Customer Reviews

Starfrit Alternative Eco Pan 9-Piece Set in Reusable Storage Box

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The smooth ceramic performs surprisingly well. You can't really fry an egg on it without oil, but it is more non-stick and easier to clean than hard anodized surfaces like Calphalon. I've now switched to Starfrit when boiling bones for stock because the froth leaves a ring on my stainless pots that is impossible to remove. I even deep fry in the sauce pot because oil splatter comes right off. It's nice that the coating extends to the outside (but not bottom) of each pan or pot.

Build quality is acceptable but not great--comparable to entry level non-stick offerings. The glass lids even look like they came from the same factory. Both the pan and lid handles are attached by Philips head screws which came loose after the first week's use. :(

The degree of the "Eco-friendly" and "better for the environment" claims is questionable. The application of conventional teflon non-stick to cookware is probably not great for the environment, but I rather doubt the application of this ceramic coating is pollution-free either. The use of "99% recycled aluminium" is probably behind those claims. But why the set ships in a plastic tote is beyond me. Would anyone store their cookware in it?

I can believe that ceramic is more inert than teflon, and that it is "better ... for your health", especially at the higher temperatures required for frying. However, there is no information about what kind of ceramic is used, or that is in fact safer, so you have to take it on good faith.

All in all a good second set of cookware especially if you believe teflon is carcinogenic. I would not use the Starfrit when thermal performance is critical, e.g. searing, because the pans are on the light side. 3.5 stars.

6 MONTH UPDATE
There is a chip in the center of the small frying pan revealing the aluminum despite careful use, i.e. no metal utensils and hand washing only. Who wants their food to be touching recycled aluminum? On closer examination, the ceramic finish of the larger frying pan looks like it was fixed by hand because you can see what looks like circular brush marks. The others in the set are perfectly smooth. Non-stick performance on all still pretty good (about 75% compared to brand new) but discovered that grease splatter from frying does not wash off internal walls so easily and requires some scrubbing to remove. Downgrade to 3 stars.

This set works great. My wife and I just love it. I even thought, it was indestructible. However, after some use/abuse the ceramic layer show some chipping. Other than that, it's great.

The Starfrit cookware I just bought is very, very good and definitely lives up to the advertising of non-stick, easy clean, etc. cookware. I got the 9 piece set and am seriously considering getting another 9 set and disposing of some of my old stuff. It cooks well and fast and the food tastes excellent. It is a little expensive but I think definitely worth it.

I love the pans to cooks with. They are excellent, however, they are getting chipped at the rim of the pan when I stack them in the drawer. I have to put towels in between them, ugh! If you were to hang them it would help them last longer.

The pots are easy to clean, and cook evenly, but have an odor that reminds us of burnt rubber. This is a concern because the pots are made in China and we are suspicious of their manufacturing processes. The pots arrived with chips around the rims, but the cooking surfaces are fine. We are anxious to see how long the cooking area coating hold up. All in all, we wouldn't purchase these pots, or recommend them.

My wife bought the 9.5in pan for me and I must say it's exactly what I was looking for. I have always been suspicious about using teflon/cephalon type cookware because of all the rumors regarding ill health effects. The manufacturers even tell you not to use it above 500 degrees. So, this leaves few choices; ceramic cookware being one of them, but usually expensive like Le Creuset. Starfrit provides a great heat conducing pan with a non-stick ceramic, and natural surface. It cooks well, really doesn't stick and washes easily. You don't have to worry about using metal utensils or abrasives on it. It's just what I was looking for. When we're due for a full set, it will be Starfrit!

I've had this set for a month now and am very happy with it. I needed a new set of pots and pans because my ones from Target (not Starfrit) were all scratched on the cooking surface. When my kids got older and started using them, they weren't careful about not using metal spoons and spatulas on them. Everyone is under strict orders to use plastic or wooden utensils on these pots and pans and so far, so good. I even put them in the dishwasher and they hold up great. My husband says they take longer to heat up than the old ones we had, but that's minor in my book. The plastic box they come in is cool, but unnecessary. I would have preferred to pay less for the set and forego the box but I'll use it for storage of something. Buy these. You'll be very satisfied with them.

I absolutely love this cookwear. Super easy to cook with and to clean. I would have given it a 5, but you do have to be careful with it. I got a couple of chips on the rim on the first day. I will not return it, though. I've been treating it with great care because it is so wonderful.

I bought this eco pan (the largest size to make soup) in a store near me and was expecting it to be a terrific purchase. I've been using it for 6 months, but I wish I had returned it after the first couple times of use. There's a horrible chemical odor that never went away even after all these months. I've never owned a pan that smelled so strong and no pan should have an odor. I would never purchase an eco pan product ever again and in fact, I'm going to purchase a new soup pan this weekend by another company.

Love this cookware. There's plenty of recycled aluminum here--the bases are nice and heavy and cook evenly. The handles are comfortable and cool to the touch. The nonstick surfaces are gorgeous, and they work as advertised. I have not put them in the dishwasher, and as recommended, I re-treat them with just a bit of oil after washing. I have no complaints.