GreenLife Cookware: A Complete Review For Buyers

Are you looking at GreenLife when purchasing ceramic non-stick cookware?

There are numerous brands that promise healthy non-stick cooking. But do they follow through on that assurance? Does it work in your kitchen?

You will discover the following in this GreenLife cookware review:

How the cookware looks, feels, and performs
How it compares to the competition
Its pros and cons

I’ll also respond to some of the most frequently asked questions about the company and look into its claims about its non-stick surfaces being healthy.

You’ll be in a better position to judge for yourself whether GreenLife cookware is worthwhile after reading this in-depth review.

What Is GreenLife Ceramic Cookware?

Ceramic cookware is available from GreenLife in three different lines, all of which are fairly comparable. To appeal to the value systems and aesthetic preferences of various customer segments, each line is built with a few distinctive features that are primarily cosmetic. Every collection is priced similarly.

Each of the three lines is designed in Belgium and produced in China. The aluminum base upon which each pan is built. The cooktop is then baked with a thermal nonstick coating. A South Korean company initially developed this material for fire protection before introducing it as a preferred cookware material.

All of the lids are made of glass, allowing you to monitor the progress of your dish as it cooks on the stove. Bakelite, which is renowned for its heat resistance, is used to make the handles for the pan and lid. According to the manufacturer, PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium are not used in any part of the manufacturing process.

This GreenLife ceramic cookware review’s main objective is to assist you in differentiating between the various collections, evaluating their relative merits, and becoming aware of a few competitive alternatives that might be a better fit for particular kitchens.

Is GreenLife Cookware That Good?

Thermolon is a cutting-edge technology created by GreenLife. This technology offers the non-stick qualities of a ceramic coating without the use of PFOA or PTFE. Because of this, no matter how much you heat their pots and pans, it never releases harmful fumes.

Most of the items fall into the mid-range price range category. That’s is the appealing factor with Greenlife cookware.

So I made the decision to write an in-depth review of the best-selling Greenlife product’s features.

A Closer Look At GreenLife Ceramic Cookware

Materials And Construction

Thermolon, a ceramic non-stick interior, is the primary selling point of GreenLife. A sand-derived material called silicon that is free of PTFE, PFOA, and PFAS is used to create the coating.

If you’re unfamiliar with these abbreviations, the following is a brief explanation:

Polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE: a synthetic, long-lasting material with superior food release, heat resistance, and water resistance. Teflon is the most well-known brand of PTFE.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA): a synthetic substance that was once employed to make PTFE. It has been removed from the production of PTFE since 2013 due to health concerns.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances): a class of synthetic chemicals that do not degrade over time, such as PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). The production of non-stick coatings based on PTFE once employed them.

Therefore, Thermolon is a wise choice if you’re looking for non-stick cookware that’s more natural.

In actuality, Thermolon was the first ceramic non-stick coating. GreenPan, the sister company of GreenLife, first introduced it in 2007.

The cookware is coated with a sand-based finish that is sprayed on and then baked to cure. Comparing the two processes, the Thermolon curing process emits 60% less carbon dioxide than the PTFE-based non-stick process.

You’ll receive various Thermolon formulations depending on which GreenLife collection you pick. For greater durability, the Soft Grip Pro and Sandstone collections, which also use Thermolon, use Thermolon that has been reinforced with diamonds.

Thermolon (and other ceramic non-stick coatings) cannot compete with PTFE-based non-stick in terms of durability and food release, though. Comparative to other non-stick coatings, ceramic non-stick deteriorates 30-70 times more quickly.

GreenLife nonetheless promises that its non-stick is free of plastic, glue, lead, and cadmium. Therefore, it just depends on what matters more to you: a cooking surface made of more natural materials or longevity and simple food release.

The company prides itself on being environmentally friendly and promotes the use of recycled aluminum in the manufacture of its cookware.

GreenLife makes use of two structures: lightweight aluminum and hard-anodized aluminum. The majority of the cookware options from GreenLife are made of lightweight aluminum. The only collection that makes use of hard-anodized aluminum is Classic Pro.

All cookware has a ceramic non-stick coating, regardless of the exterior design.

Pots and pans made with GreenLife cookware have incredibly thin walls. I contrasted a similar-sized Calphalon fry pan with a fry pan from the Soft Grip line.

The Calphalon’s pan walls are 3.6 mm thick. The rolled edge of the Soft Grip fry pan makes it more difficult to measure, but it appears to be about 2.7mm.

For intensive cooking, like searing a steak, it is not the best option. It’s better suited for quick meals like fish pan-fried in oil or a stir-fry of vegetables.

Additionally, heat is more likely to escape through the thin walls (poor heat retention). These are not the pans for long, low braising or complicated dishes. These are standard pans for straightforward meals.

Design

The design of GreenLife initially draws customers, particularly those who enjoy colorful cookware.

The most well-known collection from GreenLife, Soft Grip, is examined in-depth in this section. I’ll also mention a few other GreenLife cookware lines’ standout design elements.

Exterior

The cookware in the Soft Grip collection comes in a variety of colors, including elderberry, hibiscus, turquoise, pink, yellow, lavender, and blue. The vibrant exterior colors have a light shine.

Aluminum is used to create the exteriors. The cookware’s smooth exterior makes it ideal for electric glass stoves. On any range, however, barring induction, you can use this cookware.

The Induction cookware set must be purchased if you have an induction cooktop. It has a Magneto base that can be used with induction.

The exteriors of the Classic Pro collection are made of gray hard-anodized aluminum.

Because the cookware’s bottoms are flat, they are stable and won’t wobble on glass cooktops.

No other collections have the stainless steel trim on the pan rims like the Soft Grip and Induction collections do. All others have a ceramic rim that is non-stick.

Interior

Thermolon ceramic non-stick coating is present in all GreenLife interiors. In the Materials and Construction section, you can find out more information about Thermolon.

Interiors have a light sheen and are smooth. Because there are no rivets in the handles, you get a surface that is seamless and simple to clean.

Although they are coated in ceramic non-stick like the rest of the pan interior, the exposed rivets in the Artisan and Classic Pro collections’ pan interiors are still visible.

The majority of interiors are off-white, but some collections are dark or light gray. Interiors of Soft Grip Pro are the darkest; they resemble almost black.

Handles

The plastic handles of the Soft Grip collection inspired its moniker. They aren’t actually soft to the touch, despite their name.

Hard handles with a light textured grip are used. Even when it is wet, the texture prevents slipping by your hand.

Bakelite, a phenolic plastic that is heat-resistant and intended to keep cool while cooking, is used to make the handles, which bear the GreenLife logo.

There are no rivets, only screws holding each handle to the base. Both benefits and drawbacks to this strategy exist. If you need more room for storage or if you’re moving, you can unscrew the handle, but doing so could cause the screw to loosen.

I noticed that the Soft Grip fry pan’s handles could damage easily after closely examining them. The handle of my pan had some scuffs on it, but it was otherwise brand-new and unopened. I discovered even more flaws after a few weeks of testing.

GreenLife offers an improved handle design that is more ergonomic and slightly bends downward on the Soft Grip Pro line.

Choose from the Artisan and Classic Pro collections if you prefer a stainless steel handle. Both have riveted stainless steel handles and can withstand oven temperatures of up to 600°F. While Classic Pro handles are flush with the pan, Artisan handles have a Y shape.

Lids

Glass lids with silicone knobs are part of the Soft Grip collection. The silicone knobs differ just a little bit between collections. Others are rectangular in shape, while some are rounded.

Stainless steel lid handles are featured on the Artisan and Classic Pro collections.

The glass lids have the GreenLife logo etched into the top of them. The stainless steel trim on the lids creates a nice contrast with the hues of the cookware.

Performance

I’ve been testing GreenLife cookware for a while, and while I like some aspects of its performance, I don’t like others.

GreenLife cookware has the advantage of being portable. When flipping eggs or moving the pan from the stove to the oven, it’s simple to handle and won’t put stress on your wrist.

It heats up quickly and uniformly because of its lightweight, relatively thin construction. GreenLife cookware reaches its peak temperature quickly, unlike heavy cast iron skillets or pans made entirely of stainless steel (I’ll provide more information on this in the following section).

For boiling and quick meals, rapid heating is ideal. You’ll appreciate how quickly these pans heat if you have trouble waiting for pasta water to boil.

The slickness of the cooking surface is another feature of GreenLife cookware that I appreciate. I prepared delicate foods like eggs, fish that was flaky, pancakes, and more.

Pancakes flip without sticking, and eggs move around with ease. Whatever I cooked, the food always released easily, and at first, cleaning the pan was a breeze.

I now come to the drawbacks. Food started to stick after about two months. I noticed a decline in the super-smooth cooking surface I was accustomed to. To keep eggs and other delicate foods from slipping, I had to use an increasing amount of butter and oils.

Because ceramic coatings are notorious for working flawlessly at first but losing their non-stick properties within months (or a year, if you’re lucky), I wasn’t overly surprised by the degradation of the cooking surface.

In addition to the surface sticking, I also observed that the pan loses heat at a rapid rate. Avoid at all costs attempting to sear a steak in a GreenLife pan.

When you add cold ingredients, like a steak, the cookware loses heat because the walls are so thin. When that occurs, you won’t be able to get a good sear and the meat won’t cook evenly.

Additionally, the meat won’t stick to the ceramic non-stick coating, meaning that it won’t stay in close enough contact to form a crust. When searing meat, unlike most other foods, you actually want it to stick to the surface because it will eventually release.

Last but not least, I don’t like GreenLife handles. The shortest handles I’ve ever tested, despite remaining cool while cooking on the stove. Be careful when cooking on high heat. You don’t want your hand to be too close to the flame or the hot pan.

Overall, GreenLife performs as you might anticipate from inexpensive cookware. The initial cooking surface is slick, it heats up quickly, and it is simple to handle. It’s good cookware for eggs, stir-frying, and sautéing, but I wouldn’t suggest using it for foods that need to be browned or seared.

Price

Since they will need to be replaced frequently, the low cost of GreenLife pans is ideal. Simply put, they aren’t intended to serve as cookware for life or even for a long time.

By collection, prices will change. The premium collections are Artisan, Induction, and Soft Grip Pro, with the Soft Grip collection being the most affordable one provided by GreenLife.

Downsides

Although there are advantages to GreenLife cookware, there are also some drawbacks to take into account before buying. Below is an overview of them.

Cookware made of aluminum is not as durable: Most of GreenLife’s cookware has a lightweight aluminum body. Aluminum isn’t as strong as carbon steel, cast iron, or stainless steel. It is more likely to warp and develop an uneven bottom, which will make it unstable on your cooktop.
The ceramic non-stick coating is not durable: Non-stick cookware made of PTFE needs to be replaced every few years. The non-stick effect is produced every time you use ceramic non-stick cookware because it wears out more quickly than PTFE does. Food eventually begins to stick as it eventually runs out of reserves. Most of the time, GreenLife’s coating won’t continue to be non-stick for longer than a year or two, especially if you use it frequently. Its ability to stay put will be lost.
The oven-safe temperature is constrained by Soft Grip handles: Oven safe to 350°F are collections with soft-grip handles. This includes the Induction, Mini, Soft Grip, and Soft Grip Pro collections. Although the Sandstone collection is oven-safe, it also features soft-grip handles.
endurance of a bakelite handle Bakelite is a phenolic plastic that can withstand high temperatures. However, frequent use of a dishwasher or close encounters with a gas stove’s flame can lead to the plastic’s breakdown. It will smell bad if it melts because formaldehyde will be released, among other things. If using it in an oven, I advise keeping the temperature well below 350°F because some ovens have hot spots.
Design error in the lid handle: Under the handles, water frequently accumulates. In particular, if food particles are stuck, it might not be hygienic.
The exterior’s color doesn’t last: The pan’s colorful exterior is prone to chipping and staining, especially on the bottom.
The thinness of the pan causes food to burn quickly: The pans heat up very quickly because they are so thin. You risk burning your food if you’re not paying attention. Cast iron, carbon steel, or clad stainless steel are better options if you like to cook at a high temperature.
Poor heat retention: According to my test, out of 10 other top brands, GreenLife cookware has the second-worst heat retention.

GreenLife Soft Grip Cookware Review

If you prefer to skip potholders while you cook, or you simply want a more vibrant range of colors to choose from, the GreenLife Soft Grip line is the choice for you. This line is dishwasher safe while offering the same fantastic non-stick properties and excellent heat distribution of the other GreenLife lines.

The biggest downside with this line is the lack of oven safety. The handles’ Bakelite material cannot withstand temperatures above 350°F. While using these pans on the stove is totally acceptable, you should avoid using them in the oven.

Like the other GreenLife sets, these pans are made out of aluminum, which has fantastic healing properties. Each pan heats up very quickly and very evenly, ensuring that every part of your dish cooks pretty much evenly.

Thermolon, which is used in these pans instead of Teflon, is a fairly good heat conductor. This implies that you can heat your food more quickly than with your old non-stick pans by using a slightly lower range setting.

Again, you’ll definitely want to use a bit of oil or fat when you cook with these to extend the life of the This cookware set can last you for at least a few years with proper care thanks to its Thermolon interior.

It’s important to note that some versions of this set come with a steamer insert, which I really like. If you’re debating between this set and one that’s similar, I’d head straight for the one with the steamer insert. From corn to broccoli to mussels, it greatly simplifies a wide variety of food preparation.

In This Line, A Typical 16-piece Set Consists Of:

4″ mini frying pan
7″ frying pan
9.5″ frying pan
1-quart saucepan with lid
2-quart saucepan with lid
5-quart stockpot with lid
2.5-quart saute pan with lid
7″ stainless steel steamer
4 utensils

GreenLife Classic Pro Review

The Classic series is no longer part of the official GreenLife range, although it is still possible to buy them through resellers.

Durability is the key point in this. Despite being a great cookware material, aluminum is not as durable as stainless steel.

Cookware set contains: 5″ and 7″ frying pans, 1QT and 2QT saucepans with lids, 3QT stock pot with lid,…
Our ceramic nonstick coating is made from sand and is lead, PFAS, and PFOA free…
Tough hard anodized bodies are scratch-resistant and designed to stand up to daily demands

The cookware line is given a “hard anodizing” treatment by GreenLife to improve the product. This gives the bare aluminum an additional layer of protection, extending its lifespan.

On these pots and pans, the handles are also different. Stainless steel handles rather than Bakelite ones are used on the Classic line. This means they’re oven safe to a higher temperature

The glass lids cannot be heated in the oven past 600°F (315°C), despite the fact that the pans themselves can. The highest temperature you can work with to cook those is 425F / 218C.

There aren’t many different color options available here, similar to the Diamond series.

Your only options are light and dark grey, but the good news is that any surface deterioration to the exteriors won’t be as obvious!

Overall, if you want to do more oven cooking, I believe this will be the best GreenLife cookware option. Additionally, it’s better for those who prefer a more conventional appearance for their cookware.

What is included in the Classic set is as follows:

5 Inch Frying Pan
7 Inch Frying Pan
1 Quart Stock Pot + Lid
2 Quart Stock Pot + Lid
3 Quart Stock Pot + Lid
4 x Multi-Purpose Nylon Cooking Utensils

GreenLife Soft Grip Diamond Review

The Soft Grip and Diamond collections both share a similar construction. According to GreenLife, their non-stick coating now includes diamonds, positioning their brand against other well-known stone quartz pans. The substance they are referring to as “diamonds” isn’t made clear, but quartz is probably what they mean.

The 4″ mini fry pan and stainless steel steamer attachment are not included with the Diamond set, in contrast to the Soft Grip set. You might not notice these pieces because, in our opinion, they are not particularly useful. There is only a black colorway of the set available.

Cookware made of GreenLife Diamond is oven and dishwasher safe up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

The 14-piece set includes,

7” open frypan
9.5” open frypan
1-quart covered saucepan
2-quart covered saucepan
5-quart covered stockpot
2.5-quart covered sauté pan
4 black nylon utensils.

GreenLife Loaf Pan Review

The GreenLife loaf pan is a well-known single piece item in the bakeware industry, similar to the cake pan I just discussed.

It and that other pan are very similar in many ways, including the reinforced rims and the steel construction for quick heating and even heating.

Our ceramic nonstick coating is made from sand and is free of lead, PFAS, and PFOA. It is also healthy and simple to clean…
Crafted from heavy-duty steel for fast and even heat distribution
Reinforced rims enhance strength and stability

The most noticeable difference between this loaf pan and the competition though is its size.

It’s a lot larger than the typical loaf pan at 8.5 x 4.4 x 2.7 inches.

The amount of heat this thing can reach was another topic that arose frequently during my research.

While you’re still learning how to use this pan, it’s worth adjusting your timings a little. It’s better to check in on your first few bakes earlier than usual.

GreenLife Round Cake Pan Review

GreenLife also produces a variety of standalone bakeware items in addition to those basic sets.

For those looking to stock their kitchens with a little extra bakeware, its 9 inch round cake pan is a popular option.

Our lead-free, PFAS-free, ceramic nonstick coating is made from sand and is healthy and simple to clean…
Crafted from heavy-duty steel for fast and even heat distribution
Reinforced rims enhance strength and stability

It is only offered in the traditional GreenLife turquoise shade, but at least it matches all of the company’s single items.

In other words, you can gradually expand your collection without being concerned about items’ colors clashing.

This cake pan’s heavy-duty steel construction, which allows for quick heating and even heat distribution, is the perfect choice. Naturally, you need both of these to bake.

It also has reinforced rims, which give the pan additional strength and help it last a little bit longer.

In terms of baking temperatures, the Up to 450F/232C in the oven, the GreenLife cake pan is safe. That falls well within the range you’ll probably work with at home.

I should mention one more thing. You’ll need to hand wash this cake pan because it cannot be put in the dishwasher.

But that shouldn’t be too difficult, as it has the extremely useful GreenLife nonstick coating!

What GreenLife Ceramic Cookware Is The Best?

An outstanding manufacturer of cookware and kitchenware is called GreenLife. Through their products, they support a healthy lifestyle. And I haven’t yet discovered a set from them that isn’t made of sturdy, reliable materials.

GreenLife owns the patent for the Thermolon technology. This substance warrants that their ceramic coating is risk-free and entirely PFOA, Lead, and Cadmium free.

I must admit that almost every product is of the same caliber. As I’ve mentioned, I recommend this brand for kitchen rookies or people that just want the basics in a kitchen.

What Should You Ask Before Purchasing GreenLife Cookware?

We combed through owner reviews and product information for hours to determine whether these pans actually lived up to the claims made in the brand’s advertisements.

GreenLife Ceramic Cookware: Is It Secure?

A fun color scheme, plush handles, and assurances that the cookware is made of safe materials serve as the foundation for this line’s entire branding strategy. But does it really hold up?

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also referred to as Teflon, are not used in the production of GreenLife products. The Cookware Company made a significant innovation here and a commercial choice that over the past ten years has shaped the non-stick market.

Teflon was almost always used in the manufacture of non-stick pans before Greenpan. Afterward, the general public became aware that some studies appeared to link the chemical PFOA, which is used to make Teflon, to serious health issues.

In large part as a result of California Proposition 65, teflon manufacturing has undergone reform since 2013. However, before a sizable portion of the population switched to Teflon-free sets like GreenLife ceramic pans, PFOA use was all but eradicated.

More recently, a class action lawsuit was filed against Greenpan in 2019 alleging that their claims of being “toxin free” are false. According to the lawsuit, Thermolon non-stick coating contains silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate, among other less well-known toxins.

Is It Oven Safe?

Given the Bakelite handles on the pans, it is best not to exceed the oven safety rating of 350 F. Both in the oven and when in direct contact with a gas stovetop flame, overheated handles have the potential to smoke or melt.

The Non-stick’s Effectiveness Is How?

Many owners claim that the non-stick is fantastic until you use it. Many pans start to wear out within the first three to six months of ownership, which is a major complaint about GreenLife ceramic cookware products’ durability.

Durability is a common issue with non-stick cookware in general. Owners give GreenLife ceramic pans a slightly subpar rating in this category.

Will It Operate On An Induction Cooktop?

On an induction stove, GreenLife ceramic pans won’t function. Your pots and pans should be made of a ferromagnetic metal, such as cast iron or stainless steel, if you need induction compatibility for them to function properly. If you require induction compatibility, see other brands to take into account at the end of this article.

How Should I Clean And Maintain My GreenLife Cookware?

A few easy maintenance routines can significantly increase the lifespan of your pans.

Allow Your Pans To Cool Before Cleaning

When you drop a hot pan into water, the pan can break. Although the sizzle may sound cool, you shouldn’t do it if you want the pan to last. Set it aside and give it some time to cool.

Avoid Metal Utensils

Even one use of a metal tool can result in permanent damage. We advise using wooden or nylon utensils and cooking on low to medium heat.

Use High-smoke Oils, And Never Aerosol Sprays

Find a high-heat oil that works for you, and specifically avoid using butter and spray oils as your main pan lubricant. Aerosol sprays frequently leave damaging, difficult-to-clean residue on the surface of your pan and can’t withstand high temperatures. Low-smoke oils behave similarly to butter.

Gently Hand Wash When Cleaning

We strongly advise hand washing only even though the pans are listed as “dishwasher safe.” Cleaning can typically be accomplished by gently wiping the pan’s surface with a towel or soft cloth. If food remains stuck, gently wipe with warm, soapy water after adding it. Your pans may become damaged or discolored by chemicals commonly found in dishwasher detergents.

Conclusion

We value the material advancements that GreenLife and GreenPan over the past few decades have pioneered. They contributed to the industry’s transformation as consumers started to consider the safety of the materials used in their nonstick cookware, particularly as they looked for PTFE-free alternatives.

Due to their history as an early adopter of ceramic non-stick, the brand has been able to maintain a high level of recognition. Several other brands have, in our opinion, now caught up to and surpassed them.

At a comparable price, you can find a product that performs better and is more durable. We urge you to look into alternatives before choosing GreenLife if you’re looking for cookware for frequent use. Even if we only used it occasionally, we wouldn’t keep this brand in our kitchen.