Ella Walter
HexClad pans are marketed as a premium cookware option, with celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay endorsing the product. The pans are notable for their hexagonal surface pattern, which is designed to protect the non-stick coating. HexClad's non-stick coating was previously made with PTFE, better known by the brand name Teflon, but the company has recently switched to a ceramic coating. This change was likely made due to concerns about the safety of PTFE, which can break down and release toxic gases if overheated. While the new ceramic coating is technically non-toxic, it is too early to tell if it will offer the same long-lasting non-stick performance as other materials like stainless steel, carbon steel, or cast iron.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hexclad pans made with Teflon | Hexclad pans contained PTFE, better known as Teflon, but in 2024 the company seems to have quietly changed its coating to remove PTFE and use ceramic instead. |
| Pan material | Stainless steel, aluminum, ceramic nonstick coating |
| Pan features | Tri-ply construction, stay-cool handle, dishwasher and oven safe, induction ready |
| Pan tests | Boiling water, cooking fried and scrambled eggs, searing steak, stir-frying, roasting, simmering sauce, frying rice |
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What You'll Learn
- Hexclad pans are not made with Teflon, but they do contain PTFE
- PTFE is polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly known by the brand name Teflon
- Hexclad pans are coated with ceramic, which gives them non-stick abilities
- Hexclad pans feature a textured surface, which is supposed to protect the non-stick coating
- Hexclad pans are named for their hexagonal surface pattern, which is made of etched, raised stainless steel
Hexclad pans are not made with Teflon, but they do contain PTFE
Hexclad pans are marketed as a hybrid of stainless steel and non-stick ceramic coating. The pans are made of tri-ply layers of stainless steel cladding and an aluminium core, with a ceramic non-stick coating. This gives the pans their quick and even heating properties.
While Hexclad pans are not made with Teflon, they do contain PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, which is the chemical name for Teflon. PTFE is a polymer, or plastic, used in almost all non-stick cookware. However, in 2024, Hexclad changed its coating to ceramic, removing PTFE. This change was made in response to consumer concerns about the presence of "forever chemicals" in their cookware.
The use of PTFE in cookware has been a subject of debate due to potential health and environmental concerns. While PFOA, a chemical previously used in the production of PTFE, has been phased out of the U.S. cookware manufacturing process, there are still questions about the safety of its replacements. Some sources recommend avoiding PTFE altogether and suggest alternative materials such as cast iron or carbon steel for non-stick performance.
Despite the presence of PTFE in some Hexclad pans, the company states that its pans are PFOA-free, which is a chemical that has been linked to health and environmental issues. The non-stick coating used by Hexclad is described as a "Japanese coating infused with diamond dust", which is marketed as being safe for high-heat cooking.
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PTFE is polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly known by the brand name Teflon
PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. It is commonly known by the brand name Teflon, which is produced by the company Chemours, a spin-off from DuPont, the original inventor of the compound in 1938. PTFE is a fluorocarbon solid and a high-molecular-weight polymer consisting wholly of carbon and fluorine.
PTFE is hydrophobic, meaning that neither water nor water-containing substances can wet the surface due to the low electric polarizability of fluorine. It has a low coefficient of friction, good insulating properties, and is chemically inert, non-reactive, and non-toxic. These properties make it ideal for use as a non-stick coating for cookware, as well as in the manufacture of semiconductors and medical devices. It is also used as a coating for bulk chemical containers, eyeglasses, and shaver blades, and as an inert ingredient in pesticides.
In terms of HexClad pans, there is some confusion as to whether or not they contain PTFE. Some sources indicate that HexClad pans do contain PTFE, while others claim that the company has switched to a non-PTFE coating, such as ceramic. It appears that HexClad may have changed their coating material recently, as some customers have reported being unable to determine whether their pans contain PTFE or not.
It is worth noting that while PTFE is considered safe under normal usage conditions, overheating Teflon can break it down and release toxic organic fluorine gases. Therefore, it is important to use Teflon-coated cookware correctly and to replace it when it shows signs of degradation.
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Hexclad pans are coated with ceramic, which gives them non-stick abilities
Hexclad pans are marketed as combining the searing power of stainless steel with the non-stick ease of cooking delicate foods. The pans are constructed with tri-ply layers of stainless steel cladding and an aluminium core, which allows for quick and even heating.
The use of PTFE in non-stick cookware has been associated with health and environmental concerns due to the release of toxic organic fluorine gases when overheated. While Hexclad pans no longer contain PTFE, the company has been criticised for not clearly advertising this change.
Despite the non-stick coating, seasoning the pan before use is recommended by some users. This involves heating the pan, spreading oil around the interior, and leaving it on medium heat for a few minutes.
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Hexclad pans feature a textured surface, which is supposed to protect the non-stick coating
The textured surface of Hexclad pans is designed to protect the non-stick coating by creating a barrier between the cooking surface and the food being prepared. This barrier helps to prevent the non-stick coating from being scratched or damaged, which can prolong the lifespan of the pan. Additionally, the textured surface can also provide some additional non-stick properties, as the raised hexagons can reduce the surface area of the pan that comes into direct contact with the food.
While the textured surface of Hexclad pans can provide some protection for the non-stick coating, it also has some drawbacks. One of the main issues is that the textured surface can make it more difficult to achieve a proper sear on foods like meat or fish. The raised hexagons can prevent the food from making full contact with the cooking surface, which can result in a less-than-ideal sear.
Another potential issue with the textured surface is that it can make the pan more difficult to clean. The grooves and ridges of the texture can trap food particles and grease, requiring more effort to thoroughly clean the pan. In addition, the textured surface can also affect the overall aesthetics of the pan, as it may be more difficult to achieve a smooth and glossy finish.
Overall, the textured surface of Hexclad pans offers some benefits in terms of protecting the non-stick coating and enhancing the non-stick properties. However, there are also some trade-offs to consider, such as the impact on searing capabilities and the potential for increased cleaning difficulty.
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Hexclad pans are named for their hexagonal surface pattern, which is made of etched, raised stainless steel
While Hexclad pans are designed to be non-stick, they are not entirely so due to the stainless steel webbing. The company describes its non-stick coating as a "Japanese coating infused with diamond dust" that is PFOA-free. However, the pans do contain PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), commonly known by the brand name Teflon.
There has been some confusion regarding the use of PTFE in Hexclad pans. While the company's website states that the pans do not contain PTFE, some customers have found that their pans do contain this substance. In 2024, Hexclad appears to have switched to a ceramic coating, which is also marketed as "TerraBond™". This change was made to address consumer concerns about preparing food on surfaces containing PTFE, which is considered a "forever chemical".
Despite the switch to a ceramic coating, some reviewers have noted that the textured surface of the Hexclad pans can interfere with the non-stick performance. They have also observed that the ceramic coating can become tacky and scratched over time, leading to a decline in the non-stick qualities. Overall, while Hexclad pans offer a unique design and certain advantages, there are ongoing questions about their non-stick performance and the materials used in their construction.
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Frequently asked questions
Hexclad pans were previously made with PTFE, also known as Teflon, but in 2024 the company seems to have quietly changed its coating to remove PTFE and use ceramic instead.
PTFE is a polymer (read: plastic) used in almost all non-stick cookware, not just Hexclad.
PTFE is considered a "forever chemical" and is not considered safe by consumers.
Hexclad now uses a proprietary ceramic non-stick coating called TerraBond.
Ceramic coatings are considered safer compared to PTFE.
