Gotham Steel Granite Rock Pan: Pros And Cons

If you're looking for new non-stick cookware, you may be wondering about Gotham Steel. The brand is known for its non-stick, scratch-resistant, and durable pans that are also dishwasher-safe and oven-safe. But are they really the last pan you'll ever need?

Gotham Steel cookware is made with a blend of ceramic and titanium, which is designed to create a durable, non-stick surface. The brand offers a range of pots and pans in different sizes and sets, with some pieces being dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 500°F. The cookware also has a signature copper colour, which some users find appealing.

However, reviews of Gotham Steel are mixed. While some users report being happy with the product, others complain about food sticking to the pan and the non-stick coating peeling off. Additionally, the pans are known for having thin walls, which can make them prone to warping and can result in poor heat retention.

Ultimately, whether or not you should buy Gotham Steel cookware depends on your specific needs and budget. If you're looking for an affordable, non-stick option and don't mind the possibility of having to replace the pans every few years, then Gotham Steel might be a good choice. However, if you're seeking long-lasting non-stick cookware with better heat retention, you may want to consider investing in a higher-quality brand.

Pros and cons of Gotham Steel pans

Pros of Gotham Steel Pans:

• They are lightweight and easy to handle.
• They have a non-stick coating, making them easy to clean.
• They are dishwasher-safe.
• They are oven-safe up to 500°F.
• They are PTFE/PFOA/PFOS-free.
• They are affordable.
• They come with a 10-year warranty.
• They have a stainless steel handle, which is comfortable to hold and easy to stabilise.
• They have a nice design and look more expensive than they are.

Cons of Gotham Steel Pans:

• The non-stick coating doesn't last very long.
• Food tends to stick to the pan, especially when cooking without oil or butter.
• The pans are thin and prone to warping.
• The handles get very hot.
• The customer service is poor.
• The pans are not induction-compatible.

Pros and cons of Granite Rock pans

Pros of Granite Rock Pans:

Granite Rock pans are a great mid-range option for cookware. Here are some of the advantages of choosing this brand:

• They have a rock-like appearance and an amazing texture that prevents food from sticking.
• They are made from a pressed aluminum disc coated with diamond-infused granite, making them highly durable.
• The surface is scratch-resistant and can be used with steel utensils without damaging the pan.
• They are suitable for high-heat cooking and can withstand ultra-high temperatures.
• Granite Rock pans are easy to clean, and even burnt food can be cleaned effortlessly.
• They are oven-safe up to 500°F.

Cons of Granite Rock Pans:

Despite their many advantages, there are also some drawbacks to consider when using Granite Rock pans:

• They have steel handles that get extremely hot and do not have a rubber coating, which can make them difficult to handle.
• While they are non-stick, a coating of oil, butter, or fat will still be needed to prevent food from sticking.
• The pans are not induction compatible.
• Some users have reported that the pans start to peel off after a few uses.
• They are prone to sticking, especially when cooking eggs, and may require seasoning before use.

Comparison of the two brands' materials

Gotham Steel and Granite Rock are two brands of mid-range, non-stick cookware that deliver exceptional performance and durability. Both brands feature a range of non-stick pans, claiming that food will easily slide off the surface. However, there are some differences in the materials used and their performance, which are outlined below.

Gotham Steel cookware is made with a blend of ceramic and titanium, which makes it strong and durable. The titanium core sets the shape and provides a non-stick cooking surface that is PTFE/PFOA/PFOS-free. The surface is rough and textured, and the pans need to be seasoned before use to achieve optimal non-stick performance. The cookware is suitable for use on mid-range electric stovetops and ovens but is not recommended for ultra-high-temperature cooking over extended periods. Additionally, Gotham Steel products are not induction compatible. The steel handles tend to get very hot, and food may start to stick at high temperatures. While the pans are dishwasher-safe, abrasive cleaning materials should be avoided to protect the coating.

On the other hand, Granite Rock cookware features a pressed aluminum core coated with a granite rock diamond-flecked coating. This coating provides a non-stick surface that is scratch-resistant and compatible with metal utensils. The surface of Granite Rock products resembles real granite and has a textured but smooth finish. Granite Rock cookware is suitable for all-purpose cooking, including ultra-high-temperature applications. Similar to Gotham Steel, Granite Rock products have steel handles that get hot, and food may start to stick at high temperatures. They are also dishwasher-safe but require a coating of oil, butter, or fat to maintain their non-stick properties.

In terms of pricing, both brands offer similar options, with a 10" frying pan costing around $30 and a 10-piece set ranging from $120 to $150.

Overall, both brands offer durable and versatile non-stick cookware. The main difference lies in the materials used, with Gotham Steel featuring a titanium core and Granite Rock utilizing a pressed aluminum core with a granite coating. The choice between the two depends on your specific needs and preferences, such as the type of stovetop and the desired heat levels for cooking.

Nonstick performance of each brand

Both the Gotham Steel and Granite Rock cookware brands offer a range of nonstick pans, which are designed to make cooking and cleaning easier. Here is a detailed comparison of the nonstick performance of each brand:

Gotham Steel Nonstick Performance:

Gotham Steel cookware is made with a blend of ceramic and titanium, creating a durable, scratch-resistant, and long-lasting nonstick surface. The brand claims that its products are metal utensil-safe and dishwasher-safe. However, some reviews mention that the nonstick coating starts to peel off and that food begins to stick after a few uses, even with seasoning. The performance of the nonstick coating seems to vary, with some users reporting perfect results and others experiencing sticking. It is recommended to use a small amount of oil or butter for optimal results. Overall, while the nonstick properties are impressive initially, they seem to diminish over time.

Granite Rock Nonstick Performance:

Granite Rock cookware features a granite-like nonstick coating infused with minerals, which is also scratch-resistant and metal utensil-safe. User reviews suggest that the nonstick coating holds up well over time, and food slides off the surface with ease. Some reviews mention that a small amount of oil or butter may be needed to ensure food doesn't stick, especially when cooking eggs. Overall, Granite Rock cookware seems to deliver more consistent nonstick performance compared to Gotham Steel.

Heat distribution of each brand

Heat distribution is an important factor to consider when choosing cookware, as it affects how evenly your food cooks. Here's a detailed comparison of the heat distribution of Gotham Steel and Granite Rock pans:

Gotham Steel Heat Distribution

Gotham Steel cookware is known for its lightweight construction, which can impact heat distribution. The thin walls of the pans heat up quickly but may not retain heat as well as thicker pans. This can make it easier to burn or overcook food. Additionally, the thin walls can result in uneven heating, with hot and cold spots on the cooking surface.

The Original Collection from Gotham Steel, which features an aluminium body, seems to perform better in terms of heat distribution compared to other collections. The Pro Hard-Anodized Collection, with its darker grey hard-anodized aluminium body, may also offer improved heat distribution due to the anodizing process, which makes the aluminium tougher.

The Pro Chef (Stainless Steel) Collection, with its tri-ply clad stainless steel body, has an aluminium disc base that improves heat distribution. However, stainless steel is a poor heat conductor, so this collection may not perform as well as others.

The Hammered Collection, with its Y-shaped handles and aluminium body, is designed to be induction-compatible and may offer better heat distribution due to the aluminium construction.

The Stainless Steel Collection features a tri-ply impact-bonded base, which may result in uneven heating as the base heats up first and then transfers heat to the rest of the pan.

The Cast-Textured Collection has a triple-layer, black non-stick coating infused with diamonds, which may improve heat distribution to some extent.

The Stackmaster Collection has a triple-layer Ti-Cerama coating (titanium and ceramic blend) reinforced with diamonds, but it's unclear if this has a significant impact on heat distribution.

Overall, while Gotham Steel pans heat up quickly, they may not retain heat well due to their thin construction. This can result in uneven heating and make it challenging to control the cooking temperature.

Granite Rock Heat Distribution

Granite Rock pans, on the other hand, are known for their even heat distribution. They utilise a pressed aluminium core made from a single solid disc, which grants consistent and even heat distribution. The ultra-conductive aluminium is then triple-coated with a Granite Rock non-stick finish.

The Granite Rock coating is reinforced with diamonds, providing exceptional durability and ensuring that heat is distributed evenly across the cooking surface.

The combination of granite and diamond flecks in the coating creates a truly scratch-resistant surface. Granite Rock pans are compatible with steel cooking utensils without the risk of damaging the pan.

Granite Rock pans are better suited for high-heat cooking compared to Gotham Steel. They can withstand ultra-high temperatures without warping or sticking, making them a good choice for searing, sautéing, or any cooking technique that requires high and consistent heat.

When it comes to heat distribution, Granite Rock pans seem to have a slight edge over Gotham Steel. The pressed aluminium core and diamond-infused coating of Granite Rock pans provide even and consistent heat distribution, making them ideal for high-heat cooking.

Gotham Steel pans, with their thin construction, heat up quickly but may struggle with heat retention and even heating. However, certain collections within the Gotham Steel brand, such as the Pro Hard-Anodized and Hammered Collections, may offer improved heat distribution due to their construction and materials.

Frequently asked questions