Thermolon™ is GreenPan's ceramic nonstick coating, and is PFAS- and plastic-free. You won't find PTFE, PFOA, lead or cadmium in our coating either. GreenPan's Thermolon™ coating is crafted from sand-derived raw materials, Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), and turned into a sprayable solution.
All GreenPan products are coated with Thermolon™. This was the first and best ceramic nonstick coating to be launched on the market in 2007. Since then, we've created eight generations of Thermolon™. Each is manufactured without forever chemicals known as PFAS and without any Lead or Cadmium.
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.
The short answer, No!
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.
Avoid all oils in spray form, as the tiny particulates will heat up quickly and burn, creating a layer of carbonization on your pan.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Both sets are oven and dishwasher safe, and are designed for even heat distribution. However, the Scanpan set is safe for use with metal utensils, while the GreenPan set is not. In the end, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and cooking style.
TL;DR: With about the same lifespan (2-5 years) as other high-quality nonstick cookware, GreenPan uses a “healthy ceramic nonstick” coating (Thermolon) that is PTFE, PFAS, Cadmium, and PFOA free, giving chefs the peace of mind that their nonstick cookware is safe to use.
The short answer is yes: there is no Teflon used in its production. Ceramic provides a natural non-stick surface without the use of toxic chemicals in its production. In fact, we take pride in our 100% non-toxic cookware.
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.
Some cooks rely on ceramic cookware because of its non-stick properties, but for the seasoned home cook, ceramic lacks the durability and versatility of stainless steel cookware.
“Glass, like Pyrex cookware, is a safe option,” Perko said. “Cast iron is a safe option if NOT frying or using high-temperature cooking. If you have or can use or purchase stainless steel pots and pans, they are healthier choices for long-term/lifetime use.”
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.
GreenPan is the inventor of the original healthy ceramic nonstick. We are the first and best toxin-free alternative to traditional nonstick coatings. Our cookware products are free of PFAS (also known as forever chemicals), PFOA, lead, and cadmium.
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.
Thermolon™ is GreenPan's ceramic nonstick coating, and is PFAS- and plastic-free. You won't find PTFE, PFOA, lead or cadmium in our coating either.