If you frequently prepare sticky egg dishes like omelettes, frittatas, or fried rice, you are aware of the necessity of a nonstick pan for easy cleanup (and for keeping your cool in the kitchen). Utilizing cookware with a nonstick, stick-resistant surface helps home cooks save time and effort when cleaning. After preparing that delicious supper, who has the stamina to labor over the kitchen sink? Not us!
So we took matters into our own hands and had our team of editors who are expert home cooks test eight of these top-rated nonstick pans. Our editors prepared at least one low-heat meal (such as an omelette or scrambled eggs) and one high-heat seared dish (such as a piece of salmon or chicken breast) throughout the course of a 3-week testing period, using no additional fat, butter, or oil during cooking.
During this three-week testing period, we asked our editors to assess these pans based on the following criteria:
How easy was the cleanup?
As you were cooking, did any food become stuck to the pan, or did your meal just slip right off?
Was your food prepared equally?
In addition to the aforementioned testing requirements, we also requested editors to offer candid opinion on the pan’s appearance, weight, and degree of user comfort.
Learn more about the questions we ask our testing team, the kinds of goods we think are genuinely worth testing, and the amount of time we spend testing in total.
1 set of All-Clad Nonstick Essentials pans (2-Piece Set)
There were 8 dishes produced.
The best meals are fried eggs and grilled fish.
“I was surprised with how well the eggs cooked without any form of oil, with just a drop or two of egg remains remaining in the pan after cooking sunny-side up and scrambled eggs.
In order to protect the pan’s coating, I took sure to let the pan cool completely before cleaning it. I use a wand sponge that is safe for nonstick pans, and because there hasn’t been much food left stuck after cooking, I’ve had no problems with a quick scrub with hot water and soap.
The eggs looked almost baked with a bubbling, light brown edge to them when they were cooked on medium heat. The salmon sizzled right away and came off the pan really easily, with just a bit of residue left along the edges of where the fish was. The pan has a thick bottom, so it takes a little longer to heat up, but because of this, the eggs and salmon cooked more slowly and evenly.
Although it weighs a lot and puts a lot of pressure on the anchors holding it in my pot rack, the black and silver style of this pan is both timeless and modern.
Bridget Clegg, the manager of art production at BestProducts.com, is the tester.
2 Cookware Set HexClad Hybrid Non-Stick (7-Piece Set)
No matter what I make, all that needs to be done to clean it is a quick wipe-down with a moist paper towel, and it will appear as if it had never been used.
“When cooking with sauces and other such things, there may be an odd piece of food attached to the pan later, but nothing that needs scrubbing or scraping off, and I’ve cooked eggs, melted cheese straight into the pan, and grilled steaks and fish, and it all glides off flawlessly.
These pans are created specifically to distribute heat evenly, so even on the lowest heating setting, my food cooks through regardless of where it is on the pan. “With my old, bought-it-at-the-supermarket pans, I’d notice weird consistency when cooking — like my eggs running to one side.
The one caveat: “The one caveat is that it’s suggested that you season the pan a bit first by adding a touch of oil, spreading it around with a towel, and letting it seep into the pan for about 3 minutes. After that, there’s really no upkeep. The pan is aesthetically beautiful with its diamond cut. It’s heavy in the hand, which makes it feel all the more high-end and right for any job.
Scott Simone, the managing editor of BestProducts.com, is the tester.
3 ThermoSpot Nonstick Fry Pans from T-fal
There were 10 dishes produced.
Best dishes produced: stir-fried vegetables and shrimp scampi.
In order to prevent putting your produce on too early before the entire pan gets sizzling hot, this nonstick pan incorporates a heat indicator at its center that turns opaque when the pan has reached the perfect temperature for cooking.
“Also, an even heat-distribution foundation distributes the warmth from edge to edge to eliminate hot spots and enables several pieces of meat to receive the same amount of color on each side.
This pan is dishwasher-safe, but I always hand wash it with soap and water since I don’t need to cook with oils while using this pan because there is typically not much to clean. — Z.K.
Although this pan is nonstick, I discovered that I do need to be aware of how hot it is before adding food to it. If I cracked an egg or sautéed skin-on fish in the pan without it being preheated, the food would stick and I’d need to use a spatula to wedge it free. I would advise users to let the pan heat up for a little longer than they think is necessary before adding their ingredients to it.
About the Testers: BestProducts.com contributing editor Zarah Kavarana conducted the tests. Senior editor for home design at BestProducts.com is Melanie Yates.
4 Nonstick Fry Pans by Farberware
There were 15 dishes produced.
Best prepared dish: pancakes
When I made dishes like pancakes or scrambled eggs, there was more food residue left on the pan, but I was able to clean it off easily with a sponge without having to put any elbow grease into it. “Cleanup was really easy with most of the meals I made because I didn’t have to use extra oil or butter to prevent food from sticking.
When I made steak, I didn’t use oil and nothing stuck to the pan, which was great. It was awesome cooking items I typically avoid, like pancakes, because they were simple to flip and almost slid from the pan to the dish.
Even when I burned a few things, nothing clung to the pan, which is a testament to how well the pan worked on my fussy burners and how everything cooked evenly.
I was careful to use only wooden and plastic utensils so I wouldn’t scratch the pan, and even after several weeks of almost daily use, it still looks brand new. “I’ve always had a hard time with heavy cookware and this pan was light enough for me to comfortably cook with without feeling like I was going to snap a wrist!
About the Tester: BestProducts.com’s photo editor and designer is Kayla Ramsey.
5 Calphalon nonstick frying pan (2-Piece Set)
There were 15 dishes produced.
Best dishes: chicken breast, salmon, and eggs
We use the pans daily and cook a lot. I registered for my set of nonstick pans from Calphalon for my wedding in 2010 and have only changed one pan in almost 10 years.
For well-cared-for pans, nothing sticks. Eggs slide right out, salmon skin doesn’t get stuck to the bottom, and fried rice is flawlessly browned. Cleaning is a breeze; all you need is a little bit of running water, dish soap, and a soft sponge.
“These nonstick pans from Calphalon are well worth it for the affordable price, and knowing they’ll last at least nine years,” said C.A.
The Calphalon pan has a nonstick surface that makes even the most difficult food easier to prepare, and I can’t tell you how much of a lifesaver it has been for me over the past few months (without scraping at the bottom).
These can be a bit weighty, but I like a pan that feels firm and secure. Plus, they have a gorgeous black nonstick surface and a brushed stainless steel handle that looks so professional. It’s also super deep, which I love. That depth allows me to make dishes with sauces and gravy without crossing my fingers in the hopes that nothing will spill over.
According to S.F., “Calphalon knows how to make a pan that everyone will appreciate, merging a good combination of practicality and beauty in one pan.”
About the Testers: Christine Anderson is BestProducts.com’s executive editor of audience. Contributing editor Sanah Faroke works for BestProducts.com.
6 Nonstick Frying Pan Made In
There were 10 dishes produced.
Best dishes produced: browned chicken sausage and pan-seared shrimp.
I genuinely look forward to using this nonstick pan to cook eggs, steak, salmon, and shrimp since I know I won’t have to worry about a messy, time-consuming cleanup.
The only time I had leftover food stick to the pan was the first time I cooked a fried egg without any oil and let the pan get a little too hot, but a simple scrub with warm water and dish soap cleaned the residue right off.
“I can’t speak highly enough of this nonstick pan for everyday quick low-heat items (particularly eggs) and high-heat sears for protein like chicken sausage, salmon, and steak. It’s a good medium-weight skillet with a substantial-but-not-wrist-breaking hand-feel.
Additionally, take a look at how stunning this pan is; the navy blue interior contrasts beautifully with the stainless steel surface.
The senior food/drink editor for BestProducts.com is Danielle St. Pierre.
7 The Coated Pan from Material Kitchens
Total Dishes Made: 4
Favorite Recipe: Stir-fried chicken
“Using this pan instead of my ordinary pans was a life-changing experience; it was so simple to clean, and I will undoubtedly use it in the future instead of my other pans.
But I did use a tiny bit of oil at the end of the cooking process, so that helped with the dish sliding out incredibly easy. I also created a stir-fry starting with chicken to check how that cooked, and I had no issues at all with that sticking.
The only drawback is that it’s very heavy, so cleaning it requires some concentration, especially if you have a small sink. I also love the aesthetic, as it differs from most fry pans in that it has more angled sides rather than rounded ones and a dark green interior, which is a nice change from the typical black.
About the Tester: Erica Murphy is BestProducts.com’s associate director of SEO.
8 Equal Pieces Small Nonstick Pan
34 total dishes were produced.
Salmon, fish fillets, and breakfast sausage are some of the best dishes produced.
“I used this pan primarily to cook salmon and seafood. Without the addition of any fat, the salmon cooked flawlessly and did not stick, but I discovered that I still preferred to add fat to the pan for better flavor.
The pan features a lid, which is necessary for some dishes and is lightweight. With my 7-year-old, my family of two, this pan’s size is ideal. I can easily prepare his breakfast sausages in it, as well as two salmon filets for dinner.
“I have incredibly large pans, but I hardly ever even take them out. The nonstick quality is particularly useful for cleanup. I appreciate that I can prepare my son’s favorite breakfast sausage links, quickly clean the skillet, and then prepare my own breakfast because my kid is not a pescatarian.
Since the testing, I’ve used this pan almost daily and stopped using my other two go-to smaller pans.
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