Everything to Know About GreenPan, the Cookware Brand You’ve Seen Everywhere Lately
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As a work-from-home parent with three young kids, I cook a lot of meals for my family; hardly a day goes by that I don’t hover over the stovetop. Unlike my pre-kids days, I don’t cook many meals that require a specialized pan, but I do cook often, so I need cookware that can keep up — especially workhorse essentials like nonstick pans and cast iron skillets.
My GreenPan cookware has checked all the boxes. In fact, they’ve been so reliable that my mom started stocking her own kitchen with their pots and pans after she used them at my house a few times. Multiple editors at The Kitchn have also been using GreenPan cookware for years, and even pro cooks like Kelsey Nixon love the brand.
Clearly, GreenPan has a devoted following among experts and home cooks like myself. But for those who haven’t discovered the brand yet, I did a deep dive into GreenPan to see if it’s all cracked up to be.
Yes, GreenPan cookware is worth buying, especially if you’re looking for well-priced and colorful pots and pans. The cookware has even heat distribution, is easy to clean, and is a safer alternative to other nonstick cookware. There’s also a large variety of bakeware and accessories for home cooks who want to build up their kitchen gear collection at reasonable prices.
What Is GreenPan?
GreenPan is a kitchenware company that sells cookware, bakeware, and accessories (think: frying pans, woks, silicone spatulas, and more). The company started with ceramic nonstick cookware in 2007, and now there are a handful of collections like the Reserve, as well as retailer exclusives with Williams Sonoma and Crate & Barrel. GreenPan has also collaborated with Stanley Tucci, as well as with Food52 on cookware collections.
All the collections vary in price, construction, and features, so with such a large lineup there’s something for every type of cook. The company is most well-known for its nonstick ceramic cookware. Many people love that the pans are a safer alternative to cookware made with Teflon, and that they come in a fun array of colors from pink to mint green to yellow. There’s even a fun color quiz to help you find which one best matches your personality and space.
Is GreenPan Cookware Safe?
One common feature in all of GreenPan’s cookware is the use of non-toxic materials. Many people choose GreenPan as an alternative to other cookware brands because the nonstick ceramic products are free of harmful “forever chemicals” like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOAs), as well as toxic lead and cadmium. The brand also conforms to both FDA standards and EU regulations.
According to GreenPan, “The absence of forever chemicals in our pans means they won’t release toxic fumes, even if you accidentally overheat your pan.” Personally, I’ve never noticed any noxious smells coming from my GreenPan cookware, and I’ve also never had pieces of the coating flake off as I’m cooking or washing a pan, which is something I’ve definitely had happen with cookware coated with Teflon.
Does GreenPan Cookware Use Teflon?
No, GreenPan does not use Teflon in its cookware. Teflon is a brand name for the nonstick coating polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a type of PFAS that is frequently called a “forever chemical” because it doesn’t break down.
Instead, GreenPan uses Thermolon, and its base material is sand. The nonstick ceramic material is designed to conduct heat well; the cookware heats food quickly and cooks evenly. The nonstick ceramic coating is what really makes GreenPan’s cookware stand out (and what I appreciate most when I use these pans). Even when I use very little oil or butter, I don’t have any issues with food sticking to the pans.
Can GreenPan Cookware Go in the Oven?
Yes, GreenPan cookware can go in the oven, but check for temperature restrictions for the specific product on the packaging or by contacting the brand directly. There is a lot of variation between collections — certain pieces are oven-safe up to 350°F, while others are oven-safe up to 600°F.
Can GreenPan Cookware Be Used on All Stovetops?
Most GreenPan cookware works on all stovetops, but again, check the specs for your specific pot or pan. If you have an induction stovetop, you’ll want to use a stainless steel pan or one of the nonstick pans with a Magneto induction base.
What Can You Cook in GreenPan Cookware?
You can cook anything in GreenPan cookware — especially as many pieces can go from the stovetop to the oven. I’ve cooked everything from eggs to steak to pancakes in my frying pans with no problem. GreenPan recommends using oil or butter in their pans and cooking on low to medium heat. Whatever you choose to cook, make sure you’re using silicone or wood utensils to avoid scratching the interior finish.
Does GreenPan Come with a Warranty?
The brand offers a two-year warranty, which isn’t as long as the lifetime warranty some of our other favorite brands, like Le Creuset, offer. However, the price of most GreenPan products is much lower than many other high-end cookware products, so depending on how you value your cookware, this could be a smarter financial option.
Does GreenPan Have Any Sales?
GreenPan has a few sales throughout the year, and usually around the major holidays like Labor Day and seasonal shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Currently, the brand is running a clearance sale with discounts up to 40% off, plus get an extra 10% off with the code EXTRA, free shipping on orders over $125, and a free gift with purchase.
GreenPan also offers a 25% discount for teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, members of the military, students, and recent graduates.
Is GreenPan Cookware Worth it?
Yes, GreenPan cookware is worth it. It cooks my food evenly, it’s easy to clean, and it’s a safer alternative to other nonstick cookware. I like that there’s a variety of colors, too, which is really fun if you like to display your cookware in your kitchen or if you’re just tired of pans always being the usual gray, silver, and black. There’s also a large breadth of cookware, bakeware, and accessories for home cooks who want to outfit their kitchen gear.
The products can go in the oven and, in many cases, the dishwasher as well. They’re also sold at a reasonable price point — especially for products in the entry collection called the Rio. If you’re looking to try out some new cookware, GreenPan is definitely worth checking out. Who knows — you might end up like me and slowly stock your kitchen with GreenPan products.
The Best Items To Buy From GreenPan
Rio Ceramic Nonstick 8 Rio Ceramic Nonstick 8" and 10" Frypan Set
GreenPan
$41.99 (was $59.99)
Nutritionist and contributor Heather McClees uses these fry pans often, as do I. A small set like this gives you an extra pan to work with when you’re cooking for one or five people. The 10-inch pan in particular seems to be just the right size for many things I throw on the stove, like breakfast sausage for my kids, or a serving or two of pierogies for myself.
This Rio set is less expensive than some of GreenPan’s other lines, like the Valencia, Reserve, and Padova Pro. Rio cookware has an aluminum construction, and the coating is diamond-reinforced. It comes with a cream interior and is available in five exterior colors: turquoise, black, pink, red, and Oxford blue. These pans are ideal as a go-to to use over and over again.
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Padova Pro Ceramic Nonstick 8 Padova Pro Ceramic Nonstick 8" And 10" Frypan Set
GreenPan
$79.99 (was $114.99)
Editorial Shopping Director, Jada Wong, loves the Padova Pro collection. The cookware has a hard anodized build with a diamond-infused ceramic nonstick finish so pieces are extra-slick and sturdy. Plus, the modern mirror-finished hardware and light blue colorway are just darling. These frying pans are safe on any stovetop (including induction), as well as the oven and broiler up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can just move them over to the kitchen table without grabbing another serving dish. The different sizes also mean both pans can fit on the stove at the same time, so you don’t have to play stovetop Tetris.
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GreenPan Stanley Tucci Ceramic Nonstick Saucepan 2qt GreenPan Stanley Tucci Ceramic Nonstick Saucepan 2qt
Williams Sonoma
$149.95
Don’t overlook the humble saucepan — it’s actually much more versatile than you’d imagine. Former editor Cory Fernandez used both the 2-quart and 4-quart saucepans from Stanley Tucci’s GreenPan collection regularly to make rice, boil pasta, and more.
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Titanium Cutlery 3-Piece Knife Set Titanium Cutlery 3-Piece Knife Set
GreenPan
$59.99 (was $85.99)
This set includes three essential knives that work for most home cooks’ needs — an 8-inch chef’s knife, 5-inch serrated knife, and 4-inch paring knife. The slip-resistant and ergonomic handle make long prep sessions easy on the hands, while the titanium-coated blades stay sharp cut after cut. Jada prefers this trio over other knife sets she’s used because it's so well-curated — they're the only knives she uses regularly.
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Lima Ceramic Nonstick 5-Quart Stockpot with Lid Lima Ceramic Nonstick 5-Quart Stockpot with Lid
GreenPan
$51.99 (was $74.99)
A large 5-quart stockpot is a staple in any kitchen for soup, sauce, pasta, and more. Jada has had hers for years (can you tell she loves GreenPan?) and appreciates the durable hard anodized construction, as well as the scratch-resistant and nonstick interior. The surface of this pot is also metal-utensil-safe, so you don’t need to worry so much about what you use to stir. It also has stainless steel handles, and comes with a tempered glass lid. This stockpot is oven-safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, which is perfect if you’re making something like a mac and cheese that you want to finish in the oven.
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Reserve Ceramic Nonstick 11 Reserve Ceramic Nonstick 11" Wok
GreenPan
$99.99 (was $144.99)
Woks are one of my favorite pieces of cookware to work with when I’m making dinner for my family of five. As part of the Reserve collection, this wok has a hard anodized armored body and is pre-treated to provide extra durability and scratch resistance. Like many of GreenPan’s products, it’s also dishwasher-safe, although I’ve never had a problem easily cleaning any of my GreenPan products by hand. Not to mention, the black body and gold handle are really visually striking.
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5-Piece Utensil Set 5-Piece Utensil Set
GreenPan
$34.99
If you’re going to invest in GreenPan cookware, it makes sense to also get a set of utensils that will help you reduce scratches and wear-and-tear on your pans. This five-piece set includes tongs, a turner, a spatula, a skimmer, and a slotted spoon to accomplish the vast majority of cooking tasks. They’re dishwasher-safe and are the perfect companion for any cookware that you want to protect and keep scratch-free.
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Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick 11-Piece Cookware Set Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick 11-Piece Cookware Set
GreenPan
$399.99 (was $574.99)
Normally we aren’t enthusiastic about large cookware sets because we don’t use every piece often, but this 11-piece set is one that we’ll gladly champion. It’s a thoughtfully curated set, and each piece comes in at less than $40 per piece on sale, so financially it’s a smart way to stock your kitchen. The set includes an 8-inch fry pan, a 9.5-inch fry pan, an 11-inch fry pan, a 2-quart saucepan with lid, a 3-quart saucepan with lid, a 3-quart skillet with lid, and a 5-quart casserole with lid. This set works with induction stovetops, and it’s oven-safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can be a one-and-done set, providing you with everything you need.
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Further Reading
Why People Are Ditching Their Seltzer After a Disturbing Study
We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Ice Cream, and They All Said the Same Thing
The One Cookware Brand That Gordon Ramsay Can’t Stop Talking About
