Best nonstick cookware
There are plenty of options when it comes to buying pots and pans to outfit your home kitchen. From stainless steel to cast iron to copper, it can be hard to know which material is best.
However, one kind of pan that is reliable, versatile and easy to use is the nonstick. These pans have a slick coating on their surface that prevents food from adhering. As a result, you need little-to-no cooking fat for many recipes. Nonstick makes for maneuverable lightweight pans that are especially adept at cooking fluffy omelets. And because they can be cleaned with dish soap and a sponge, you don’t have to worry about special care routines or breaking out the steel wool.
What does nonstick mean?
Nonstick cookware is coated in a special synthetic surface that prevents food from sticking. A good nonstick pan will distribute heat evenly so that you can achieve a quality sear or brown your food in the same manner as cast iron, for example.
Nonstick cookware is coated with a synthetic material called Teflon. Teflon was originally made with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a compound that was later found to be harmful to humans. As of 2013, all Teflon is PFOA-free.
Are nonstick pans safe?
While there is no longer PFOA in Teflon-coated pots and pans, there are still a few things to keep in mind for safety when using nonstick cookware.
It’s best to keep your nonstick pots and pans on the cooler side. At temperatures above 570 degrees, the Teflon coating can start to degrade. As it breaks down, it may release chemicals into the air that can make you sick from inhalation. For this reason, keep an eye on your nonstick cookware and avoid overheating it. Cook at medium heat and make sure to preheat with food in the pan. Turn your exhaust fan on as well and crack a window — good practices for any manner of cooking in the kitchen.
As long as you take proper care of your nonstick pans and use them according to the manufacturers’ recommendations, you can rest assured that the cookware is safe. Don’t use metal utensils when cooking in nonstick pans as these can scratch their surfaces and lower their lifespans. Wooden, silicone or plastic utensils are best.
Beyond that, nonstick makes cooking easier and can even help you eat a little healthier by requiring less oil in your recipes.
How to properly clean a nonstick pan
Another way to prevent the Teflon coating from breaking down on your nonstick pots and pans is to properly clean them after each use. Clean the pots in warm water with mild dish soap. Dishwashers use harsh detergents and high temperatures, which can crack and flake your nonstick coating over time.
And to prevent scratches on the surface, use a gentle sponge rather than a harsh scrubber or steel wool.
Best nonstick pans
Best all-around
Ailwyn Nonstick Deep Frying Pan with Lid: available at Amazon
Our take: This nonstick frying pan is a versatile option for your kitchen with high sidewalls and a clear and heat-resistant lid.
What we like: The Ailwyn pan can be used for a wide range of recipes and culinary techniques from deep-frying and stir-frying to griddling pancakes. With its clear lid, you can monitor your food while you steam it to prevent burning or overcooking. This pan is also easy to wash and sturdy enough to withstand years of use without warping thanks to its hefty 4-millimeter-thick body.
What we dislike: The pan comes in one color that is far from neutral. The brilliant-blue, fish-scale coating may clash with your kitchen’s decor.
Best bang-for-your-buck
Utopia Kitchen 11-inch Nonstick Frying Pan: available at Amazon
Our take: You can’t beat the price of this sturdy and reliable frying pan from Utopia Kitchen. It makes a great starter pan for a new apartment or a great addition to a well-stocked kitchen looking for a great nonstick option.
What we like: This lightweight frying pan is the perfect size for two- to four-person households. It has a sturdy ergonomic wooden handle that doesn’t conduct heat and makes stir-frying and flipping eggs easy and fun. Plus, this pan is induction-friendly, so it works on any stovetop. With its pretty faux-granite, speckled-grey coating, the Utopia Kitchen pan goes well with minimalist or rustic decors.
What we dislike: The wooden handle may be harder to clean and less durable than stainless steel or other materials.
Best nonstick cookware set
Calphalon Premier Space-Saving Nonstick Cookware Set: available at Amazon
Our take: Calaphon makes some of the highest-quality cookware on the market, and this fully outfitted 10-piece set does not disappoint.
What we like: Each pan in this set has three layers of nonstick coating, which extends the lifespan to prevent sticking after years of use. Plus, the pots and pans are designed to conveniently and neatly stack for major space-saving, making this a great cookware set for small and large kitchens alike. If you don’t need all 10 pieces, you can opt for a smaller two- or five-piece set with the same quality.
What we dislike: The three layers of nonstick make these pans a little heavier than other nonstick options.
Best nonstick stockpot
KitchenAid Hard Anodized Induction 8-quart Stockpot: available at Amazon
Our take: Nonstick isn’t just for frying pans. This heavy-duty stockpot from KitchenAid is just as versatile and easy to use as the best skillets.
What we like: This 8-quart pot is spacious enough to simmer a big batch of soup or sauce to feed a crowd without worrying about a major clean-up from stuck-on food. And every inch of the pot, right down to the handle rivets, is coated with nonstick protection, making cleanup easier than ever. You can even pop the entire pot into the oven up to 500 degrees, making this a great choice for low-and-slow braising.
What we dislike: The handles on either side of the stockpot conduct heat and will be unsafe to touch after putting the pot into a hot oven. Lizzy Briskin is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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