Green Pans: Butter Options

GreenPan's ceramic non-stick cookware is designed to be used with minimal butter or oil. The brand recommends using a tiny amount of oil or butter, but avoiding spray oils to protect the finish.

Some good options for butter or oil to use in GreenPans include:

- Olive oil

- Refined avocado oil

- Extra light olive oil

- Refined coconut oil

- Ghee (clarified butter)

- Canola oil

- Grapeseed oil

- Peanut oil

The best butter for Green Pans is one with a high smoke point

The GreenPan is a ceramic non-stick pan that is safe to use with butter. However, it is important to use butter with a high smoke point to avoid damaging the non-stick coating.

Smoke point refers to the temperature at which cooking fats—like butter—stop shimmering and start smoking. When a fat is heated past its smoke point, it starts to break down, degrading its flavour, aroma, and nutrition. It also releases acrolein, a substance that makes food taste bitter and burnt, and free radicals, which are associated with cell damage and linked to illness and ageing.

Therefore, it is best to use butter with a high smoke point when cooking with GreenPan. Examples of butter with a high smoke point include clarified butter and ghee, which have a smoke point of 450°F.

It is worth noting that GreenPan recommends using a tiny amount of butter if necessary but avoiding spray oils to protect the finish of the pan. Their pans also conduct heat faster than traditional non-stick ceramic coatings, so it is best to use low to medium heat settings.

Refined avocado oil is a good option for Green Pans

Refined avocado oil is a great option for Green Pans. Avocado oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, neutral in taste, and ideal for high-heat cooking. It has a high smoke point, so it won't burn onto the pan. This makes it a good alternative to olive oil, which has a lower smoke point and can burn more easily.

The best type of avocado oil to use is refined avocado oil, as it has a higher smoke point than unrefined oil. Refined avocado oil also has a more neutral taste, so it won't overpower the flavours of your food. When choosing refined avocado oil, make sure it is labelled as "refined" and check the ingredients list to ensure that avocado oil is the only ingredient listed. Avoid any oils that are blends of avocado oil and other, lower-quality oils.

In addition to its practical benefits, avocado oil is also a healthy option. It is good for improving heart health and can help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Avocado oil is also more than 50% monounsaturated fat, which is incredibly stable during cooking and storage. This means that avocado oil can be used for deep and shallow frying without breaking down.

When using avocado oil in your Green Pan, keep in mind that the trick to using any type of oil or butter in a Green Pan is to control the temperature. Keep the heat low to medium to avoid burning the oil or butter and damaging the non-stick coating.

Extra light olive oil is another option for Green Pans

GreenPan's ceramic non-stick cookware is a popular alternative to traditional non-stick pans, which often contain harmful chemicals such as Teflon. The GreenPan's non-stick coating is PTFE, PFO-free, and devoid of heavy metals, making it a safer and healthier option.

While the GreenPan can be used without oil, a common question is what type of oil is best to use. The GreenPan manufacturer recommends using a small amount of oil or butter, but advises against using extra virgin olive oil and oil sprays. Extra virgin olive oil and oil sprays carbonize quickly at high temperatures, leaving a thin layer of carbon on the pan's non-stick surface, reducing its performance.

So, what are the alternatives? Extra light olive oil is another option for Green Pans. This type of olive oil has a neutral flavour and a higher cooking temperature than extra virgin olive oil. It can be used at low to medium heat settings, which is ideal for Green Pans as they should not be heated above medium heat.

Other recommended oils for Green Pans include avocado oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, peanut oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil. These oils have higher smoke points than extra virgin olive oil, making them less likely to burn and carbonize on the pan's surface. When choosing an oil, it is essential to consider the smoke point and follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid damaging the pan's non-stick coating.

In summary, extra light olive oil is a suitable option for Green Pans due to its neutral flavour and higher cooking temperature compared to extra virgin olive oil. However, it is important to use it at the recommended low to medium heat settings and avoid overheating to prevent carbon buildup.

Ghee (clarified butter) is recommended for Green Pans

Ghee is an excellent choice for Green Pans because of its high smoke point and its ability to enhance the flavour of food. Green Pans are known for their non-stick capabilities, and using ghee can further improve the non-stick properties of the pan. Ghee has a long shelf life and can be stored without refrigeration due to the absence of water, which prevents bacterial growth.

Additionally, ghee has potential health benefits due to its rich source of vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats. It is also suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies since it contains only trace amounts of lactose and casein.

When using ghee with Green Pans, it is important to control the temperature and avoid high heat settings. Ghee has a higher smoke point than butter, but it is still important to use low to medium heat settings to maintain the integrity of the non-stick coating and prevent sticking or damage to the pan.

Ghee is a versatile cooking oil that can be used in various dishes, including grilled cheese, chilaquiles, breakfast potatoes, and Indian dishes such as biryani, naan, and gajar ka halwa. It adds a distinct roasted, nutty fragrance and flavour to the food.

In summary, ghee is an ideal choice for Green Pans due to its high smoke point, long shelf life, health benefits, and ability to enhance the flavour and non-stick properties of the pan. By using ghee with Green Pans, individuals can experience the benefits of easy cooking, healthy eating, and enjoyable flavours.

Oils in spray form should be avoided when cooking with Green Pans

Cooking sprays leave a stubborn film on the non-stick surface that is resistant to conventional soap and water cleaning methods. Over time, this accumulation can compromise the pan's non-stick properties. The spray droplets heat up quickly and carbonize easily on the non-stick surface, leading to a sticky residue that negatively impacts the coating.

Additionally, cooking sprays contain additives and propellants that can leave a residue on the non-stick surface when applied to a heated pan. This residue can be challenging to remove through standard cleaning methods and may build up over time, further diminishing the pan's effectiveness.

Therefore, it is recommended to use a tiny amount of oil or butter if necessary when cooking with Green Pans, but to avoid spray oils to protect the finish. Instead, Green Pans recommends using oils with a higher smoke point, such as peanut oil, canola oil, coconut oil, or grapeseed oil.

Frequently asked questions