I'm an Expert Product Tester, and This Is My Favorite Nonstick (and Nontoxic!) Cookware Set

Tested by Taylor Murray

Nonstick cookware isn't exactly commonplace in restaurant kitchens. As a young line cook, I had to learn the hard way how to use stainless and carbon steel to cook anything and everything. I even had a job interview once that required me to cook a three-egg omelet in a stainless-steel skillet with only a teaspoon of oil. After almost 15 years in the business, I can say that I have mastered the art of cooking without nonstick. Even so, I find myself pulling out a nonstick pan to cook those notoriously tricky foods like eggs and skin-on fish time and time again. I'm always on the lookout for nonstick cookware that can perform well, last a long time and, most importantly, is free of toxic materials.

The GreenPan brand is wildly popular for offering pots and pans with an alternative coating to the notoriously toxic Teflon. The company is committed to sustainability initiatives and stands behind their products with a robust warranty program. Since debuting their core line of cookware, they have since expanded to offer bakeware, cutlery and even cooking appliances. The Valencia Pro cookware line is one of GreenPan's standout offerings, combining their signature Thermolon ceramic nonstick coating with a sleek, durable design. I put this set through its paces to see if it delivers on its promises.

What I Tested

I tested the GreenPan Valencia Pro 11-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set, which includes 8-, 9.5- and 11-inch fry pans, 2- and 3-quart covered saucepans, a 3-quart covered sauté pan, a 5-quart covered stockpot and a set of 3 pan protectors. The set is crafted with a diamond-infused ceramic coating, making it simultaneously nonstick and incredibly durable. The wide variety in the set of pots and pans is well-suited for a wide range of cooking tasks, from frying and boiling to simmering and sautéing.

For anyone looking to outfit their entire kitchen, this set offers an excellent selection of essential pieces.

Is the GreenPan Valencia Pro Cookware Line Toxin-Free?

One of the standout features of the GreenPan Valencia Pro Cookware Set is its commitment to nontoxic manufacturing. The cookware is made with a ceramic nonstick coating free of PFAS, PFOA, lead and cadmium, ensuring no harmful chemicals are released even when cooking at high temperatures. Not only is this set nontoxic, but none of the cookware made at GreenPan is, so you don't have to worry about harmful chemicals traveling around the manufacturing plant and inadvertently making their way into your pans.

Beyond the ceramic coating, the Valencia Pro line is constructed with a hard-anodized aluminum core, making it highly durable and resistant to denting. Its thick base ensures even heat distribution and compatibility with all stovetops, including induction.

How I Tested the GreenPan Valencia Pro Cookware Set

Like all our product tests, I started by unboxing the set and looking over each and every piece. I noted the quality of construction and packing, as well as the detail of the user manual. I first tested this GreenPan set alongside other nonstick cookware in my review of those sets, then added some additional tests to further discover the quality of each piece and the set as a whole.

Heating Sauce: I poured a jarred tomato sauce into the saucepan to see how well it could handle slow, steady heating without scorching. The sauce heated evenly and maintained its consistency throughout. The nonstick surface ensured easy stirring and no sticking.

Meatball Test: To test the pan's ability to handle searing and heat distribution, I rolled and cooked a batch of meatballs. The frypan delivered an even sear on all sides, locking in juices while creating a perfect crust. The even heating meant there were no undercooked or overcooked spots, and the meatballs released effortlessly from the pan. Once the meatballs were seared, I drained the fat and added in the heated sauce before transferring the whole pan to the oven to finish cooking the meatballs.

Boiling Pasta/Water Test: To test the stockpot's efficiency, I boiled water for pasta. The thick base allowed for rapid boiling without any hotspots, and the pot retained heat well throughout the cooking process. Draining the pasta was straightforward thanks to the pot's sturdy, yet lightweight design. A full pound of pasta easily fits in the pot and spaghetti only stuck out over the edge by about an inch for a few moments before sinking into the water.

Egg Test: For the ultimate nonstick test, I fried sunny-side-up eggs in the small frypan. The eggs slid around effortlessly, and even without additional oil, they cooked evenly with no sticking. Scrambled eggs posed no issue, and the eggs cooked quickly and evenly without leaving behind that all-too-common film.

Sautéing Vegetables Test: To see how the pans could sauté, I cut some fresh zucchini and cooked it to an even golden brown. Tossing the pan to test its design and balance was effortless, and the sloped sides made maneuvering simple. The large sauté pan is hefty but not too heavy, even during continuous movement.

Searing Skin-On Salmon: The frypan's performance truly shined when searing skin-on salmon. The pan achieved a beautifully crisp skin while keeping the flesh moist and tender. The fish released easily when flipping and the even heat distribution prevented any burning or undercooking.

At no point did anything stick to the surface of any of the pans. While I did run the pans through the dishwasher to see how the coating held up, I didn't actually need to due to its superior nonstickness. Each time I cooked in the pan, I only had to use a damp paper towel to clean up. I especially appreciated the coated rivets on the inside of the pan, which did not hold onto any bits of cooking residue.

My Review of the GreenPan Valencia Pro Cookware Set

Performance: The Valencia Pro line delivered consistently impressive results. The cookware's high heat tolerance made it ideal for searing, while its sloped sides made sautéing effortless. The slick ceramic surface allowed for low-fat cooking, and I was surprised at how little oil I needed to use compared to cooking with stainless or carbon steel.

Features and Appearance: Beyond performance, this set has some other interesting aspects. While GreenPan does offer some a variety of colorways for other lines, the Valencia Pro set comes in a dark gunmetal grey and a snazzy midnight blue. Bright colors may be attractive but darker colors like this won't show the slightest trace of residue and are longer lasting, in my opinion. The interior of the pan is the signature grey ceramic while the stay-cool handles are a shiny chrome.

The ceramic is as durable as can be, safe to use with metal utensils and scratch-resistant. The flat, heavy bottom is compatible with all cooktops, including induction, and the pan can go seamlessly from stove to oven and back again. When cooking meatballs, I was able to sear them on the stovetop and then finish cooking them in the sauce in the oven without any issues. Even the baked-on tomato sauce did not fuse to the surface of the pan, which required no scrubbing after I made this recipe.

Care and Maintenance: Cleaning the pieces in this set was almost too easy. Thanks to the nonstick finish — including on the handle rivets — even the toughest, stickiest foods wiped away with minimal effort. While the pans are dishwasher-safe, I found handwashing with a gentle sponge to be more than sufficient to maintain their pristine condition. There were truly no tricky spots that tripped me up when cleaning, and the finish did not appear to diminish at all after a cycle in the dishwasher.

Price and Value: Sure, there are more inexpensive nonstick cookware sets on the market. For someone looking for a rock-bottom price, this isn't the pick for you. While the Valencia Pro set isn't the most expensive that I've seen, the price tag definitely matches the quality, and if you bought each piece individually, you could easily spend twice as much.

Bottom Line: Who Should Buy the GreenPan Valencia Pro Cookware Set?

The GreenPan Valencia Pro Cookware Set exceeded my expectations on every front. Its combination of nontoxic materials, outstanding performance, sleek design, and effortless maintenance make it a standout choice for both home cooks and culinary professionals. Whether you’re frying eggs or searing salmon, this cookware set delivers reliable results with ease. For the person looking to outfit their kitchen with a full set of nonstick cookware to have a quality piece to suit a wide variety of recipes, this is a great option. It's an investment that will last a long time and serve you well through years of tasty meals.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

Taylor Murray is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University with a degree in Culinary Nutrition. She worked as a professional chef for over 10 years before moving into recipe and product testing and development. She has tested several hundred products for Food Network and other brands over the last six years, covering everything from carbon-steel pans to food dehydrators.

Why You Should Trust Food Network Shopping Experts

Food Network Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are tested in real home kitchens that reflect real-world use cases. Our testers follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing the best products, our testers evaluate all of the testing data and take into consideration many factors including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. The products covered on FoodNetwork.com are chosen completely independently by our editors without any outside influence. Our editors do not accept products in exchange for a positive review or promised coverage.