Best BergHOFF Cookware Review (And How It’s A Earth Friendly Hero)
In case you haven’t heard the news, BergHOFF cookware has arrived. It’s the first choice for those who are concerned about their health and the environment.
In this review, we will dig into why the BergHOFF EarthChef cookware is becoming synonymous with healthy living.
Is it all that it’s cracked up to be?
What’s so earth friendly about EarthChef?
Chances are you are already aware of the not-so-great news about nonstick pans, especially when it comes down to the toxic fumes given off by Teflon, which had once been touted as the greatest thing in cookware.
Not so.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which was used to make DuPont’s popular Teflon coating for decades, was phased out after a 2006 settlement with federal regulators, who had linked the coating to a myriad of serious diseases, including cancer. It is believed that the manufacturers had known about the dangers lurking in their product for more than twenty years.
According to this article, in that time, PFOA was able to spread globally and small amounts of the chemical can even be “found in the blood of nearly every American and in the bodies of polar bears in the Arctic and dolphins in India’s Ganges River”.
So with all of that bad press in mind, it’s not surprising that many people still have concerns when it comes to nonstick in their kitchen. However, EarthChef uses only non-toxic, PTFE-free (no harmful fumes being released), and PFOA-free nonstick cookware and bakeware.
In fact, their ceramic nonstick coating is six times stronger than traditional nonstick!
Energy Saving by EarthChef
Not only are products by EarthChef heathier for our bodies, but they are also energy efficient and an excellent choice for the environment, as well.
What’s fascinating about the EarthChef products is that their dedication as a company to healthy living goes beyond healthy and non-toxic pots and pans, but also goes into other kitchen products as well. For example, as many people prefer not to use metal utensils, or stainless steel cookware, due to the likelihood of scratching cookware.
Bamboo is the perfect replacement for wood utensils in kitchen; as a naturally invasive species, this plant is easily renewable as it grows quickly. These attractive and durable cooking accessories demonstrate that this is one company that isn’t just offering lip service when it comes to supporting the environment; they are the real deal.
Seriously, even the packaging is made from recycled materials!
So now that we’ve seen that the BergHOFF EarthChef line is definitely a company that we feel comfortable doing business with, let’s dive deeper into the cookware set, maintenance, care, warranty, and then take a look at the competition.
The BergHOFF EarthChef Premium Copper Clad 10-piece cookware set includes:
The set is dishwasher safe (but we’ll discuss this in more detail below and offer our own opinion on the matter). BergHOFF EarthChef Premium Copper Clad 10-piece cookware set is perfect for all flat surface stovetops including electric coil, electric smooth top, gas, and even ready for induction cooking.
What’s all the fuss about induction cooking?
Induction cooking is a more efficient method of cooking than electricity and even faster than gas. In a nutshell, induction cooking works through reverse magnetism which may honestly, sound a little sci-fi, but it’s been used by professional chefs, hotel chains, caterers, and even homes in Europe and Asia around the world for a long time.
How do I know if my pots can be used on induction stove?
To test if your pots and pans are induction ready, do a simple magnet test. If a magnet sticks to the bottom of your pot or pan, congratulations, it is induction ready!
Developing induction ready cookware goes back to EarthChef’s commitment to the environment.
Taking care of your EarthChef cookware set
Ok, so by now you are probably getting pretty excited about the EarthChef set (or is that just us?). Once you have found a cookware set that really suits your needs, you will want to maintain it in its pristine condition for as long as you can.
To ensure you get the most, and longest, wear out of your set, we have a few tips to help you maintain your cookware.
Before using your set for the first time use, wash the pots and pans in warm, soapy water with a soft sponge, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely with a soft cloth.
Wait, handwash? Didn’t we say earlier that this set is dishwasher safe?
Yes, we did and EarthChef cookware is dishwasher safe (obviously you will want to use the economy cycle), but the truth is though, washing your pots by handa) uses less water and energy and b) protects your pans from the harsh heat and detergents of a typical dishwasher. Heat and harsh chemicals in the detergent can damage the anti-oxidation layer which will lead to corrosion of your set.
Just a side note, if you do notice that your cookware has becomes susceptible to corrosion; simply reverse it by using a stainless steel cleanser.
If you do insist on washing in the dishwasher (we get it, sometimes there just isn’t time to hand wash), do at least dry on the lowest heat setting to prevent damage to the anti-oxidation layer.
Of course, always clean your pan thoroughly after each use but remember to cool your pans down before cleaning them as the pans can warp if placed directly into water while they are still hot.
When it comes to hand washing, don’t use anything abrasive to clean your pans (such as steel wool or nylon scrubbing pads, oven cleaner or other abrasive detergent).
Also stay away from citrus- or chlorine-based cleaners which will damage the beautiful finish on your new cookware set.
But what happens when food gets stuck to the cookware? It happens to us all, but this can be easily dealt with by covering the bottom of the pan with water and letting it soak off at a very low temperature on your stove. Use a wooden utensil to coax the food or burnt material from the pan (not metal which will gouge the surface of the pan).
Cooking with your EarthChef set for the first time
So you’ve washed and dried your brand new set and you are ready to put it to work! Before cooking with your new EarthChef nonstick cookware for the first time, lightly coat the inside of the pan with a little vegetable oil using a paper towel or soft cloth to lightly season the pan’s surface and enhance the nonstick properties of the tough ceramic coating.
Once you seal your pots for the first time, you literally won’t need to use any additional oils while cooking due to the all-natural nonstick ceramic coating.
You may still want to add a little oil when cooking (we recommend using one of the healthiest oils on the planet; coconut oil) to bring out the flavors in your herbs and spices, but before additional oil to your pan, take a look at these guidelines:
Other helpful tips while using your EarthChef cookware
We love this set so much, and we know that you will too, that we went in search of some additional ways to keep pots and pans pristine for a long time:
The strong, professional riveted handles are made of solid cast stainless steel which will stay firmly attached to your cookware for a lifetime.
What about warranty?
EarthChef’s cookware and bakeware comes with a limited lifetime warranty, and its induction cooktops carry a one-year limited warranty.
So who makes BergHOFF cookware?
BergHOFF was founded in Belgium in 1964 but the company now operates worldwide. The technicians and designers at the European technical research center continue to search out revolutionary materials to update their innovative products.
BergHOFF actually developed the EarthChef program for Canadians, teaming up with a community investment partner and Canadian retailers (The Bay, Zellers, and Home Outfitters).
All EarthChef products and coatings passed Prop 65 (the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986), lead safety testing, and the more stringent TUV German food safety standards.
What about the competition?
Obviously when you are looking to make an investment, such as purchasing a new cookware, you will be eager to look at a few options. The BergHOFF EarthChef set, honestly, stands alone in many regards, especially for the health conscious who are also acutely aware that everything they do ultimately impacts the planet.
One other set that often piques the interest of consumers is the All Clad set. So how does the BergHOFF EarthChef line compare with the All-Clad cookware set?
All-Clad cookware is handcrafted in Pennsylvania, with American-made steel as it has been for 40 years. The All-Clad cookware set comes with a lifetime warranty (as well as a price tag worthy of such accolade).
Both sets are excellent, but aren’t necessarily aimed at the same consumers. The BergHOFF EarthChef set will appeal mostly to healthy, earth-conscious individuals with a more modest budget for their cookware, but who still value high quality.
The All-Clad brand will appeal to consumers who are looking for a US-made cookware set and who are willing to pay a higher price.
All in all, we found that the BergHOFF EarthChef Premium Copper Clad 10-piece cookware set is an excellent choice for those focused on healthy, ecological, conscious living.
