Ozeri 10-Inch Green Earth Frying Pan Review

We purchased the Ozeri 10-Inch Green Earth Frying Pan so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.

The Green Earth Fry Pan by Ozeri is part of the brand's Ceramic Earth Series, which claims "nonstick perfection" with its use of a ceramic coating from Germany. The ceramic coating is 100 percent free of PTFE, PFOA, APEO, and NMP. You'll immediately notice the eye-catching green design, but going beyond its aesthetics and branding, I wanted to know if the ceramic coating is as effective as traditional nonstick cookware, so I put it to the test. Here’s what I found.

Design: Great for small dishes

The Ozeri 10-Inch Green Earth Frying Pan is the perfect size to make scrambled eggs or other breakfast items. I was even able to cook a full dozen eggs in it.

If I had made any more, I would have needed a bigger pan, so if you do a lot of large-batch cooking or use your frying pan for single-skillet meals, you’ll probably find the Ozeri Pan to be too small. However, the good news is that it comes in a 12-inch size, as well.

Material: A different nonstick surface

This pan is made up of five layers, including an aluminum core and two layers of ceramic on top. The ceramic creates its nonstick surface. I used the pan to cook on a gas stove and found that it heated evenly. It even has a magnetized bottom, so it can be used on induction cooktops, too.

I also liked the pan’s Bakelight handle. It stayed cool while I used the frying pan, making it easy to move it off the stove when my food was finished cooking. 

Just like with other nonstick pans, you’ll want to avoid using metal utensils in the Green Earth Frying Pan, as they can scrape the finish. This applies while cooking and if you put the pan in the sink with other items. I found that it was best to wash and dry the pan once it had cooled to make sure that the ceramic layers stayed in great shape, and when I stored the pan, I used the included green pan protector over it to prevent any scratches.

Heating Capacity: Best for low or medium heat

The user’s manual cautions against using this pan on high heat, which can make the nonstick layers break down faster—something I wanted to avoid. Ozeri says that the pan heats faster than traditional nonstick cookware, but I didn’t notice a significant difference in cooking times or heat. 

You can use the Green Earth Pan in the oven, but only between 160 and 320 degrees. However, I don’t recommend it, especially since the handle may break down faster if exposed to these temperatures.

Cleaning: Easy and efficient

I washed the frying pan with water and dish soap before using it for the first time, as recommended by Ozeri, and I also seasoned it with coconut oil to create a thin film on the cooking surface. The user’s manual explains that this is an important step to keeping the nonstick surface working as intended. The brand says you can also use peanut oil or butter for this step, and when I was done, I used a paper towel to wipe away extra oil.

Cleaning the pan was easy using our regular dish soap and hot water. This is especially important to me, since I most often use this type of pan to make breakfast. I cleaned scrambled eggs off the pan with almost no effort, which made my normally rushed morning routine much easier. 

The frying pan is dishwasher friendly, but you should be careful of mineral build up if you have hard water. If you do start to see a film build up on the pan, Ozeri recommends cleaning the surface with lemon juice or vinegar. I didn’t experience this, but those with hard water might over time.

Price: Not bad

The Ozeri 10-Inch Green Earth Frying Pan is cheaper than other nonstick pans that claim to be eco-friendly, retailing for around $27. However, if you want a lid, you’ll need to purchase it separately, and the Ozeri 10-inch Lid typically costs an additional $15 or so.

If you plan to use your frying pan with a lid, there are other traditional nonstick options for less, but I prefer knowing that my pan is free of PTFE and PFOA. I tend to use closed pans for larger dishes, which the Ozeri Green Earth Frying Pan isn’t suited for anyway, so it wasn’t really a problem that I didn’t have a lid when using this pan.

Keep in mind that this is a single pan, not a set. If you’re looking for a complete set of pots and pans, the brand also offers sauce pans and woks, but the cost will quickly add up if you want to buy the entire Green Earth by Ozeri line.

Ozeri 10-Inch Green Earth Frying Pan vs. Bialetti Aeternum Red 7192 Fry Pan

The Bialetti Aeternum Fry Pan, which is 10-1/4 inches, is another nonstick option that performs similarly to the Green Earth Frying Pan. They both cook evenly and are free of PTFE and PFOA, and they can both be purchased for less than $35. However, the Green Earth Pan feels much sturdier and can be used on an induction cooktop and in the oven, which the Bialetti cannot.