Isn’t it annoying when you’re frying some eggs or making a sauce and the leftovers just get stuck on the pan? That’s the typical downside of not having a non stick pan. If you’re settling for the regular pans, you can be sure to experience such issues, but with a nonstick pan and cookware, your ease gets doubled.
Not only can you wash the pan off easily without scrubbing it harshly, but also your food can easily fall on the plate. For example, tossing some vegetables and frying them in a sauce can be an easier task with a nonstick pan. Though for years, nonstick pans had a reputation for being unhealthy or toxic, but fortunately, most manufacturers of nonstick pans have phased out the use of perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA, which is a suspected carcinogen – and that makes it safe to use!
What’s the Healthiest Type Of Nonstick Pan?
The first question that might pop up in your head would be, so what’s the healthiest type of nonstick pan since there are many available out there? The answer to that question is simple. After researching for years, it is found that the healthiest non stick pan is one that is made with ceramic or porcelain coated aluminum. This can prevent potential liver issues, thyroid problems and similar issues which are caused by toxic cookware.
How Much Thickness is Good For A Nonstick Pan?
Cheaper pans tend to have a thinner gauge of around 2.5mm, while expensive options have 3-5mm thickness. Thicker non stick pans are naturally heavier and takes a marginally longer time to heat up, thus reducing the possibility of overheating. Therefore, you should go for thicker nonstick pans, ideally more than 3mm.
Types of Material & Finish in Non Stick Pans
There are many kinds of materials and finishes available in non stick pans, some of them are listed below. Note that the safety of each one may be variable. Just look for the label that says it’s PFOA free, and you’re good to go!
- Aluminum
- Cast Iron
- Ceramic
- Copper
- Glass
- Hard-Anodized Aluminum
- Multi-Ply
- Stainless Steel
- Brushed
- Enamel
- Mirror Satin
- Non-Stick
- Sealed
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Important Features To Consider Before Buying
Before heading on to the stores, to get your picks, here are some features to keep in mind before choosing a good non stick pan.
- Safety Precautions
As the adage goes, health is wealth so you shouldn’t ever settle down for a toxic pan even if it is nonstick. Be sure to check what the surface of the pan is made up of. Some of the manufacturers use a harmful chemical called PFOA. So, when you’re buying yourself a non stick pan, make sure to get the one that is PFOA free. It may have a label of it as well. - Materials Used To Construct It
Before Buying a pan, you must ensure that it is made up of at least 5-ply metal cladding because this ensures that the pan has many layers of metal that can give excellent performance. Also, beware of the low quality nonstick pans which may be less expensive but not clad. This may result in uneven heating and low durability too. - Materials Used To Construct It
Before Buying a pan, you must ensure that it is made up of at least 5-ply metal cladding because this ensures that the pan has many layers of metal that can give excellent performance. Also, beware of the low quality nonstick pans which may be less expensive but not clad. This may result in uneven heating and low durability too. - Check If It is Oven Safe
Most of the nonstick pans cannot be used on ovens and may end up damaging your oven in turn. So, make sure you read the specifications of the pan very well and verify if they can work well with ovens. This will create a lot of ease for you as well. - Ease of Cleaning
Traditionally, harsh scrubbing was the go-to method to clean pans. However, in the contemporary era, you shouldn’t have to do that because it not only tires you, but it ruins the surface of the pan as well. A good nonstick pan will be easy to clean up with mild water and a paper towel, and no harsh scrubbing required.
Without further Ado, let’s get into it.
Our Recommended Compact Nonstick Pan
1. Blue Diamond
First and foremost, we have for you is the most economical non stick pan by Blue Diamond. As much as we can easily fall for the aesthetics of this pan, it’s important to note the excellent features as well. It is not only deemed as safe and healthy for you, but it heats up faster and cleans up quickly too.
Key features:
- Comes with diamond infused ceramic nonstick which is more harder and long lasting than traditional and old fashioned coatings
- Also, since diamonds are more conductive than copper, this pan heats up faster too
- It is Toxin free – free of all the harmful chemicals like PFOA, cadmium, etc.
- It comes with a heavy duty base that prevents wobbling or degrading over time
- It is oven friendly up to 600°F
2. CAROTE
Another great nonstick pan that’s sure to last you a long time would be that of CAROTE. It too, comes at an economical price and is eco-friendly owing to the granite material. It is toxins free and safe to use. Besides that, it’s easy to clean and maintain as well. It is also suitable for all stoves.
Key features:
- Comes with non stick granite material
- Toxin free – free of PFOA and PFOS
- You can clean it using a paper towel and rinse a bit with water producing less carbon emissions and save water too
- Consists of high magnetic conductive stainless steel base that heats up quickly
- Less smoke released
- Comes with service and guarantee
3. Gotham Steel
Featuring a modern and a classic non stick pan that’s sure to steal your heart via its stunning appearance. The company has over 30 million happy customers, and has completely changed the dynamics of kitchen across the world with the introduction of the nonstick ceramic copper cookware! With the stay cool handles and exterior finish, along with interesting range of features, this one is a keeper.
Key features
- Comes with stay cool handles
- Excellent brand reputation
- Multipurpose Pan in which you can grill burgers, sear steaks, make sunny side ups and a lot more
- Features the ultimate ceramic nonstick vooking surface that’s coated three times
- Non toxic
- Easy cleanup and dishwasher safe
- Stovetop and oven safe up to a sizzling 500° F
- The heat is evenly distributed via aluminum composition of the pan with a spiraled bottom
4. GreenLife
Another aesthetically pleasing non stick pan that comes with toxin free materials would be this one. It has a calming and sophisticated appearance in which you’ll love to cook. The Hanes come with a soft grip and are designed to stay cool for maximum comfort. Besides that, it is oven friendly too.
Key features:
- Free from all kinds of toxins like PFOA and PFOS, and the nonstick coating is derived from sand
- It offers maximum comfort owing to the soft grip handles which stay cool
- Eco friendly as it is made from recycled aluminum that’s wobble free
- Dishwasher safe and oven safe as well!
- You can use it for all stovetops, except induction
5. KitchenAid
Heading on to our next pick by KitchenAid, this one won’t disappoint you as it comes from a reputable and a renowned brand. This nonstick pan promises excellent heating performance which is sure to leave you stunned. It comes with a lightweight design with a sturdy grip. It is ideal for everyday cooking as well.
Key features:
- Lightweight design with thick aluminum base and thinner side walls
- Comes with triple layer nonstick making it durable and long lasting
- Consists of gourmet upgrade – handle rivets are finished with triple layer making it sturdy and the pan will look newer
- The size is big enough to cook your favorite entrees and complementary sides all at once!
6. Tramontina
Featuring a other great option in terms of non stick pans that’s sure to leave you amazed. This one comes with heavy duty aluminum that ensures quick heating and excellent performance. It is oven save for up to 400F and can work well with gas, electric, as well as ceramic glass. Besides that, it is toxin free!
Key features:
- NSF-Certified commercial-grade, heavy-gauge aluminum ensuring prompt heating and quick clean up
- Free from PFOA with excellent performance
- It is oven and dishwasher safe
- Comes with a lifetime warranty, so you can get it fixed or replaced if it doesn’t work well for you
7. OXO
Presenting you a stellar and a classical nonstick pan that’s not only durable, but consists of three layers and is toxin free. The performance of this pan is second to none. The brand is quite reputable in the domain of cookware as well, so you can trust it completely. Besides that, it is dishwasher safe too.
Key features:
- Long lasting and durable owing to the hard anodized body which delivers brilliant heat conduction
- PFOA free and consists of three layers
- Comfortable stainless steel handles stay cool and are easy to hold
- Comes with rolled edges for drip free pouring
8. Calphalon
This nonstick pan by Calphalon is sure to catch your attention if you’re a cooking enthusiast. This pan comes with a wide range of functionality and stellar performance. You can easily hand wash it. The best thing about it is that it comes with a lifetime warranty, along with a stay cool stainless steel handle.
Key features:
- Oven and dishwasher safe
- Comes with long and stay cool handles which are easier for you to hold
- Comes with a dual layer and durable hard anodized aluminum construction making it last a long time
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
9. Ballarini
Featuring another stunning nonstick pan that has a unique element to it as well. It comes in a Granitium nonstick coating reinforced by ceramic particles and exceptional scratch resistance which ensures that it’ll look good as new even after months of use. You will not go wrong with this one as it is comfortable to hold too.
Key features:
- Cold forged aluminum body that ensures even heating across the pan
- Comes with brilliant scratch resistance
- Toxins free and requires less oil for healthier cooking
- Comes with the prestigious label of Made in Italy, so the it will last you a long time
- Comes with comfortable, stay cool handles with an ergonomic grip
10. Le Creuset
Last, but not the least, and the most expensive one out of the lot, this nonstick pan is a keeper. It brings you superior performance, quality and comfort. It is the healthiest option out there with no toxins. It comes with textured interior to promote searing for phenomenal taste. You can definitely take your culinary skills up a notch with this one.
Key features:
- Comes with textured interior to product exceptional taste and flavor
- Easy to clean and use
- Toxins free
- Quick heating and dishwasher safe
- Less oil required
- Big enough to make entrees and complementary sidelines
Final Advice
On a concluding note, it can be said that the ease of cleaning and the durability is what you should be looking out for the most. Besides that, other features like cool handles, oven safety and toxin free elements are equally important, but we believe that a good nonstick pan may be expensive, but will give you a combination of all the desired features, so you won’t have to fret over it.
Just don’t settle for anything subpar just because it is economical. A one-time investment can be fruitful in the long run, but if you keep buying cheaper ones every other month, you’re stay in a loss. Having said that, have fun exploring your culinary skills with the fun and hassle free non stick pans in which you can create the most flavorsome dishes including steaks, burgers and a lot more.
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