The GreenPan
Up until now, most non-stick coatings on pots and pans contained something called PTFE (perfluorooctanoic acid) which when heated to 260C, can release toxic chemicals. Added to which, to manufacture PTFE, a synthetic chemcial called PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) is used, which is known to be a persistent environmental pollutant.
Right now South Africa and the rest of the world, is more eco aware than ever before, therefore the launch of the GreenPan in SA comes as welcome news. Endorsed by the Giggling Gourmet, Jenny Morris, the cookware range is not only better for us in our homes, but also better for the environment as well.
Containing no PTFE and therefore no PFOA, GreenPans are coated with thermalon, a ceramic-based non-stick surface and because there is no PTFE present, pans can safely be heated up to 450C. Not that you would do this in the course of normal cooking but stovetop temperatures are hard to regulate and its a good thing to know that your pan can get as hot as possible without sending toxic fumes into your kitchen and the environment in general.
Environmentally, there´s no PFOA floating around and in addition, the thermalon is applied at a much lower temperature than other coatings, which translates into less energy being needed to produce the pans, which results in around 60% less in carbon dioxide emissions during the manufacturing stage. On top of that, GreenPan makes use of recycled and upcycled materials wherever possible and all packaging is made by using post-consumer paper in a bleach-free process and by creating re-usable packaging.
What is Upcycling…?
Upcycling is when waste materials are used to provide new products of greater use and value and it´s what GreenPan does for its stainless steel handles and aluminium bodies.
How to care for your GreenPan
Like any non-stick pan, you have to look after it properly and handwashing is recommended.
- The GreenPan is available at Tafelberg Furnishers, Boardmans and Banks.
The liveeco team
