kinda genius: scanpan nonstick cookware
So we all know the horror stories about Teflon, right? How if left on high heat, it can release toxic gases that can cause flu-like symptoms in humans and kill birds? I’ve been off the non-stick for at least five years now, relying mainly on cast iron cookware. But certain things (omelettes, I’m talking to you) just can’t be done easily in a huge, heavy cast iron skillet, and cleaning them is honestly kind of a hassle. So when I ran across these magic, non-stick pans by ScanPan, I was floored. “What? You can use metal in them with out damaging the surface? Oven safe to high temps?” Oh yes, it’s all true. ScanPan has been making durable pressure-cast aluminum cookware in Denmark since 1957, but developed their patented “New Tek” ceramic-titanium surface in the late 1980s. They’re definitely not cheap, but they are guaranteed for life never to scratch or warp, not to mention being completely dishwasher safe. That’s quite a hefty promise! Find them at Amazon, Sur La Table, or the ScanPan online outlet. — Megan B.
there was a huge scanpan recall in australia. i had 6 pans and had them exchanged for a different brand. even without reciepts the shops were exchanging them or giving money back. it was a big announcent in the news and everything. they are horrible pans. i think they basically lied about the material and fooled the shops. maybe they have changed their pans entirely?
Wow, that’s good to know. Does anyone know if they’re safe now? How long ago did you exchange yours?
As far as I know they are still fine and being sold today at major retailers like Sur La Table. I’ve used one myself and can testify that they work great. I haven’t heard about any recalls.
P, would you mind lusting where you read or saw that?
We had one for years. It was not very “non-stick” to start off with, and the coating seemed to disappear quickly – not like teflon getting scratched, it simply changed colors and started acting like a regular pan. Not my favorite product. I guess it is an alternative to teflon, but if I understand correctly, teflon is only bad if it is overheated??
I’ve done quite a bit of searching online and I can’t find anything official (e.g. from the manufacturer or from a news source) on the recall mentioned, so I’m not sure about that and would appreciate a cite.
The pans do have a lifetime warranty — Joan, did you look into that?
A big problem I have with Teflon coating is that once it scratches, you’re supposed to toss it — I read that in Good Housekeeping, scout’s honor — and I abhor that kind of waste. So it can’t be good for you if scratching it is dangerous — this was about it being bad to use, not about it being non-sticky.
Of course, I meant listing, not lusting in the above comment. :)
My experience has only been with Scanpans that are newer models (the professional series, I believe?), and I can say that they really are nonstick (though I’ve always used a light amount of oil in them) . They do conduct the heat better and allow for more browning than teflon does and get regular use and abuse in a teaching kitchen. Easy to clean, too!
I’ve had a scanpan for about a year now, and it still works great. It’s not totally non-stick as a teflon omelet pan would be, but I always use a bit of oil in the pan. I use it on high heat all the time. I don’t use metal utensils on it though.
i actually just moved here from perth, western australia. i bought my scanpans there in 2005. they were awesome for about a year. the brand was boasting things like dishwasher safe, metal cooking utensils, etc. so i did those things. they ended up chipping off black stuff, and it was a lighter metal colour underneath and became really sticky when i cooked even if i saturated pan with oil or butter. when i brought them back to the shop i bought them from, kitchen witch in subiaco, w.a., they took them back with no reciept and exchanged them for fissler ? from germany? i think that is right. much better. although now i baby my pans.
here is a info for kitchen witch
500 Hay St, Subiaco, WA, 6008
Phone number: (08) 93804077
they would know more. i just called and asked my husband who was the one to hear about the scanpan fiasco , and he heard it from a work partner. work partner had just taken his pans in to complain and the shop then told him that they no longer sell those pans because of this problem. i thought he had heard it on the news! i have found a few complaints through a google search but that is about all. good luck with your pans.
search for “scanpan reviews” on google.com.au.
Scanpans DO have teflon. Do your research.
PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, is the substance that adheres non-stick coatings to pans, while PTFE, polytetrafluoroethylene, is that coating itself, better known by its brand name, Teflon. Scanpans have PTFE but not PFOA.
there has never been a recall initiated by the manufacturer, supplier or stores.
There was a problem with several batches between 2002-2008 where the surface bubbled – this has been rectified and any that showed this problem will be replaced under the 10 year warranty.
as long as the pans are used as they are supposed to be i.e low to medium heat; cleaned thoroughly people, no crap left on the surface, and no commercial spray oils used they will perform for many years.
yes during the manufacturing process the scanpan surface does contain pfoa and pfte however both components are exracted by the end of production process.
you whinge about the expense of these pans but look after them like they are purchased at Coles. If you are going to pay so much for something you are going to cook on, read the instructions and use them accordingly for heavens sake.