Everything to Know About GreenPan, the Cookware Brand You’ve Seen Everywhere Lately

As a work-from-home parent with three young kids, I cook a lot of meals for my family; there’s hardly a day that goes by that I don’t hover over the stovetop. Unlike my pre-kids days though, I don’t cook many meals that require a specialized pan, but I do cook often, so I still 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 and recommending 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 — plus, I share all of my favorite pieces.

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 cookware 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.

GreenPan has several collections that vary in price and construction, so with such a large lineup there’s something for every type of home cook. But no matter which collection gets a spot in your kitchen, they have a few features in common:

• Nonstick ceramic coating on cookware does not use per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOAs)
• Considered to be a safer alternative to cookware made with Teflon
• Almost all cookware comes in a fun array of colors from pink to mint green to yellow (there’s even a fun color quiz to find your favorite!) 
• Cookware is oven-safe up to 600°F, while lids are oven-safe up to 425°F.
• Cookware is dishwasher-safe, and most can be used with metal utensils

No, GreenPan does not use harmful “forever chemicals” like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOAs).

One common feature in all of GreenPan’s cookware is the use of nontoxic materials. Many home cooks seek out GreenPan as an alternative to other cookware brands because the nonstick ceramic products are free of PFAS and PFOAs, as well as toxic lead and cadmium. The brand also conforms to both FDA standards and EU regulations. 

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.

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. 

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. Be sure to check the temperature range for lids as well.

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. 

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 GreenPan pieces with no problem. GreenPan recommends using oil or butter in their pans and cooking on low to medium heat.

Whatever you choose to cook, unless you’ve confirmed that you can use metal utensils, make sure you’re using silicone or wood utensils to avoid scratching the interior finish. I usually use silicone or wood utensils with my cookware.

The brand offers a limited 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. 

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 major holiday sale with discounts up to 75% off, plus free shipping on orders over $125, and a free gift with purchase. 

Yes, GreenPan cookware is worth it. I have used GreenPan cookware, and 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.