan as a sprayable solution, which is then cured in an oven at a relatively low temperature.

The Sol-Gel process is a highly industrial process, defined as:

> The sol–gel process is a wet chemical technique also known as chemical solution deposition, and involves several steps, in the following chronological order: hydrolysis and polycondensation, gelation, aging, drying, densification, and crystallization.

The Thermolon coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. The coating is also highly heat-resistant, being able to withstand temperatures up to 850°F/450°C.

The coating layer mainly consists of silica (aka sand) but not only

The coating layer of GreenPan products, Thermolon™, is derived from silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), which originates from sand. However, it is not made solely of sand. The raw materials are turned into a sprayable solution, which is then sprayed onto the pans. The liquid part of this solution is mainly water.

The Thermolon™ coating is marketed as a "completely toxin-free," "healthy," and "free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium" alternative to traditional non-stick coatings. However, there have been concerns and lawsuits regarding the accuracy of these claims, with accusations of misrepresentation and greenwashing.

While GreenPan states that their products are free of PFAS, PTFE, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, they have not released any test reports since 2020. As such, there is no current evidence to support these claims, and concerns remain about the presence of toxins in the coating.

The coating is also claimed to be made in a process that emits up to 60% less carbon dioxide than competitors during the curing phase. However, GreenPan has not provided specific details or comparisons to substantiate this statement.

It may have additional materials, such as pigments

The Thermolon coating on GreenPan products 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. However, there are some additional materials such as pigments that give the colour.

The Sol-Gel process involves creating a colloidal suspension of hydrolyzed metal alkoxide particles in an organic solvent, which is then applied to the pan using a conventional wet application technique such as spraying. The coating is then thermally cured at a temperature below 500° C.

The Thermolon coating may also have an additional polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating. PTFE is often referred to as Teflon.

After being thermally cured, it acquires a durable inorganic polymer coating, whose composition is unknown

GreenPan is a brand of cookware that is coated with Thermolon™, a ceramic non-stick coating. This coating is made without the use of PFAS, PFOA, lead, or cadmium. The coating is created from a sprayable solution derived from silicon dioxide, which originates from sand. After the solution is sprayed onto the pans, they are thermally cured in an oven at a relatively low temperature. This process requires 60% less heating energy than conventional non-stick pans, resulting in 60% fewer CO2 emissions.

The Thermolon™ coating is safe to use and will not release toxic fumes, even if the pan is accidentally overheated. The coating can withstand temperatures up to 850°F/450°C, which is significantly higher than the temperature that would be safe for a conventional non-stick pan. The coating has been certified by third-party testing labs and conforms to international food contact standards set by the US FDA and EU regulators.

While the exact composition of the coating after thermal curing is unknown, it is a durable inorganic polymer coating. This process gives GreenPan products their non-stick properties and makes them safe and easy to use.

The Thermolon cooking surface can be further provided with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating

However, there are some concerns regarding the use of PTFE in cookware. PTFE is considered a persistent organic pollutant or "forever chemical" and has been linked to potential health risks. During the production of PTFE, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was previously used, but its use has been discontinued due to ecotoxicological and health issues. PFOA has been associated with various health problems, including flu-like symptoms, fertility issues, and thyroid disorders. While PFOA is no longer used in the manufacture of PTFE, other potentially harmful chemicals, such as GenX, may be used as substitutes.

It is important to note that GreenPan, the company that utilizes Thermolon coating, has stated that they do not use PTFE or PFOA in their coatings. They claim that their Thermolon coating is made from raw materials derived from Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) and is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. GreenPan's Thermolon coating has been certified by third-party testing labs and is considered safe for food contact by US and EU regulators.

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