I'd love to enjoy coated cookware because the concept is brilliant. The problem is that all coated pans wear out and become garbage. It's just a matter of time.
When I say all, I mean that every type from every brand made anywhere in the world. And yes, even the fancy expensive ones.
I've been selling cookware for a long time. Over the decades I've sold many of the most well know brands and one thing became clear; after a few years we started to see returned cookware due to the surface degrading.
In 2016 I became fully aware of the impact of chemicals used to make Teflon. I decided then to completely stop selling anything with a chemical coating, even bakeware or waffle irons.
It was at the same time that I doubled down on selling cast iron, carbon steel, and stainless steel as the only material that would last. I quickly realized that Cook Culture had to be a resource to help educate people on how to use and maintain their lifetime cookware. After a little while it became clear that everyone could cook anything with traditional cookware and there was absolutely no need for coated cookware.
Along the way I became fully aware that we toss out millions of pans per year in Canada and that most of them end up in the landfill. Because I'd realized that non-stick pans were unnecessary it led me to understand that we, as Canadians, were creating a massive garbage issue for no reason.
I did the math and figured that in Canada we throw out the equivalent mass of used pans that would fit into the cabins of 24, 747 Boing Airliners - EACH YEAR.
This is shocking but lots of things we do to negatively impact our environment is shocking. The difference here is that I can do something about it, so I did.
This is why I started our annual Fry Pan Trade In. To take old pans into our shop where I can be sure they're recycled properly, and give people a great deal on a new pan they'll have forever.
We hold our Fry Pan Trade In for 1 month starting in late September each year
If you have any questions or concerns about your pans, or the trade in, I'd love to hear from you. Please email me at jed@cookculture.com