Best Non-Stick Pans: Choosing The Right One

Nonstick pans are a kitchen staple for cooking fluffy omelets, golden pancakes, and delicate fish fillets without the risk of food sticking to the bottom. While nonstick pans are convenient, they are not an irreplaceable piece of cookware and are not made to last forever. Their nonstick coatings do not last forever, and you can expect pretty much all of them to lose their flawless glide after a couple of years.

The best nonstick pan should have a slick, flat surface, even heat distribution, flared sides, and a well-balanced and comfortable-to-hold handle. Here are some of the best nonstick pans on the market:

- Tramontina Professional 10-Inch Restaurant Fry Pan: This pan offers good heat distribution and excellent maneuverability, often outperforming pans that are more than triple the price. It has a classic flared-lip shape, a slick nonstick coating, and a comfortable handle.

- Misen 10-inch pan: This pan has an excellent nonstick surface, gently flared sides, and a comfortable rubber-sheathed handle. It is sturdy yet not heavy and is available in three sizes: 8, 10, and 12 inches.

- Tramontina Professional fry pan: This is a true budget pick, offering an excellent combination of nonstick surfaces, even heating, and a comfy handle. It has a cast aluminum base that resists warping and is oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It is available in four sizes, from 8 to 14 inches.

- HexClad hybrid frying pan: This unique skillet combines traditional nonstick with a honeycomb pattern of raised stainless steel, offering the benefits of nonstick with the searing abilities of stainless steel. It is dishwasher-safe, oven-safe, and resistant to metal utensils.

- All-Clad hard-anodized frying pans: This set of two pans is a great option if you want a small set of nonstick fry pans. They are made with an aluminum core encased in bonded stainless steel, making them compatible with induction cooktops. They have high sides that help avoid messes and are available in two sizes: 8 and 10 inches.

Best Overall Non-Stick Pans

A good non-stick pan is a kitchen staple, perfect for whipping up a grilled cheese sandwich, frying eggs, or searing fish fillets. Here are some of the best non-stick pans on the market:

• Zwilling Madura Fry Pan: This pan is a favourite of many professional cooks and recipe developers. It has a comfortable handle that doesn't get too hot, and a sturdy yet lightweight build. The non-stick surface is excellent, and the pan is oven-safe up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Misen 10-inch Pan: This pan is sturdy yet not too heavy, with an excellent non-stick surface. The gently flared sides keep the contents from spilling over while still allowing for easy food release. The handle is also comfortable to grip and has a removable rubber sheath.
• Tramontina Professional Fry Pan: This pan offers excellent value for money, with a non-stick surface, even heating, and a comfortable handle. It is oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and comes in four different sizes.
• HexClad Hybrid Frying Pan: This unique pan combines a non-stick surface with a honeycomb pattern of raised stainless steel, offering the benefits of both non-stick and stainless steel. It is dishwasher-safe and oven-safe, and although it is pricier than other options, it is built to last longer.
• All-Clad Hard-Anodized Frying Pans: This set of two frying pans is a great option if you're looking for non-stick pans that work on induction cooktops. They have high sides to avoid mess and are made with an aluminium core encased in bonded stainless steel, making them heavier than traditional non-stick pans.
• OXO Good Grips Fry Pan: This pan has an excellent non-stick surface and comfortable handle. It is also oven-safe up to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it may not be the best option for induction cooktops.

Best Value Non-Stick Pans

If you're looking for a non-stick pan that gives you the best value for your money, here are some great options to consider:

• T-fal Signature Nonstick Cookware Set: This set includes a griddle pan, a rare inclusion in cookware sets, and long, stay-cool handles. It performed exceptionally well in tests, with zero sticking, and is available for under $100.
• Tramontina Professional Fry Pan: At just $23, this pan is a steal. It has an excellent non-stick surface, even heating, and a comfortable handle. It's oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and comes in four different sizes.
• Circulon A1 Series with ScratchDefense Technology Nonstick Induction Cookware/Pots and Pans Set: This set impressed both lab analysts and consumer testers. The pans have wide, grippy handles that stay cool during cooking, and the ridged design on the pan's surface resists scratching. The set includes a variety of pots and pans for all your cooking needs.
• T-fal Chef's Classic Nonstick Fry Pan: This pan is a great budget option, usually available for under $30. It has a non-stick surface that makes cooking and cleaning a breeze. The pan heats evenly and has a comfortable handle, making it a handy tool for your kitchen.
• GreenPan Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set: This set is a bit pricier, but it offers a durable and easy-to-clean option. The ceramic nonstick interior is free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium, and the clear lids have stainless steel handles that stay cool during cooking. The set includes a range of pots and pans of different sizes, making it a versatile choice for your kitchen.

Best Splurge Non-Stick Pans

While non-stick pans are generally more affordable than other types of pans, there are some options that are more expensive. Here are some of the best "splurge" non-stick pans:

• HexClad Hybrid Frying Pan: This pan stands out due to its unique surface, which combines traditional non-stick coating with a honeycomb pattern of raised stainless steel, offering the benefits of non-stick with the searing abilities of stainless steel. It is dishwasher and oven-safe, and although it is pricier than most non-stick pans, it may last longer.
• Material Kitchen The Coated Pan: This pan is distinguished by its copper interior, which provides excellent heat conduction, retention, and cooling. It is durable, balanced, and light, making it ideal for tasks such as frying eggs and making hashes. It is oven-safe up to 500°F.
• Zwilling Madura Plus Non-Stick Aluminum Fry Pan: This pan offers a good balance between affordability and quality. It has a comfortable handle that stays cool, a flared lip for easy tossing, and is oven-safe up to 300°F. It has proven to be durable and long-lasting, even when used in the oven and dishwasher.

Best Heavy-Duty Non-Stick Pans

Heavy-duty non-stick pans are a great addition to your kitchen, especially if you're looking for something that's durable and can withstand rigorous use. Here are some of the best options available:

Tramontina Professional Non-Stick Restaurant Fry Pan

This utilitarian-style pan mimics those found in professional kitchens. It has a heavy-duty, long handle and a heavier weight, giving it a sturdy feel. The pan is PFOA-free, dishwasher-safe, and oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It's compatible with gas, electric, and ceramic glass cooktops, and comes with a silicone handle guard for a secure grip. The 10-inch pan weighs 2.64 pounds and is made of heavy-gauge aluminum with a non-stick surface.

All-Clad Stainless Steel Non-Stick Fry Pan

This pan is a pricier option, but it offers even heat distribution, the ability to cook over high heat, and induction compatibility. It's also oven-safe, dishwasher-safe, and metal utensil-safe. The 10-inch pan weighs 3.2 pounds and is made of stainless steel with a non-stick coating.

Circulon A1 12-Inch ScratchDefense Non-Stick Frying Pan

The Circulon A1 pan boasts an ergonomic design, a slick non-stick interior, and a durable build. While the "never scratch" promise is exaggerated, as some scratches can develop with metal utensils, it still offers great non-stick performance. The pan is induction-compatible and has a sturdy, ergonomic handle.

Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick PRO

The Le Creuset Toughened Pro skillet may not be as colourful as their cast-iron cookware, but it has impressive cooking capabilities. It scored highly in cooking evenness and food release tests, and its durability, handle sturdiness, and cool-to-touch handle are notable features. The pan is made of hard-anodized aluminium on a stainless steel base and is induction-friendly.

GreenPan Valencia Pro Ceramic Non-Stick Fry Pan

The GreenPan Valencia Pro is a lightweight, easy-to-manoeuvre ceramic non-stick pan. It heats evenly and retains heat well, and it's oven and broiler-safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. The pan is induction-compatible and comes with a sturdy, cool-to-touch handle. The 11-inch pan weighs 2.75 pounds and is made of hard-anodized aluminium with an Infinite8 non-stick coating.

Best Non-Stick Pans for Induction Cooktops

Non-stick pans are a favourite of home and professional cooks alike. The pan's slick surface makes cooking a breeze and cleanup even easier, without sacrificing performance. With many people switching to induction cooktops, it's important to know that not all non-stick pans are compatible with them.

Induction cooktops use magnets to generate heat. They are safe, precise, and efficient, but they can be intimidating to home cooks. Induction cooktops require the use of a pan with a magnetic bottom, which is why cast iron, stainless steel, and carbon steel pans are typically compatible, while aluminium or ceramic pans are not.

T-fal Professional Nonstick Heat Indicator Fry Pan

This skillet from T-fal is one of the favourites. It is not too expensive, which is great as non-stick skillets need to be replaced every few years, and is, of course, induction-friendly. The pan has a stainless steel base and a titanium non-stick coating. It is dishwasher-safe, though hand-washing is recommended.

All-Clad Hard-Anodized Frying Pans

If you want a small set of non-stick fry pans, the All-Clad hard-anodized non-stick pans come in a set of two. All-Clad is a high-end cookware brand that is a favourite of professional chefs. These pans are made with an aluminium core encased in bonded stainless steel so they work with induction cooktops. However, they are heavier than traditional non-stick pans and the coating can chip easily.

Misen 10-inch Pan

Misen's excellent pan topped the field in tests. It is sturdy but not heavy and has an excellent non-stick surface that releases eggs and pancake batter with ease. Misen's non-stick pans use a PFOA-free, three-layer platinum coating. The gently flared sides allow for the contents to slide out without the use of a spatula, while also preventing spillage during cooking. The handle is also very comfortable and has almost no slant, which makes it easier to manoeuvre.

Tramontina Professional Fry Pan

Tramontina's 10-inch skillet is the best budget non-stick pan. It combines an excellent non-stick surface with even heating and a comfortable handle. The base is cast aluminium which should resist warping over time, but it is still lighter than some competitors, which could mean a shorter lifespan. It is oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

HexClad Hybrid Frying Pan

While it is generally not recommended to spend over $100 on a single non-stick pan, the HexClad may be the exception. This unique skillet combines a non-stick surface with a honeycomb pattern of raised stainless steel to protect it. The HexClad promise is that you'll get the benefits of non-stick with the searing abilities of stainless steel, and a pan that will last longer. It is dishwasher-safe and oven-safe.

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