Greenlife Frying Pans

One thing all cooks like is choice. Choice enables cooks to whittle down kitchenware to their precise requirements to the inch, to the millimeter, to the ounce, etc. But sometimes, you can have too much choice. We all know the feeling when you’re trying to decide between X and Y and then you see Z which is almost the same as X and Y and then you see A which is only  subtly different. A simple task of choosing, say, a frying pan becomes a torturous exercise. 

What you need is a certain amount of choice, but distinct differences which will render your selection process considerably easier. What you need is Greenlife.

Who Are Greenlife?

Before we start talking about frying pans from a practical perspective, let’s just step back and briefly talk about identity. We’ll keep this simple. The Cookware Company began in Belgium in 2007 and introduced Green Pan, the first PTFE-free non-stick cookware (or Teflon-free non-stick cookware). Green Pan uses Thermolon, a ceramic non-stick coating. In 2011, the Cookware Company started up other ceramic non-stick brands, Greenlife and Greenchef.

That’s enough company background. Basically, they’re good guys–they produce healthy ceramic non-stick cookware which eschews using chemicals such as PFAS and PFOA which are found in many non-stick frying pans and other cookware.

Why Choose Greenlife?

When we said above that there is such a thing as too much choice, we meant bewildering how-the-hell-is-this-frying-pan-different-from-that-frying-pan choice. However, we do need a range of cookware to select from and Greenlife provide this. It goes without saying that they provide sets – saucepans, frying pans, casseroles, stockpots, woks, etc. – but we’re here to talk about frying pans (and their close relatives) so we’ll concentrate on these alone.

Greenlife have three categories of frying pans, each of which brings something different to the table. Let’s have a look at uniqueness and commonality.

Gourmet

This is the range that will have most appeal to cooks who are versatile and who cook on a regular basis. The watchword here is durability with a frying pan made from anodized aluminum rendering it ideal for frequent use and reassuringly strong. With a stainless steel handle, it can be used on any stovetop aside from induction hobs. 

The Gourmet range products should be hand-washed and can be inserted in the oven with one caveat – the range includes a lidded skillet and the lid can withstand oven temperatures up to 220° only. Frying pans come in six sizes ranging from 18cm to 30cm. There’s something here for everybody!

Soft Grip

The products in this range are lighter in weight than their Gourmet equivalents and also boast (surprise, surprise) a handle that is ergonomically comfortable with a soft grip. Fashioned from bakelite, it is easy to hold and will withstand oven temperatures up to 180°. The frying pan itself is made from aluminum and is coated in ceramic non-stick Thermolon. 

Like the Gourmet range, the frying pans (there is an open frying pan in six sizes, an 11” round grill pan and a pancake pan) can be used on all stovetops other than induction. The Soft Grip range is low-maintenance and is dishwasher-safe. A selection of colors is available: turquoise, burgundy, black, and black/cream.

Profile

Profile is the category which looks distinctively stylish as the products are made from stainless steel and will add sophistication to a set of cookware. The handle is also composed of stainless steel and the coat of Thermolon makes the frying pan non-stick and easy to maintain. Note that there is a skillet included in this range, but it is uncoated.

Compatible with all stovetops aside from an induction hob, the frying pan and skillet are dishwasher-safe and can be used in the oven up to a temperature of 220°. Like the other two categories, there is a range of sizes available for the frying pan.

Do We Recommend the Greenlife Range?

Yes. All the frying pans (skillets, pancake pans, etc.) distribute heat evenly, which is probably one of the first things a cook will look for. They’re well-designed, comfortable to handle, and provide a nice contrast:  the Gourmet range has a reassuring heft to the Soft Grip pan which is lighter without compromising on durability.

Besides, the products provide balm to any concerns about undesirable chemicals being used in making the pans non-stick. It is an area that gets a lot of attention from consumers who read confusing reports on the various substances used to achieve a non-stick coating. Greenlife products are to the forefront in terms of safety, with no toxins released during usage, and the organization is also environmentally aware.

Surely there have to be some negatives? Well, yes. We have found that even though the frying pans are dishwasher-safe; they respond better to being washed by hand. Some dishwashers can be a bit harsh on cookware and for longevity, so washing by hand is preferable. 

Overall though, they are an excellent range and competitively priced.

GreenPan Venice Pro Ceramic Non-Stick Frying Pan

Definitely one of our favorites from the Greenlife/GreenPan range, the Venice Pro is a frying pan that ticks a lot of boxes for even the most persnickety cook (yes, I have been called that!). It is made from anodized aluminum and has a Thermolon ceramic non-stick veneer that combines top-notch health and safety standards with durability. With a stainless steel handle that is riveted to achieve a robust and ergonomic finish, any cook will find this pan to their liking for a wide range of culinary tasks.

It is compatible with electric, gas, and induction stoves. In terms of dimensions, it is standard-sized (8 inches) and should be washed by hand as it is not dishwasher-safe. As mentioned above, this does not present a problem to this particular user and that coating stands up to repeated usage and maintenance. One of the appealing things about the Venice Pro is that metallic utensils can be used on the pan as the coating withstands them. 

The Venice Pro is versatile and adapts to all types of use, but we did find that it is not conducive to flash-frying as the heat distributes slowly. That’s not really a negative as most types of frying benefit from slow heating. In addition, it makes it less likely that the ingredients will burn. Of course, there will be times when speed is of the essence and this pan is not ideal in those circumstances. 

That minor quibble aside, this pan comes with our full recommendation.