Best Non-Stick Pans for Easy Cooking

When it comes to kitchen tools, non-stick pans are essential. Cooking with one makes things so much easier - no need to spray non-stick spray and no need to worry about having to scrape burnt on gunk off of your pan. Cooking was never so easy and smart before the invention of them.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Non-Stick Pan

Non-Stick Coating

The first and most important factor to consider is the non-stick coating on the frying pan. If you’re avoiding Teflon for health concerns, then aluminum pans with a ceramic coating are good options, as they don’t release any harmful fumes that may affect your food. Besides aluminum, cast iron pans are also viable choices, however, a drawback of purchasing these pans is the hefty weight that may be a cause for inconvenience. Whatever you choose, make sure that it's safe for your health along with being functional.

Handles

They may seem insignificant, however, it’s crucial to look for the right type of handles to avoid any mishaps and potential accidents. Non-stick pans come with a variety of different handles such as silicone-coated, plastic, and metal, so it’s important to choose the right one. Try to opt for a silicone wrapped handle or one with a jacket for a more comfortable feel and better grip as compared to metal handles. Another point to keep in mind is that metal handles have a tendency to become extremely hot while cooking and may result in burning your hand if you’re not careful. So if you’re thinking of purchasing a pan with one, then investing in a handle jacket would be a wise decision. Similarly, you want to look for a pan with longer handles as compared to shorter ones.

Thickness

While assessing the quality of a pan, it’s crucial to prefer ones with a heavier bottom as compared to a thin one. Manufacturers often cut down on the material of the pan to reduce its price, however, doing this not only leads to uneven heat distribution, but the thin base can also damage the cooking quality by forming hotter areas on your pan that can potentially burn your food. A pan that heats up quickly will also release heat just as fast, therefore, having a thick base that lets the pan absorb heat thoroughly will provide much greater benefit than a cheap, thinly-bottomed pan would.

Oven and Dishwasher Safety

Owning a non-stick pan that’s dishwasher safe will save you both time and the trouble of having to manually scrub your frying pan after every use. If you prefer cooking at high temperatures to release all the flavors and seasoning of your food, then you’re much better off investing in a non-stick pan that can withstand higher temperatures. Anything over 350 degrees is considered a safe range, however, in the case of non-stick pans, the higher the temperature tolerance, the better.

Appearance

Although having a nice-looking pan is not necessarily essential, owning a pan that looks appealing can add to the look of your kitchen. If your kitchen interior has a particular theme, then selecting a non-stick pan that compliments that design and color would be smart.

Size and Weight

Search for a pan that’s not only spacious enough to hold your desired foods, but also one that can be comfortably stored and stashed away to avoid unnecessary clutter. Also make sure your future pan is neither too heavy nor too light, as both extremes can catalyze problems. We recommend opting for a mid-weight that is both portable and not too heavy to lift to ensure a hassle-free cooking experience.

What are the Different Types of Pan Materials?

The easiest way to narrow down your options is to decide on a particular pan material, depending on your priorities and preferences.

Stainless Steel

Apart from being significantly low-maintenance, stainless steel supplies the strength and sturdiness required to increase durability. However, some would argue that steel is not as good of a heat conductor as aluminum or copper. Although this is somewhat true, steel still does a pretty decent job at properly warming the pan and is adored by chefs around the globe who use these pans on the daily to prepare their signature dishes. What's the downside of owning a stainless steel pan? Well for starters, steel pans can get pretty heavy, especially with the additional copper and aluminum layers coating most of these pans. Still, if you want something trouble-free and easy to care for, then stainless steel might be your best bet.

Aluminum

Moving on to one of the most popular kitchenware materials, aluminum. This substance is routinely being used to manufacture non-stick pans along with other cookware for the astounding benefits that it provides. Not only is aluminum substantially durable and long-lasting, but it’s also considerably lightweight for the strength that it provides. Investing in a high-quality forged aluminum non-stick pan can earn you a decade worth of proper operation without needing to change or replace it.

Cast Iron

Cast iron has only recently gained popularity with the rise in cast iron skillets and pots. If you’ve worked with cast iron before, then you’ll know that. It's generally pretty high-maintenance and requires a great deal of time and labor to look after. So, if you're looking to buy a cast-iron frying pan, then make sure it’s already pre-seasoned.

What are the Different Types of Pan coatings?

Silicone

These are generally considered safe to use and don’t release any toxic fumes or chemicals unless heated above 572-degrees Fahrenheit.

Ceramic

With ceramic coatings, there is absolutely no fear of toxins as they’re made of clay, which provides safety and sturdiness. However, clay does have the potential to break or crack, therefore it is not the most durable option.

How to Maintain a Non-Stick Pan

When cared for properly, a high-quality non-stick pan can last you years without requiring any replacements. When handling these types of pans, you want to be extra careful to not damage the delicate interior and potentially ruin your prized possession. Here are some guidelines on how to properly maintain and preserve a non-stick frying pan.

- Refrain from using metal utensils to avoid damaging the pan interior and possibly releasing toxins into your food. Alternatively, make use of either wooden or plasticware that’s much gentler of the pan surface.
- Be careful to not let the frying pan get too hot, particularly when the inside is empty, as this may tear the non-stick coating on the pan.
- When stacking your non-stick pans, make sure to separate each pan using a paper towel or washcloth to avoid scratches and abrasions.
- Never make the mistake of running a hot pan under cold water, as this may wear down the non-stick layer and make the pan significantly more prone to sticking.
- Regularly wash your pan using soft and gentle sponges along with some dish soap to get rid of any food residue leftover debris.

Non-Stick Pan FAQ

Q: Can I use a non-stick cooking spray on my pan?

A: Never make the mistake of using non-stick spray on your pan as this will, overtime, degrade the non-stick coating.

Q: What is Teflon?

A: Teflon is a pan coating that is usually considered safe unless overheated, which may cause certain harmful toxins and lethal chemicals to be released.

Q: Are non-stick pans safe?

A: Non-stick pans are generally considered safe if cared for properly such as not using non-stick sprays, not scratching the surface with metal utensils, and washing by hand instead of the dishwasher.