Marianne Martinez
GreenPan is a cookware brand that claims to sell eco-friendly, non-stick, and ceramic-coated pans. The brand has been under scrutiny for its claims, with accusations of misrepresentation and greenwashing. The coating used by GreenPan is called Thermolon™ and is made by a Sol-Gel process that results in a coating layer mainly comprising Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass (or sand). However, the coating may have additional materials, such as pigments, and after thermal treatment, it acquires a durable inorganic polymer coating, whose composition is undisclosed.
The Thermolon™ coating distributes heat more effectively than traditional coatings, and the pans are designed to get hot enough to sear a steak even on low to medium heat. The company recommends using softer tools like silicone and wood to be gentler on the pan and help the coating last longer. It also suggests using oil or butter to help distribute heat and avoid all oils in spray form as they can burn and create a sticky layer on the pan.
Despite the company's claims, some users have reported issues with their GreenPan products, including food sticking to the pan, scratches and chips in the coating, and an unpleasant odour. While some users have had positive experiences with their GreenPan products, lasting several years, others have found that the non-stick coating wears off over time, requiring replacement. It is important to follow the care instructions provided by the company to maximise the lifespan of GreenPan products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for sticking | Overheating + oils = carbonization |
| How to avoid sticking | Use low to medium heat, use softer tools like silicone and wood, use oil or butter, avoid all oils in spray form |
| How to clean | Wash with a soft sponge and some warm, soapy water, avoid abrasive detergents, steel wool, or iron sponges, let it cool before washing, use baking soda and water to form a smooth paste for exterior stains |
What You'll Learn
GreenPan's Thermolon™ coating distributes heat more effectively than traditional coatings
The Thermolon™ 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 is mainly comprised of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass (or sand). The coating is sprayed onto the pan without the need for glue or PFAS additives.
The Thermolon™ coating is also free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. The curing process for the coating creates 60% fewer CO2 emissions compared to the curing of conventional non-stick coatings.
To maximise the performance of your GreenPan, it is recommended that you use low to medium heat, silicone and wood utensils, and oil or butter.
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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. The Sol-Gel process involves several steps: hydrolysis and polycondensation, gelation, aging, drying, densification, and crystallisation. The process is used to produce ceramic nanoparticles.
The Thermolon coating is made by a Sol-Gel process that results in a coating layer on the surface of the pan. This layer is mainly composed of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass or sand. There are some additional materials, such as pigments that give the pan its colour. All the materials in Thermolon are safe for use in food contact coatings.
The Sol-Gel process is a wet chemical technique, also known as chemical solution deposition. It involves the conversion of monomers in solution into a colloidal solution (sol) that acts as the precursor for an integrated network (or gel) of discrete particles or network polymers. The basic structure of the solid phase can range from discrete colloidal particles to continuous chain-like polymer networks. The volume fraction of particles may be so low that a significant amount of fluid must be removed initially for the gel-like properties to be recognised. This can be done through sedimentation or centrifugation.
The Thermolon coating is applied to the pan through spraying. After spraying, the coating is cured in an oven at a relatively low temperature, requiring 60% less heating energy than conventional non-stick pans, resulting in 60% fewer CO2 emissions.
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GreenPan's coating is made of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
The GreenPan coating is made of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass or sand. The coating is created through a Sol-Gel process, which involves turning sand-derived raw materials into a solution and spraying it onto the pan. This process does not require the use of glue or numerous PFAS additives.
The Thermolon coating is marketed as a safe and eco-friendly alternative to traditional non-stick coatings, as it is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. However, GreenPan has faced scrutiny and lawsuits for these claims, with accusations of misrepresentation and greenwashing. While the company maintains that their coating is non-toxic and safe for food contact, independent tests have detected the presence of heavy metals and other potentially harmful substances.
The Sol-Gel process used to create the Thermolon coating involves the use of metal alkoxides and solvents, which raises concerns about the presence of heavy metals or toxic residues that could leach into food if the coating is chipped or scratched. The coating may also contain additional materials such as pigments, and it is thermally cured to form a durable inorganic polymer coating.
Overall, while GreenPan claims that their Silicon Dioxide-based coating is safe and non-toxic, there are conflicting opinions and a lack of transparency about the full composition of the coating. Some users have reported issues with the coating's durability and sticking performance over time, as well as odour emissions during cooking.
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GreenPan's coating is not PTFE-free
Thermolon is safe to use in contact with all foods and can be safely heated to 450°C/850°F. It has been certified by third-party labs and meets international food safety standards. The coating has been tested to withstand temperatures up to 850°F/450°C, and unlike products made with forever chemicals, including PTFE, GreenPan products won't emit toxic fumes when overheated.
The Thermolon coating is made by a Sol-Gel process that results in 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). There are some additional materials such as pigments that give the color. All the materials in Thermolon are 100% safe for use in food contact coatings.
GreenPan's non-stick coating is also free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. The curing process for the coating creates 60% fewer CO2 emissions in comparison with the curing of conventional non-stick coatings.
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GreenPan's coating is not PFOA-free
GreenPan claims that its products are free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium. However, the company has faced scrutiny and lawsuits for these claims, with accusations of misrepresentation and greenwashing.
In 2012, GreenPan was criticised by the National Advertising Division for making untrue claims in its advertisements. The company changed its wording following the NAD's critiques, but this new wording could still be seen as misleading.
A 2019 class-action lawsuit (Saldivar vs. The Cookware Company (USA) LLC) brought further concerns about GreenPan's marketing to light. The lawsuit claimed that GreenPan's Thermolon™ coating contains several toxins, including silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate.
While the lawsuit was dismissed, and we don't know for sure that GreenPan cookware contains these chemicals, the company's other claims about being PFOA-free are suspect. All non-stick cookware produced in the US has been free of PFOA since 2013, so this is not a distinguishing factor.
GreenPan also stopped releasing test reports in 2020, so there is no current evidence to show whether heavy metals or PFAS are present in their products.
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Frequently asked questions
Oils with a low smoke point, such as extra virgin olive oil, can burn and create a sticky layer of carbonization on your pan. Try using oils with a high smoke point, such as peanut oil, grapeseed oil, or avocado oil.
Butter contains milk solids that can burn and create a sticky layer on your pan. Try using oils with a high smoke point instead.
Cooking sprays create tiny particulates that heat up quickly and burn, creating a layer of carbonization on your pan. Avoid using cooking sprays and opt for oils or butter instead.
