The GreenPan Rio line offers colorful, healthy cookware pieces for any kitchen. Both the body and the handles are brightly colored, the latter is made from Bakelite for a sturdy grip on your pots.
The inner coating is the usual signature Thermolon healthy ceramic coating from GreenPan.
Keep reading to find out how they perform in the kitchen and how they compare to other lines from the brand.
As always, our reviews are based on a combination of our tests and feedback from hundreds of other buyers and users of the products to give you the most comprehensive information.
Available Sets and Individual Pieces
The GreenPan Rio is sold in a 16-piece set, as a set of 2 fry pans and individual pieces. You will find more size options for pans and saucepans under the same product listings.
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Best every day set   | 1. GreenPan Rio Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Cookware set - Base material: aluminum | Our Rating 9.5
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Best frying pan   | 2. GreenPan Rio Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan - Base material: aluminum | Our Rating 9.6
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#3   | 3. GreenPan Rio Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan Set - Base material: aluminum | Our Rating 9.3
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#4   | 4. GreenPan Rio Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Saute Pan - Base material: aluminum | Our Rating 9.1
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Best every day set  |
1. GreenPan Rio Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Cookware set - Base material: aluminum |
Our Rating 9.3
|
Best frying pan  |
2. GreenPan Rio Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan - Base material: aluminum |
Our Rating 9.3
|
#3  |
3. GreenPan Rio Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan Set - Base material: aluminum |
Our Rating 9.3
|
#4  |
4. GreenPan Rio Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Saute Pan - Base material: aluminum |
Our Rating 9.3
|
GreenPan Rio: Design
The Rio collection is made with a thick aluminum base for fast and even heat distribution, which means your food will cook more quickly. It also features a safe ceramic nonstick coating that's perfect for making healthy dishes using minimal amounts of oil.
The stay-cool Bakelite handles are heat resistant and safe to touch. They're also very comfortable for a grip, with holes on the side that allow you to hang them up in your kitchen!
The lids are see-through and the convenience of taking a peek at your food without losing the heat is handy.
There are also no eyelets on the lids which means there won't be any steam coming out while cooking.
The Rio collection line is a perfect gift for young chefs. The colors are bright, cheerful, and stand out in any kitchen.
Materials
Aluminum is one of the most popular materials for nonstick pots and pans. It's lightweight, not too sensitive to hot metal surfaces, and conducts heat well.
The GreenPan Rio pieces are constructed from thick heavy-gauge hard-anodized aluminum with a heat-resistant Bakelite handle for extra convenience when cooking your favorite dish.
The Thermolon coating is a popular choice for health-conscious chefs looking to cook with peace of mind.
This diamond-reinforced ceramic nonstick layer has been proven free of PFAS, PFOA, cadmium, and lead to avoid any harmful fumes while cooking.
Our opinion is that even though this line of cookware is marketed as metal utensil safe, we don’t recommend using it on any type of non-stick or coated surface.
The weakest point with these types of pans is the longevity and use of wooden or plastic utensils to help extend the lifespan.
GreenPan Rio: Usability
The GreenPan Rio line is suitable for all cooktops except induction. The pots are also oven and broiler safe for up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you take care of your cooking surface, you will be able to enjoy the outstanding food release properties of Thermolon for years to come.
Keep an eye on the pan temperature when cooking. Despite being exposed to high temperatures, the Thermolon coating does not emit harmful fumes but does affect the cookware’s lifetime.
Some customers have complained about ceramic pans losing their non-stick properties very quickly. The most common cause for this is overheating - especially if you use them with a gas stove.
Durability
GreenPan Rio pieces are made from hardened materials for increased durability. The base is heavy-gauge aluminum and Thermolon is one of the hardest ceramic coatings on the market.
Many users report that they have been using these sets for years without experiencing any issues. However, you will also hear complaints about short lifespans.
In the above section, we have mentioned overheating as being the main enemy of ceramic surfaces. This is the cause of most of these complaints.
Using metal utensils and washing them in the dishwasher are also factors impacting durability. Avoiding both will drastically increase the life of your pots and pans.
GreenPan Rio: Cleaning
Enhanced with diamond dust, the Thermolon ceramic coating is marketed for its durability and dishwasher compatibility.
Although this may be true, we never wash our ceramic pots and pans in the dishwasher. Likewise, we recommend you don't do it.
You can easily clean these pieces by hand with little effort, even burned fat comes off easily. Consequently, your set will remain in excellent working condition for a longer time.
Value
The Rio ceramic cookware line is a healthy and durable option that will serve you well in the kitchen.
Both the forged hard-anodized aluminum body and Thermolon coating are resistant to scratch for their durability while providing optimum heat distribution.
GreenPan Rio: Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
GreenPan Rio: The Verdict
The GreenPan Rio line is designed to be perfect for starter home chefs. It's also a great choice at an economical price and will make cooking easier on families, who should find it durable enough to last through many meals from the same set of pots and pans.
If you are an experienced cook who knows how to take care of your cookware, consider grabbing an advanced collection that offers impressive construction and performance, such as the Valencia Pro from GreenPan.
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