We've cut out the toxins—PFAS, PFOA, Lead, and Cadmium—so you can cook without worry. IS YOUR COATING PTFE? No, PTFE is a PFAS, and we do not use any PFAS including PTFE or PFOA in our coatings.
The short answer, No! GreenPan nonstick ceramic cookware differs from conventional nonstick ceramic cookware in that it does not contain PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), a PFAS, more commonly known as Teflon.
Introduced in 2007, GreenPan was the first cookware brand to own the “healthy nonstick” cookware category by coating its pans with Thermolon—a healthier, ceramic-based alternative to Teflon.
Reviewers on Amazon have warned wear and tear on GreenPan's cookware can build up quickly if you don't clean it with care. Ceramic cookware is prone to chipping and scratching, which is why the brand recommends cooking with silicone utensils over harsh metal spatulas or tongs.
In 2019, a lawsuit was brought against GreenPan claiming false advertising and concluded with no findings of liability by the company. The case was dismissed. What we said about our products is true. Thermolon coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium.
Be Careful with olive oil
Please remember that olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, butter and oil sprays quickly start to smoke and burn when the pan is hot. This causes carbonization of the pan, which can damage the non-stick layer.
GreenPan frying pans lack harmful chemicals and toxins such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as forever chemicals, as well as PFOA, lead, and cadmium. GreenPan products came onto the culinary scene in 2007, boasting a reimagined and healthier ceramic non-stick coating.
Carbonization is Sticky
Here's why. Overheating + oils= carbonization (a.k.a. those little spots that cause your food to stick to the pan). But don't worry! You can use a melamine sponge (e.g. our Restore Sponge) to wipe them away.
“The most nontoxic cookware that you can buy is stainless steel, cast iron or carbon steel; things that don't have a coating on them,” says Alexis Pisciotta, culinary purchasing and events manager and cookware consultant for Food Network.
While both synthetic chemicals are classified as PFAS and share a number of properties, PTFE is broadly considered safe to use. PFOA, on the other hand, has been declared carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organisation.
Traditional nonstick coatings are made from plastic synthetics. GreenPan cookware is a healthy alternative, free from PFAS, PFOA, cadmium and lead.
The best one for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you value eco-friendliness and quick, even heating, the Scanpan set might be the best choice for you. If you value aesthetics and easy cleaning, the GreenPan set might be a better fit. Either way, you can't go wrong with either of these sets.
Avoid all oils in spray form, as the tiny particulates will heat up quickly and burn, creating a layer of carbonization on your pan.
GreenPan currently produces cookware with one of three proprietary nonstick ceramic coatings: Infinite8 Ceramic Nonstick, Thermolon Advanced or Thermolon.
All Rachael Ray cookware products are non-toxic, lead-free, cadmium-free and PFOA-free. The non-stick coating used on Rachael Ray cookware is a conventional PTFE based non-stick. If you have further questions please feel free to contact the manufacturer directly as well.
As the product remains perfectly safe for use if it chips, it does not require a replacement. In fact, the hardness of the coating is one of its strengths because it will be less prone to scratching during daily use.
The Bottom Line
Caraway is pricier than GreenPan, but their products have consistently been top performers in our tests and have continued to deliver top-quality performance after years of use. Alternately, GreenPan is more affordable but did become less nonstick over time.
In the past, Teflon coating included an ingredient called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFOA is a type of PFAS that has been linked to kidney and liver problems. The FDA banned the use of PFOA in cookware in 2014. If you have a Teflon pot or pan that was made before 2014, you should get rid of it.
Is HexClad cookware safe? HexClad describes its nonstick coating as a "Japanese coating infused with diamond dust." The company states that its pans are PFOA-free, though they do contain PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), commonly known by the brand name Teflon.
It is often the case that the Bakelite handle of the pan has been exposed to extreme heat (if the pan has not been placed on the hob correctly). Exposing the Bakelite handle to such extreme heat will cause the smell and possibly even some burning of the handle.
You can use olive oil, and many other cooking oils, with GreenPan cookware. Olive oil and oil in general not only helps your food taste better, it also helps distribute heat more efficiently while you're cooking; this means a better sear and more even results. The trick is to control your temperature.
Here's how you can deep clean: For the interior: Fill the pan halfway with water and bring it to a near boil for about 2 minutes. Pour out the water and place the pan on a sturdy surface such as a wooden cutting board. Carefully use a restoring sponge (melamine) on the warm surface. This should do the trick.
For our recommendations, we stick to stainless steel, cast iron, and enamel or ceramic coatings. If you're making the switch from traditional nonstick cookware, you should look into ceramic or enameled cookware.
GreenPan's Lawsuit
A lawsuit initiated in 2019 alleged the pans contained potentially harmful silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate (amongst other claims that their advertising was false or misleading). According to an attorney, the lawsuit was dismissed.
We do manufacture many of our GreenPan, GreenLife, Blue Diamond and Merten and Stork products in China. We manufacture our new Stanley Tucci collection in Italy. Unlike most cookware companies, we own our factory, and we carefully control the process.