As you could probably guess, I cook a lot. Like, a LOT. Therefore it’s really important that whatever I’m using to cook my food in is safe and isn’t adding chemicals to the chemical-free organic food I go out of my way to buy.
I used to use Teflon non-stick cookware because it was cheap and super easy to clean. Over time though I learned that they fall into the “too good to be true” category, and actually are made with chemical coatings that are extremely toxic. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a chemical used to make Teflon, is a likely carcinogen and has been linked to kidney and liver damage, as well as reproductive disorders.
Although manufacturers say it’s unlikely for the chemicals to be released, high heat and scratched or damaged pan surfaces can result in PFOA off-gassing and the chemical winding up in your cooked food.
Cooking with most stainless steel cookware isn’t a lot better. Regular stainless steel cookware is made from different alloys including scrap metal. It allows chrome and nickel to bleed into the foods as the salts and acids of the food react with the pans.
Aluminum pans cause extreme chemical reactions between food and pan. All vegetables cooked in aluminum produce hydroxide which neutralizes digestive juices, leading to stomach and gastrointestinal trouble. There are also many studies that have linked aluminum exposure to Alzheimer’s disease.
I used to use cast iron pans all of the time, but some studies have shown that iron actually leaches from the pan into the food. While iron is good for us, the iron that comes from this cookware is in a ferrous and a ferric form. Our bodies cannot assimilate the iron (ferric) from a cast iron pan.
That’s what lead me to this product, the Green Earth Pan from Ozeri (a German manufacturer).
My First Impression:
I ordered this pan from Amazon for a very reasonable price, and it came nicely wrapped in perfect condition. When I opened it from the packaging, I noticed its compact size and high-end looking design. The outside of the pan is painted green, probably for symbolizing its green factor, and it has a comfortable heat-resistant silicon coated handle.
It is also a bit unique with its elevated texture that looks like a series of raised hexagons. It’s said that it helps to create air pockets underneath the patterns – and your food – distributing heat for better performance, which is why the pan stays very and evenly hot and enhances cooking performance.
Points for Safety:
It’s made out of durable heavy-gauge die-cast aluminum with no heavy metals or harmful chemicals. I love that this pan has a chemical-free coating, made with German-made Greblon ceramic.
Ozeri has developed eco-friendly, very safe non-stick cookware free from the harmful effects of Teflon, PFOA, PTFE, and other chemicals/toxins. It’s also scratch-resistant if you use the proper utensils with it (no metal).
Cooking:
So far I’ve cooked some stir fry’s, turkey burgers, and eggs on this pan. The cooking was even and easy. I found that the non-stick property of the pan was great, especially because I didn’t use any oil and the egg came out perfect. I think it actually heated up and cooked my food faster than my old cast iron pan. It was also very easy to clean.
Cleaning:
I was sure to read the instructions first because I’ve definitely made that mistake before and ruined some pans, but to wash this pan let it cool completely first. Don’t pour cold water on the hot pan. Use a soft sponge and scrub to clean. It’s very easy because barely anything sticks to it.
My Rating:
I give the Ozeri Green Earth Pan an A+. I am so happy with the results that I have seen so far and I can’t wait to cook up even more with it. This would make a great replacement to your current frying pan (if you’re using any listed above) and also makes a wonderful gift for that chef in your life or even someone who is just starting out and learning to cook. They come in 3 different sizes: 8″, 10″, and 12″.
If you have any questions regarding this product review, leave them in the comment section below and I will try my best to answer!
