IPAC Echo Nano Silica pans?

foodielicious · 02-15-2009

Last night I visited Marshall's hoping to find an enameled iron or steel skillet, and instead ended up purchasing an IPAC-branded skillet which boasts a nonstick "nano silica" surface.

It is supposedly an IPAC pan, under their brand "hi lisa". The label says

"Echo Nano Silica Fry Pan
Non-Stick: Nano Silica, no PTFE no PFOA made
Corrosion high Resistance: Rustproof!
Non-Scratch: METAL TOOLS SAFE
No Dangerous Smoke at Highest Temperatures
Designed in Italy

Nanotechnology for Healthy Cooling- FDA and BS standard safety and quality certified."

It has a little logo saying "Exdura Nano Anti-Adherent" as well as some care info and the company's logo and domain name. The blurb on the back of the label says that it is made with nano-particles of hydrophobic silica. It further says that the base of the pan is carbon steel, followed on the interior by a layer of ceramic, and then the whole thing is covered with a nano silica coating.

I can't find this thing on IPAC's website or the Hilisa site, or on any Inox site. The label does say it was made in China. Although I don't think everything made in CHina is horrible, it's certainly a concern when buying from an unrecognized brand. Further research indicates that this fry pan is the same as this one: http://www.emegasia.com/product/view/13011 it looks identical and that one also says "nano silica". I know that IPAC/INOX imports a lot of their cookware so that doesn't necessarily give me pause, but it's one more piece of the puzzle.

My concerns are that this thing might not really have any sort of IPAC/INOX seal of approval, that it could be a fraudulently-labeled item sold off through Marshall's, and that therefore it might have lead contamination. My secondary concern is performance- has anyone ever used a fry pan like this? The surface of the pan is not slick like teflon, it's smooth but with visible pores, which makes me think it needs seasoning before use.

Thoughts? Input? Have you ever even seen one of these in a store?

foodielicious · 02-16-2009

Just an update- I seasoned this pan yesterday and used it this morning to fry a couple of eggs. Against my expectations, it was totally nonstick. The surface does not look smooth so I thought there would be stickage but the eggs came up beautifully.

The surface does not let the eggs slide around the way they did in teflon, but that's fine with me.

My only remaining concern is lead, since this thing was made in China. If it tests negative for lead, it might be worth going back and buying the 8-inch one they had in stock also.

bbally · 02-16-2009

Sounds like the crap that was on the "GreenPans"

Don't think it will last more than a couple months... then it is stick city.

foodielicious · 02-17-2009

It doesn't feel like the green pans- I saw them at Target and touched them, they feel plasticky. Also, aren't they grey? This looks more like the Cuisinart "Green Gourmet" coating does in pics, but I haven't looked at the Cuisinart pans in person.

If it does fade in a few months, I haven't lost much- it was $14.

foodielicious · 04-19-2009

Just a little update on this pan- I have been using it for almost 2 months and it's still working great. I do use it almost every other day- I use it for eggs, and I've used it for frying fake bacon, sauteing broccoli, other stuff.

I do believe the claims of a carbon steel core because it heats quickly, gets very hot and stays hot, and is heavy. The instructions say not to clean it until the pan is cool, I suspect to avoid people warping it & cracking the coating by filling it with cold water when hot. I treat it a lot like cast iron- if all that's in there is oil I will sometimes just wipe it out with paper towels and hang it up.

I wish now that I had also bought the similar, smaller model they had... I think I will go back to see if they still have it. The only troubling thing is that I wrote to IPAC and asked them if they are a distributor of this pan (I found a Chinese distributor) and they have never responded.

canuckcook · 05-21-2009

Ah! Green Pans!!! How I remember! The battle, the bloodshed, the invective, the spying, the intrigue, and what do we find??? It didn't stay stuck to the Pan!!!! Bbally!! You won the war and the battle!!!

jackiefox · 07-09-2009

I don't know who invented these pans, but boy, they are absolutely GREAT. I've had them for about 2 months and they do everything promised. They also cleanup like a breeze. I have cooked rice, eggs, bacon, brocolli, scallops and heaven know what else in them. Now I want to know where I can get more of them. So far, I have two small pans that I got in "Home Goods" which doesn't have any more. Where can I get more of them? Thanks.

bugster2 · 07-09-2009

Most non-stick pans work great for the first 2 months. The true test is how they are 1 year and 2 years fom now.

jackiefox · 07-14-2009

I know what you mean, but I paid so little for them....$8.99 each....that I would gladly go out get 1 or 2 more even if I had to pay $25 each. Thay are such a good deal. No scratches, non-stick, rustproof...you name it. I tell you, I'm sold.

jolietxn · 09-24-2009

Hi,

I just bought one of these pans last night at Marshall's (09/23/09 Dallas, TX). I got the 20 cm (8") fry pan for $8.99. I googled the name and found your forum. I'd be really happy to hear from someone who has been using the pan for several months - are you still happy with yours?

Thanks!

mwynne · 10-06-2009

I purchased one of these pans because I just put in an induction cooktop. The pan is great. I am looking for more pieces. I bought it at marshalls. A search on google does not reveal anything. Looking for more info on where else to buy.
Thanks

prncsdi · 4 Weeks Ago

Hi, I too was in Marshall's yesterday & saw the pans you are talking about. While it does sound very impressive as far as how these pans cook, I am more interested in these pans because of supposed non-toxicity of the product. I would rather have food that sticks to a pan without toxic side effects. I am tempted to go back to Marshalls & buy one but the thing about China is a little red flag. If any of you are able to find info on these supposed "IPAC" pans please post. I will continue to research also & let you know what I find

Tina · 2 Weeks Ago

I just purchased this pan in Marshall's today. Was looking for info on it and found this site. I can't find any other info on these pans. 24cm pan for $9.99 in Southern, CA.

jyam · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugster2

Most non-stick pans work great for the first 2 months. The true test is how they are 1 year and 2 years fom now.

I got my first Calphalon One Nonstick pan for Christmas of '07 (or maybe it was '06--can't remember, sorry). Which mean it's approaching its 2nd (or 3rd) birthday and it's still nice and slippery. I hope my Unison pan does as well.