Frequently asked questions
Product related answers
You know how it is, studying product descriptions, looking at pictures and yet there is still this one question that has not yet been answered anywhere. We hope to be able to provide answers here little by little so that no questions remain unanswered. Enjoy yourself.
Topic: Seals
Can I have my pan recoated by you?
We often receive questions about recoating pans - and rightly so! Because the carrier material made of cast aluminum or aluminum is often still OK.
But does it actually make sense to offer this service for customer loyalty? We examined this carefully and, as always, are honest and transparent.
We do not see a new coating as making sense from an ecological point of view. But why exactly?
- Higher environmental impact:
Compared to series production, the expenditure is also significantly higher in terms of resources, ie more energy consumption, higher waste due to sandblasting of "impure" material. Thermal paint stripping produces environmentally harmful gases and vapors that need to be cleaned.
- Longevity and quality:
In series production, all processes and machines are perfectly coordinated. A new coating with a standard sealing by hand cannot achieve the desired quality compared to a new part from series production. The same applies to the durability of the newly applied seal.
- Cost-benefit ratio
Recoating requires many manual preparatory and refinishing steps, such as dismantling handles or reworking the floor (sanding or turning). There is also return shipping.
Ultimately, from an environmental and sustainability perspective, it makes more sense to recycle the pan after the end of its life cycle. Of course, it would be even better if your favorite pan lasts for a long time. If used correctly, the question of recoating does not arise at all, or our guarantee of up to 8 years applies in the event of production-related defects in the sealing.
But even if your favorite pan needs to be replaced, we have thought one step further:
With the b.perfect series, we even thought of the idea that you can keep the handle of the pan and then only have to buy the pan body again. This also protects the environment and your wallet.
What are PTFE non-stick coatings?
PTFE is an abbreviation for polytetrafluoroethylene. This compound is used under various trade names for non-stick coatings on cooking, frying and baking utensils, among other things.
The striking characteristic of PTFE-coated pans, baking dishes and other cookware is the slightly waxy surface.
PTFE sealants are characterized by their long-lasting and excellent non-stick properties. PTFE is therefore used wherever a type of sliding layer is required or to make a product grease or water repellent.
BERNDES PTFE sealants are always PFOA-free!
Does my pan contain PFAS?
More than 10,000 polymers fall under PFAS and one of them is also used in some Berndes products that have a so-called PTFE coating. The polymer used by Berndes is not classified as harmful to health.
PFAS always will
used when it comes to PTFE, Teflon or classic
Non-stick coatings work. It doesn't matter whether it's cookware,
Carpets, sports clothing, fire extinguishing foam or medical technology are possible. It is
Included anywhere where a type of sliding layer is needed, or around a product
to make it grease or water repellent.
Nevertheless, Berndes welcomes a turnaround as quickly as possible in order to move towards PFAS wherever possible in the future
waive! But why?
What is definitely a cause for concern is the negligent handling of raw materials or if products are not disposed of carefully.
be recycled. Unfortunately, there are too many producers and manufacturers in the world who do not take people, the environment and nature into account.
We have therefore developed our own PFAS-free sealing " b.nature ", which is based on purely natural raw materials. You can find out more about it here .
Is coated cookware safe for allergy sufferers?
Yes! Aluminum and cast aluminum cookware from BERNDES is ideal for allergy sufferers. The coating is also toxically neutral and does not pose any harm to the human organism. BERNDES pots and pans made of aluminum are also almost nickel-free, as the coating used does not contain any nickel. Traces of nickel below the detection limit, as they occur everywhere in nature, are also present in aluminum. However, these traces do not lead to allergic reactions. For the large group of nickel allergy sufferers, this means: finally a successful alternative!
Is the non-stick coating toxic?
No! The seal is made of plastic (PTFE) - better known as Teflon®. PTFE is a cold, heat and chemical resistant and non-adhesive plastic. This can also be found in medicine, for example, as it is resistant to chemicals and does not react to body fluids. Even if rubbed-off particles of the seal enter the body through food, there is no health risk because they are excreted unchanged.
PTFE seals can also be used up to a maximum continuous temperature of 260 °C. Since frying fats and cooking oils have long since burned at this temperature, this temperature restriction is completely unproblematic for use in the kitchen with food.
The same applies to our PTFE and PFAS-free sealing b.nature .
Topic: Materials
What are the advantages of cast aluminum cookware?
Aluminum is valued and preferred for high-quality cookware because of its good heat conduction. The die-casting process in particular enables optimal material distribution for all shapes and designs. A thick base for even heat distribution, a thinner wall that guarantees full thermals inside the cookware thanks to good heat conduction. This ensures that, especially during longer periods of use, food is kept evenly warm at low heat without stirring and also does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
What is the difference between cast aluminum and aluminum?
Cast aluminum cookware is cast from liquid aluminum and is therefore stress-free. Cookware made from aluminum blanks is mechanically deformed, which introduces stress into the material. The difference can be recognized by the different degrees of deflection of the floor. Cast aluminum parts have the advantage that they are closer to the heat source right from the start and therefore heat up less when heated.
Note: According to the European cookware standard, the bottom of cookware generally needs to be pre-embossed as any material expands when heated. When warm, the base should lie almost flat on the stovetop so that the cookware cannot “dance” across the stovetop. This is the best way to ensure heat transfer.
Is cast aluminum cookware heavy?
No! Cast aluminum cookware is light in weight and easy to handle. A pan made of cast aluminum is about a third of the weight of a comparable cast iron pan. This protects your wrists, especially when working with large products. However, compared to aluminum cookware, it is heavier due to the greater material thickness.
The thicker the floor, the better the heat retention?
Not entirely correct! In principle that's true, but thick floors also have disadvantages. In order to bring the food to the required cooking temperature, a large mass must first be heated with extra thick bases. The disadvantages of energy and time expenditure quickly overshadow the advantage of heat storage.
BERNDES cast aluminum products represent an economical compromise on this point. The intelligent material distribution allows for rapid heating with low energy consumption and at the same time promotes good heat storage. A medium or low energy supply can be used for cooking. The base is heated evenly and your schnitzel is fried and browned evenly. Because nothing is worse than individual hot spots in the pan. The schnitzel would be burnt on one side and not yet cooked on the other.
Answers to the online shop
Even though we always try to make our shop as self-explanatory as possible, you will hopefully find some answers here.
Topic: Ordering and shipping
How much are the shipping costs?
Shipping within Germany:
If you order for more than €50, you don't pay any shipping costs. If you stay below this cost limit, we only charge €4.90 as a flat rate shipping fee.
Austria:
We will send your shipment free of charge for orders over €70. Below this we charge €7.90 shipping costs.
We are currently examining other countries.
How long does it take for the goods to reach me?
Our logistics team always works hard and ships orders by around 11 a.m. on the same day. As a rule, the package should be with you within 2-3 working days.
Please remember that
If you use the “advance payment” payment method, shipping will only take place after receipt of your payment
Payment is made to our specified account.
Can I check where my order is?
Of course, please check your email inbox for our shipping confirmation. There is a link and an associated tracking code. This link is linked to the shipping provider's shipment tracking and you can see the status of your package at any time. There you even have the opportunity to decide whether the shipment should be delivered to a neighbor or to a nearby parcel shop.
How can I cancel my order and send it back to you?
We would like to avoid any returns as best as possible and put a lot of effort into the presentation and description of our items. But sometimes it just doesn't fit, or the product is completely different than expected.
In such cases, please request a return from us. The best way to do this is via your account .
You will usually receive feedback and a return label by email promptly.