Best Nonstick Frying Pan Reviews
Find The Best Nonstick Frying Pan and Cookware Brands
A nonstick frying pan, or saute pan, is the perfect all-purpose cookware and an essential item for any kitchen. Cooking, frying, baking, and sauteing are all made easier, but even the best nonstick frying pan won’t last forever.
Comparing different brands and types of frying pans can leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed by the range of options. This handy buying guide from the cookware experts at Fire Food Chef will provide you with helpful tips for choosing the best brand and caring for it.
Leading cookware brands like Tramontina, Cuisinart and T-fal are included in our ten best nonstick frying pan reviews, representing a range of prices for different budgets.
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Last Updated: January 3rd, 2024
By William Clay: This article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information regarding nonstick frying pan available for those who want to prepare delicious meals. The best 10 available have changed, and information has been added to assist individuals in finding the best nonstick frying pan currently available on the market.
Best Nonstick Frying Pan - Top 10 Picks
RANK | PICTURE | NAME | RATING | SHOPS |
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№1 | 94% | |||
№2 | 92% | |||
№3 | 90% | |||
№4 | 87% | |||
№5 | 87% | |||
№6 | 85% | |||
№7 | 83% | |||
№8 | 83% | |||
№9 | 81% | |||
№10 | 80% |
Best Nonstick Frying Pan Review (Full)
Sauteed spinach, eggs over easy, banana chocolate-chip pancakes, fried bacon strips, beans and tomato sauce - some of our favorite meals are best prepared using a nonstick frying pan. But which brand is the best, and how do you choose a frying pan that’s right for you.
After carefully scrutinizing dozens of options from Amazon, here are the top ten choices based on 5 key criteria:
- Size: Total cooking surface area based on diameter
- Construction Quality: Type and gauge of metal
- Ease of Use: Quality of the nonstick coating, handle, dishwashing options and care
- Performance: Maximum heating capacity and heat distribution
- Health/Safety (PFOA-free)
Following the reviews section, you can refer to the buying guide for tips on how to care for your nonstick frying pan.
Features:
- Quantanium Nonstick Surface reinforced with Titanium
- PFOA-free
- Tempered Glass Lid
- Dishwasher Safe
- Oven Safe (up to 500 degrees F)
- Cool-grip Handles
REVIEW
In just over three decades, Cuisinart has emerged as one of the globe’s leading cookware brands for professionals. Whether it’s a contact grill, an outdoor pressure cooker or a quality frying pan you need, Cuisinart offers commercial grade quality and superior performance.
The Cuisinart Chef's Classic 622-30GP1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan boasts classic features made with superior quality compared to other fry pans similarly priced. Sloped sides and a wide flat bottom make it ideal for frying, sautéing, or browning.
Created with healthy lifestyles in mind, the cooking surface is 100% aluminum-free quantanium nonstick and reinforced with titanium for increased durability. In fact, the PFOA-free nonstick surface is so durable you can safely use metal utensils on it if needed. That being said, you should avoid using abrasive scrubs or metal scrapers to clean a nonstick surface.
Frying sausages, pork chops, and other meat can produce a lot of splatter due to the oils, fat, and natural juices released during the cooking process. Pouring oils and sauces out of the pan is made easier due to the tapered rim, allowing for a drip-free transfer. The riveted, cool-grip handle is securely attached and can be held without gloves even while frying.
The dense, non-porous exterior is harder and more durable than stainless steel to withstand repeated use. Heat distributes evenly across the surface, reducing the occurrence of hot spots, thanks to the reinforced titanium. As a result, mushrooms, spinach, hash browns, onions, fish, poultry, beef or chicken slides off with greater ease for a hassle-free cleanup.
Backed by a lifetime warranty, the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Hard Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan is our top pick for the best nonstick frying pan overall.
Pros
Cons
Enjoy Reading: The Best Sauces To Pair With Meat
Features:
- Titanium reinforced Nonstick Surface (PFOA, lead, and cadmium free)
- Anti-Warp Base
- Tempered Glass Lid (vented)
- Riveted Silicone Handles
- Patented Thermo Spot Technology
- Dishwasher safe
- Oven Safe (up to 400F)
REVIEW
Considered an industry leader in nonstick cookware, T-fal has been doing it better than most for over sixty years. Designed for the average household kitchen, the T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan is as close to commercial grade quality as you can get outside of a restaurant.
Featuring the company’s patented Thermo Spot technology, the T-fal Ultimate achieves superior results for a variety of uses with improved durability and heat distribution over budget brands. The sturdy anodized aluminum exterior is heat resistant and weather resistant.
The even base distributes heat evenly across the titanium reinforced nonstick cooking surface for food that browns, sautes or fries evenly. Best of all, the Thermo Spot, a red ring at the center of the pan, turns red to indicate when the surface has reached the ideal temperature. To seal in moisture and natural juices, just place the vented tempered glass lid on, and monitor your food safely as it cooks.
Provided you cook on the low-medium setting, this oven-friendly, dishwasher safe frying pan should remain nonstick over many uses. Meat, poultry, fish, sauteed vegetables, and other favorites fit easily in the ample 12’ inch cooking space, and the lightweight construction is much easier to handle than a solid cast iron skillet of the same size.
Versatile, lightweight, yet sturdy, the T-fal Ultimate is a less costly alternative to the top pick, without compromising on quality. It comes in a 10” inch as well.
Pros
Cons
Check Out: The Best BBQ Tongs Buying Guide Of 2024
Features
- Hard Anodized Aluminum Construction
- 3-Layer Nonstick Coating
- Silicone/Stainless steel Handle
- PFOA-free
- Oven Safe (up to 390 Degrees Fahrenheit)
REVIEW
Since 1990, OXO cookware has been building a reputation among professional chefs and homemakers for quality and affordability. From office supplies to kitchen utensils, OXO products are typically priced for the budget conscious.
You won’t find the same level of durability from an Oxo Skillet as you would from a Cuisinart, for example, but the thoughtful design features come pretty close to professional quality. Featuring a blend of stainless steel and silicon, the Oxo Good Grips 12” Inch Non Stick Frying Pan is sturdier than it may appear.
The heavy-gauge anodized aluminum construction retains heat well for superior heat conduction and more even results. Sausages, bratwursts, pork chops and other favorites come out browned, crisp, and thoroughly cooked to your desire.
For added protection, the scratch-resistant surface is triple layered, reducing the amount of oil needed for cooking. Since the handle is solid steel riveted to the pan, it won’t fall off or wear out the way wooden handles can. A silicone wrapping around the handle, along with finger guards, provides a more comfortable grip so you can securely transfer food from the stovetop to your oven or grill.
Rolled edges along the rim allow for drip-free pouring as well, making cleanup easier as well. Surprisingly lightweight for its 12” inch size, the lack of a lid may be the only real drawback to the Oxo Grip 12” inch Nonstick Frying Pan.
Pros
Cons
Features:
PFOA Free - Reinforced Nonstick Surface
- Satin Exterior Finish
- Heavy gauge Aluminum Steel
- Dishwasher Safe
- Oven Safe (up to 400 degrees fahrenheit)
REVIEW
If you work in the restaurant industry, you may already be familiar with Tramontina cookware. Established in the US since 1911, they’re one of the oldest American manufacturers still operating domestically and globally. Their products are made in the US with offshore components.
Designed for commercial use, the Tramontina Professional Fry Pans continue the company’s legacy of optimized performance and exceptional durability. Their lifetime warranty speaks volumes to the company’s integrity, and their nonstick frying pans are among the best in the world.
Made with commercial-grade, heavy-gauge aluminum steel, this 12” inch fry pan makes a great gift that will withstand years of frequent use without warping. Stovetop, oven or grill, the heat resistant handle and design has a 400 degree F threshold, enough for quickly broiling or searing food in the final stages of your recipe.
The riveted steel handle features a removable heat resistant silicone sleeve for a more comfortable grip. Food slides easily off the nonstick, PFOA-free cooking surface for an effortless cleanup afterwards.
Sadly, no lid is included with the Tramontina Fry Pan, which is one reason why it could not be considered among the top 3 frying pans in this review. For that reason, you may also feel the price is a bit high, considering other comparably priced fry pans include a cover.
Overall, any Tramontina Fry Pan is a great choice as a gift for someone you know or for yourself. With proper care and use, it will certainly last several years of use.
Pros
Cons
Features:
European Standard Aluminum Alloy - PFOA-free Stone-derived Nonstick Coating
- Soft Touch Wooden Handle
- Magnetized Base
- 4-layer Exterior
REVIEW
You don’t always need a large 12” inch frying pan to cook some of your favorite meals. A complimentary skillet with a smaller cooking surface can be very useful for frying omelettes, pancakes, scrambled eggs, and other brunch fare for two.
With this in mind, the Caanassweis Nonstick Stone Frying Pan is a great example of. This 8” inch skillet frying pan features a design that imitates volcanic rock to achieve a smooth, nonstick cooking surface that’s also PFOA, PTFE, lead and cadmium free.
A scratch resistant mineral layer over a European standard aluminum alloy body gives the Caanassweis Stone Frying Pan its impressive durability. The layered exterior also includes a high temperature resistance and reinforced mineral particle layer for increased protection against wear and tear.
With its magnetized base, the Caanassweis Nonstick Stone Frying Pan is suitable for your stovetop, gas grill, electric or induction stovetop. This versatile cookware is superbly crafted with an ergonomic wood-grain handle as well that includes a loop for hanging.
Although it isn’t recommended for use in the oven, the rimmed edge and 1.98 depth combine to give you more control when scrambling, frying, sauteing, or simmering food on your stovetop. A drip-free design allows you to transfer food more safely as well.
Pros
Cons
Features:
Thermolon Ceramic Nonstick Surface - Diamond Reinforced Technology
- PFAS, PFOA, Lead and Cadmium Free
- Cool Touch Handle
REVIEW
The GreenLife 8” inch Ceramic Nonstick Open Frypan is another small-sized nonstick frying pan you may want to consider. Oven and dishwasher safe, this diamond-reinforced, black frying pan has earned top reviews on Amazon for a few very good reasons.
Ceramic frying pans are great heat conductors, which makes them ideal for frying, simmering, sauteing, and cooking over a low to medium fire or heat. Heat is absorbed and distributed across the nonstick interior evenly, allowing for fewer hot spots.
By using diamond reinforced technology, the GreenLife 8” inch Ceramic Nonstick Open Frypan attains its nonstick surface without the use of any chemicals. As such, it’s one of the safest, healthiest options for frying meat especially.
Food releases easily from the thermolon ceramic nonstick surface, allowing for a hassle-free cooking experience and speedy cleanup. The durable aluminum reinforced body ensures a long-lasting sturdy base, high heat resistance and even heat distribution for frying, simmering, sauteing and cooking a wide assortment of your favorite meals.
Built for a range of uses, the GreenLife 8”inch can work on an electric stovetop, halogen, ceramic, gas grill or oven. The exterior and handle are heat resistant up to 350°F, so you can transfer it from the stove to your Weber gas grill, or to your kitchen oven, as needed.
Pros
Cons
REVIEW
For those of you seeking a quality skillet with extra capacity, this next pick nonstick frying pan reviews should tick all the right boxes on your list.
Now you can enjoy cooking with your favorite celebrity chef. The Rachael Ray Cucina Hard 14” inch Nonstick Frying Pan isn’t just another celebrity-endorsed gimmick. The product is actually an Amazon’s Choice, with hundreds of glowing reviews from satisfied customers. Glass, ceramic, halogen, or electric stovetop, you won’t be disappointed.
The Hard Anodized Aluminum 14-Inch Nonstick Frying Pan by Rachel Ray is everything you need it to be. It’s bigger yet lighter than some of the smaller top picks. Backed by a lifetime limited warranty, the nonstick interior releases food easily, absorbing and distributing heat evenly across the cooking surface for more even results.
Whether you’re browning sausages, sauteing mushrooms, or simmering a delicious homemade sauce, the ergonomic handle allows for a firm and comfortable grip so you can safely transfer the skillet to another station, or to the oven, for example. Two rivets secure the solid steel handle to the fry pan so it’s less likely to simply fall apart.
Oven safe up to 350°F, the Rachael Ray Cucina Hard 14” inch Nonstick Frying Pan is a great gift idea, either by itself or as part of a cookware package. Remember, it’s covered by a limited lifetime warranty, which reflects the level of quality and integrity behind the name.
Pros
Cons
REVIEW
Stylish and attractive, the Copper Chef 10” inch stands out in our nonstick frying pan review as the only one made of copper.
Copper is one of the oldest metals in use on earth. During the bronze age (before 1500BC), in fact, most utensils around the world were copper or bronze. Refined and properly treated, copper cookware is extremely durable. It heats faster than cast iron and retains heat almost as well.
Due to its copper construction, the Copper Chef 10”inch can withstand higher temperatures than your average aluminum steel frying pan. A cerami-tech coating on the cooking surface prevents sticking, so you can fry a wide assortment of foods that release easily when you’re ready to serve the food, transfer the contents, or cleanup.
Since it doesn’t use chemicals in the coating process, the nonstick surface is safer and healthier than other options. And while other brands boast of being oven safe, they don’t come close to the Copper Chef’s heat resistant power, capable of withstanding blistering oven temperatures up to 850 F.
With its aluminum handle, tempered glass lid, nonstick surface, and heat resistant properties, the Copper Chef 10” inch is competitively priced with the top brands in this review. If you value healthy cooking, this large frying pan is a great choice.
Pros
Cons
REVIEW
The Cooks Standard 12-Inch professional aluminum nonstick restaurant style saute skillet fry pan is made of heavy gauge aluminum, and features a PFOA free nonstick coating for easy food release. Suitable for gas, electric, glass, ceramic, and halogen stovetops, this is a premium quality fry pan you can count on to deliver great results.
Large enough for all your favorite meals, the nonstick surface is ideal for a wide assortment of recipes. Pancakes, scrambled eggs, sauteed mushroom, breaded tilapia fillets, simmering vegetables and more cook evenly and rapidly reducing the need for additional oil, grease or non-stick sprays.
With its riveted handle, you can safely maneuver the Cooks Standard 12-Inch without burning your fingers thanks to the silicone grip. The frying pan can also be placed in the oven. Just remove the handle, and insert with gloves to a maximum of 450 degrees fahrenheit for perfectly caramelized marinades and glazes.
Grill or stovetop, the Cooks Standard Professional Nonstick Fry Pan is competitively priced lower than the top brands, but offers exceptional value relative to the price.
Pros
Cons
REVIEW
Granite stone cookware is gaining in popularity among consumers, providing a new alternative to the classic stainless steel, aluminum and cast iron options. A mineral-infused granite coating over a stainless steel design provides superior durability and a natural nonstick surface that can withstand years of use.
So, it’s hardly a surprise that the Granite Stone 14” inch Nonstick Frying Pan is such a popular choice with users. Sized for large families, non toxic, and easy to clean, it’s the perfect compliment to any demanding kitchen household with hungry mouths to feed.
A triple-coated, non-porous diamond and mineral layering gives the Granite Stone 14”inch its exceptional durability. This stone frying pan won’t warp under high temperatures, and the nonstick surface can even withstand the use of metal utensils (spatulas, spoons, whisks, etc).
Stovetop, grill, or even, the Granite Stone 14” inch can withstand searing temperatures of up to 550 degrees fahrenheit. Surprisingly lightweight, at only 2.75 pounds it weighs less than some of the stainless steel varieties and cast iron skillets.
For the best results, you should always wash your nonstick cookware by hand rather than the dishwasher. That being said, the Granite Stone 14” inch is dishwasher safe
Pros
Cons
Nonstick Frying Pan Buying Guide
Now that you’re familiar with some of the best nonstick frying pans, you may want a few helpful pointers to make your decision easier.
Price, of course, is always a key consideration, but there are other factors at play when you’re comparing different brands or models. A ceramic nonstick frying pan doesn’t perform the same way a stainless steel or cast iron skillet does. Nuances in the design and construction materials significantly impact the performance and durability of your cookware.
So what should you be looking for in a frying pan?
6 Key Buying Considerations
1. Durability: A good nonstick frying pan should last 3 - 5 years before needing replacement. The quality/grade of metal will determine its durability. Commercial grade or restaurant quality cookware will typically include some form of lifetime warranty, which is a good sign.
Pay attention to the gauge (thickness)of the metal as well. The higher the gauge, the thinner the metal.
2. Size: 8, 10, and 12” inch are the most common sizes you’ll find. There are also frying pan sets that include multiple sizes for different needs.
3. PFOA-Free: Coated with nonstick polymer or stone-derivative that is food-grade safe and approved by EPA standards. Does not release harmful odors or chemicals while cooking.
4. Dishwasher Safe: Most of the top brands of nonstick cookware are safe to load in your dishwasher but be careful. Repeated dishwasher use can strip the nonstick coating.
5. Insulated Handle: A handle that remains cool to the touch means you can use the pan without gloves.
6. Oven Safe: Some nonstick frying pans can be placed in the oven for recipes that require a quick broil. There is however, a danger of warping the pan and stripping the nonstick coating if left in the oven for too long, especially in temperatures above 400 degrees fahrenheit.
Types of Nonstick Frying Pans
Nonstick Stainless Steel
- Low maintenance, lightweight, easy to clean, attractive appearance,
- Dishwasher safe
- Best used for low-medium cooking and frying
Aluminum Nonstick
- Lightweight, anodized for increased durability, distributes heat evenly and heats rapidly
- Dishwasher safe
- Best suited for low-medium cooking and frying
Ceramic Nonstick
- Coating is made from natural ingredients, safest option for healthy cooking, non-reactive surface
- Dishwasher safe
- Best suited for low-medium cooking and frying
Care And Maintenance Tips For Your Nonstick Frying Pan
- Always wash/rinse a new nonstick frying pan before the initial use. Even if the frying pan has been sealed in plastic, it’s best to rinse the cooking surface with warm water to remove any factory residue that may still be lingering.
- When preheating, never heat an empty frying pan. Apply a light coating of oil or butter to the cooking surface and keep the fire on low to medium. This will prevent the pan from releasing unpleasant factory odors, and will prevent your frying pan from warping.
- Avoid using nonstick cooking spray on your nonstick frying pan [1]. The spray actually leaves a thin layer on the cooking surface that builds up over time. This coating is nearly impossible to remove. Butter or oil is a much better alternative if you need fat for your recipe.
- Whenever possible, use nylon or wooden utensils instead of metal to avoid scratching the nonstick surface.
- Wash your nonstick pan by hand instead of the dishwasher. The combination of high heat, humidity, and the abrasive chemicals in soap will dullen the cooking surface and strip the coating. Even brands that claim to be ‘dishwasher safe’ can in fact lose their nonstick coating in the dishwasher.
- Keep the temperature between low and medium heat. When you cook or fry with a nonstick frying pan, high searing temperatures can release harmful polymer fumes and carcinogens that your food will absorb. Under medium or low heat, the nonstick surface will last much longer.
- Replace your nonstick frying pan every 3 - 5 years [2].
Conclusion
Whether you need to replace an old, warped frying pan that’s lost its nonstick coating, or you’re seeking a gift for someone dear, the 10 nonstick frying pans in this review are among the best options currently available.
While you’ll find a range of prices between $20 - $60, it’s safe to say that price isn’t always an indication of quality. Some of the top picks in the mid-range are actually better than the higher priced ones.
Compare features carefully, and happy cooking!
References
[1] Is Nonstick Cookware Safe? Here's Everything You Need to Know, According to Experts (Good Housekeeping)
[2] The Major Mistake You’re Making With Your Nonstick Cookware (RealSimple.com)