GreenPan - The Two Things You Want To Know Before Buying
I pulled my GreenPan out of the cabinet and noticed a little scratch in the white ceramic coating. Huh. That’s odd, I thought to myself. I knew I’d been very intentional about following the care instructions that came with it, including using only silicone or wooden utensils. I went on with my day, thinking nothing more of it for the time being. Then the next morning, I entered the kitchen to get my coffee started and immediately understood the prior confusion. There was my teenage daughter cooking her eggs with a … what was that?! A metal utensil! (Note for self: Thing #1 to know!) And so began a new kitchen policy after the purchase of two more GreenPans added to our collection: only Mom and Dad would be allowed to use these. I had carefully researched ceramic cookware prior to landing on GreenPan. High quality and non-toxic were the most important considerations, and along with these two requirements come added expense over options that are less costly. So protecting the investment and getting the most life out of this cookware was a big priority. One of the things that impressed me the most about GreenPan is the fact that the company owns its own cookware factories, which means it retains full quality control over the entire manufacturing process, from raw materials to finished product. (Note for self: Thing #2 to know!) Add to that the independent, accredited third-party labs that put the cookware and its proprietary Thermolon coating to the test (And - bonus thing to know!), it was a win-win for me when making the decision on what cookware we would be using going forward. And in fact, the company’s founders, Jan Helskens and Wim De Veirman, pioneered PFAS-free ceramic nonstick cookware in 2007. This commitment to clean, non-toxic ingredients isn't just impressive on paper, it aligned perfectly with my personal journey towards a healthier lifestyle, which started much earlier in college. So much of what we are exposed to in our environment each day we have no control over, so I wanted to make better choices in the areas I do have influence over when it comes to the products we use at home. What we cook our food in is one of the simplest shifts to support better health long term for all of our family, including our beloved dog. (He enjoys eggs most mornings along with Mom … yes, he’s just a little bit spoiled!) Another benefit I noticed and love about GreenPan is the even distribution of heat while cooking, which means cooking on low and medium settings, eliminating hot spots and more consistent cooking. And in fact, cooking on higher heat settings can damage the coating – another reason we instituted the teenage ban from using this cookware (or at least not without supervision), as they tend to forget these minor but oh-so-important details. With these nuances, is it worth the price? For me, as I researched the best non-toxic cookware options, it was a “no-brainer”! Enjoying a higher quality of life not only for myself but also my dog, whose breed is known for having a higher rate for certain types of illness, is priceless. And after everything I've learned, I wouldn't cook with anything else. That new kitchen policy stands, and honestly? Even the dog agrees!
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