“I’m Obsessed With This Non-Toxic Air Fryer!”: A Chef’s Honest Take
GreenPan’s non–toxic air fryer is a game-changer — here’s how it’s changed the way a professional chef tackles cooking in her home and her pro kitchen.
Have you ever heard of a non-toxic air fryer? Well, if you haven’t, it’s possible your trendy new air fryer could be introducing chemicals into your dinner.
Air fryers are among the most popular new kitchen appliances on the market today — and for good reason. An air fryer’s ability to create delicious food with minimal oil and cooking time is something to behold (have you seen what it can do to tofu? Crisp, brown, light, and dare we say tasty. What a world!). But if you don’t take the time to research the type of air fryer you invest in, your crispy tofu bites might be serving up a side of chemicals.
The Problem with Conventional Air Fryers
If you’re as into non-toxic cookware as we are, you may have been unable to partake in the air fryer trend for one very inconvenient reason. Until recently, finding a non-toxic air fryer was pretty much impossible. Conventional air fryers use a nonstick plastic coating made with ‘forever chemicals,’ also known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
Thankfully, as health-conscious consumers became more aware of the materials used in their kitchen appliances (spoiler alert: it’s not a pretty picture), companies like GreenPan have stepped up to the plate. GreenPan already creates some of the most beautiful non-toxic cookware and bakeware we’ve ever seen, and they just released the best non-toxic air fryer on the market: the Elite Convection Air Fry Oven Featuring PFAS-Free Nonstick. Their latest appliance is efficient, versatile, beautiful, and most importantly, non-toxic.
If you want to read more about GreenPan’s non-toxic cookware, check out professional chef and Organic Authority founder Laura Klein’s review of GreenPan products after 10 years of testing. But if you’re here for the juicy details on the new GreenPan air fryer, keep reading.
The Problem with Most Nonstick Kitchen Appliances
So what does it really mean when GreenPan describes its air fryer as “featuring PFAS-free nonstick”? To understand what makes this PFAS-free air fryer stand out from the competition, it’s helpful to know how traditional nonstick appliances and cookware are made.
Common Nonstick Materials and Forever Chemicals
Nonstick cookware has long been a staple in kitchens worldwide, praised for the convenience it brings to cooking and cleaning. The most common nonstick materials include Teflon, which is a brand name for PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), which was once used in the manufacturing process of Teflon. These materials gained widespread popularity due to their ability to prevent food from sticking to the pan. However, over time, concerns about the safety of these materials began to surface.
In recent years, consumers have become more aware of forever chemicals, or PFAS. These chemicals are notorious for their persistence in the environment and the human body — which means that. cookware and appliances that use them in their nonstick coatings can pose long-term health risks. For more in-depth coverage of what forever chemicals are and how they affect us, our article Forever Chemicals: Everything You Need to Know About PFAS is a great place to start.
The Health Impacts of Forever Chemicals
Studies have shown that exposure to PFAS can lead to a range of health issues, including hormone disruption, decreased fertility, developmental effects or delays in children, decreased immune system function, liver damage, and an increased risk of certain cancers, to name a few.
Lead and cadmium, often found in lower-quality cookware, are also toxic and can cause serious health problems, particularly in children. It’s no wonder that the demand for non-toxic cookware (including the safest air fryer options!) has grown exponentially in recent years.
What Is a Non-Toxic Air Fryer?
So what makes GreenPan’s new air fryer different from the rest? A non-toxic air fryer does not contain the traditional, plastic, synthetic nonstick coating susceptible to producing toxic PFAS fumes at temperatures over 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
This means GreenPan air fryers are free from PTFE, PFOA, Gen X and other toxic substances that could leach into your food. Instead, non-toxic air fryers use PFAS-free materials that make for a safer cooking experience.
Nonstick Without the ‘Ick’: Non-Toxic Alternatives to Traditional Nonstick
To avoid introducing toxic chemicals into your food, non-toxic air fryers have to opt for PFAS-free materials in the production process. GreenPan’s Elite Convection Air Fry Oven is made with their proprietary Thermolon ceramic nonstick coating.
Ceramic is a natural material derived from sand, and it doesn’t emit toxic fumes when heated. This means there are no harmful effects on your health or the environment when cooking with GreenPan’s air fryer. In addition to being a safe alternative to traditional nonstick, it’s very effective — it’s scratch-resistant and easy to clean, making it a practical choice for everyday cooking. The ceramic coating also tends to heat up faster than traditional nonstick.
By choosing an air fryer with a ceramic coating, you can try out all of those Instagram recipes you’ve saved — but without the “ick” factor of harmful chemicals.
Finally, opting for non-toxic kitchen products like GreenPan’s Elite Convection Air Fry Oven not only protects your health but also contributes to a healthier planet. These materials are often more sustainable and have a lower environmental impact compared to their toxic counterparts. Additionally, they tend to last longer, minimizing waste by reducing the need for frequent replacements.
The GreenPan Story
The “Inventors” of PFAS-Free Cookware
GreenPan has been a pioneer in the non-toxic cookware industry since its inception. The brand was among the first to introduce PFAS-free cookware to the market in 2007, setting a new standard for health-conscious cooking. Their commitment to safety and innovation has earned them a reputation as one of the leading brands in the non-toxic cookware space.
Heavily Third-Party Vetted
GreenPan’s products are rigorously tested by third-party organizations2 to ensure they meet the highest safety standards. This vetting process includes evaluations by well-respected institutions like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), among others. These certifications confirm that GreenPan’s products are free from harmful chemicals and safe for everyday use, providing consumers with peace of mind.
Where GreenPan Products Are Made
GreenPan’s products are manufactured in their own factory in Belgium, a country known for its stringent quality control standards. Because they own every step of the production process and do not outsource any of their materials, consumers can rest assured that every pot, pan, and air fryer is made with precision and care, adhering to the highest safety and environmental standards.
The Planet-Friendly Choice
GreenPan’s commitment to the environment extends beyond their choice of materials. The brand also prioritizes sustainable manufacturing practices by reducing waste and minimizing energy consumption during production.
Their factory is also partially run using solar energy, and they’ve won dozens of awards for their dedication to their workers and the environment. By choosing GreenPan products, you’re investing in safer cooking appliances while also supporting a company that values the planet and its people.
What Makes GreenPan’s Air Fryer Different?
Aside from the obvious health benefits of GreenPan’s PFAS-free materials, the Elite Convection Air Fry Oven is a truly slick product that promises to elevate your recipes. Here’s why it stands out, even outside of the non-toxic category.
The Bells and Whistles of GreenPan’s Elite Convection Air Fry Oven
The GreenPan air fryer is jam-packed with features that make it a cut above the rest.
It boasts a spacious interior, allowing you to cook large meals for the whole family. The oven also features multiple cooking functions, including air fry, bake, roast, dehydrate, slow cook, reheat, and broil, making it a versatile addition to any kitchen. It’s truly an all-in-one tool, making it a smart, effective, and space-saving option.
Specs:
- Capacity: 6.5 quarts
- Power: 1700 watts
- Temperature Range: 150°F to 450°F
- Cooking Functions: Air fry, bake, roast, broil, reheat, and dehydrate
- Material: Thermolon ceramic non-stick coating
- Warranty: 2-year limited warranty
$399.99 at time of publish
What to Use an Air Fryer For
If you’re still on the fence about the air fryer trend, here’s why we think it’s worth the investment.
A Healthy Cooking Format
The GreenPan Elite Air Fry Oven is designed for healthy, efficient cooking. It requires little to no oil to cook, allowing you to prepare your favorite fried foods with significantly fewer calories and less fat. Because the ceramic nonstick coating ensures that your meals are free from harmful chemicals, it aligns perfectly with maintaining a healthy, non-toxic lifestyle.
Types of Meals
Air fryers are perfect for a wide range of dishes, from indulgent fried meals like crispy chicken wings, cauliflower wings, and French fries to easy weeknight meals like roasted vegetables. They’re even suitable for baked goods, making it easy to whip up cookie dough and make single-serve desserts without the inconvenience of using the oven.
Putting GreenPan’s Elite Air Fry Oven to the Test
We’ve covered exactly how GreenPan’s air fryer stacks up in terms of product benefits and its non-toxic nonstick, but nothing compares to firsthand experience with the product.
I’ve been using my GreenPan Elite Air Fry Oven for several weeks now, and I’m ready to share my thoughts.
After using the GreenPan Elite Convection Air Fry Oven for several months, I am obsessed, to say the least.
Lauren Lobley, Private Chef & Cookbook Author
My Expertise: Professional Chef and Mom
As a professional chef, I’m a stickler for non-toxic cookware — but I’m also a busy mom. GreenPan’s non-toxic air fryer has been a game-changer in my kitchen, both at work and at home. Not only does it perform like a dream, but it also saves me so much time. This oven might just be your new favorite non-toxic cooking appliance too.
My Personal Experience With GreenPan’s Air Fry Oven
After using the GreenPan Elite Convection Air Fry Oven for several months, I am obsessed, to say the least. So obsessed, I bought one for my professional kitchen. And I’ve posted about it multiple times on Instagram, and many people in my community have been inspired to get one themselves. Upon receiving their GreenPan air fryers, they’ve shared similar rave reviews, too!
Here’s How It’s Saved Me Time in the Kitchen
I’ve mentioned that this air fryer has saved me a lot of time in the kitchen — it does this in a couple of different ways.
First, its convection bake function speeds up cooking time like you wouldn’t believe. I’ve been able to speed up the bake time on my famous tahini chocolate chip banana bread by up to 20 minutes, all while producing the same moist, fluffy, evenly baked results! Regardless of whether you’re using it for sweet or savory cooking, the versatility of this air fryer makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to experiment with healthier versions of their favorite recipes.
The second way this air fryer saves me time is by allowing me to step away from careful watch duty in front of my oven. For example, we eat a ton of sweet potato fries in our household. I am very picky about them being soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Because of that, I usually have to station myself at my traditional oven the entire time they’re roasting. I have to flip and turn the potatoes and the baking sheets as I go, and then adjust the oven temperature near the end of the cooking time to get that golden brown crisp that my kids and I love.
The air frying function produces consistently crispy results (don’t even get me started on how well my bacon cooks in there!), while the baking and roasting functions deliver evenly cooked meals. It almost feels like I’m cheating!
Lauren Lobley
Here’s how I usually do it: I start them at 375F for 20 minutes, and then I turn the pans, toss the potatoes, and turn the temperature up to 400F for another 5-10 minutes.
How to Get Perfect Crispy Fries
With the air fryer function on the GreenPan multi-cooker, I can get the same results in half the time, and all I have to do is set the temperature once to 375F, pop on the timer for 12-15 minutes, and walk away. My kids have even told me they like them better in the air fryer!
This isn’t just limited to sweet potato fries, either — this recipe for root vegetable fries would work great in the air fryer, too.
The air frying function produces consistently crispy results (don’t even get me started on how well my bacon cooks in there!), while the baking and roasting functions deliver evenly cooked meals. It almost feels like I’m cheating! Just be sure to get to know your air fryer and your recipes — the product is so powerful that even a few extra minutes of cooking can cause food to get overly crispy, or in some cases, even burnt.
My One Complaint
My only real complaint about it is that I wish it were bigger! I love that it cooks like a mini version of the commercial convection ovens I’ve spent so many years using as a professional chef. And of course, this appliance shouldn’t be any bigger, because it’s built to save counter space. But there’s no harm in a little wishful thinking — I find my food cooks so much more consistently, quickly, and evenly that I wish I could replace my entire oven set-up with this multi-cooker.
My One Caution
My only caution is that because this air fryer is so powerful and cooks so quickly, there have been a few times where even leaving food in the oven for an extra 1-3 minutes caused it to get a little too crispy and in some cases, burnt. Just get to know your oven, and the best temperatures for each of your recipes.
The GreenPan Warranty: How It Stacks Up with Other Air Fryers
Specs:
- Capacity: 6.5 quarts
- Power: 1700 watts
- Temperature Range: 150°F to 450°F
- Cooking Functions: Air fry, bake, roast, broil, reheat, and dehydrate
- Material: Thermolon ceramic non-stick coating
- Warranty: 2-year limited warranty
$399.99 at time of publish
GreenPan offers a 2-year limited warranty on their Elite Convection Air Fry Oven, which is in line with industry standards. However, what sets GreenPan apart here is their commitment to customer satisfaction. Should you encounter any issues with your air fryer, their customer service team is responsive and willing to go the extra mile to resolve any problems. You can even call them which is rare in today’s digital age.
Pros and Cons of the GreenPan Air Fry Oven
| Pros | Cons |
| Non-toxic, PFAS-free ceramic coating | Slightly higher price point compared to some competitors |
| Versatile cooking functions | Limited color options |
| Spacious capacity | |
| Easy to clean | |
| Environmentally friendly |
Needless to say, we’re pretty big fans of GreenPan here at Organic Authority. In fact, we’ve gone as far as to give them our Organic Authority Approved Clean Cookware seal of approval.
Intrigued but not ready to take the plunge with an air fryer? Try dipping your toes in with a cookware set first (check out this article to see which set is right for you!). More of a set-it-and-forget-it type of chef? Take a peek at Organic Authority founder Laura Klein’s review of the GreenPan Slow Cooker. Or if you’re shopping for someone else, our GreenPan gift guide has you covered. Let us know what you go for, and be sure to leave a comment below if you give the GreenPan air fryer a try!
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Sources:
- https://www.epa.gov/pfas/our-current-understanding-human-health-and-environmental-risks-pfas
- https://www.greenpan.us/pages/sustainability
